Style in technical translation

Style doesn’t matter in technical translation. This is, perhaps, one of the more irritating misconceptions for technical translators because it is so completely unfounded and implies that technical translators do not have the same linguistic and writing skills as other types of translator. Perhaps the problem stems from differing opinions of the nature of style and the popular belief that it relates exclusively to literature. If we look at style from a literary point of view, then it does not have any place in technical translation.

But if we regard style as the way we write things, the words we choose and the way we construct sentences, then style is equally, if not more, important in technical translation than in other areas because it is there for a reason, not simply for artistic or entertainment reasons. As Korning Zethsen (1999:72) asserts, literary texts “do not hold a monopoly on expressivity and creativity”. To illustrate this, consider a leaflet containing instructions for using a product. The limited space available requires both the author and translator alike to express information in a way which is sufficiently clear, simple and concise so as to allow readers to understand the information completely and quickly but which nevertheless conveys all of the necessary facts. In comparison, consider a poem where an author may purposely choose stylistic devices, structures and metaphors which will make the meaning ambiguous and leave it open to several interpretations so as to add to the readers’ enjoyment of the poem. Both situations will require the use of stylistic and expressive language in order to achieve the desired effects although these approaches may be at opposite ends of the stylistic spectrum.

In many cases, the importance or even existence of style in technical texts goes completely unacknowledged, due largely to the belief that because technical language is functional, it must be “plain” and stripped of any form of style or linguistic identity. In reality, however, technical translation is a highly complex endeavour and style is one of its most important facets. For this reason, this book will take as its basis the concept of style and its application in technical translation. This book will show that style, which has been regarded at best as a way of ensuring compliance with target language norms, can actually have much more profound effects on the quality of technical translations.

Technical translation is not creative; it is simply a reproductive transfer process. While technical translation “is undoubtedly more restricted in range than aesthetic translation” it is much too easy to overestimate and exaggerate its apparent simplicity (Pinchuck 1977:20). But in order to convey information in an appropriate and effective way, technical translators have to find novel and creative linguistic solutions to ensure successful communication.

That this task is often hampered by a restricted vocabulary and stylistic constraints merely makes the achievement all the more impressive.

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