TECHNICAL TRANSLATION AS AN INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS

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TECHNICAL TRANSLATION AS AN INTERNATIONALIZATION PROCESS
Globalization, arriving on the heels of the industrialization era, brought a new concept in global communication. This scenario fostered the rise of the translation field, specifically the more technical vein, aiding, in many languages, product export and import procedures, distribution of manuals, legal formalities, as well as international advancements and partnerships in the technological and business spheres.

CHARACTERISTICS

A striking aspect of technical text is its objective, factually focused nature. The style demands present-tense verbs, short periods, use of passive voice and few adjectives[1]. Although technical translation isn’t literal, it needs to contain the exact same message as in the source language[2]. This equivalence should be achieved through extensive use and knowledge of terminology, encompassing the specific terms in each field. The translator needs to know international standards and the exact corresponding term in the target language, ensuring accuracy in the translation, without forsaking fluency in writing.

Thus technical text is directly linked to the technical language existing in each specialized area, as Emile Benveniste reminds us by saying: “A science only begins to exist or become widespread to the extent that it can instill its concepts and disseminate them through its respective denominations.”[3]

THE TRANSLATOR

Despite the need for consistent application of terminology, it is a mistake to believe that this standard is only methodically present in such works. Just as in literary translation, the translator must have full understanding of the content in addition to knowledge about the target audience, which is vital to ensuring textual consistency.

More than purely translating, the text needs to be supported by cohesion and conformity with terminology and local standards in order to fully convey the content.

In this sense, ZAUM has focused mainly on the IT (including software translation), business, legal and other fields. When selecting its translators, the agency looks for experience and in-depth specialized knowledge in the professionals from each area. This, coupled with our translation project management processes, ensures the quality and speed of translations handled by our team.

 

[1] POLCHLOPEK, S; ALO A M. Tradução Técnica, armadilhas e desafios. Santa Catarina, n 19, p. 101-113, 2009

[2] WRIGHT, S. E; WRIGHT D. L Scientific and Technical Translation. Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company,1993, p. 13

[3] http://www.fflch.usp.br/dlcv/neo/terminologia.html – Term and terminology –