Specialist translations for museums and exhibitions
An object label leaves little room for explanation. A gallery text has to be understandable without any specialist knowledge, while a catalogue essay is often aimed at an academic readership. Each of these text types makes different demands on an English translation. What matters is to render the content accurately while finding the right tone for each readership.
We translate texts on art, history and culture into English, from object labels to digital collections. In doing so, we take account of specialist terminology, historical context and the voice of each institution.
Which texts we translate for museums
Our services include the following types of text, among others:
- Object and exhibit descriptions
- Gallery, wall and display case texts
- Audio guide and media guide scripts
- Museum websites, visitor information and online ticketing
- Leaflets, short guides and exhibition guides
- Exhibition catalogues and academic articles
- Collection records and database entries (e.g. museum-digital)
- Press releases and invitations
Museum websites and visitor information
People planning a museum visit often look online first. For international visitors, clear information on opening hours, admission, directions and accessibility is particularly important. The presentation of collections and current exhibitions should also tell visitors in English what to expect on site.
A museum does not have to have its entire permanent exhibition translated at once. Depending on your needs, the visitor information, selected object texts or the content of a special exhibition can be translated into English first. Which texts take priority depends on your audience and the aims of your institution.
If an English language version is already planned in your content management system, we can deliver the texts in a suitable structure on request. We agree technical and editorial requirements with you in advance.
Precise in content, natural in style
Museum texts call for more than linguistic correctness. Terms from art history, archaeology, crafts, religious history and everyday history have to be understood in context. Some have established English equivalents; others need a short explanation or are best deliberately left in German.
Readability matters just as much. An English gallery text should not read like a literal translation from German, yet it must preserve the meaning of the original. That is why we combine terminological research with a feel for language. In line with our Native-Speaker Principle, our English texts are translated and finalised by native speakers.
Sensitive subjects handled with care
Colonial history, war, persecution and National Socialism are among the most demanding subjects in museums and exhibitions. Here, individual words determine the tone and stance of a text, and terms that are established in German can have a different resonance in English or carry different associations. We are aware of these differences and translate texts on difficult subjects factually, precisely and with tact. The meaning of the original is neither softened nor sharpened. Where appropriate, we follow the terminology and guidelines of your institution, so that your exhibition texts convey the same stance in English that you intended.
Translating large collections efficiently
With larger collections, object descriptions and database entries can add up to several hundred. Before such a collection is translated, it is worth looking at the types of text, recurring details and any English designations that already exist. This gives a better idea of the actual effort involved.
Materials, dates, dimensions and object types often recur in collection data. For this we use translation memory systems, which store passages that have already been translated and make them available when they recur. These passages are checked in their new context rather than adopted without review. A system of this kind is a tool for translators, not automatic translation.
How much is saved through repetitions depends on the collection. We can factor this into the quote and, if you wish, process larger collections in stages.
Consistent terminology over many years
Permanent exhibitions are extended, special exhibitions are added and digital collections keep growing. To keep terms consistent across projects, we document key terms and spellings in a glossary. This includes, for example, object types, material names, place and proper names, and historical terms.
We take into account existing terminology lists, English publications and your institution’s editorial guidelines. Where several translations are possible, we can agree the preferred one with you. This keeps terminology consistent without every exhibition having to sound the same.
Your translation project: enquiry and sample translation
Would you like to see first how we work with your texts? On request, we are happy to prepare a short, free sample translation. Together we choose a suitable extract from an object description, an exhibition text or your website.
Send us an email or use our contact form. If you tell us the type of text, the approximate length and your timeframe, we can assess your needs and give you a non-binding quote. You are of course welcome to contact us by telephone too.
