The world is changing at a phenomenal rate. Scientific development and progress paved the way for things that earlier were considered impossible, or were open for royalties only. This has opened thousands of opportunities for millions of people all around the world, such as overseas jobs and handsome placements. However, one issue that almost everyone must have faced at least once in their lives is the language barrier.
Going to a new place and settling there is an exciting thought in itself. However, it does not take very long for things to go south if our documents are not in the official language of the state. Universally, English has gained a reputation for coming in as a knight to save the day. But not everywhere. In such conditions, one is required to get everything translated. There are many professional translation services available both online and offline, who are willing to solve this for you.
But even with professional translations, one can face some issues. The most common of these is the use of technical jargon and its correct translations. The same is also discussed in detail below for your reference, along with a few ways to overcome this issue:
Contents
Firstly, What Exactly Is Jargon?
In the simplest of terms, jargon is not simple terms. These are internal words and abbreviations, devised to get things done quickly within a facility, a company, or a firm. These vary from place to place, from company to company, and tend to change with changing industries as well. This changing nature makes it hard for them to translate.
Jargon often is considered an asset within the industry, as it can point to one thing directly, without having to go through the entire process. However, this seems to work within the industry only when both parties are well-versed in these terminologies. When talking to a newbie or a fresher, or a friend out of the workspace, it tends to add up to confusion and usually gets lost in translation. It is therefore quite important to make sure that you are not using this jargon with outside or regular people.
How To Overcome This Situation?
Getting the documents translated into other languages is important, as it can open up new opportunities for you to grow. However, technical jargon can cause some hindrances to this. But be assured, as there are a few which would help you overcome the technical language barrier in document translation.
1. Know What Your Jargon Means
Many abbreviations are used in various industries. So getting a hold of the actual meaning and full form for them can get a little challenging. However, after some research, you should be able to pinpoint exactly what these all mean. This would be beneficial, as whilst you are getting everything translated, you could help the concerned person with the meanings and references. Or you can also create a sheet with all the important data and meanings for them to have a look at.
2. Reduce Jargon If Possible
You can ask your workplace or institute not to mention internal jargon on official documents, as it could get difficult to get them translated correctly. Sometimes, these companies and firms would use other universally accepted terms instead of jargon to help you better. For instance, in the medical industry, not every person would understand what a DIC is. Doctors and other medical officials should refrain from using such technical words in news publications and other non-medical articles, as they could be interpreted by different people in many different ways.
3. Going To The Wrong Firm
Whilst it is important for you to know your jargon, it is equally important for the translation firm to know about the same. These firms usually have a few experienced and mature translators who are at the top of their games. However, sometimes, to save some cash, many people tend to bend towards the cheaper options available in the market and fall prey to inexperienced dupes. This should be avoided. These translators lack technical speciality and training, thereby wasting time and resources for everyone involved.
4. Neglecting Measurements
Not every country uses the same unit system for measuring out different thighs. This coil becomes problematic if the translator does not pay attention to details and messes up the measurement units. If centimetres were to become millimetres, then your whole apartment design would go haywire. This could be avoided by clearly mentioning the units in bold, making them visible from afar. Moreover, the usage of symbols for the units should also be avoided, as this could lead to confusion and chaos.
5. Not Considering Words From A Local Language
The planet is a home for billions of people who speak thousands of different languages and dialects. It is quite understandable that not every language could be translated by everyone. But this does not mean that they have the right to simply ignore the words they do not understand and translate only the ones they are familiar with. In such conditions, the firm should hire people who are well-versed in that particular language and can translate it properly.
These days, thanks to the massive developments in technology, it has become quite easy for anyone to join and hire people from all over the world. The firm can look for people who are willing to work remotely, and thereby increase their business.
Conclusion
Jargon is a great way of getting tasks done and communicating amongst peers and colleagues of the same industry and with the same technical background. But this could also create tension and confusion whilst communicating with someone else. Moreover, the use of jargon in technical documents such as reports, and instruction manuals are not a good idea, as not many would understand the same in times of need. This is when professional translating solutions come in handy, as they are well-versed and trained people who make it easy for everyone to understand stuff.
