Technical documentation — is a special type of text that requires not only knowledge of languages, but also an understanding of complex technological processes, equipment, norms and standards. If the translation is done incorrectly, it can lead to serious consequences: from improper use of equipment to production failures and even a threat to human safety. Therefore, scientific and technical translation must be as accurate, professional and performed taking into account all the nuances of the industry. This is where the translation agency “Admiral” comes to the rescue - specialists who know their business and will not let you do a sloppy job.
It is precisely because of such a high level of responsibility that the translation of technical documentation has many pitfalls:
- insufficient understanding of industry terminology;
- ignoring the specifics of the target audience;
- failure to comply with official norms and standards;
- overreliance on automatic translators;
- lack of quality editing and quality control.
All this leads to serious mistakes. To avoid this, you need to turn to professionals. Below we will take a closer look at the most common mistakes that should be avoided so that the translation is truly professional, accurate and reliable.
Mistake 1. Ignoring the specifics of technical terminology
In technical texts, every word is of great importance, especially specialized terms, abbreviations and acronyms. Technical translation is not just replacing words with others, but a deep immersion in the subject area. For example, a misunderstanding or translation of terms can change the meaning of an instruction or description, which will lead to errors in the operation of equipment or a process. A translator who does not have specialized knowledge may use general or colloquial words instead of precise technical terms, which reduces the quality and accuracy of the text. To avoid this, it is necessary to contact specialists who know not only the language, but also the specifics of the industry, understand the standards and can correctly adapt the terminology. This ensures that each term is translated correctly and the content of the instructions remains unchanged and clear.
Mistake 2. Ignoring the context and purpose of the documentation
Different types of technical documentation are developed for different target audiences. Instructions for technical specialists should contain detailed technical data and precise wording, while those for end users — should be simple, understandable and avoid unnecessary complexity. If the translator does not take into account who the text is intended for, he can make it unclear, too cumbersome or, conversely, too simplified. This creates the risk of incorrect operation or misunderstandings during the use of the equipment. This is especially important for the translation of instructions, where accuracy and clarity are crucial. The translator must not only know the language, but also understand who the reader will be in order to adapt the style and format of the document.
Mistake 3. Failure to comply with official standards and regulations
Technical documentation is often regulated by certain standards — international, national or corporate (for example, ISO, GOST, DSTU). Deviation from these standards in translation can cause not only misunderstandings, but also legal problems, refusal of certification or prohibition of product use. Therefore, official translation of online documents must be performed taking into account all regulatory requirements. The translator must be familiar with the regulations in force in the relevant industry and correctly prepare the documentation in accordance with them. Only in this way will the translation have legal force and meet official requirements. Otherwise, there is a risk that the document will not be accepted by either the customer or the regulatory authorities. This is especially important for translation of legal documents, where accuracy and compliance with standards are crucial.
Mistake 4. Overconfidence in automatic translators
Automatic translators are a fast and affordable tool, but for complex technical texts they will not replace a professional translator. Services like Google Translate often do not understand the specifics of terms, context and can create confusion, inaccuracies and even errors that are unacceptable in technical documentation. This is especially critical for translation from English to Ukrainian, where accuracy and correctness of wording are important. Only professional translation with the involvement of experts guarantees that the text complies with standards, is understandable and free of errors. Using automatic translators without further manual editing is a serious risk that can result in significant losses for business.
Mistake 5. Lack of quality control and editing
The translation itself is just the initial stage. To get a truly high-quality document, it is necessary to go through several levels of verification: technical audit, linguistic control, editing and, if necessary, proofreading by a specialist in the field. The lack of such a comprehensive verification often leads to the fact that the document contains errors, inaccuracies or wording that is inconvenient for the reader. This reduces user confidence and can create problems during the operation of the equipment. Our translation agency provides multi-level quality control services, which ensures that your translation of instructions will not only be accurate, but also readable, logical and professional. It is also important to consider the correct legalization of documents after translation to guarantee their official acceptability.
Technical translation — is not just words, it is a guarantee that instructions and documents will be clear and accurate. Even a small mistake can lead to serious problems. To avoid this, you should order technical translation services only from qualified specialists. This ensures:
- accurate translation of all terms and formulations without changing the meaning;
- compliance with the requirements of international and national standards;
- adaptation of documentation to the target audience;
- multi-level quality control and professional editing;
- legalization of the translation, if necessary for official use.
Make the right choice today — contact the trusted translation agency “Admiral” and be confident in your documents. Learn more about technical translation services and prices — on our website.
