Every day, there are more and more companies dedicated to research, development, and distribution of scientific products and services that require a scientific translation service. This service is essential for the internationalization of business, allowing companies to reach global markets and communicate effectively with diverse audiences. Accurate scientific translations are critical not only for clarity but also for compliance with international regulations and standards. Here are 5 basic mistakes to avoid when you need to carry out this type of translation, making it advisable to count on a professional translation company that can help you.
1. Counting on professionals who are not experts in the matter
This type of translation requires an experienced professional, capable of understanding specific terminology to avoid linguistic mistakes. Scientific language is often filled with jargon and specialized terms that may not be familiar to general translators. It is necessary to fully understand the matter to avoid literal translations that can lead to misunderstandings.
A common mistake occurs with compound or phrasal verbs, whose meaning can be very different from the specific verb and preposition when separated. For instance, a phrase like “set up” has a unique meaning in a scientific context that may differ from its components. A professional translator who is an expert in scientific matters guarantees:
- The correct use of technical terms and abbreviations, which can vary significantly between different fields of science.
- Knowledge of formulas, pre-established initials, and acronyms that are commonly used within specific scientific disciplines, ensuring accuracy and relevance in translation.
- Translation of neologisms, whenever possible, with the most appropriate equivalence, thus keeping the content current and understandable.
2. Translating using sentences that are too long
This mistake can easily be avoided if you hire the services of an expert translation agency. Long, convoluted sentences can be redundant and alter the original meaning of the text, potentially leading to confusion or misinterpretation. Scientific publications prefer clear and concise texts that facilitate the exact understanding of the translated content.
In scientific writing, clarity is paramount. Using shorter, more straightforward sentences helps convey complex ideas effectively. An experienced translator understands how to break down long sentences without losing the essential meaning, ensuring that the translation remains true to the original.
3. Mistakes in measurement conversion
The use of different units of measurement is common in scientific texts. These can become chaotic if their translation or conversion is incorrect. Many translations contain calculation errors due to this reason, which can have serious consequences, especially in scientific research and documentation.
As you know, units of measurement vary based on the country. For example, mixing up feet, acres, hectares, or square meters can result in a text filled with incorrect data, rendering it useless for its intended purpose. Additionally, the treatment of measurements is critical; for instance, a simple oversight in converting Celsius to Fahrenheit can lead to significant misunderstandings in scientific contexts.
Alongside this mistake, a standard translation can overlook how to write decimals: in English-speaking countries, a decimal point separates the whole number from the fractional part, whereas in Europe and South America, it is a comma. This seemingly minor detail can lead to confusion and misinterpretation in scientific data reporting.
4. Lack of contextualization
Contextualization is one of the key factors in scientific translation that highlights the importance of specialized translation, making the text easy to understand for its target audience. Understanding the context in which the scientific content will be used is crucial for an effective translation.
It’s not the same to translate for a collective that is already acquainted with scientific matters and knows the technical terms than to work with content aimed at a larger audience, which may include laypersons. A specialized translator guarantees broad knowledge of the lexicon and spelling proper to these topics. Additionally, understanding the audience’s background allows the translator to adapt the complexity of the language accordingly.
5. Outdated knowledge
Scientific translation is one of those tasks that require more accuracy and attention to detail than many other types of translation. If you are interested in translating specific science-related content, particularly aimed at a knowledgeable audience, you should count on a translator who specializes in these types of projects.
Knowing the language you want to translate into is not enough. Ongoing training is one of the best resources specialized translators can avail themselves of to stay updated with new topics, appropriate linguistic styles, and suitable meanings. Scientific fields are constantly evolving, and translators must keep abreast of the latest terminology and advancements in their areas of expertise to ensure accuracy and relevance in their translations.
As you can see, for a scientific translation, it is highly recommended to hire the services of a translation company with professionals who guarantee linguistic quality and scientific knowledge. A reliable translation agency will not only provide you with accurate translations but also with peace of mind, knowing that your scientific documents are in the hands of experts who understand the intricacies of both language and science.
