Was ist ein Fachübersetzer?

SUMMARY The author investigates into the German conceptions connected with the German word "Fachübersetzer" (technical translator), and endeavours to define the German term "Fachgebiet" (special field) as its definitions are entirely indistinct. The author arrives at the result that a technical translator translates the terminology of his special field from or into one or several working languages or vice versa. A good translator should not be required to produce technical translations in more than three special fields, in which case the volume of each individual special field should not exceed the scope of functions of a university professorship for the particular field. With regard to this the author calls for reports from other countries and requests the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs to work towards standardizing the terminology of the translator and interpreter trade with the aim of achieving a list of special fields agreed on an international basis. This would be the prerequisite for an international Hst of special fields.