Specific features of scientific text translation. FAQ for translators
- January 22, 2023
- Posted by: Yury Subachev, PhD
- Category: Scientific translation
Translating a scientific text into English is a difficult task even for an experienced translator. It often happens that professionals with high proficiency in foreign language are unable to interpret an article or dissertation as proper. This is because they just do not understand the peculiarities of translation of scientific texts and in what way they differ from fiction.
Inadequate translation, misunderstanding of scientific and technical terminology and deviation from the scientific style of presentation are the main reasons of distorting the meaning of a translated article or monograph.
We have prepared this article in order to help you understand the intricacies of translation of scientific texts. We shall explain below what scientific translation is in general, explaining its special features and types of scientific texts.
What is a “good research paper”? This is a scientific work that covers a certain topic with the justification of the author’s position, confirmed by authoritative sources, the results of experiments, measurements, observations, modeling, and other research methods. The paper should be built according to a certain structure and have novelty. Knowing what we should get in the end, we can start writing a scientific paper. All that is left to do is to begin.
2. How to start writing a master’s research paper?
Scientific translation, in simple terms, is translation of specialised research texts. As a rule, the term “scientific translation” coincides in meaning with the term “scientific and technical translation”. Therefore, we shall talk in this article about these two types as a single method, without going into much detail.
The hallmarks of scientific translation are accuracy, clarity and concision. The use of ambiguous interpretation, artistic means of expression and imagery is not allowed. This is the main difference of scientific and technical translation from translation of fiction where the translator has a lot of room for manoeuvre.
Another difference is the way the material is presented and the specific vocabulary that might be common with, for example, chemists or physicists. Any deviation from due wording or a distorted translation immediately reveals that the translator is an amateur, while the translated text may cause a wave of negativity and distrust.
As far as scientific texts are abundant in terminology, the translator must not only know the terms but also be able to interpret them correctly depending on the context.
A characteristic feature of the scientific and technical text is its specific external and internal organisation. The external organisation involves clear division into chapters, sections and paragraphs. The internal organisation involves presentation of the material in the form of a problem and its due solution, a shift from the general to the particular and smooth transition from the former to the latter through the use of conjunction words (e.g. in addition, furthermore, however, thereby, therefore, however, etc.).
3. Five types of scientific texts.
There exist many types of scientific texts, each having its own characteristics, length, presentation style, concentration of figures, facts and calculations.
We shall not consider all the types, but only those that are most often encountered by translators.
The main types of scientific texts include:
- Article. A small scholarly work that deals with one or two aspects of the issue under study. This type is probably the most common and popular. Hundreds of articles are published every day in various academic journals, anthologies and web editions, and often their authors need help of translators.
- Report on results of a study. This paper is of applied nature, it contains results of experiments, tests and most often includes precise data: formulas, drawings, calculations.
- Monograph. A full-length research paper that fully explores a particular issue. It has a large volume, usually over 100 pages. Translator’s assistance is required in order to publish a monograph abroad.
- Dissertation. A research text consisting of several chapters: theoretical and practical, with formulas, calculations, derivations, drawings. Translation of the whole text is required in rare cases: when foreign experts are engaged for reviewing and opponency. In most cases, only the abstract, main theses and references need to be translated.
- Educational textbook. This type of scientific text differs from the above-mentioned papers by a simplified manner in which the material is presented. Educational textbooks are intended for undergraduates, doctoral students and trainees and need to be translated only if published abroad.
Each type of scientific texts has its own specific nature, focus and, of course, volume. When translating any type of scientific and technical text, it is important to take into account the formatting requirements accepted in the country for which the translation is made; to observe the material presentation logic and to pay particular attention to the terms.
If the translator has any doubts as to correctness of translation of a term, it is better to ask an expert in the scientific field explored by the author. This can be done at subject-specific forums, websites of universities or peer-reviewed editions.
4. Six grammatical features of scientific and technical translation.
Texts written in a scientific style have a number of features that cannot be ignored when translated into English:
- Use of abstract verbs and conjunctive verbs: to appear, to seem, to deem, etc.
- Use of verbal-nominal combinations. The main semantic load in this case falls on the noun: to make calculations, to come to conclusions, to bring to destruction.
- Large number of impersonal verbal forms: research is carried out, the production is expanded.
- Use of the present tense of verbs. The research by linguistic scholars shows that 70% of all verbs used in scientific papers are present tense verbs.
- Preference of Passive Voice over Active Voice: research was undertaken, it was decided, decision was made.
- Large number of parenthetical copulative words that are often deemed as “superfluous” in publicistic texts: finally, in the first place, in the second place, in conclusion.
Scientific texts use complex grammatical constructions, long sentences which take a lot of translator’s effort and time. It is important to solve this “tangle” of terms and difficult-to-understand words in a way to exclude any semantic loss or distortion.
Tip: Try to divide one big sentence into several fully-featured small ones. If the meaning of the sentence is retained, you have translated it correctly.
5. Six lexical features of scientific text translation
The main difficulty in translating scientific and technical texts into English, as already mentioned, is terminology. Even if a word seems familiar at a first glance, don’t be in haste to translate it in the way you think offhand. Check it in a specialized dictionary. For example, the word “nut” has a well-known meaning “hazelnut” and a less known meaning “screw”.
In addition to terminology, it is important to know the following lexical features of scientific texts:
- Unambiguity. No double interpretation of words and terms is allowed.
- Use of different pronouns. In the English-language articles, it is not uncommon to see the first-person singular forms. When writing articles in other languages, the authors more frequently use the passive construction or the pronoun “we”.
- No evaluative vocabulary. Science is all about bare facts, so the interpreter must avoid own judgements and thoughts.
- Precision. In a fiction text, it is allowed to deviate from the original by using expressive means, idiomatic vocabulary and other means to “beautify” the work. Scientific texts, however, must be translated as precisely and as close to the original as possible.
- No simplification. If the original text contains the word “vibrissae” the translation should also give “vibrissae”, but not “tendrils”.
- Specific phraseological units. These are set expressions characteristic of a particular field of knowledge: compound sentence, inclination, etc.
It is important to respect the style of scientific writing; therefore, you must be careful about the vocabulary you use in the translation. The translator must feel a thin line between a “foreign” word that is characteristic of the colloquial style and a word that is specific to the scientific style.
Do not try to replace more difficult words with simpler ones; for instance, the word “probably” can not be replaced by “maybe”. Despite the similar meaning, “maybe” is characteristic of the journalistic and colloquial style. Therefore, its use as a parenthetical word in a scientific text is unacceptable.
Conclusion
In order to successfully translate scientific and technical texts, it is important to know the two languages and the subject discussed in the text. In addition to good understanding of the scientific text translation peculiarities, the translator must be knowledgeable and not be lazy to check and double-check every term.
The main requirement for translating research papers is adequacy. Scientific articles, dissertations and monographs may not be translated as a rough guess. It is important to interpret the facts accurately and to convey the general meaning of the work.
Scientific and technical translation requires the translator to follow three rules: consistence, concision, clarity. In addition, the knowledge of translation hallmarks (grammatical, lexical and stylistic peculiarities) is of paramount importance.
Translation of scientific and technical texts is a painstaking work that needs refinement throughout the translator’s career. It is a great responsibility requiring a serious attitude and professional knowledge.
Good luck with your future publications!
