Patents can be complicated and technical, and they need to be understood by people all over the world. In order to translate them into other languages, technical translators obviously need to be linguistic wizards (they always translate into their mother tongue), but they also need to understand the often cutting-edge science in the patents – as well as the associated legal terms.
Last Updated: November 1, 2024
Patents can be complicated and technical, and they need to be understood by people all over the world. In order to translate them into other languages, technical translators obviously need to be linguistic wizards (they always translate into their mother tongue), but they also need to understand the often cutting-edge science in the patents – as well as the associated legal terms.
Sometimes the right words just haven’t been invented yet, so it takes a touch of creativity, a tonne of tenacity and a dollop of determination to trawl the web, studying technical sites to find the perfect descriptions.
Translators tend to work in patent offices, private sector IP or law firms, or in-house IP departments. Once you’re established, there’s a market for freelancers too. There’s usually plenty of scope for remote working.
Obviously, translators need amazing language skills – nothing short of bilingual. To prove it, a degree in languages helps, but even then you’ll probably need a diploma or a Masters degree in translation too, and ideally some experience of working in, or with professionals in, another country.
You can get by with just two languages – one to translate from and another (your mother tongue) to translate into – but the more languages you speak, the more useful you are and the more likely you are to get work.
Understanding the words is one thing. Understanding the ideas is another. For that, you need enough of a science background to get your head round patents which, by definition, are pushing the boundaries of innovation. For some types of document, you also need to understand the legal and procedural terminology that’s specific to IP.
Translators don’t just wrangle over words and ideas; they have to have the personal and team-working skills to deal with clients and colleagues too.
Patent translation is a very specific skill, so most translators start out working in-house in order to get experience. Their work will be rigorously checked by an experienced translator for at least the first six months, until they’re consistently hitting the right standard.
You’re dealing with ground-breaking technologies and you’re among the first to know about them. While the translating is technical, there’s creativity in finding just the right words too.
Translators often have to come up with the goods at short notice. They need to have a cool head and a juggler’s skill with their time management.
There’s more information on becoming a translator and on available courses at The Institute of Translation and Interpreting and The Chartered Institute of Linguists. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the websites and LinkedIn pages of IP sector organisations – for example firms of patent and trade mark attorneys – and the specialist IP recruiters who support them.