In medical translation, not all texts are read in the same way or have the same purpose. A scientific article aimed at specialists isn’t treated in the same way as a clinical report that a patient will receive. The difference lies in the target audience, and it is for that reason that medical translation services need to distinguish between technical language and informational language.
Why it is important to make the distinction
Medical terminology has an important function in communication between health professionals: it adds precision, avoids ambiguities and is consistent with international standards such as ICD-10 and DSM-5. However, the same text handed to a patient may be confusing or cause anxiety if not properly adapted.
Not bearing this difference in mind can lead to:
- Misunderstandings about diagnoses or treatments.
- Patients seeking unreliable explanations on the internet.
- Overloading for professionals, who need to clarify what the translation did not clearly communicate.
The role of translators specializing in medical translation
Translators specializing in medical translation are able to identify who a document is addressed to and to adapt the language as a result. This doesn’t mean merely simplifying the language, but maintaining clinical accuracy while adjusting the level of understanding.
Common techniques in medical translations:
- Using exact technical terminology in scientific and regulatory contexts.
- Adapting technical terms to common language in materials for patients.
- Adding brief explanations when a term cannot be avoided.
- Maintaining consistency as regards terminology in every document of a particular project.
Practical examples of adaptation
- Version for health professionals:
- “Infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis.”
- Version for patients:
- “The analysis confirms a type of cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.”
In both cases, the information is accurate, but the means of conveying it is adapted to the reader.
Medical translation is not a standardized process: it involves knowing when to use technical language and when it needs to be made understandable to a patient. Medical translation services that apply this criterion bring real value: accuracy for professionals and clarity for patients.
It is this balance that reveals the importance of having translators specializing in medical translation who are able to ensure that each text fulfils its purpose without losing accuracy.
