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Justyna Bagińska
By
April 13, 2023
16 min read

How to Get Better with Life Sciences Translations

How to Get Better with Life Sciences Translations [5 Tips]

 

 

 

 

Life science is a vast term that can refer to many topic groups and industries, including:

 

 

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitals
  • BioTech
  • HealthTech
  • Insurance
  • Laboratories

 

 

Life science is a vast term that can refer to many topic groups and industries

 

 

  • Research and development
  • Manufacturing of health equipment
  • Business relations
  • Legal requirements
  • Politics & Lobbying

 

 

In today's globalized world, life science translations are essential for companies and individuals in the healthcare industry. A well-translated document can differentiate between a successful medical product launch and a costly mistake.

 

Understanding what life science translations entail and why professional translations are crucial. In this blog post, we will dive into the benefits of sound localization and the different types of life science translations. We will also discuss five tips for fast and affordable translations:

 

 

  • Knowing your audience and purpose
  • Choosing the right translation service provider
  • Using translation memory and glossaries
  • Ensuring quality assurance and customer feedback
  • Not trusting machine learning tech (only)

 

 

Finally, we will guide you on how to find the best life sciences translations services to meet your business needs.

 

 

 

 






Related content: A Guide to Understanding Translation and Localization Terminology





 




Understanding Life Sciences Translations




Understanding Life Sciences Translations

 

 

Life science translations require specialized knowledge and expertise. To provide accurate translations, translators must be familiar with industry-specific technical terms, jargon, and regulatory requirements. When selecting localization services, requesting sample translations and ensuring that quality assurance processes are in place before committing is necessary.


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The Importance of Professional Life Sciences Translations



In the life sciences and medical industry, accurate translations are critical to ensure patient safety. Professional translators in the medical field can save your company a lot of time and money by preventing costly translation mistakes.

 

What are some real-life situations where medical professionals and translators play an important part? For example:



  • They help doctors and patients during medical examinations
  • They translate documentation for pharmaceutical companies
  • They help to understand medical research conditions and fill in clinical study consent forms (informed consent is crucial)
  • They assist healthcare providers with linguistic validation of packaging and labeling
  • They help FDA and clinical research organizations understand specific side effects of medication sent for approval
  • They help biotechnology companies understand local environmental reports
  • They write step-by-step instructions and user manuals, helping thousands of medical professionals conduct patient examinations



Selecting a professional linguist specializing in life sciences is essential when searching for a localization service. This ensures that the proper terminology is used and scientific concepts are accurately conveyed.

 

Native speakers can capture cultural nuances and idioms that machine translation might miss. While machine translation can be helpful as a starting point, it should not be relied upon as the final product. Always have human translators review and edit the final translation to ensure accuracy and quality control without compromising accuracy or patient safety.

 

 

 





Related content: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Translator in 2023?





 



Life sciences can be a tricky niche, especially for translation professionals, as linguists must have specific knowledge in both languages (source language and target language) and be subject matter experts in one of the life sciences localization niches. Such people are experts with years of experience, ISO certification (ISO 17100:2015, ISO 13485:2016), and project management skills.

 

 

Linguists should also be familiar with HIPAA regulations (in the United States), confidentiality, and privacy requirements and thoroughly know medical terms and concepts. They must also have access to the latest medical terms and clinical knowledge to accurately translate medical information into foreign languages. Medical interpreters need to understand the cultural context and preferences of the patient.

 




What are the Benefits of Good Life Sciences Localization?

 

Accurate communication of scientific information is critical in the life sciences industry, making professional translations essential. Sound localization is also important to ensure the final content is culturally appropriate and tailored to the target audience. Poor translations can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and even legal issues.



 

 

 

 

Working with a professional translation agency (preferably one that has proper certification (ISO 17100:2015, ISO 13485:2016) can help you get fast, affordable, and high-quality life sciences translations.

 

Make sure to provide clear instructions and reference materials to the company for the best results. With good communication, you'll be able to make sure that your output content accurately conveys your intended message while meeting regulatory requirements. Overall, investing in professional life sciences translations is a smart choice for businesses looking to succeed in today's competitive marketplace.

