The Evolution of Patent Translation

 

Although patent translation isn’t new, the process of translating these documents is evolving quickly to meet the increasing demands for excellent work at a reasonable rate

 

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For decades, patents have been allowing inventors and businesses the opportunity to build, create, and evolve great things. There are now nearly two million patent applications filed throughout the world every year.* Many of those patents are filed in multiple countries and, therefore, need to be translated. With more than five thousand patents being created every day, companies need to find an efficient and cost-effective way to assure quality and quick turnaround.

 

Although patent translation isn’t new, the process of translating these documents is evolving quickly to meet the increasing demands for excellent work at a reasonable rate. Today, more and more companies are looking for a streamlined approach to patent translation and filing and are turning to specialized translation companies to provide these services. Working with patent agents, translation companies can now supply the technology, the refined processes, and the expertise needed to adapt to the ever-changing world of patents.

 

Change #1 – Cost Effectiveness

 

By developing technology that helps the translators do their work, patents can be turned around more quickly and for less money. One significant source of savings stems from technology that enables translation companies to charge less based on repeated text. At first glance, the idea that repeated text is a notable factor in the cost of patent translation may seem doubtful. After all, inventions are supposed to be unique. One would think that the text supporting the patent would be as unique as the invention itself, making cost savings from repeated text marginal. However, that’s not the way it adds up.

 

Since companies frequently file multiple patents pertaining to the same industry or product area, these filings often use similar wording. Patents also have “boiler plates,” meaning there is some repeated text within patents. Even if previously translated material makes up only a small fraction of the translation, those fractions add up to a substantial amount — especially for projects that can cost millions of dollars.

 

Change #2 – Improved Accuracy

 

Translation technology is useful not only for cutting costs but also for managing terminology. Proper terminology management allows for the consistent use of correct terminology by all translators, enabling multiple people to work on a project and still maintain the same degree of accuracy. During translation, technology can pull terminology from predefined terminology lists and present these translated terms automatically to translators, thus reducing interruptions in the workflow and improving productivity. The automated use of those terminology lists greatly contributes to the linguistic quality of the project by helping translators to be more consistent not only within one project, but also from one project to another.

 

Additionally, translation memory technology can preserve formatting codes and layout information, reducing the time a desktop publisher needs to ensure that the translated document looks as professional as the source document. When skillful translators use this technology, their clients get the benefit of a more accurate translation at a lower cost.

 

Change #3 – Streamlined Processes

 

Today’s companies want patent translation and filing processes to be as simple and streamlined as possible. They appreciate