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The life of a translator is just like Forrest Gump’s famous box of chocolates, as Letizia Merello said in one of her wonderful articles. And yes, it’s true, you never know what to expect in a new project. Every type of text has its own characteristics, each field its own vocabulary, and this is where one of the most important phases in a translator’s work comes into play… terminology research.
Going back to chocolates for a moment, Martina passed me a patent to work on Wednesday, and when I opened the box I found a chocolate that looked familiar but had a rather particular flavour. Setting the metaphor aside, let me explain the situation better. The patent was for a spray can (better known as an aerosol can). So far nothing strange, who of us has never had to deal with these cans which are so simple to use but (I discovered) not so simple inside.
So my terminology research 2.0 began, but this time the web didn’t help. I searched far and wide, thoroughly combing all my resources but finding only a small handful of terms, and nothing too clear. I refused to give up, continuing my search and hoping for an exploded view or a user manual. Nothing, it seemed as if everyone chose to use the terms they liked best, which certainly isn’t ideal for a patent translation!
But when all hope seemed lost, finally the light at the end of the tunnel.
TERMINOLOGY RESEARCH: EXPERTS WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT TO FIND THEM
I admit, I’m young and don’t have years of experience behind me. Yet I never despair, opting to believe in my potential; as Messi said in a famous commercial, “Impossible is nothing”. I continued undaunted, contacting a friend who tags graffiti as a last attempt, but his response was: “What in the world do you think I know about it, I call it that ‘thingie’”, clearly indicating I was on the wrong track.
I went back online and after the usual Amazon pages I found an abbreviation I had already seen, AIA, but only in relation to football (standing for the Italian Association of Referees). I opened the link and realised I was on to something, having reached the web page of the Italian Chemical Industry Federation (Federchimica), and more specifically the section for the Italian Aerosol Association. I could hardly believe my eyes.
I could sense imminent victory in the air, continuing my terminology research within the site. Unbelievably, and sadly, I didn’t find much; in short, an unexpected delusion! But I refused to accept defeat, noticing a phone number on the page. I called, without much hope of anyone responding. Ah, sweet turn of events! An incredibly kind person answered the phone, who after allowing me to explain my situation, reassured me that they could help. Within an hour I received an email with the information I so avidly sought and the telephone number of the technical manager, in case of any other doubts. I thanked them with every expression of gratitude I could conjure up and set to work.
All this to say:
1 never give up.
2 there are still people in the world who are kind, professional and willing to help others.
3 translating is fantastic.
Stefano Gaffuri
English translation and adaptation by Sarah Schneider
