In technical fields, a small translation error can have huge consequences, impacting everything from user safety and product function to regulatory compliance. Achieving precision in technical translation is more than a linguistic task; it is a strategic challenge that requires a specialized approach, blending deep subject matter expertise with advanced AI technology to deliver accurate, consistent, and compliant documentation for global audiences.
The unique challenges of technical content localization
Beyond words: The challenge of technical accuracy
Technical translation demands more than just converting words; it requires a deep understanding of the underlying engineering or scientific concepts to ensure accuracy. A mistranslated instruction on a machine schematic or a flawed chemical formula can lead to operational errors, equipment damage, or safety hazards. This is why subject matter experts—translators with proven experience in the relevant field—are not a luxury but a necessity for high-stakes technical content.
The consistency imperative: Managing technical terminology
Inconsistent terminology is a critical risk in technical documentation. When one manual refers to a component as a “lever” and an updated version calls it a “handle,” it creates confusion and undermines user trust. This problem multiplies across different languages and a growing library of content. Maintaining a consistent, approved vocabulary across all documents is essential for clarity, usability, and brand integrity.
The risk of non-compliance: Navigating global regulations
Different regions have unique standards, certifications, and legal requirements that must be accurately reflected in technical documentation. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties, product recalls, or barriers to market entry. Navigating this complex regulatory landscape requires a localization partner with experience in specific industries and a meticulous process for ensuring that all content meets local requirements.
Our solution: Human-AI symbiosis for technical excellence
Combining human expertise with AI precision
At Translated, our core philosophy is to use AI to empower expert human translators, not replace them. This human-AI symbiosis combines the speed, scale, and consistency of artificial intelligence with the contextual understanding, critical thinking, and domain knowledge of human professionals. AI handles repetitive tasks and flags inconsistencies, freeing up experts to focus on nuanced and complex content.
TranslationOS: A centralized platform for quality and control
Our TranslationOS is the engine behind this symbiotic workflow. It provides a centralized environment for managing all aspects of your translation projects. By integrating terminology management and translation memory, TranslationOS ensures that your content remains consistent and accurate at scale, while giving you full visibility and control over the entire process.
T-Rank™: Finding the right expert for every document
To ensure technical accuracy, we use T-Rank™, our AI-powered system that matches each project to the ideal linguist. T-Rank™ analyzes a translator’s experience and performance to identify those with proven expertise in specific technical domains, whether it’s aerospace engineering, medical device manufacturing, or software development. This ensures that your content is always handled by a professional who truly understands the subject matter.
Technical documentation translation services
We offer a comprehensive, end-to-end service for all your technical content needs. Our process begins with an initial analysis of your documentation and goals, moves through translation and review by subject matter experts, and ends with the delivery of a fully formatted, ready-to-use document. We manage the entire lifecycle to ensure a seamless and efficient experience.
Integrating with your existing workflows
To maximize efficiency and reduce manual effort, our services are designed to integrate directly with your existing systems. We offer connectors for major Content Management Systems (CMS), documentation tools, and code repositories, enabling a smooth, automated flow of content from your platform to ours and back. This ensures that your translated documentation is always in sync with your source content.
Engineering manual localization
Translating complex machinery and process documents
Engineering manuals are among the most challenging documents to translate, filled with complex schematics, detailed safety procedures, and precise maintenance guides. Our linguists have the technical expertise to accurately translate these materials, ensuring that every diagram and instruction is clear, correct, and ready for your global teams.
Ensuring safety and operational continuity
Accuracy in engineering manuals is directly linked to user safety and operational continuity. A mistranslated safety warning or an incorrect measurement can lead to serious accidents or costly equipment downtime. We treat these documents with the meticulous attention to detail they require, helping you mitigate risk and ensure safe, efficient operations worldwide.
Software documentation translation
From UI strings to developer guides
Software documentation spans a wide range of content types, from in-app UI strings and UX copy to detailed API documentation, knowledge bases, and developer tutorials. We cover this full spectrum, ensuring that your language is not only translated correctly but also adapted to fit the context of the user interface and the expectations of a technical audience.
Continuous localization for agile development
In agile development environments, software and its documentation are constantly evolving. Our continuous localization services are designed to keep pace. By integrating with your CI/CD pipeline, we can automate the translation of new and updated content, ensuring your documentation remains in sync with your software releases and accelerating your time-to-market.
User guide and help content translation
Creating a seamless global user experience
User guides and help content are critical touchpoints that directly impact the customer experience. Our focus is on creating clear, easy-to-understand instructions that empower your global users to get the most out of your products. We prioritize the user’s perspective, ensuring that our translations are not just accurate but also helpful and accessible.
Adapting content for different formats
Effective user guides often include a mix of text, diagrams, and screenshots. Our localization process is equipped to handle these multimedia formats. We ensure that text within diagrams is accurately translated and that screenshots are recaptured with localized software interfaces, providing a truly seamless and supportive experience for every user.
Compliance documentation translation
Meeting international standards with certified accuracy
Translating compliance documentation—such as patents, regulatory submissions, and compliance reports—demands certified accuracy where there is no room for error. Our processes are designed to meet the exacting standards of these documents, helping you protect your intellectual property and adhere to legal requirements across jurisdictions.
Navigating industry-specific legal requirements
Different industries face unique and complex legal requirements when operating globally. Whether it’s healthcare, finance, or manufacturing, navigating these regulations is essential for market access and risk mitigation. We have deep experience in these regulated sectors, providing tailored solutions that address specific compliance needs and ensure your documentation is fully compliant with local frameworks.
Technical terminology management
Building and maintaining your global glossary
Consistency is key to clarity in technical documentation. The foundation of this consistency is a centralized, multilingual termbase or glossary. We work with you to build and maintain this critical asset, creating a single source of truth for your approved technical and branded terminology to prevent user confusion and ensure a unified brand voice.
Using AI to ensure consistency at scale
Maintaining terminology consistency across millions of words and multiple projects is a significant challenge. Our platform, Matecat, uses your approved termbase to power the translation process, with our AI automatically suggesting the correct terms to our human translators. This AI-powered quality control enforces your approved terminology at scale, ensuring your content remains accurate and consistent across all global markets.
Global technical support documentation
Empowering your international support teams
Your global support teams are on the frontline of customer communication. We help you empower them by translating knowledge bases, FAQs, and support agent scripts. Providing them with accurate, localized resources allows them to deliver consistent and effective support, improving first-contact resolution rates and boosting team morale.
Providing fast, accurate information to global customers
When customers need help, they need it fast. Localized support documentation allows global customers to find answers to their questions quickly and in their own language. This self-service capability improves the customer experience, reduces the burden on your support agents, and lowers overall support costs, contributing directly to higher customer satisfaction.
Conclusion: Build a world-class global product experience
High-quality technical documentation is not an afterthought; it is a critical component of a world-class global product experience. It builds brand trust, ensures user safety, and provides a competitive advantage in international markets. Achieving this level of quality requires the right combination of expert talent and purpose-built technology. To learn how Translated can help you streamline your technical documentation translation and achieve your global goals, contact us to discuss your project.