What Is Technical Translation and What Makes It Different From General Translation?

General vs. Technical Translation: What’s the Difference?

When you think of Cal Interpreting & Translations, the first thing that comes to mind is probably general translations – translating texts from one language to another. But what about technical translations? What are they, and what makes them different from general translations?

General translations involve translating texts from one language to another without any special focus or technical knowledge. General translation covers a wide variety of topics, such as literature, business documents, and other non-technical materials. This type of translation is often done by native speakers of the target language, meaning that they are most familiar with the nuances and expressions used in that language.

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On the other hand, technical translations involve translating highly specialized texts from one language to another. These types of translations typically require expertise in a specific field or industry, so it’s important to use someone who has experience in this area. Technical translations usually involve working with technical jargon and terms that may be difficult for a general translator to understand. As such, many companies choose to use specialized technical translators who are knowledgeable in the specific field they’re translating.

Additionally, technical translations often require more than just a translation of words; they may also involve the use of graphics, charts and diagrams to enhance the accuracy of the translation. This is why it’s important to find someone with experience in both languages and technical knowledge.

In short, general translation covers a wide range of topics and is often done by native speakers of the target language. Technical translations, on the other hand, require expertise in a specific field or industry, making it important to use someone with experience in this area. Knowing the differences between these two types of translation can help you make an informed decision when choosing which type of translator is best for your needs.