Written by Haluk Orhon, 19.03.2021
A guide to patent translation
As a patent translator who has worked professionally for more than 25 years, I have compiled on our blog a selection of practical guidance for translators who are new to patent translation, as well as for those who already have some experience in the field.
The material provided here is intended as guidance only and does not claim to be exhaustive.
The aim is to encourage translators of patent documents to gain a clearer sense of what they are dealing with, and to develop a better understanding of basic patent concepts together with the terminology and jargon commonly used in patent practice.
Turkish translators can also find here, and in our patent glossary, a list of frequently used terms together with their Turkish counterparts, which we have standardized over the years.
Turkish patent terminology still appears to require further harmonization. The term "embodiment", for example, is a standard term used worldwide and does not depend on where a patent application is drafted. In Turkey, however, it is often rendered either as "düzenleme" or as "yapılanma". Some patent attorneys prefer the former, while others prefer the latter. This is only one example of how the lack of terminological unification becomes visible in practice.
You can also find here a discussion of the relationship between scientific literacy and patent translation. Over the years, we have encountered many cases in which patent translation was underestimated and assigned to translators who were not adequately equipped to deal with technical subject matter.
Given the highly technical nature of patent applications, it is unfortunately not uncommon to encounter translations in public databases in which even basic concepts from the natural sciences and engineering are used incorrectly.
In any event, thank you for taking the time to read our blog.
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Scientific literacy and patent translation