A Patent Translation is not just a document that needs to be translated into English for the client requesting this kind of translation, but one that also needs to be formatted correctly in order to meet the standards for a properly translated patent and must contain the appropriate terminology to meet the expectations of the target audience.
The novelty of patents is what makes them especially difficult to translate and can also lead to embarrassment to both agencies and clients alike if improperly translated. Of course, any experienced Japanese-to-English Translator can grasp the gist of the translation; however, to anyone knowledgeable in the field of patent translations, only translating the gist of a document is inadequate and will not meet the clients expectations.
This is especially true in the case of Japanese patent specifications and claims that are to be translated into English; more attention is required due to the nature of both languages. As you may already know, the Japanese language is a product of harmony or group-identity, while the English language is straightforward in what is trying to be conveyed. It is extremely important that translators know the nature of both languages in order to provide a high-quality translation. If this is not the case, then the meaning of the translated patent specifications and claims could possibly end up meaning something totally different from the original intention or concept of the inventor or inventors.
My purpose is to outline the seriousness of patent translations, which is usually (almost always) overlooked by service vendors and agencies alike; thus, resulting in a loss of their clientele. This loss in "return customers" also affects translators who have actually provided a so-called "adequate translation." Many times, this is unintentional on the part of the translator since he or she has not had the proper training and/or experience. Along with increasing your awareness of the grave importance of a properly translated patent, we would like to inform you that we apply this expertise to your patent translation and would like to offer our services to you in an attempt to provide you with an affordable translation.