Is the Technical Translation Made in our Country Sufficient?
Technical translation is a translation type that requires too much attention. As the name suggests, while translating texts containing technical details and words, it is necessary to know exactly what a word means. Otherwise, the translation may fail. In this respect, those who need technical translation, especially ask questions about whether technical translation is sufficient in our country or not.
In our country, many texts need to be translated technically. For example, translating a medical or engineering thesis into English is the most ordinary technical translation that is needed. However, it is not possible for the translators, who do not have any fund of knowledge in respect of medical texts, do not have sufficient command of technical words in English and Turkish language, to translate the text correctly and perfectly. In this line, it is unlikely to answer YES to the question “Is technical translation sufficient in our country?”. Because nowadays, instead of focusing on a one single area, the translators think that they can procure more successful jobs by improving themselves in many fields. However, that is not the case at all. For a perfect translation in the field of medicine, it is essential to have a perfect command of medical terms or at least to have knowledge on the resources related to medical terms. Well then, why is technical translation insufficient in our country? Let’s examine.
Why Is Technical Translation Insufficient in Our Country?
There is no office in our country such as a translation agency affiliated to any state or private organization that will contribute to technical translation. In this line, technical translations are made in the universities or various translation agencies. Those, who are appointed for technical translation in government agencies or private institutions, are trying to translate by using their limited technical knowledge without doing any research on the translation they will make. Accordingly, it is possible to explain the reasons behind the insufficiency of technical translation in our country as follows:
- Although translators dealing with technical translations generally have knowledge on translation, they do not have much knowledge on the field of technics. This is also the most important reason why translation in technical field is insufficient in our country.
- Translations have been trying to complete the translation works in a short span of time by looking after their material interests and therefore they do not spend enough time for researching.
- Translations do not need of any research related to the field that they will translate.
- Inadequacy of the translator’s knowledge of target and source language in terms of technical writing format and terminology.
What Can Be Done for The Development of Technical Translation in Our Country?
The person reading the text to be translated, needs to understand the text easily while reading it. In this respect, it is very important that the text is clear, concise and accurate. A Good technical translation is created by literally transferring the meaning, not the words. Some words may not carry the same meaning in the target language and the source language. A good technical translator should be aware of this and translate the meaning, not the word. In addition, the translator should consider the reader, i.e. the target audience, while translating. By this means, more successful technical texts may be produced.