Technical translation services
Operating manuals, maintenance guides, safety data sheets, parts catalogs and training translated by technical linguists, with your part names and warnings kept consistent across every document. Delivered in the same InDesign, Word or XML files you sent.
- 1Handwheel
- 2Valve stem
- 3Gasket
- 4Valve body
- 1Handrad
- 2Ventilspindel
- 3Dichtung
- 4Ventilgehäuse
- 1Pokrętło
- 2Trzpień zaworu
- 3Uszczelka
- 4Korpus zaworu
WARNINGDepressurize the line before removing the handwheel.
WARNUNGLeitung drucklos machen, bevor das Handrad abgenommen wird.
OSTRZEŻENIEPrzed zdjęciem pokrętła należy zredukować ciśnienie w przewodzie.
Part names and warnings come from one approved term list, so every manual says the same thing.
- Documents
- Manuals, maintenance guides, safety data sheets, catalogs and specs
- Layout
- InDesign, Word, Excel and XML, returned in the same format
- Terminology
- One approved term list for parts, warnings and interface labels
- Checked by
- A second technical linguist, then a check of the laid-out pages
What technical translation is
Technical translation is translating documents that explain how to build, install, operate, maintain or repair equipment safely. The translator has to understand what the machine does, use the same term for the same part every time, and keep warnings exact, because an unclear instruction can lead to an injury or a damaged machine.
Manuals also change with every product version. We use translation memory, so you only pay full price for new or changed text, and approved sentences stay the same from one edition to the next.
Technical documents we translate
For manufacturers, engineering firms and their distributors.
Operating and installation manuals
User manuals, installation guides and quick-start guides, with drawings and callouts.
Maintenance and service
Service manuals, maintenance schedules and troubleshooting guides for technicians.
Safety documents
Safety data sheets, warning labels, risk assessments and declarations of conformity.
Parts catalogs
Spare parts lists and catalogs, often from Excel or XML, with thousands of short entries.
Machine interfaces
Control panel and HMI text, translated to fit the character limits of each screen.
Training and datasheets
Operator training, e-learning, product datasheets and tender documents.
How a technical translation runs
Terminology comes first, so the whole manual uses the same words.
Files and term list
Your source files, previous translations and any approved terminology.
Terminology
We extract part names and key terms, and your engineers approve them per language.
Translation
A technical translator translates with your term list and translation memory.
Review and layout check
A second linguist checks the text, then the laid-out pages are checked for fit and callouts.
Second check QADelivery
Files in your original format, plus the updated translation memory and term list.
Formats and tools
- Layout
- InDesign, Illustrator, Word and Excel
- Structured content
- XML or XLIFF exported from your content management system
- Drawings
- Callouts and labels in CAD exports, SVG and PDF
- Memory
- TMX translation memories and TBX or Excel term lists
Related services
Questions about technical translation
What is technical translation?
Technical translation is translating documents about how equipment and products are built, installed, used and maintained, such as manuals, safety data sheets and specifications. It needs translators who understand the subject and use approved terminology consistently.
How do you keep part names consistent?
We build a term list from your documents, your engineers approve it, and translators use it in their translation tools. The reviewer checks every term against it, and the list is kept for future projects.
Can you translate content from our documentation system?
Yes, if it can export XML or XLIFF. We translate the exported files without changing the structure and return them ready to import and publish.
Do we pay again for text that hasn't changed?
No. Translation memory finds sentences that were already translated in earlier versions, and we charge less for repeated and matched text. The quote shows how many words are new.
Send us a manual
Send the manual and any previous translations, or book a call. We reply with a fixed price that shows how much text is new.
- Phone
- +44 20 3290 0116
- Phone hours
- Weekdays 9:30 to 16:00, weekends 9:30 to 12:00, UK time