Texts from the field of medicine and pharmaceutics differ from other texts in the use of professional language. There are specific terms and concepts here, and names in Latin are often found. That is why the translation of medical documents should be carried out by a linguist who specializes in working with this type of text.
An ordinary translator does not work with specialized translations, which include medical texts. It is not enough to have a perfect knowledge of 2 languages. Such specialists must have 2 educations: a linguistic and a specialized one (in this case, medical). Our translators also have an extensive experience in specialized translations, and during their work they consult with current specialists in the field of activity represented.
Specifics of medical translations
If an ordinary person gets into the hands a medical text in his/her native language, he/she will not always be able to understand all the information presented in the document. There are many specialized terms that are difficult to understand without a dictionary and an appropriate education. The situation is even more complicated with texts in a foreign language:
- Abbreviations. It is important to understand the context in which language the abbreviation was made. Latin names are often found in medical texts, so the translator must know the smallest nuances.
- Professional terms. However, different terms may be used in different languages. The translator must clearly define what the text is about.
- Measurement systems. This is due to the characteristics of the country for which the translation is being made. It is important not only to translate the text, but also to take into account that the text has different measurement systems, they need to be adapted for work.
Any inaccuracy in translation can lead to a serious error. In some cases, a translation may convey the correct meaning, but is done incorrectly, which can be considered unprofessional, so the translator's work must be done at the highest level.
Another feature of the work of a medical translator is working with handwritten text. The specialist must understand the doctor’s handwriting in order to convey the text as accurately as possible. If necessary, our employees consult with other doctors of the same specialization in order to convey the handwritten text as accurately as possible. The health and life of the patient may depend on such translations.
How to choose a medical translator?
The first rule is to work with professionals who specialize in translating medical and pharmaceutical texts. You should not turn to translators of general profile, since specialized translation uses professional terms, most of which are in Latin.
The best option is to work with a translation agency. Our company has specialists who specialize in medical translations and are also ready to make them in several languages. The team has editors and proof-readers who re-read each document to avoid errors.
For large orders, we create a glossary that allows us to maintain uniform terminology for texts throughout the entire project. If necessary, the translator consults with highly specialized specialists, doctors, and scientists.
