How can you develop your technical translation skills outside of a classroom setting?

1 Read technical texts

One of the best ways to learn how to translate technical texts is to read them in both your source and target languages. Reading technical texts will help you familiarize yourself with the style, structure, vocabulary, and conventions of different domains and genres. You can also compare how different translators handle the same text and learn from their choices and strategies. You can find technical texts in various sources, such as journals, manuals, websites, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters.

2 Use online tools and resources

Another way to develop your technical translation skills is to use online tools and resources that can assist you in your translation process. For example, you can use online dictionaries, glossaries, corpora, and databases to look up technical terms and expressions, find definitions and examples, and check for consistency and accuracy. You can also use online forums, communities, and networks to ask questions, share tips, and get feedback from other technical translators. Some examples of online tools and resources are TermCoord, IATE, Linguee, ProZ, and TranslatorsCafe.

3 Practice technical translation

Of course, nothing beats practice when it comes to improving your technical translation skills. You can practice technical translation by finding texts that interest you or challenge you and translating them for yourself or for a specific purpose or audience. You can also practice technical translation by taking part in online or offline projects, contests, or volunteering opportunities that involve technical translation. For example, you can join Translators without Borders, TED Translators, or Global Voices to translate technical texts for social good.

4 Review and edit your translations

Another important step in developing your technical translation skills is to review and edit your translations. Reviewing and editing your translations will help you identify and correct any errors, inconsistencies, or inaccuracies in your technical translation. You can also use online tools or software to check your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Additionally, you can ask for feedback from other technical translators or experts in the field to improve your technical translation quality and learn from their suggestions and comments.

5 Keep learning and updating your knowledge

Finally, you can develop your technical translation skills by keeping learning and updating your knowledge of the technical fields and languages you work with. Technical translation is a dynamic and evolving field that requires constant adaptation and innovation. You can keep learning and updating your knowledge by following the latest trends, developments, and news in the technical fields and languages you work with. You can also enroll in online courses, webinars, workshops, or seminars that offer relevant and updated information and training on technical translation.

6 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?