Lost In Translation: The Challenge In Translating Materials Data

Within multi-site global manufacturing organizations, language is a common barrier that can greatly impact productivity and efficiency across the corporation. Translation of manufacturing documents and data requires a specific area of expertise, which can only be acquired through experience and education in the industry. When it comes to materials data translation, it is critical that all part descriptions, materials, sizes and drawings maintain their accurate format and meaning.

In many cases, translation companies simply translate information on a word for word basis, without understanding the true context of the document, technical specification, or description. By doing so, the information can be misconstrued and cause many headaches for the end users.

Let me explain - a BALL BEARING is a standard MRO item, which every manufacturing organization maintains hundreds of in their item master. The problem is that when the part description is translated for this common MRO item, it can potentially take on a different and incorrect meaning.

For example, two translation agencies were provided the same original Ball Bearing description from an English source and asked to translate it to Portuguese. One of the translators was a subject matter expert, specializing in the Manufacturing and Engineering industry. The other translator had very little experience in any type of industrial setting and no understanding of the part description. When the file was delivered, only one of the samples successfully preserved the true industrial meaning of the Ball Bearing description in the desired language. The other sample was misinterpreted due to the lack of basic part knowledge and industrial expertise, in which case the part meaning was lost in translation.

IMA recognizes the impact that poor translation can have on a project and an organization. For this reason, IMA is proud to have staff resources fluent in English, French, Spanish, Flemish, Dutch, German and Italian. All staff resources have background knowledge and experience within the manufacturing industry to ensure that each translation project reflects the data in its most accurate and useful context. In addition, IMA has aligned itself with proven translation partners, who have been carefully qualified and selected through an extensive research, sampling and evaluation process.

For more information on IMA services, please visit www.imaltd.com or contact info@imaltd.com.