How can you ensure effective technical writing projects with non-standard terminology?

1 Define your terminology

Before you start writing or translating, you need to define your terminology and agree on the best way to express it in different languages. You can use glossaries, style guides, or terminology databases to store and manage your terms and their definitions, synonyms, variants, and usage examples. These resources will help you avoid ambiguity, inconsistency, or duplication of terms, and ensure that your technical writing projects follow the same terminology rules and conventions across all languages and formats.

2 Use translation memory

Translation memory (TM) is a tool that stores and reuses previous translations of segments of text, such as sentences, paragraphs, or headings. TM can help you save time, money, and effort by avoiding re-translation of the same or similar content, and by ensuring that your technical writing projects are consistent and coherent across different languages and formats. TM can also help you handle non-standard terminology by allowing you to search, edit, or update your translations of terms and their contexts.

3 Check for quality

Quality assurance (QA) is a process that checks your technical writing projects for errors, inconsistencies, or deviations from the standards and expectations of your target audience. QA can help you ensure that your technical writing projects are clear, accurate, and appropriate for your purpose and context. QA can also help you identify and correct any issues with non-standard terminology, such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, or style errors. You can use QA tools, such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or terminology checkers, to automate or assist your QA process.

4 Get feedback

Feedback is a valuable source of information and improvement for your technical writing projects. Feedback can help you evaluate the effectiveness, usability, and satisfaction of your technical writing projects from the perspective of your target audience. Feedback can also help you discover and address any problems or gaps with non-standard terminology, such as confusion, misunderstanding, or misinterpretation. You can use feedback tools, such as surveys, reviews, or testing, to collect and analyze feedback from your clients, users, or peers.

5 Keep learning

Learning is a continuous and essential part of your technical writing projects. Learning can help you update and expand your knowledge and skills in technical writing and translation, and keep up with the latest trends, developments, and best practices in your field. Learning can also help you master and adapt to non-standard terminology, especially when you encounter new or unfamiliar terms, concepts, or domains. You can use learning tools, such as courses, webinars, podcasts, or blogs, to access and acquire learning opportunities and resources.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?