Technical texts contain field-specific terms that require precise equivalents in the target language. Using the wrong term or inconsistent translations can confuse readers or cause serious errors—especially in medical, engineering, or legal documents.

Example

In the textbook dialogue, Nahma struggled with terms like torque and hydraulic pressure when translating an engineering manual. Similarly, Terry faced difficulty with the term processor in a computer text and found that Google Translate did not provide accurate results.

Solution: Use a Glossary

A glossary is a list of technical terms with their correct translations. For instance:

Creating and consulting a glossary ensures consistency throughout the entire document. Before translating, identify all technical terms in the source text and prepare their target-language equivalents.

Technical texts often contain long, complex sentences with multiple clauses, commas, and passive constructions. Direct translation may result in confusing, unnatural sentences that lose the original meaning.

Example

Terry noted that some sentences in his text were "very long, with many commas" and struggled to decide where to break them in Kiswahili without losing meaning.

Consider this English sentence:

"The hospital also uses an electronic medical records system to store patient information and share it efficiently and securely among doctors."

Translating this directly into Kiswahili may produce an overly lengthy sentence. A skilled translator would restructure it, possibly splitting it into two shorter sentences for clarity.

Solutions

• Restructure sentences to follow the natural flow of the target language
• Break long sentences into shorter, clearer ones
• Use active voice where appropriate
• Rely on translation memory (TM) for recurring sentence patterns

A Translation Memory (TM) stores previously translated sentences. When the same or similar sentence appears again, the tool suggests the previous translation, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Technical texts sometimes include examples, foods, habits, or references that are unfamiliar or inappropriate in the target culture. Translators must adapt content to make it relevant and acceptable to local readers.

Example

In the dialogue, Nahma mentioned that a health booklet advised eating "bacon and eggs for breakfast"—a recommendation that does not suit local Tanzanian diets. This is a cultural challenge.

Solutions

• Adapt examples to local context (e.g., replace bacon and eggs with chai na mkate)
• Explain cultural references where necessary
• Maintain the technical meaning while adjusting cultural elements
• Consult native speakers or cultural experts when uncertain

The goal is to preserve the technical information while ensuring the text is culturally appropriate and understandable.

When approaching a technical translation task, follow these steps:

1. Read the entire text to understand the subject matter and purpose
2. Identify technical terms and create or consult a glossary
3. Note complex sentences and plan how to restructure them
4. Identify cultural elements that require adaptation
5. Translate using CAT tools for efficiency and consistency
6. Review the translation for accuracy, clarity, and cultural appropriateness
7. Proofread for grammar, spelling, and consistency

In Tanzania, a community health worker translating a mosquito net distribution brochure from English to Kiswahili would need to address all three challenges: using correct medical terms like malaria and hati ya matumizi, restructuring long sentences about usage instructions, and replacing unfamiliar examples (such as "store in a dry closet") with locally relevant ones like hifadhi katika sehemu ya kavu. Applying these skills ensures that vital health information reaches rural communities accurately and understandably, ultimately supporting public health efforts across the country.