www.idosr.org Agwu International Digital Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2579-0765 IDOSR JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES 1(1): 43-47, 2015. Terminology and Technical Translation Agwu Uzoma Patience Department of Languages and Literary Studies Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. +234803 772 4031, [email protected] ABSTRACT While technology contributes to the global communication, the need of users from multiple cultures and nations to fully understand documentation accompanying a piece of the said technology also grows. Again, with the increasing circulation of people around the globe, it’s quite easy to extend the reach of almost all domains and spheres of life with the help of qualified translators. Translation seems to be the in-thing to create promotional materials in different languages. We are talking about manuals, user guides, data sheets, patents and other technical documentation made available to users. In this study, we intend to look at the various types of translation, the great importance of translation, and then look at terminology as a great tool in the hands of a technical translator. Keywords: global communication, technology, and translation. INTRODUCTION Translation is the process of changing the Translation serves as instrument for the language that is written or spoken in to cross-fertilization of languages. In the another language. In a loose sense, words of Malinowski [1], translation translation may also be defined as a word amounts to “the unification of cultural or phrase or text in another language that context between the source and target has a meaning equivalent to that of the languages”. The rate of scientific and original. The Oxford Companion to the technological advancement in the world English Language defines translation as today owes so much to the dissemination the communication of the meaning of a of scientific and technological source- language text by means of an information through translation. The aim equivalent target language text. of the translator is to convey the message Interpreting is the facilitating of the oral of the source text (ST) into the target or sign- language communication between language in such a manner that this users of different languages. Translation message is available to speakers of the is one of the various branches of learning target language as fully as the linguistic and it has become an important discipline and cultural constraints on operation will that encompasses separate body of allow. knowledge being very much in use for The translation process involves several various human activities, just to name a states which include: few are: language, business, education. - The analysis of the terminology Translation is therefore very important as contained in the source text it performs a wide range of useful - The comparison of that source functions. To start with, it cuts across language terminology to the cultural and linguistic barriers, thereby corresponding target language bringing about mutual understanding and terminology international co-operation among peoples - The target text production of the world. including the selection of Translation has become a significant appropriate terms according to the instrument for the spreading of culture: prospective communicative material, linguistic, political, economic, purpose(s) target text religious as well as other forms of culture. 43 IDOSR JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES 1(1): 43-47, 2015. www.idosr.org Agwu A translation must present an accurate language innovation is governed by a account of the contents of the original, multitude of socio-cultural factors that omitting nothing and adding nothing. determine the role of language in a This implies a complete understanding of particular society or language community, the original in every way coupled with a the cognitive factors of accepting new corresponding knowledge of the target terms, etc. Technical translation is the language. Again, the translator should medium through which language, understand the text fully in the source discourse and communication can exist in language. This involves understanding it a global world. to the same extent as would a native Texts vary in nature and we classify them speaker of that source language who was under three headings: suitably versed in the subject to which it Literary texts (translation): These are refers. The translator must therefore have drawn from drama, prose, poetry and a full knowledge of the grammar of the they are usually connotative in nature. source language of its basic, non- Such texts are filled with a lot of specialized vocabulary as well as the ambiguities. vocabulary pertinent to the subject of the General /Pragmatic texts (translation): text. He must also have sufficient These are texts that give general understanding of the subject matter to information or report. These include enable him read between the lines of a political reports, reports on findings, poorly written original and sometimes to requests, petitions etc. with such texts, spot errors in the original text due to the you can nearly present a perfect author’s ignorance or lack of proof- translation because you are dealing with reading. general notions and ideas. The translation practice involves two Scientific/ technical texts (translation): phases: decoding and encoding or These are texts that are derived from such analysis and synthesis, involving the science and technology domains as understanding of the source text and Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Agriculture, verbal restructuring of the translation Law, Arts, Sculpture, Medicine, text. The success of a translation rests Architecture, Economy, etc. mainly on the translator’s precise Technical translation ensures that texts understanding of whatever it is the with technical jargon are readable for a original wants to convey. Translation wider ranging audience. It also involves involves the understanding of the source linguistic features of translating technical text since it is here that specific problems texts from one language to another. specific to translation may arise: Though technical translation is only a increased attention should therefore be subset of the different types of paid to the study of the source text, which professional translation, it is the largest is the conscious effort to master the subset as far as output is concerned. decoding phase of the translation Currently, more than 90% of all process. According to [2], the validity of professionally translated work is done by any translation can only be judged by the technical translators highlighting the extent to which intended receptors widely importance and significance of the field. understand the message. The role of the technical translator is to Since translators are often confronted convey the meaning of the highly with innovative texts containing specialized technical documentation descriptions of novel technologies, new providing enough information for people scientific findings, new intellectual to understand. A technical translator must insights, etc. that unavoidably contain have a multifaceted background and a new terms (or changed meaning of high level of knowledge of the subject existing terms), they are expected to coin and relevant terminology: 5-10% of the and propose corresponding new terms in technical documents are specified terms: the target language. This process of The technical translation of terminology 44 IDOSR JOURNAL OF CURRENT ISSUES IN SOCIAL SCIENCES 1(1): 43-47, 2015. www.idosr.org Agwu must comply with recognized standards. texts and requires a high level of subject This goes to say that terminology is a knowledge and mastery of relevant major part of technical translation. terminology and writing conventions. “A technical translator’s task is to keep THE TECHNICAL TRANSLATOR consistent terminology in technical In general competent translators show the translation, as well as the very formulaic following attributes as opined by [3]: and repetitive nature of technical writing. - A very good knowledge of the Additionally, most technical translators language, written and spoken, work within a specialized field such as from which they are translating medical or legal technical translation, (the source language); which highlights the importance of an - An excellent command of the interdisciplinary background” language into which they are http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_d translating (the target language); ocumentation. - Familiarity with the subject matter Understanding culture is one of the three of the text being translated; pillars in technical translation. Cultural - A profound understanding of the knowledge in communicating technical etymological and idiomatic message is just as important as the correlates between the two linguistic knowledge. For example, languages; and messages containing safety information - A finely tuned sense of when to warnings of hazards or risks require metaphase (“translate literally”) special attention. Items to be considered and when to paraphrase, so as to also include measurement systems, types assure true rather than spurious of graphics and symbols. In discussing equivalents between the source- technical translation to the dialect of the and target language texts. same languages, it is important to It is clear that rather than merely mention the significant differences across supplanting one form of words for cultures such as paper layouts, spelling, another, the translator