Let me talk about "Patent Translation."

I love my job.

Finding a job that I can feel this way about is one of the lucky things in my life.

It has been 20 years since I started working in "patent translation." I gained experience as a translator at a patent firm and became a freelancer three years ago. Thankfully, the requests for work have not stopped, and I continue to have days where I am chased by deadlines.

I don't think many people have a clear idea of what "patent translation" is when they hear the term.

Until now, when I've been asked what I do for a living and answered "patent translation," I have seen many question marks appear over people's heads.

I hope this note conveys something, even a little, to those who are wondering what "patent translation" is.

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About four years ago, I talked about how there are three types of translation fields.

Among these three types, patent translation is included in "technical translation."

Translating patent documents is what patent translation is. Since I am a Japanese-to-English translator, my job is to translate Japanese patent documents into English.

To begin with, what are patent documents?

Patent documents are, for example, "documents submitted to the Patent Office to obtain a patent for an invention." Specifically, they are documents that explain the details of an invention based on patent law. Documents required in the process of obtaining a patent are also patent documents.

In other words, it can be said that patent documents are primarily composed of scientific and technical documents plus legal documents.

"Documents submitted to the Patent Office to obtain a patent for an invention" are called "patent application documents" and include the following five documents.

"Claims" are extremely important documents that define the scope of an invention. When applying for a patent, this part is the key. Whether or not it will be granted as a patent depends on the description in the "Claims."

"Description" is a document for explaining the invention. I don't know how other patent translators feel, but personally, the part that makes my heart the most excited when reading is the "Description."

Specifically, the description includes the following items.

Even looking at these items, you probably can't imagine at all where my "excitement point" lies. After all, they are just a list of stiff terms.

Why is it so exciting? Because specifications have a "story."

I read specifications, which are a combination of scientific/technical documents and legal documents, while feeling their narrative quality. It is similar to the feeling of reading a novel.

Let me explain the concept of a specification in simple, everyday language.

Explained in technical terms, it goes like this:

In the "Title of the Invention," it is declared that this invention is about such-and-such. It briefly specifies the content of the invention for which a patent is sought.

In the "Technical Field," the field to which the invention belongs is written, and in the subsequent "Background Art," specific documents are cited to explain that such technology has traditionally existed in that field and that this method is well-known.

In "Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention" and "Means for Solving the Problem," the reasons leading to the current invention are explained. In other words, it states that because there were such problems and difficulties with the conventional technology, the current invention was made to solve them.

The "Advantageous Effects of the Invention" section describes what kind of excellent effects can be obtained through this invention.

In the "Description of Embodiments," it is explained in detail, including drawings, in a format that allows a person skilled in the art (a person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the invention belongs) to implement the invention.

Simply put, the flow of a specification is as follows:

Trial and error to solve difficulties and problems in a certain technical field, leading to the form of an invention. I feel a "story" in that attitude. It is just like the worldview of "Project X: Challengers."

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While translating specifications that have a narrative quality, I sometimes even feel a kind of "catharsis." Perhaps it is because I read the specifications over and over again.

As a translator with a humanities background, compared to translators with a science background, the amount of scientific and technical knowledge I have to understand the content of an invention, as well as the underlying scientific foundation, is lower.

As I wrote in this note before, knowing that my level of understanding is low is my strength I believe.

How do I, knowing my own lack of knowledge, understand the content of specifications that deal with cutting-edge technology? Well, there is nothing to do but read the specifications thoroughly.

Receiving a translation request and immediately translating the document is not my translation style.

This is because understanding the content of the invention is the top priority. I translate into English only after I have researched until I am satisfied and have understood the invention.

Before starting the translation work, I read through the specification at least twice while comparing it with the drawings. I read the specification again while translating. After finishing the translation, I perform two checks (one on-screen and one on a printed copy), so I read the specification again at those times as well.

By the time I finish one translation, I have read the same Japanese specification at least five times. Of course, with serious concentration.

I think anyone who loves reading understands the feeling of developing an attachment to a text as you read through it. When I read the same specification over and over, the inventor starts to overlap with the characters from 'Project X: Challengers,' and the theme song starts playing in my head.

I often find myself imagining the story of how the inventor arrived at their invention. As the translation work progresses, my emotional attachment to the invention grows stronger.

When the translation is complete, I feel not only a sense of accomplishment but also the specific sadness that comes with letting something go. For projects where I am impressed and think, 'This is a good invention,' I deliver them to the client while wishing that they will successfully obtain a patent and reach the market.

A patent translator plays the role of a complete 'behind-the-scenes' player, and while it is a very niche job unfamiliar to many, it is a fascinating one for me. After all, I get to play a small part in cutting-edge technology.

I love my job.

I am truly lucky to have found a job that makes me feel that way.