Effective Technical Writing for Translators

Formats: Webinar presentations
Topics: Technical & scientific documents translation
Editing and proofreading
Services and specialization

Course summary
Start time:Oct 10, 2014 16:00 GMT     Add to calendar

The session has already taken place. A link to the video will be added for purchase within one working week after the session at http://www.proz.com/translator-training/course/10274

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Language:English
Summary:Good technical writing is a skill that can be developed and one that improves translation quality quickly. The speaker will cover techniques that produce quality texts that convey information effectively, precisely, clearly, and concisely. This session will give many practical tips for ‘into English’ technical translators and will recommend useful resources and style guides.
Description
Do you want to make concrete improvements in your translations starting with your next job? You will leave this webinar with dozens of practical tips that you can implement right now, and a long list of resources that you can delve into when you have time to study the subject in depth.

Superb writing skills are not the first thing that comes to mind when talking about a technical translator’s skill set. The focus is usually on subject-matter expertise or methods for terminology research. Those are crucial, but good technical writing is a third skill that we can develop and one that improves our translation quality quickly.

We will discuss the known, well-defined methods for producing effective technical writing: texts that convey information effectively, precisely, clearly, and concisely. These include using plain English and strong active verbs. Next we will cover problems specific to translation, such as retaining ambiguity and avoiding 'carryover' - those features of the source language that show up too often in translations. We move on to points of technical and scientific style and common errors. Finally Karen will explain the benefits of using field-specific style guides and job-specific style sheets. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.

After this practical session, participants should be able to implement changes for the better in translations and see results immediately.
Target audience
1. Technical translators
2. Anyone who writes and edits technical texts
3. Translators who work into English
4. Translators who want to improve writing style and think about what makes good technical writing
Learning objectives
1. What technical writing is
2. Methods for producing effective technical writing
3. Problems specific to translation (e.g. retaining ambiguity)
4. Common errors in scientific style
5. The importance of style guides
6. Examples of field-specific style guides
7. Ideas for in-depth training on this topic, including other courses
Prerequisites
No prerequisites
Program
Click to expand
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Problems
4. Resources
5. Conclusion
6. Open discussion
Registration and payment information (click to expand)
Click to expand
To purchase your seat at this session please click on the "buy" button. Available slots are limited and will be assigned to registered and paid participants as soon as payment is reported. Early payment is advised in order to secure participation. Allow some time for payment processing if you are paying by wire transfer.

After your payment is received, your status will be changed to “registered and paid” and your spot for the session will be secured. An invoice and receipt of payment will be sent to you for your records.

How do I access the online platform?

72 hours before the webinar takes place, you will receive an invitation to join the session. Please, click the registration link or button provided in the invitation email and complete the registration form.
Software and system requirements (click to expand)
Click to expand
For PC-based Users:

• Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Required: Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Recommended: Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with 2GB of RAM (recommended)

For Mac®-based Users:

• Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 – Leopard® or newer
• Required: Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Required: Intel processor (1GB of RAM or better recommended)

To Use VoIP (microphone and speakers or headset):

• Required: Fast Internet connection (384 kbps or more recommended)
• Required: speakers or headset (USB headset recommended)
• NOT required: Microphone - attendees can communicate with the trainer through incorporated chat.

Recommendations

• For the visual section of the training course, we recommend that you have a 64kbps link. This means using an ISDN line or Broadband. Wireless connection is NOT recommended.
• For the audio section of the training course, we recommend that you have a headset or speakers.
• We recommend that you log in 30 minutes in advance of the start time to prepare for the training course.

Courses will be open half an hour before the start time. Please login before the start time to ensure that everything on your system is working correctly.
Created by
Karen Tkaczyk    View feedback | View all courses
Bio: Karen Tkaczyk grew up in the UK. She has an MChem in chemistry with French from the University of Manchester and a diploma in French and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Cambridge. She worked in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries before moving to the US, having children, and then switching careers. She started her translation practice in in 2005. Since then Karen has been translating French into English, localizing and editing English, and training other translators, mainly in the area of scientific and technical writing, editing and quality assurance. In 2021 she began working for MasterWord (Houston, Texas) as Director of Life Sciences Solutions.

Karen is ATA-certified (French to US English) and a Fellow of the ITI (Qualified for French to UK English). She works from home in the Denver, Colorado, area. She is heavily involved in the American Translators Association, and currently serves as its Secretary. She tweets at @ChemXlator. See https://www.mcmillantranslation.com/ for more information.
General discussions on this training

Effective Technical Writing for Translators
earlyesther
earlyesther
Local time: 10:20
English to Indonesian
+ ...
medical and legal writing too!Sep 23, 2014

Thank you Karen for sharing your expertiseicon_smile.gif

Would love to attend similar sessions which topic is "Effective Medical/Legal Writing for Translators" who translate into Englishicon_smile.gif

There are many trainings here that teaches use how to understand English terminologies on those subjects (on technical too), but n
... See more
Thank you Karen for sharing your expertiseicon_smile.gif

Would love to attend similar sessions which topic is "Effective Medical/Legal Writing for Translators" who translate into Englishicon_smile.gif

There are many trainings here that teaches use how to understand English terminologies on those subjects (on technical too), but not many teach how to present those concepts/words/terms "in English". Taking "Legal Writing" classes, for example, which mostly are aimed for lawyers is not an effective solution since translators do not really have to learn how to compose a lawsuit...
Collapse


 
Karen Tkaczyk
Karen Tkaczyk Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 21:20
French to English
+ ...
Medical WritingOct 3, 2014

Hi Esther,
For medical writing you could look at courses offered by the American Medical Writers Association (http://www.amwa.org/). For legal, I can't help. Perhaps try Bar Associations maybe for US legal writing, or the equivalent in other English-speaking countries?


 

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