Translation - art & business » Proofreading / Editing / Reviewing »
How to find an industry expert? (in a technical field)
Thread poster: Laurie Bennett
Laurie Bennett
Laurie Bennett  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 04:58
French to English
Jul 5, 2019

I have been approached by a client to translate a large number of product data sheets. I have an engineering background and have worked with them for several years, but have no work experience in their field, which is quite specific: Roofing/Construction Products. While I am becoming familiar with the company's technical jargon, I would like to hire an industry expert (not necessarily a translator) to proofread all files. The goal: to have this specialist review all technical vocabulary, to ensu... See more
I have been approached by a client to translate a large number of product data sheets. I have an engineering background and have worked with them for several years, but have no work experience in their field, which is quite specific: Roofing/Construction Products. While I am becoming familiar with the company's technical jargon, I would like to hire an industry expert (not necessarily a translator) to proofread all files. The goal: to have this specialist review all technical vocabulary, to ensure accuracy.

How do you go about finding this type of contact? I have been reviewing Proz profiles, but no one seems to advertise knowledge in that very unique field. ▲ Collapse
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 12:58
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
@Laurie Jul 6, 2019

When I have a similar problem I don’t hesitate to get in touch with my colleagues (present and past), family members, friends and friends of friends. I have also contacted professional bodies, associations and syndicates and most of them have been quite helpful.

P.S. I would start that job by building a glossary and having it approved by your client…

[Edited at 2019-07-06 09:49 GMT]
 
Mikhail Popov
Mikhail Popov
Montenegro
Local time: 13:58
English to Russian
+ ...
LinkedIn Jul 6, 2019

I've been using it a couple of times. Just sent polite questions to engineers who have been working in this field. 70% of them answered. But it was 1-2 questions only that could be answered in 5 minutes, if you are an expert.
 
Marijke Singer
Marijke Singer  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 13:58
Member
Dutch to English
+ ...
Find a company that works in the field and write or phone them Jul 7, 2019

Don't overdo it though. I usually get a very positive reply after I explain I am translator looking for such a thing...
 
Laurie Bennett
Laurie Bennett  Identity Verified
Canada
Local time: 04:58
French to English
TOPIC STARTER
Reaching out for specific terms only - Not what I expected! Jul 8, 2019

Thanks Marijke, Mikhail and Teresa for your feedback.

@Marijke, are you (like Mikhail & Teresa) approaching these companies about only particular challenging words?

Until now, I had thought it was common practice to work with a technical reviewer, which is quite expensive and more logistically complicated. Validating only key words would be much more simple.
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 12:58
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
@Laurie Jul 9, 2019

A small clarification regarding proofreading: I have an arrangement with two trusted colleagues (I worked in-house for 20 years with one of them) where we proofread each other's work (mostly work done for direct clients) but it has nothing to do with technical terms (I don’t translate engineering). So far, it has worked quite well as a moneyless system but we keep track of the number of hours spent…

Good luck!

Laurie Bennett
 


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How to find an industry expert? (in a technical field)







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