 

 

 

Types of Life Sciences Translations

 

 

Types of Life Sciences Translations

 

 

Professional life science translations are crucial for accurate communication in the field. Life science translations require high accuracy and expertise in scientific terms, as even minor errors can have serious consequences. Common types of life science translations include:

 

 

  • Medical records and document translation
  • Prescription information
  • Consent forms
  • Registration forms
  • Information about the side effects of treatment
  • Summary of medical procedures
  • Lab and test results
  • Discharge papers
  • Family health history
  • Health Insurance papers
  • Professional recommendations for further treatment
  • Adapting medical documents for clinical test
  • Document translation

 

 

Drug labels for pharmacies is one of many examples of life sciences translations in action

 

 

  • Drug labels for pharmacies
  • Instructions for medical treatment protocols
  • Archives
  • Pharma reports 
  • Packaging information
  • Medical software and applications
  • Mobile apps
  • Emails and text messages

 

 

Translators with subject matter expertise in life sciences can ensure accurate translations that meet regulatory essentials. Machine translation may not be suitable for life science translations due to the complexity and specificity of scientific language.

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical Translations

 

 

Pharmaceutical Translations

 

 

Regarding pharmaceutical translations, choosing a specialized service with expertise in the medical and life science fields is vital. A team of professional translators with subject matter expertise can provide accurate translations that meet regulatory needs. In contrast, using machine translations or non-specialized translators can result in errors that could have serious consequences.

 

 

 

Medical Translations

 

 

Medical Translations

 

 

Medical life science translations are extremely important, as they involve critical information about a patient's health and well-being. They require specialized knowledge and expertise to convey scientific terminology and concepts accurately.

 

Accurate translation of medical documents such as reports, lab results, and prescriptions is essential for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to make informed decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

 

Choosing a professional translation company with expertise in life sciences translations and medical terminology is crucial to ensure accuracy and reliability in providing high-quality translations that meet industry standards and regulations.

 

In addition, the translation should be culturally appropriate and sensitive to the patient's needs and preferences. Overall, quality medical translations are integral to providing effective healthcare services to patients across different languages and cultures.

 

 

quality medical translations are integral to providing effective healthcare services to patients across different languages and cultures.

 

 

Using machine translation or unqualified translators can lead to errors and potentially dangerous misunderstandings in life science. Translation services must thoroughly understand regulatory needs, such as FDA guidelines for clinical trials.

 

Effective communication through accurate translations is essential in the life science industry to ensure patient safety and successful global collaborations. Investing in professional life sciences translations from reputable services like H4 Medical Translations can provide peace of mind knowing that your translated documents are accurate, compliant, and effective.

 

 

 

Healthcare Translations

 

 

Accurate and professional life science translations are crucial in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products or services

 

 

Healthcare translations are critical for effective communication and patient care. Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must provide quality care to patients of all languages and cultures. Investing in high-quality healthcare translations is essential for providing accessible and effective healthcare services to patients across language barriers.

 

 






 

Related content: How to Hire the Best Healthcare Translation Provider?


 


 

 

 

Clinical Research Translations

 

 

Clinical Research Translations

 

 

In the life sciences industry, accurate and professional translations are crucial for adequately communicating important information. This is especially true for clinical research translations, where accuracy and attention to detail can mean the difference between success and failure.

 

Find a localization firm that specializes in providing accurate and timely translations for clinical research documents, medical device instructions, and more. Working with a professional translation company can save time and money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes or miscommunications.

 

 

 

 

Five Tips for Fast and Affordable Life Sciences Translations

 

 

Five Tips for Fast and Affordable Life Sciences Translations

 

 

If you need fast and affordable translations for life sciences, there are a few essential tips to remember. Firstly, choosing a translation provider specializing in life sciences is essential. They will have the necessary expertise and knowledge of industry terms to provide accurate translations.

 

Another tip is to use translation memory technology, which can reduce costs and speed up the process by reusing previously translated phrases. Providing the translator with clear and concise source material also helps ensure accuracy and efficiency.

 

Be upfront with your project timeline and budget when working with a translation provider to avoid surprises later. Look for providers that offer flexible pricing options, such as per-word or per-hour rates, to help keep costs under control. By following these tips, you can get fast and affordable translations for your life science projects.

 

 

 

Tip 1: Know Your Audience and Purpose

 

Tip #1 Know Your Audience and Purpose

 

 

Do you translate specific documentation for doctors and nurses? Will lab technicians use your products? Or would you like to ease the patient's pain while filling in the medical forms in a foreign country? The first tip is to know your audience and purpose before you start, which will help you choose the right tone, language, and terminology for the translation.

