Medical translation and its significance
Medical translation has become significant for successful medical localization services. It is one hectic and extensive job. Pharmaceutical and medical industries require particular resources with relevant expertise and accuracy.
The medical translation services can only be provided by professional translators who are well versed in the medical terms and nuances.
Accuracy is extremely important in medical translation. The medical content comprises many complex terminologies, hence, not an ordinary person can cope up with the complexities of the medical translation services. Since the medical and medicine industry is related to human life, so there is no room for error.
Language mistakes could be disastrous and risky when it is about healthcare. The medical terminology is extensive and complex. The poor quality can put human life at the stake. Reading misinformation regarding medicine or so can cost health and even life.
There are plenty of reasons which make the medical translations complex. High-quality medicine is important and should be considered, however, precision and accuracy have also to be maintained.
Even a minor error can change the whole meaning and context of a sentence in other translation services. As for medical translation, it could be unsafe and risky.
Therefore, medical companies and pharmaceuticals should always ensure that the medical translations of the labels are accurate and translated by expert linguists.
The machine and automated translations though may provide correct and word-to-word translation however, they can not provide the essence of the translation. Also, it doesn’t understand the context and subtle meanings.
Types of medical translation
The types of medical content which may need translation are
- Prescriptions
- Patience consent forms
- Website data and content
- Research papers
- Marketing collateral
- Labels of the products
- Packaging
- Patient information
- Surgery manuals
- Medical equipment information
- Consultations reports
- Patient information
- Machine operating manuals
- Contracts
- Questionnaires
- Articles and journals
Complexities of the medical translation
The pharma industry, medical devices, and healthcare industries are dependent on subject-matter experts for translation most of the time.
Besides, medical documents are extremely sensitive and these need to be updated and edited a number of times throughout the year as per the instructions of the regulatory authority.
Translation is itself a challenging and competent task however, medical and healthcare translation is one of the complex and toughest jobs. Also, the medical industry is very demanding, requires a lot more than a translation.
The medical translation not only is concerned with the businesses and the people. It also deals with the matter of human health and life, which makes it a sensitive domain.
Moreover, medical translation deals with not only disseminating the current medical knowledge but also has to help with the content of new medical discoveries.
The complexities of the medical translation services are getting higher in number with every passing day.
A few of these are
Medical terminology
The Medical terminology is quite tough and complex. Medical language is a different and extensive language. Not everyone can apprehend it. Hence, the trained and expert medical translators can excel in the job only.
Abbreviations and acronyms
The medical dictionary is full of abbreviations. There are different abbreviations for different words. Almost all of these are tough and complicated. MBBS is a common term that is used widely all over the world. However, there are people who don’t know what it stands for. MBBS is an abbreviation of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. It is a professional undergraduate degree.
Unique characteristics of medical language
There are several words that are unique and rare and an ordinary person is never familiar with these, such as
- Multi-word and eponyms
- Affixation
- Doublet phenomenon
- Word compounding
Packaging and labeling
This is another big complexity. The pharma industries that export their medicine to other countries have to send them packing and labels according to the language of the target audience.
The process is quite hectic and challenging. A whole lot of medicine needs a strict check for the language and other instructions. The makers have to check if the language is understandable in the country of export.
Hence, not every translator can perform this task. Only experts and those who are experienced and well versed with the medical terms and relevant knowledge can excel in the job.
Medical translation has to be seamless. There is no margin of mistake as it could turn out to be risky and life-taking for a patient. In a multicultural country that is providing treatment to more than 10 patients daily who have come from different countries.
The doctors and the patients as well need to understand each other so that they can convey their queries and opinion well.
The translation helps the people and the patients to understand their disease, diagnosis, and treatment in a foreign land.
Conclusion
The medical localization services translation is quite daunting. These require a lot more. The medical translators should be proficient enough in the medical language.
Medical translation comes with a lot of responsibilities and complexities. Understanding the medical terms, abbreviations and readability are a few of these.
