Technical translation

Technical translation is a type of specialized translation involving the translation of documents produced by technical writers (owner's manuals, user guides, etc.), or more specifically, texts which relate to technological subject areas or texts which deal with the practical application of scientific and technological information. While the presence of specialized terminology is a feature of technical texts, specialized terminology alone is not sufficient for classifying a text as "technical" since numerous disciplines and subjects which are not "technical" possess what can be regarded as specialized terminology.^[1] Technical translation covers the translation of many kinds of specialized texts and requires a high level of subject knowledge and mastery of the relevant terminology^[2] and writing conventions.

The importance of consistent terminology in technical translation, for example in patents, as well as the highly formulaic and repetitive nature of technical writing makes computer-assisted translation using translation memories and terminology databases especially appropriate. In his book Technical Translation Jody Byrne argues that technical translation is closely related to technical communication and that it can benefit from research in this and other areas such as usability and cognitive psychology.^[3]

In addition to making texts with technical jargon accessible for a wider ranging audience, technical translation also involves linguistic features of translating technological texts from one language to another.^[4]

Translation as a whole is a balance of art and science influenced by both theory and practice.^[5] Having knowledge of both the linguistic features as well as the aesthetic features of translation applies directly to the field of technical translation.

^ Byrne, Jody (2006). Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Dordrecht: Springer. pp. 3–4. ISBN 9781402046520.
^ Williams, J; A. Chesterman (2002). The Map: A Beginner's Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies. Manchester: Saint Jerome Publishing. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9781900650540.
^ Byrne, Jody (2006). Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Dordrecht: Springer.
^ Byrne, Jody. Technical Translation. The Netherlands: Springer, 2006.^{[page needed]}
^ Larson, Mildred L., ed., Translation: Theory and Practice, Tension and Interdependence. (Binghamton: American Translators Association Scholarly Monographs, 1991).^{[page needed]}

[1] Byrne, Jody (2006). Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Dordrecht: Springer. pp. 3–4. ISBN 9781402046520.

[2] Williams, J; A. Chesterman (2002). The Map: A Beginner's Guide to Doing Research in Translation Studies. Manchester: Saint Jerome Publishing. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9781900650540.

[3] Byrne, Jody (2006). Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation. Dordrecht: Springer.

[Byrne,_Jody_2006-4] Byrne, Jody. Technical Translation. The Netherlands: Springer, 2006.^{[page needed]}

[5] Larson, Mildred L., ed., Translation: Theory and Practice, Tension and Interdependence. (Binghamton: American Translators Association Scholarly Monographs, 1991).^{[page needed]}

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