How Can Translation Boost Your Business
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International business means communicating in a multilingual environment. It implies developing documentation in more than one language. Such documents are contracts, everyday correspondence, and technical documentation, such as design and detailed design docs, specifications, instructions, manuals, case deflection, datasheets, drawings, etc. This is especially relevant for companies doing business in the field of EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction). If you have partners abroad, these documents have to be translated so that customers, contractors, and subcontractors can understand each other. This means additional expenses on technical translation, which should be included in the company budget.
Technical translation is a field of translation often opposed to the translation of fiction or literary works (novels, short stories, plays, poems, etc.). It deals with scientific and technical materials. Technical translation is usually confined to a narrow field of activity with a very specific vocabulary. For instance, translating an instruction on how to install cables on a rack or a cable tray is a bright example of technical translation. This work requires from the translator not only the knowledge of a foreign language but the knowledge of the products (cables, trays, racks) and the basics of electrical engineering.
Some technical texts have to be not only translated but localized. Localization is, in a way, the result of the global expansion of business and is usually required when the ‘source’ and ‘target’ languages are so different that sometimes certain things become ‘incompatible’ in the process of translation. This concerns:
Translation can give your business many advantages. Some of them are listed below.
To sum it up, efficient translation can be regarded as an important asset that can help you boost your competitiveness and gain an advantage over other companies working in the field thus opening new perspectives on the international market.
The efficiency of your in-house translation practice depends on many factors. Most companies just hand over the documents to the translator without any recommendations about dealing with terminology, drawings, etc. However, to ensure technical translation best practices in your company, a set of simple rules should be followed.
ClickHelp now has a Translation Module which, in fact, is an integrated CAT tool. Whether there are in-house translators in your company or you have to outsource translation services, the Translation Module will be very helpful.
Most translation agencies keep their work non-transparent for the customer, handing over the translated text only when it is finished.
With the integrated ClickHelp Translation Module, you will be able to monitor the translation progress even in the case of outsourcing.
It will increase the contractor’s responsibility and help you eliminate the mistakes (e.g., terminology-related mistakes) that can be made. It means that you will be able to review the text at the early stages of translation. The users have assigned roles, such as Author, Translator, and Reviewer. The latter will see the translated text with a ‘Draft Translation’ status on the dashboard and will be able to make adjustments.
ClickHelp translation editor works as any CAT tool: it cuts the text into segments, divides the workspace into source and target areas, indicates translation progress, and has TM, TB, and QA features. The editor will be intuitively understandable and convenient for any translator who has worked with such software as Trados, Wordfast, SmartCat, Memsource, MemoQ, etc.
Technical translation is an integral part of modern business. It can become a problem for your company as it requires software, hardware, and new staff investments. However, if this problem is not solved, there is a risk that your company will be lagging behind your competitors in the international market. ClickHelp Translation Module provides an elegant solution for introducing best translation practices in your company’s work style.
Good luck with your technical writing!
ClickHelp Team
Author, host and deliver documentation across platforms and devices
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