It’s been a while since I last posted on this blog, so I thought I’d go back to basics for my first post. It’s been a common theme that my main aim is to simplify translation orders, demystify the industry and provide translation buyers with tips and tricks to ensure that they request and receive the right service. For me, asking for the right service and it being delivered is a large part of what makes a successful translation, but that feels like a topic for a future blog instalment. If this sounds helpful or relevant to you, don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Guide to Translation, my explanation of why translations are charged in words, and my tips on working with an agency as a new customer. What are technical translation services? Technical translation services is a true umbrella term, covering a multitude of options. There are honestly thousands of industries that require technical translation services, and I would humbly suggest they’re not just automotive and agricultural companies. I shared a short insight into some of these industries in a previous post, if anyone out there is interested. In addition, there are many different document types that I would consider as requiring of technical translation services too, and again, I don’t just mean instruction manuals. Documents such as RFQs, technical specifications and technical reports all require a translator with experience dealing with specific technical vocabulary. Technical translation services are used in industrial or scientific settings. Basically, if you don’t think your average Joe on the street would understand the content without additional explanations, you need it. What qualifications does a professional translator have? As a general rule, a professional translator will be a native speaker of their target language, i.e. the language that they are translating INTO. As a minimum, many translators will have built up their language knowledge through a BA program of study in their chosen source language(s), i.e. the language that they are translating FROM. Yet, it is the work that follows their translation studies and qualifications that is often the most relevant for translation enquiries. Some translators choose to complete additional study in a specific technical area, for example, allowing them to confidently deliver technical translation services. Other translators start out working in a technical field and use their pre-existing language skills to assist them in crossing over to a new career path in translation. Technical translation services need an expert translator So there you have it. Although any translator worth their salt would be able to translate your document and use their skills to render it into your target language, it really is worth finding a technical translator who is experienced in your industry. If you rely on technical translation services to sell your product, help users engage with it successfully or provide training to staff around the world, you definitely require a professional translator. If this has struck a chord with you and you would like to hear more about how we can help, please give our friendly team a call or request a quotation through the submission form.