On a career path: the translator of medical texts and profession-related requirements

Abstract

Translation of medical texts embraces an entire range of various types of documents (e.g. official documentation related to commercialisation of medical products and devices, medical texts for educational and informational purposes or medical documentation of individuals). The language of medical texts – as a specialist variety of natural language – is very specific, and its ultimate objective is efficient communication and information transfer. The translator of medical texts is not only an expert on linguistic issues, but also a person who takes responsibility for the final product of the translation process that should be adequate and terminologically accurate. In this paper challenges and requirements – to be fulfilled by the translator of medical texts – shall be presented. These are not only the terminology in the sense of applying relevant medical terms and concepts but also cognitive factors and the willingness to learn, combined with practical manifestations of translation competence.