Michael Forrest
Technical translations German and French into English
Welcome
Being at the forefront of innovation in your niche is a huge achievement. Don’t cut corners by leaving the translation of your technical documentation, manuals, interfaces and software to amateurs or, worse still, to machine translation. It’s one thing to understand the meaning of words, but this does not mean understanding the processes and equipment involved. Often, the translation of technical documentation is an afterthought or is considered a cost factor. In truth, this is not the area to be taking shortcuts, as it has a direct effect on your corporate image, on how your product is perceived and on back-office costs.
If you are looking for a partner who takes the necessary time and invests effort and energy to research and understand your technologies and processes, then look no further.
With over 30 years of experience writing and translating technical documentation, I offer a turnkey solution to ensure that all your products are communicated accurately, clearly and concisely to English-speaking audiences. As an Irish national and a Canadian citizen, I translate into both European and North American variants of English, having lived and worked for many years in both Europe and Canada.
SERVICES
Technical translation from French and German into English
Adaptation from European to North American English
and vice versa
Proofreading
and editing
Multilingual
project consulting
DOCUMENTATION HANDLED
- Product descriptions
- Operating instructions
- Technical guidelines
- Project tenders
- Machinery specifications
- Inspection reports
- Data sheets
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Mechanical
engineering
aerospace, automation, automotive, CAD
Civil
engineering
design, construction, maintenance, public works, structures and materials
Architecture and
construction
design, planning, project management, building
Environmental
engineering
circular economy, wastewater management, solid waste management, drinking water treatment
Electrical
engineering
design and installation of electrical equipment and devices
Mining
exploration and excavation of minerals, metallurgy, geotechnical applications, surveying
IT and
software
online help, printed manuals, white papers, webpages
TRANSLATION PROCESS
In many cases, time is of the essence and this can be problematic, especially if you have a product launch or a presentation to prepare with a set deadline. So, first off, I talk to my clients to find out more about their expectations and how much time I have to deliver their project.
Rest assured that once we agree a delivery date, it will be met (my record is 100%, word of honour). I invest time in researching your products because this is time well spent, never time wasted. It has always proven to be a valuable strategy, in the end saving time as there is no need for reworking or redrafting at the last minute. I always make sure to ask the relevant questions if something is not crystal clear or is ambiguous, or if I suspect there could be an error (after all, to err is human). We’re partners, and partnership is based on trust.
I am happy to provide a cost estimate for your project, for which I need to examine and analyse the materials thoroughly. Naturally, I am used to last-minute changes and to adapting quickly to a new situation, so let’s keep the communication flowing.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) in French/German from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland (1983)
- École de Traduction et d’Interprétation, Geneva, Switzerland
- Universität Leipzig, Sektion Theoretische und Angewandte Sprachwissenschaft, Leipzig, Germany
ACCREDITATIONS
Fachübersetzer
Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer, Germany (2021 – present)
Certified Translator
Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec, Montréal, Canada (2018 – present)
Member
Mediterranean Editors & Translators (2020 – present)
MITI (Qualified Member)
Institute of Translation and Interpreting, London, Britain (2000 – 2005)
Sworn Translator
Oberlandesgericht, Düsseldorf, Germany (1990 – 1995)
CONTACT
