What is the role of subject matter experts in technical translation?

1 What are SMEs?

SMEs are professionals who have extensive experience and expertise in a specific domain, such as engineering, medicine, law, or IT. They are familiar with the concepts, terms, standards, and best practices of their field, and can provide authoritative and up-to-date information on the topic. SMEs can be internal or external to the translation project, depending on the availability, budget, and scope of the client's needs.

2 Why are SMEs important?

SMEs are invaluable to translators as they can help them avoid common pitfalls and errors that may compromise the quality and usability of technical translations. Such challenges include dealing with ambiguous, vague, or inconsistent terms and definitions, adapting to different formats, styles, and conventions of the source and target languages and cultures, finding reliable sources for verification and validation, handling complex concepts that may not have direct translations, and ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and technical standards and regulations. By consulting with SMEs, translators can guarantee that their translations are accurate, clear, coherent, and suitable for the desired audience and purpose.

3 How do SMEs collaborate with translators?

SMEs collaborate with translators in various ways during the translation process, depending on the project's requirements and expectations. From providing background information and context to reviewing and approving the translation brief and glossary of terms, SMEs can help answer questions and clarify doubts that translators may have. Additionally, they can proofread and edit the translated text for accuracy, consistency, and completeness, as well as provide feedback and suggestions for improvement and quality assurance. SMEs can also collaborate with translators using online databases, forums, wikis, or cloud-based software to facilitate communication, coordination, and documentation.

4 What are the benefits of working with SMEs?

Collaborating with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) can bring a number of advantages to both translators and clients, such as improving the quality and credibility of technical translations, reducing the risk of errors, misunderstandings, and disputes, and saving time and resources. Working with SMEs can also enhance the reputation and trustworthiness of the translation service provider, while increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, it can provide translators with the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, expand their network, and access new opportunities in the technical translation market.

5 What are the challenges of working with SMEs?

When working with SMEs, translators need to be aware of and address potential challenges, such as finding and selecting the right SME for the project, negotiating roles and responsibilities, managing communication and feedback, resolving conflicts, and balancing the input and influence of the SME. This calls for translators to be flexible, adaptable, collaborative, and maintain their professional standards and ethics. All of these are necessary for ensuring a successful collaboration with SMEs.

6 How to find and work with SMEs?

If you are a translator looking for SMEs to work with, or a client searching for translators who work with SMEs, there are some steps and tips you can follow to find and collaborate with SMEs effectively. To start, define the scope and specifications of the translation project, including the subject matter, target language and audience, format and style, and quality and delivery criteria. You can then search for SMEs who have relevant and proven experience in the subject matter and target language using online platforms, directories, associations or referrals. Once you’ve contacted potential SMEs, interview them about their credentials, availability, rates, and methods of collaboration. It’s important to establish a clear agreement with the SME outlining the roles, responsibilities, expectations, and terms of collaboration. Furthermore, communicate regularly and respectfully with the SME using appropriate tools and channels while providing feedback and recognition. By following these best practices and guidelines you can ensure a successful technical translation project that is rewarding for both translators and clients.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?