People who work in technical fields often find that some of the work can be extremely specialized. At times, they may have to call in experts from various countries, some of whom do not speak English. They may even find themselves being sent overseas to work on a particular project in which they have expertise. Regardless of circumstances, however, it can be extremely useful to have a multi language technical dictionary available during these times.
Finding a technical dictionary online can be difficult if you do not enter the right search criteria. Searching for the terms "technical dictionary multi language" may not garner the results you need. Instead, narrow your focus to one or more of the following:
- Languages needed
- Industry
- Field of study
- Terms needing definition or translation
By narrowing your search field, you can find the dictionary you need quickly and easily.
Online Multi Language Technical Dictionaries
Technical jargon is used in numerous fields. A listing of every dictionary available for these fields is impossible. However, using dictionaries that allow you to search by language pair and discipline can take the work out of finding the right resource.
The KudoZ Open Glossary Links at ProZ.com offer a number of fields and languages from which to search. Languages include English, French, German, Portuguese, French, Italian, Swedish, and Spanish. Technical categories include engineering, mechanics, telecommunications, electronics, and computers. The number of terms listed in each language pairing is listed in parenthesis. After choosing a language pair and field, you are navigated to a new page, where you can double check your language pair and select the field. Terms listed have been translated by ProZ translators, and are searchable alphabetically.
Other multi language technical dictionaries include:
- Water Dictionary: Technical terms related to the water industry are defined in English, Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and the language of the Netherlands. After selecting a language, choose the letter of the term you need defined. A handy translation tool is at the top of the dictionary page.
- Glass Art and Glass Technical Terms Translator: Get the equivalent term for the glass industry in Dutch, Czech, Swedish, Danish, Italian, and more. Search by language word list or by entering a term to be translated.
- International Council on Combustible Engines
- : Search for terms related to English, French, Italian, Dutch, German, and Spanish in the internal combustion engine and gas turbine industries. Choose to search one of two ways: by expression or by text search using your target language.
- Inter Active Terminology for Europe: Over 20 languages are used in the IATE dictionary. By including the source and target languages, you can narrow your results. An optional domain is included in the search. You can also choose to revisit your last 10 searches by using the control at the bottom of the page.
- The World's Online Electrotechnical Vocabulary: Search in English, French, German, and Spanish using Boolean operators or by IEV number. You can also search by area, including mathematics, power transformers, transductors, circuit theory, and more.
- Wind Energy Glossary: Powered by the Danish Wind Industry Association, you search for the English vocabulary to find the equivalent term in German, Spanish, French, or Dutch. Definitions are provided only in English, however.
- Anvilfire International Glossary: Twelve languages, including German, Hungarian, German, Spanish, and Swedish, are listed with this amateur list of metalworking and blacksmith terminology. The chart is organized by the English term, and is separated into two parts.
- Multilingual Glossary of technical and popular medical terms in nine European Languages: Although somewhat confusing, this dictionary does provide a helpful guide for first time users. Search by typing in a term, choosing a language, or browsing the lemma collection.
Technical fields require extensive specialized knowledge. Add to your knowledge or work hand-in-hand with others in your field internationally by using a multi language technical dictionary to assist you in your studies.
For more language resources, visit yourDictionary's Multilingual Dictionaries area to find general language dictionaries, along with specialty multilingual resources.