In today’s global business environment, patents have become a core asset for companies. Clear and accurate translations are essential in the process of filing and protecting patents. Specifically, translating patent specifications is a complex task that requires considering both technical accuracy and legal effectiveness. This article will explore how to maintain simplicity when translating patent specifications. Clear and concise translations enhance the readability of patent documents and play a crucial role in preventing legal disputes.
Importance of Concise Translation
Patent specifications inherently deal with technical and complex content, requiring concise and clear expressions to aid the reader’s understanding. This is equally important in translation. One of the primary goals of patent document translation is to convey the technical meaning of the original text accurately. To achieve this, avoid unnecessary lengthy expressions and use short, simple words to construct sentences.
Examples of Concise Translation
Here are some examples of using short and concise expressions in patent specification translation:
- On the basis of → Based on
- On a daily basis → Daily
- By the time that → When
- Subsequent to → After
- Prior to → Before
- It appears that → Apparently
- Is known to be → Is
- With the exception of → Except
- In the absence of → Without
- Owing to the fact that → Because
Using concise expressions like these significantly improves the document’s readability.
Eliminating Unnecessary Expressions
Even if the translation does not perfectly correspond to the original text, it is important to simplify redundant expressions, nominalizations, and negative expressions as much as possible. For example:
- Fifty-minute period → Fifty minutes
- Two hours long → Two hours
- 3 meters in height → 3 meters high
- In a horizontal direction → Horizontally
- Entirely finished → Finished
- Make a contact with → Contact
- Exhibit improvement → Improve
- Reach an end → End
- Perform treatment → Treat
- Conduct an investigation → Investigate
- Not appropriate → Inappropriate
- Do not allow → Prevent
Simplifying expressions in this way enhances the clarity of the document.
Caution with Ambiguous Expressions
When translating patent specifications, be cautious with expressions like “such as,” “for example,” “preferably,” and “more particularly,” as they can be ambiguous. For example:
- [Original] 플러그인 하이브리드 자동차(1)에는 하이브리드 차량, 엔진, 브레이크, 도난 방지 등 다수의 전자 제어 제품들이 탑재되어 있다.
- [Draft] In the plug-in hybrid vehicle 1, a plurality of electronic control units, such as a hybrid vehicle, an engine, a brake, a theft prevention, and the like, are mounted.
In this sentence, it is unclear where “such as” applies. It is advisable to avoid translating the frequently used Korean term “등” as “and the like” or “or the like.”
- [Revised] The plug-in hybrid vehicle 1 includes a plurality of electronic control units, such as a hybrid vehicle, an engine, a brake, and a theft prevention.
By clearly revising ambiguous expressions like this, the document’s understandability can be improved.
Maintaining simplicity and clarity in patent specification translation is crucial. Using short and concise expressions, eliminating unnecessary redundant expressions, and avoiding ambiguous expressions can enhance the quality of translations. BeringAI strictly adheres to these principles, providing high-quality translations for patents, legal documents, and business documents. With the BeringAI+ service, directly reviewed by lawyer experts, you can obtain even more reliable translation results. Experience accurate and clear patent translations with Bering Lab today.
Bering Lab’s Top-Quality ‘Patent Translation’
Bering Lab specializes in providing translation services tailored to legal documents, ensuring that all translation needs during the patent application process are met. Accurate and prompt translations maximize efficiency in the patent application process. Bering Lab’s professional translation services are dedicated to helping your invention successfully secure a patent.
For more information on patent translations and to enhance the success rate of your patent applications, trust Bering Lab. Our expertise in legal translations ensures that you receive the highest quality service tailored to your needs. Contact Bering Lab today to experience the best in patent translation services.
Contact Bering Lab now to inquire about our expert-reviewed patent translation services!
