Technical translation agency

Technical translation agency

The importance of professional technical translation

In a world driven by technology, innovation and global collaboration, clear and accurate communication is essential. Companies operate internationally, products cross borders and technical knowledge is shared across continents. Every manual, safety instruction, data sheet, patent application or software interface must be correctly understood by users, technicians, engineers and regulators, regardless of where they are located.

This is where technical translations comes in. Unlike general translations, technical translation requires absolute clarity, consistency and precision. One mistranslated term can render instructions unusable, bring machines to a standstill or, in the worst case, cause dangerous situations. Professional technical translations make sure that complex technical content remains accurate, functional and safe in every language.

What is a technical translation?

Technical translation involves translating documents that contain specialised terminology specific to a certain industry. These texts often describe products, processes, systems and technologies and are usually intended for users who rely one precise and clear information.

These documents are not written for entertainment; they are functional texts designed to inform, instruct and prevent misunderstandings. This functional nature leaves no room for stylistic improvisation or guessing.

Types of technical translation

Technical translations come in many forms. This isn’t surprising, as they are used across a wide range of industries. Examples include:

Construction

Technical translations are widely used in construction, because large construction projects are often carried out by teams from different countries. If everyone is provided with the information in their own language, the risk of errors reduces significantly.

Materials also play a role. Construction projects often require large quantities of materials and components. If the same materials are cheaper abroad, or available in higher quality, it’s often worth it to buy them there. To comply with all quality and conformity standards, translations of product information and installation instructions are essential.

Examples of technical translation in construction include:

• construction specifications
• fire safety reports
• safety instructions
• maintenance reports
• tendering

Our skilled translators know exactly what it takes to deliver high-quality translations for the construction industry.

ICT

Translations are important in the ICT sector as well. While English is a key working language in ICT, many software applications and operating systems are available in multiple languages. The people using these systems are often not IT specialists. Employees in healthcare, insurance or accountancy expect systems to be available in their own language.

In fact, in many countries it is mandatory to offer translated versions. The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for example states that information must be 'understandable' to the user. In many countries this is interpreted as an obligation to provide translations.

Finally, let’s not forget that documentation is usually written by engineers. They are experts in ICT, but not necessarily in writing (or English for that matter). Translation is therefore also the perfect way to make English documentation clear and more consistent.

The things most frequently translated for systems and software are:

• menus, buttons and notifications
• error codes and warnings
• settings
• interfaces
• user manuals
• terms and conditions

Chemistry

The chemical industry still requires a lot of translations. Many documents must be available in the local language, such as safety data sheet, hazard pictograms, work instructions and REACH & CLP documents.

Another factor is the international nature of the chemical industry. Raw materials are produced all over the world.

In this sector, the consequences of translation errors are obviously severe. Consider the words that accompany CLP pictograms: explosive, flammable, toxic, reproductive toxicity. As a translator, there is no margin for error.

Documents translated in this sector include:

• safety data sheets
• work instructions
• reach and CLP documents

Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering is a rapidly evolving industry. The energy transition, for example, is driving significant innovation by moving away from oil and gas towards more electricity. But the semiconductor industry also falls within electrical engineering. The chips produced in this industry are used in almost everything, from smartphones and medical devices to AI. Partly because of this, it is one of the most important industries for the future.

Needless to say that there is a high demand for translation in such a dynamic sector. It involves a variety of documents, including:

• manuals
• product specifications and data sheets
• brochures and product catalogues
• standards (IEC, ISO, NEN)
• training material for technicians
• user interfaces

Environment

Environmental issues are receiving increasing attention. The effects of environmental change are becoming more visible and it seems like this will only get worse in the future. It is clear that many environmental challenges cannot be addressed within national borders. As a result, this sector is becoming increasingly international. Because:

• Poor water quality of a river must be addressed in all countries through which it flows
• Animals or plants do not respect national borders. Protection or control measures are ineffective without cooperation of neighbouring countries
• Air pollution and weather conditions also cross borders. Solutions require collective action

When an issue affects multiple countries,it usually means translations are needed. This is definitely the case in the environmental sector, where many regulations come from the EU.Examples of documents include:

• research rapports
• environmental reports
• campaigns
• guidelines and regulations
• environmental permits
• CO² reports

Why technical translation is important

Technical translation is not simply about converting words from one language into the other. It is about conveying knowledge – specialised, detailed and often highly sensitive knowledge.