 

It's also important to choose a reliable translation service with experience in life sciences to ensure accuracy and quality. Providing clear instructions and context to the translator can help avoid any misunderstandings.

 

Lastly, consider using machine translation or CAT tools to save time and money while maintaining accuracy.

 

 

 

Tip 2: Choose the Right Translation Service Provider

 

 

Tip # 2 Choose the Right Translation Service Provider

 

 

Choosing the right translation service provider is crucial for fast and affordable life science translations. Look for a service provider with experience in the life sciences field and a strong knowledge of industry jargon. In addition, consider the turnaround time, quality assurance processes, and pricing structure.

 

It's also important to ask for references or read reviews to ensure their previous clients were satisfied with their services. By taking the time to research potential providers, you can make an informed decision and feel confident in your choice. A trustworthy service provider can help streamline the translation process and ensure your life science documents are translated accurately and efficiently.

 

 

 

Tip 3: Use Translation Memory and Glossaries

 

 

Tip # 3 Use Translation Memory and Glossaries

 

 

Translating memory and glossaries can be valuable for fast and affordable life science translations. Translation memory software stores previously translated content, which can reduce the time and cost of future translations by reusing commonly used phrases or sentences. On the other hand, glossaries provide a list of key terms specific to the medical industry or related fields, ensuring accurate translations.

 

 

 

Using translation memory software to store and reuse previously translated content saves time and reduces costs.

 

 

Using translation memory software to store and reuse previously translated content saves time and reduces costs. Combining machine translation with human review to speed up the process while maintaining accuracy.

 

Collaboration tools such as cloud-based platforms facilitate communication between translators and project managers. Implementing automated quality assurance checks to ensure consistency and accuracy is also a good idea. By leveraging these technologies, life science companies can significantly improve their translation processes, resulting in faster turnaround times and reduced costs.

 

 

 

Tip 4: Ensure Quality Assurance and Customer Feedback

 

 

Tip # 4 Ensure Quality Assurance and Customer Feedback

 

 

Ensuring quality assurance is essential by working with a translation service that employs native speakers and has a review process. Finally, customer feedback can provide valuable insights into the quality of the translation service, and it should be considered when making your decision. Following these tips, you can get fast and affordable life science translations that meet your needs.



 

 


 

 



Related content: What Happens When You Experiment with Machine Translation

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Tip 5: Don't Put Trust in Machine Learning Tech Only

 

While incorporating machine learning technology in translation processes has its merits, relying on it only partially is important. Humans still play a crucial role in ensuring accuracy and nuance in language translations, especially in fields such as life sciences, where precise terminology is critical. Therefore, using human review alongside automated quality checks can speed up the translation process while maintaining accuracy. This combination of technology and human expertise can result in faster turnaround times and reduced costs without sacrificing quality.

 

Life sciences translations and medical industry content can include sensitive information. While services like Google Translate or deePL are a good choice for translating large quantities of content in significantly less time, it's not the best solution for this type of content.

 

 

 

 

How to Find the Best Life Sciences Translation Services?

 

 

Finding the best life sciences translation service can be challenging. It requires research, knowledge of specialized medical terms, and a keen understanding of your company's needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One crucial consideration is the experience and expertise of the translation service provider in life sciences. Look for a certified translation service with strict quality control measures, such as proofreading and editing. Specialized services like medical terminology management and localization are also essential.

 

Another important factor is the translation service's turnaround time and pricing structure. You want a service that offers fast turnaround times without compromising on quality. Reading reviews or asking for referrals from other professionals in your industry can help you find a reputable life sciences translation service that meets your specific needs while staying within budget. Discussing turnaround times and pricing is crucial to ensure fast and affordable translations. By doing so, you can clearly understand what to expect and avoid any surprises down the line.

 

 

As a life science industry professional, you must ensure that your research and findings are accurately communicated to the world. Professional translation services can help you accomplish this goal.

 

 

As a life science industry professional, you must ensure that your research and findings are accurately communicated to the world. Professional translation services can help you accomplish this goal.

 

To learn more about finding the best life sciences translation services, check the reading materials below.

 

 

 




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