Que habilidades técnicas de tradução você precisa para ter sucesso?

Domain expertise is non-negotiable in technical translation. My years of managing localization for diverse content types across multiple locales have taught me the importance of deep industry knowledge. It's about more than just language—it's understanding context, nuances, and the evolving landscape of the sector you're serving. Whether it's IT, legal, or healthcare, staying updated through continuous learning and expert consultations is key. This approach not only prevents errors but also ensures that every translation resonates with precision and clarity, reflecting the high standards my teams and I uphold.

To excel in technical translation, proficiency in both source and target languages is essential, coupled with a deep understanding of specialized terminology in relevant fields. Strong research skills help in staying updated with industry jargon and evolving language trends. Cultural sensitivity ensures accurate context adaptation, while attention to detail ensures precision in conveying technical nuances. Familiarity with translation tools and technology, such as CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, enhances efficiency. Continuous learning and adaptability to technological advancements in both languages and industries are crucial for sustained success in the dynamic field of technical translation.

A must! However, this does not always mean you should be an expert in the field (if you are, it should definitely be a plus). As a non-expert, constant research and learning provide an extensive understanding of the subject matter, its concepts, terminology, and, more importantly, the phraseology (how to use the concepts and terms correctly in a sentence, as an expert would).

A creative and investigative mind is essential, one has to be willing to do some research when looking for the best term in a technical translation. That makes the difference between an experienced professional and one that is not.

In teaching English as a second language and eventually for specific purposes, like business & finance, I found myself needing to understand the language used in different fields. Students learning English for their academic or business needs wanted me to teach them specific industry words. The same went for others from areas like technology, medicine, law, and hospitality. For instance, when I started working with medical texts, I knew what I still needed to learn, and how to learn it, and this approach extended to different fields. Alongside my training in translation and a commitment to quality, I have the tools to consistently deliver excellent work without being a "master" or "expert". One of many ways to domain knowledge!

To excel in technical translation, you need a robust blend of skills. Firstly, a strong grasp of both the source and target languages is fundamental. But beyond linguistic prowess, you must deeply understand the technical field you're translating, whether it's medical, legal, or engineering. Familiarity with industry-specific terminology and concepts is crucial. Precision and attention to detail are paramount — even a minor error can alter the meaning significantly. Adaptability is also key, as you'll often navigate between different formats and styles. Effective research skills help in staying updated with industry developments.

I love conducting research. Research skills encompass a very important trait any translator should have; curiosity. This section covers the importance of research; however, it is crucial that the chosen translator is known for their ability to conduct objective/unbiased research and to be able to complete the work even if they have diverging views on a certain subject matter. A good researcher is flexible, realistic, SMART and open-minded.

Technical translation is the process of transferring the Technical translation is the process of transferring the meaning of a technical text from one language to another. This requires scientific or technical knowledge, proficiency in the use of technical terminology and jargon in both the source and target language, and the ability to transpose concepts with precision

You've to research the source text to determine what every word means in that specific field of the text.That's very important.

In legal translation, research skills are crucial, particularly for comparative law research. It's not just about finding language equivalents, but understanding how legal concepts vary across jurisdictions. As a lawyer linguist, I emphasize the importance of accurately verifying terms and their context in different legal systems. Utilizing diverse resources like legal databases, search engines, and academic journals is key. This, combined with critical thinking and analysis, ensures translations are linguistically precise and legally coherent, respecting the nuances of each legal culture.

A tradução envolve não apenas a decodificação de palavras de um idioma para outro, mas também a reconstrução de um texto de forma coesa e natural. O tradutor precisa saber escrever de maneira clara, concisa e envolvente.

Writing skill also involves knowing your target audience. Although a source document may be categorised as a technical document, however the target audience it is intended for also plays an important role. For example, a legal article intended to create legal awareness among general public requires different style or writing compared to a legal article targeting legal practitioners. In a legal article intended for general public, a translator must take into consideration that the general public may not be able to understand intricate legal concepts involved. As such, the language used cannot be too complex.