There are three core principles that underline the importance of technical translation:

1. Safety

Technical documents often contain safety instructions, warnings and hazard descriptions. Incorrect translations can lead to:

• incorrect use of products
• health and safety risks
• equipment malfunctions
• accidents or damage

In many industries – automotive, chemical, medical devices and mechanical engineering – incorrect documentation can have legal consequences and may even endanger lives.

2. Compliance

Many industries are heavily regulated. Documentation often needs to comply with international standards such as:

• ISO
• IEC
• REACH
• EU Machinery Directive
• FDA and CE requirements

Poor translation can lead to non-compliance, delays in market launch or costly revisions.

3. User experience and product success

Users need to understand how a product works to be able to use it correctly. Clear documentation:

• reduces helpdesk costs
• minimises customer complaints
• builds user trust
• improves brand reputation

A product may be excellent, but if the manual is unclear, the user experience falls apart.

Technical translation requires expertise

Technical translation requires a lot more than just language skills. A professional technical translator needs to understand the relevant field. A translator working on an electrical car diagram requires different expertise than someone translating medical equipment or chemical safety instructions.

Key skills include:

Professional expertise
A technical translator must be familiar with terminology, processes, materials and industry conventions. Understanding how things work is essential in order to describe them correctly.

Consistency and terminology management
Technical industries rely on fixed terminology:

• one term = one concept
• consistency in all documents

Professionals use termbanks, translation memories and glossaries to ensure consistency, especially for large documentation sets or product families with multilingual interfaces.

Clarity and structure
A good technical translation prioritises readability, logical structure, and unambiguous wording. The translator must produce a text that is not only accurate but also clear, even when the source text is poorly written.

Risks of poor technical translation

The consequences of inaccurate technical translation can be significant. Common risks are:

• incorrect assembly or installation causing equipment damage
• dangerous situations due to misunderstood warning labels
• costly product returns resulting from unclear instructions
• rejection of technical files by regulatory authorities
• delays in international product launches
• brand damage due to ‘bad manuals'

In technical sectors, accuracy is not optional—it is essential.

The added value of a technical translation partner

A strong technical translation partner does more than just translate text. They contribute to the entire documentation process.

1. Terminology development
Creating and maintaining consistent multilingual terminology databases.

2. Review & quality control
Structured workflows including:

• proofreading
• consistency checks
• layout verification

3. Integration of Translation Memories
Ensuring recurring sentences and technical descriptions remain consistent across all versions and languages.

4. Multilingual Project Management
Coordinating translations into dozens of languages simultaneously, with uniform quality and delivery times.

5. Error detection
Technical translators regularly identify issues in source texts, such as:

• missing steps
• contradictory instructions
• incorrect measurements
• outdated diagrams or specifications

This improves both the original documentation and the translation.

Human expertise in a technological world

Although AI translation has made great progress, technical translation remains a field where human expertise is indispensable. AI struggles with:

• industry-specific terminology
• technical nuances that require context
• safety implications
• legal or normative language
• layout and structural requirements

Human translators combine subject-matter expertise with linguistic skills to deliver accurate and safe translations—especially in high-risk sectors such as engineering, medical technology and safety documentation.

Conclusion: technical translation protects quality, safety and reputation

Professional technical translation is not a luxury—it is a necessity for any company operating internationally. It ensures:

• safe and correct product use
• compliance with local and international regulations
• consistent terminology
• a positive and reliable user experience
• efficient communication between global teams

Investing in high-quality technical translation means investing in the success of your product, the reputation of your company and the safety of your users.