Differences between medical translation and general translation
In the field of professional translation, not all specialties have the same requirements and implications. While general translation covers everyday and non-specialized texts, medical translation requires an extremely high level of precision and specialization. Understanding the differences between medical translation and general translation is essential to ensure the quality and accuracy of documents, especially in a field as critical as healthcare.
What is medical translation?
Medical translation focuses on texts related to medicine, healthcare and scientific research. Its main characteristic is the technical and specific terminology, which requires a deep knowledge of the medical and scientific field. Medical translators must be trained in health areas, master medical concepts and be up to date with new terminology and scientific advances.
Examples of documents in medical translation:
– Medical reports and diagnoses.
– Medical device manuals.
– Clinical trial protocols.
– Informed consents.
– Research articles in scientific journals.
Differences between medical translation and general translation. What is general translation?
General translation covers less specialized texts without complex technical terminology. Translators working in this area do not need advanced knowledge in specific fields, as the texts tend to have a more accessible language.
Examples of documents in general translation:
– E-mails and letters.
– Blog articles or informative web content.
– Administrative documents.
– Advertising material and general company content.
Main differences between medical translation and general translation.
1. Terminology and complexity
The main difference between medical translation and general translation lies in terminology. Medical translation requires a high level of mastery of technical and scientific language, with terms that do not admit ambiguities or errors.
For example, terms such as “primary arterial hypertension” or “anaphylactic reaction” must be accurately translated. In contrast, in general translation, the language is more colloquial and allows for greater flexibility.
2. Consequences of errors
Errors in medical translation can have **serious consequences**. A mistranslated term in a medical report or informed consent can jeopardize the patient’s health or invalidate a clinical study.
In general translation, although errors may affect the quality of the content, the consequences are usually not critical.
For example, an error in the instructions for use of a surgical device could lead to a malfunction of the device with fatal consequences for individuals. However, in the case of general translations, such as a blog article or the text of a website or service catalog, errors can be corrected without major repercussions.
3. Translator’s level of specialization
Another key difference between medical translation and general translation is the level of training required. Medical translators must have advanced knowledge in medicine, pharmacology or clinical research. This ensures that they understand technical texts and can correctly interpret medical concepts.
In contrast, general translators do not need technical specialization, although they must have advanced linguistic skills and a good cultural understanding.
4. Review and quality control
Medical translation requires rigorous review processes due to the critical nature of the documents. In this case, the review usually includes:
– Validation by a second medical translator.
– Terminology control with specialized tools.
– Compliance with quality standards such as ISO 17100.
In general translation, control processes are usually less stringent, as most texts do not require extensive technical review.
5. Adaptation to standards and regulations
Medical documents must often comply with specific regulations and standards, such as those required by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the USA. In the U.S. or the EMA (European Medicines Agency) in Europe.
For example, in international clinical trials, medical documentation must be translated and validated for each country, complying with local regulations. This is not a requirement in general translation, where content has no regulatory impact.
Why is it important to know the differences between medical translation and general translation?
Understanding the differences between medical translation and general translation allows you to select the right professional for each project. Opting for a non-specialized translator for medical documents can jeopardize the quality and accuracy of the content, which has serious implications in the healthcare environment.
How to choose a professional medical translator?
If you need medical documents translated, consider the following criteria to ensure quality service:
1. Specialized training: The translator must have a medical or scientific background.
2. Proven experience: Ask for references from previous work in the health field.
3. Quality certificates: Look for services that comply with standards such as ISO 17100.
4. Use of specialized tools: Computer Assisted Translation Tools (CAT) and medical glossaries.
5. Review process: Confirm that the translation undergoes additional revisions to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
The differences between medical translation and general translation are significant and should be taken into account when choosing a translation service. While general translation is suitable for everyday texts, medical translation requires a high level of specialization and accuracy to avoid critical errors that may have consequences for patients’ health or medical research.
Investing in specialized professionals guarantees that medical documents comply with global quality standards and regulations, ensuring reliable and accurate results.
To learn more about best practices in medical translation and their impact on healthcare, you can consult this resource of interest at [World Health Organization]
