Medical translation is a specialisation I’ve been engaged in since the start of my career. I first came into contact with medical translation at university, where as part of our curriculum I was taught medical terminology, biology, analysis of how medical texts are written and best practices for translating medical texts among others.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
The medical translations I have provided include:
- Medical and forensic opinions
- The findings of medical examinations: axial and magnetic tomography, histological and microbiological analyses, findings from colonoscopies, gastroscopies, bronchoscopies and other types of endoscopies, etc.
- Patient medical histories
- Medical centre websites
- Manuals for use of medical and dental tools and equipment
- Medical and paramedical product marketing materials
- Instructions on how to use medicines
- Clinical studies
WHY SHOULD THEY BE ASSIGNED TO PROFESSIONALS?
Medical translation concerns issues of the utmost importance which could affect the health or even life of our fellow citizens. We need only think of the consequences that a poorly thought-worded translation could have on the treatment of a person, if for example poor quality prevents proper and effective use of a medicine or impedes the development of research into finding new treatment methods. Mere knowledge of language is not sufficient in such critical cases. Proper handling of texts of this sort requires special training in translation and medical terminology.
ADVANTAGES OF PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATORS
Professional translators of medical texts:
- have been trained in translation techniques
- know specialist medical language and terminology
- have a corresponding body of background knowledge that feeds into their professional practice
- examine medical analyses systematically, familiarise themselves with the subject matter and constantly expand their knowledge
- ensure that confidentiality is maintained and documents with sensitive personal information are properly stored
- can certify the translations if they need to be submitted to the competent bodies (this only applies for translators who are graduates of the Ionian University)