In my experience, writing skills is highly required for any translator in order to express in the TL what is written in the SL w/out confusion or blur meanings.

In the context of civil law systems where legal proceedings are predominantly written, writing skills are crucial for a lawyer linguist. Unlike the dramatic courtroom scenes in series like "Suits", real-life legal processes often rely on written documents for legal reasoning and argumentation. For legal translators, this underscores the importance of excellent writing skills. It's essential to convey the original text's message and purpose clearly, concisely, and coherently, without any loss or distortion of information. Translations must be easy to read and understand, adhering to the client's style and format requirements.

Along with verbal communication, translators need to be able to communicate in writing, especially if a translator is translating a piece of writing between languages. Writing skills have a few components: Grammar: Knowing the grammar rules in different languages can help you translate languages correctly. Punctuation: Languages use punctuation differently, so translators should be familiar with the punctuation used in the source language and the translated language. Style: Examples of writing styles include descriptive, persuasive, narrative, and argumentative. Translating the style of a written piece helps convey its purpose, so it's just as important as translating the language.

As habilidades de edição na tradução são cruciais para garantir a qualidade do trabalho. Eis aqui algumas competências relevantes: Excelentes habilidades linguísticas; Conhecimento em hardware e software Habilidades de pós-edição; Atualização constante; Familiaridade com ferramentas de edição.

The process of editing and proofreading legal translations requires a unique set of skills, characterized by mental attentiveness, thoroughness, meticulousness, and accuracy. These qualities are essential to identify and correct errors, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies that may compromise the quality and credibility of the translation. It's important to note that not every experienced translator naturally excels as an editor. While many talented and seasoned translators do become great editors and proofreaders, it's not a given. Editing requires a slightly different skill set - it's less about creating and more about critically evaluating and refining the existing text.

Thorough editing and reviewing, paired with the creation of glossaries and archives of reference materials, and a good dose of research, enable translators to deliver adaptations that are error-free, clear, and tailored to their client’s specific needs and communicative goals. Whether adjusting terminology, modifying style, or fine-tuning tone, editing skills help to ensure that the translated material effectively fulfils its intended purpose. Overall, by honing these skills, technical translators can deliver high-quality translations meeting the stringent standards of precision, readability and relevance required in technical communication.

Ir além da tradução, revisando e polindo, é fundamental para eliminar erros e garantir clareza e precisão. Algumas pessoas não gostam de admitir, mas ferramentas como verificadores ortográficos, gramaticais e revisões por pares são aliadas indispensáveis nesse aprimoramento constante. Podemos, e devemos, usar a tecnologia a nosso favor.

Editing is about proofreading and polishing. This is how I do it. First, I read my translation out loud and amend any part of it I find difficult to pronounce. The text has to flow smoothly. Next, I eliminate any unnecessary words as they often cloud the meaning. Remember, punctuation and word choice must be impeccable. Finally, I read the text again to hear how it sounds and to discover any other inaccuracies I may have missed. Note: Do not refrain from checkers and AIs. Technology is really helpful in this aspect.

Regarding myself, I studied civil engineering at university and worked as a site engineer. So, I was able to closely examine the building and finishing processes. That's why I can therefore understand engineering texts with ease. What should you do if you're not an engineer? It is essential that you read often, expand your knowledge in the translation industry of your choice, and be up-to-date with the latest advances. In a nutshell, digging deep in a certain field is the most effective way to excellence!

In the digital age, technical translators need to be skilled at using translation tools and software. Being familiar with things like computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, terminology databases, and machine translation technology can greatly improve their productivity and precision. These digital skills are key for technical translators today.

Diría que en el sector de la traducción técnica es fundamental la curiosidad, esa que te permite ir más allá y no quedarte en la superficie. La que te lleva a investigar y detenerte en un término que quizá no significa lo que a primera vista podría parecer. Curiosidad para adentrarte en cada proyecto y en cada materia nueva con entusiasmo y ganas para lograr el mejor de los resultados.

