1.1      General Translation

The text may still contain some technical terms and jargon, but these will either be widely understood or easily researched.

Translators who only do this kind of translation (don’t have a specialist field) are sometimes referred to as ‘generalist’ or ‘general purpose’ translators.

1.2      Technical Translation

Broad meaning: any translation where the translator needs specialist knowledge in some domain or area.

This definition would include almost all the translation types described in this section.

Narrow meaning: limited to the translation of engineering (in all its forms), IT and industrial texts.

This narrower meaning would exclude legal, financial and medical translations for example, where these would be included in the broader definition.

That’s because without its translators won’t completely understand the text and its implications. And this is essential if we want a fully accurate and appropriate translation.

Good to know

Many technical translation projects also have a typesetting/DTP requirement. Be sure your translation provider can handle this component, and that you’ve allowed for it in your project costings and time frames.

1.3      Scientific Translation

So, it’s imperative the translator has the necessary knowledge of the field to fully understand the text. That’s why scientific translators are typically either experts in the field who have turned to translation or professionally qualified translators who also have qualifications and/or experience in that domain.

On occasion, the translator may have to consult either with the author or other domain experts to fully comprehend the material and so translate it appropriately

1.4      Medical Translation

Medical translation is a very broad term covering a wide variety of specialist areas and materials – everything from patient information to regulatory, marketing and technical documents.

As a result, this translation type has numerous potential sub-categories – ‘medical device translations’ and ‘clinical trial translations’, for example.

Good to know

Many countries have specific requirements governing the translation of medical device and pharmaceutical documentation. This includes both your client-facing and product-related materials.

1.5      Financial Translation

However, the term is generally used only for the more technical of these documents that require translators with knowledge of the field.

Any competent translator could translate a bank statement, for example, so that wouldn’t typically be considered a financial translation.

1.6      Economic Translations

2. Other times used somewhat loosely to refer to any area of economic activity – so combining business/commercial, financial and some types of technical translations.

3. More narrowly, the translation of documents relating specifically to the economy and the field of economics

1.7      Legal Translation

That’s because, without it, a translator may not:
– fully understand the legal concepts
– write in legal style
– understand the differences between legal systems, and how best to translate concepts that don’t correspond.

And we need all that to produce professional-quality legal translations – translations that are accurate, terminologically correct and stylistically appropriate.

1.8      Juridical Translation

2. Alternatively, can refer to translations requiring some form of legal verification, certification or notarization that is common in many jurisdictions.

1.9      Judicial Translation

2. Rarely, used to refer specifically to the translation of court proceeding documentation – so judgments, minutes, testimonies, etc.

1.10    Patent Translation

In addition, the subject matter can be highly technical.

1.11    Literary Translation

That’s because it involves much more than simply conveying all meaning in an appropriate style. The translator’s challenge is to also reproduce the character, subtlety and impact of the original – the essence of what makes that work unique.

This is a monumental task, and why it’s often said that the translation of a literary work should be a literary work in its own right.

Because few translators have this skillset, you should only consider dedicated literary translators for this type of translation.

1.12    Commercial Translation

This is a very generic, wide-reaching translation type. It includes other more specialised forms of translation – legal, financial and technical, for example. And all types of more general business documentation.

Also, some documents will require familiarity with business jargon and an ability to write in that style.

1.13    Business Translations