{"id":7167,"date":"2024-01-25T11:46:09","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T10:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/?p=7167"},"modified":"2025-06-18T13:30:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T11:30:29","slug":"scientific-technical-translation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/scientific-technical-translation\/","title":{"rendered":"5 differences between scientific and technical translation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scientific\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0technical translation\u00a0<\/strong>are two types of\u00a0specialized translation\u00a0that are closely related, which often makes it difficult to establish the difference between them.<\/p>\n

The two disciplines\u00a0share the same scope of action, scientific-technological<\/strong>, working in areas such as medicine, chemistry or biology among others. Both also use similar specialized vocabulary and specific abbreviations.<\/p>\n

For this reason, there are many occasions in which you may have doubts about the type of translation service you need for your texts. In this article we will list the\u00a0main differences between both types of translations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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1. The purpose of the text: theory vs. experience<\/h3>\n

The main goal of\u00a0scientific texts<\/strong>\u00a0is publishing the knowledge, theories and studies developed by the professionals in this field. It is\u00a0communication that is highly influential academically and theoretically.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the other hand,\u00a0technical texts pursue the goal of publishing information from a practical point of view<\/strong>, focusing on application. It is communication aimed at empirical learning.<\/p>\n

\"technical<\/p>\n

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2. Types of informational texts<\/h3>\n

Having mentioned the points in common between both specialties, the\u00a0theoretical approach of scientific translation and the practical approach of technical translation<\/strong>\u00a0determine the type of texts they are aimed at.<\/p>\n

This way, scientific translation is\u00a0used in text books, essays, theses and theoretical articles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On the other hand, technical translation is aimed at technical\u00a0user manuals, instruction guides, patents, online assistance, guides and datasheets.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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3. Common disciplines of scientific translation and technical translation<\/h3>\n

Once again, we insist on the close relationship between science and technology. Nevertheless, each one of them has a specific informational nature which make them prevail over the other in different fields.<\/p>\n

Scientific translation is requested for texts about medicine, biology, pharmacy, anthropology or\u00a0bioethics<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, technical translation is common in fields related to industry and disciplines such as engineering, telecommunications, metallurgy, electronics, computing or automobile.<\/p>\n

Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Scientific Translation<\/h4>\n

Scientific translation often requires collaboration among various disciplines to ensure that specialized knowledge is accurately conveyed. For instance, a translator working on a medical research paper might need to consult with medical professionals to understand the nuances of certain treatments or terminology.<\/p>\n

Such interdisciplinary collaboration not only enhances the quality of the translation but also ensures that the context and intent of the original text are preserved. This approach is crucial, especially in fields where precision can significantly impact research outcomes or clinical practices.<\/p>\n

Emerging Technologies in Technical Translation<\/h4>\n

In recent years, emerging technologies have greatly influenced the field of technical translation. Tools such as Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) software and Machine Translation (MT) are becoming increasingly prevalent. While these tools can streamline the translation process and improve efficiency, they also require skilled translators who can review and refine the output for accuracy.<\/p>\n

Additionally, technical translators must stay updated on industry-specific jargon and technological advancements to produce relevant and effective translations. This ongoing learning process helps ensure that technical documents are not only linguistically correct but also aligned with the latest industry standards and practices.<\/p>\n

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4. Target audience they are aimed at<\/h3>\n

Both types of translations\u00a0are aimed at a target audience with different levels of specialization. From students, teachers, researchers and communicators to audiences inexperienced in these matters<\/strong>\u00a0but interested in learning even if it is not for professional reasons.<\/p>\n

The difference is set by the purpose of the text itself. Scientific translations are theoretical texts that need to be\u00a0read slowly and are aimed at gaining knowledge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technical translation is aimed at\u00a0communicating the application of science as a means to obtaining a practical result<\/strong>\u00a0that is immediate.<\/p>\n

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5. The role of the language used<\/h3>\n

Specialized translators<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in scientific and technical translation, know how to adapt to the features and purpose of each text.\u00a0They know the appropriate terminology and the ideal register they must apply.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The language of a scientific translation is educated and academic<\/strong>, just as it corresponds with the theoretical field. As for\u00a0technical translation, it is mostly practical<\/strong>\u00a0and avoids circumlocutions in order to be concise and make the text\u00a0more accessible<\/strong>\u00a0and therefore facilitate its practical application.<\/p>\n

Whether you need a scientific translation or a technical translation, counting on the quality and experience of a\u00a0professional translation company<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0will ensure success in all disciplines.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Scientific translation focuses on theoretical knowledge, while technical translation applies practical information. Both require specialized vocabulary and industry expertise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":32181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-translation-localization"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7167"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7167\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaserve.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}