In the sphere of legal translation, the importance of technology skills extends beyond general language technologies to encompass legal tech as well. These technologies offer unique tools at the intersection of law and linguistics, such as Juremy – an EU legal terminology search tool. Legal translation also requires familiarity with legal databases and legal research tools. The integration of AI in the translation process is increasingly essential, offering advanced solutions for linguistic nuances and legal specifics. However, high caution is needed.

Technology helps greatly. Wellcome it, but do not trust completely. There are many CAT tools available. AIs are also making a difference. However, when using them in translation, keep in mind that these various language tools and models, though powerful, are still tools and models - they cannot think. As a consequence, they often fail to convey subtle nuances of meaning. So, it is best to learn how to use the tools available as they may speed up and facilitate translation as a process, but always backcheck by applying your knowledge and analytical thinking.

Lifelong learning is vital in specialized translation, particularly against the backdrop of a rapidly changing landscape marked by technological advancements, including the AI revolution. This need for continuous education and adaptation is even more pronounced in the legal industry. Translators must stay current with the rapid changes in legislation and case law, often spanning at least two jurisdictions. Additionally, this dedication to lifelong learning includes staying up-to-date with technology. Translators need to adopt new tools and methods as they become available, particularly in areas like AI and legal tech.

In my opinion, lifelong learning skills always shape the future of all professionals, not just for technical translators. However, lifelong learning plays a crucial role to be a well-informed technical translators with general knowledge and great understanding of the filed they specialise in. Learning does not necessarily mean taking courses under formal programs offered by the universities. It may take various forms. As a legal translator, the method I mostly use is to learn from my works. I am assigned with different projects that contain diverse legal concepts and the application of those concepts to the real cases.

Como traductora técnica, es indispensable el aprendizaje permanente. No importa en qué área traduzcamos, el mercado está en constante cambio y debemos actualizar nuestro conocimiento periódicamente, tanto en el ámbito de la traducción como en el del área en que traducimos, en mi caso, ambiente, cambio climático, economía circular, entre otros. Algunas formas de mantenernos actualizados son las participaciones en charlas (virtuales o presenciales), cursos, capacitaciones o incluso la lectura de un documento sobre el tema, en todos los idiomas que manejemos. Eso nos pone en contacto con la terminología del campo, las definiciones de ciertos temas y las últimas tendencias del área.

A translator may possess all of the above mentioned, however, their ability to communicate effectively and deliver translations on time plays a significant role in building a positive reputation with project managers and clients. Without these essential qualities, even the most skilled translators may struggle to establish trust and credibility with those who rely on their services.

Translators need to develop crucial soft and communication skills. Understanding that specialized translation is often a collaborative process, not just an individual effort, is vital. Soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential in the translation industry. They are necessary to engage with clients, grasp their requirements, and ensure that the final translations meet their needs. Effective communication is also essential for collaborating with other professionals, such as editors, proofreaders, and experts, who are involved in the process. Teamwork is another critical skill. Translation usually involves multiple stages and contributors, and the ability to work well within a team is essential.

A deep sense of curiosity to explore new areas of knowledge and not get intimidated when confronted with something you have never encountered before. There is no limit to the domains you can work in if you decide to become a translator. It helps when you are excited to learn new things and engage with people whose experiences are vastly different from yours.

La creación de glosarios específicos por cliente en traducción mantiene la coherencia y facilita cambios globales en términos. La IA, como Google Translate, transforma esta práctica, pero los glosarios siguen siendo clave para la precisión. La fusión de métodos tradicionales con IA promete un futuro eficiente y preciso en traducción.

To translate your message into a language you don’t understand is a daring thing. You loose control over the content, the tone and the meaning. That is why agencies build up so many systems and routines. The goal is to make the client feel safe. This is something translators/freelancers need to understand: agencies are an important link in the chain, being there for the clients in an extent a single translator cannot promise. So you always need to consider what the agencies are offering and their role in the chain.