Translating your technical documentation can help establish you as a market leader wherever you sell your products and services. It can also increase your revenue, decrease the amount you spend on call centers and other forms of one-on-one customer help, and improve your brand image. Any time you make a move into a new market, there are many types of
The best way to ensure that your translated technical texts are effective is by starting with well-written documentation in your source language. In this article, we are going to share common roadblocks that companies face when it comes to the translation of technical texts. Then we will talk about strategies that technical writers can use to get the best possible
Why Technical Manual Translation Is So Important Technical manuals explain to the reader how to use a product or software program. Even a product as straightforward as a toaster is accompanied by a manual that explains how to use it and troubleshoot issues. In some cases (like a toaster), the reader is likely to skim the manual and then stash
In today’s global marketplace, your company can participate in competitive bidding processes worldwide. But when responding to a request for proposal (RFP) from a company in another country, you need to submit a compelling proposal that communicates clearly in their target language and avoids cultural pitfalls. When responding to a request for proposal from a client who uses a different
In this article, we will examine several industries that benefit from professional technical translation services, as well as the types of documents that technical translators often handle.
When growing your business involves entering new markets, how you manage terminology across multiple languages becomes critically important. Accurate and credible translations represent a competitive advantage in today’s market. This is especially so for technical translation. What would happen if your translated material was inconsistent? How can you make sure your brand’s voice isn’t diluted or drowned out? How can
Technical document translation encompasses much more than Word documents, PDFs, and even InDesign files. For example, complex technical documentation requires specific software packages. Programs like Adobe FrameMaker and MadCap Flare allow companies to create and format large and sophisticated documents such as instruction manuals, help files, and learning user guides. These programs offer special features that standard word processors do not, such
Every document or application has both a target audience and a purpose. Usability is how we measure whether the target reader can use the document for its intended purpose. Let’s take an example from everyday life. If you purchase an electric pressure cooker and you have never used one before, you will need to read the user manual. If the
The High Cost of Inaccuracy in Translating Technical Texts (or What Can Go Wrong in Technical Translation) Inaccuracies when translating technical texts can lead directly to problems such as misuse of a device. But the initial error can also cause a domino effect that leads to a cascade of other problems, some of which may not be apparent right away.
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