Language as a tool for precise communication
Technical language thrives on precision. In documentation, service and in product descriptions, every single word matters – one or two nuances in meaning can make the difference between correct operation and malfunction.
However, translators sometimes encounter terms that appear to be untranslatable: namely, words or phrases that cannot be translated directly into another language because they are too deeply rooted in a cultural or technical context. Due to its status as lingua franca in many industries, English terms often reign supreme – you’re as likely to see the words “workaround” and “influencer” in a German text as you are in a fully English one. For the translation professional, the question remains: should these be explained for the benefit of lay readers who have little or no understanding of English?
Untranslatable technical terms – a challenge and a mark of quality
Glance in any German-English dictionary and the top match for “Anschlag” would be “stop”. And you certainly wouldn’t be wrong to translate it as such. But if end customers read an instruction to “open the drawer to the stop”, they could be forgiven for scratching their heads and wondering ‘what kind of stop’? In reality, the best rendering for this sentence would be “open the drawer fully” – i.e. until it stops being pull-out-able!
Such cases show that untranslatable technical terms are not a shortcoming of language, but rather evidence of its precision. A good translation therefore does not have to be word for word, but rather meaningful, functionally correct and technically comprehensible.
Strategies for translating technical language
Professional translators in the technical sector use various strategies to deal with terms that are difficult to translate:
- Paraphrase: If there is no direct equivalent, the function or application is described.
Example: “Verschlimmbessern” → the (horribly unusable) literal translation of this German term is “worse bettering”, but in reality this needs to be rendered “unintentionally making a situation worse while trying to improve it”. - Subject-specific terminology work: Terminology databases and glossaries ensure that all terms remain consistent, even in international projects.
- Transcreation in a technical context: Marketing texts or product brochures are not only translated, but also creatively localised as necessary in order to achieve the same impact for the target audience.
Example: Depending on the target market, “excessive play”, relating to the tightness of a technical component, may be translated as “too loose”, if that best suits the desired tone and the intended readership.
This results in communication that accurately reflects the technical language and takes into account the mentality of the target audience.
Man and machine – precision in harmony
AI engines are capable of astonishing feats today, especially in the field of technical translation. However, when specialist knowledge, experience and contextual understanding are required, AI often reaches its limits. If an AI tool automatically translates “Schnecke” as “snail”, it takes a human to know that it should be rendered “auger” in the context of construction. And when it comes to the German “Mutter”, unfortunately it’s far too common to see “mother” being used to secure a bolt in place rather than a “nut”.
That’s why modern translation service providers combine the efficiency of a machine with the precision of a human – through post-editing and specialist revision. This is the only way to classify untranslatable terms meaningfully and integrate them into the company’s terminology system.
Language changes – and with it, technology
With every new product and every innovation, new terms are also created. They reflect not only technological development, but also the current ways of thinking. A translation service provider specialising in mechanical engineering therefore operates at the intersection of language, technology and international standards.
Whether it’s assembly instructions, CE-compliant documentation or product catalogues, the objective remains the same: comprehensibility across language barriers. And it is precisely where words reach their limits that the translator’s real work begins.
Summary: Technical language and sensitivity unite
Untranslatable terms remind us that language is not a rigid system – especially in the technical field. Translating means making complex concepts tangible without losing their precision.
As a language service provider with many years of experience, we know that every single term is important. That’s why we don’t just translate words, we understand what they mean in practice – for designers, engineers and anyone who works with precision.
Untranslatable? But by no means insurmountable. Please contact us.
