Stylistic and Consistency Requirements Should be Maintained in Scientific Translation

Translating scientific texts is one of the most daunting jobs in translation industry. It has a variety of complexities and challenges that the translator and editor should overcome.  Globalization pushes growth of different industry sectors. This in turn increases the need for translation services, in particular translation services that reach a high standard.

Industries like pharmaceutical, health and food research and processing sectors have a necessity or need for utilizing professional translation services. The aim of utilizing a translation service is to provide an adequate and concise text and verbal language in order to link communication to a wider audience.

Translation of scientific texts is not just simply converting written text documents literally into the target language. This type of translation is not like the process of literary translation, which involves elaboration of creative language, whereas scientific and technical translation should focus on unequivocal terms and vocabulary in both the source text and in the target language. In addition, it requires a direct and simple form of terms as well.

Scientific translation requires expertise and skills in scientific fields. Translators should have a good depth in reading and knowledge of translating scientific texts. One of the challenges that most translator may encounter is to ensure that there is coherence and compatible usage of scientific terms in the entire translated document.

It is also possible that linguists will be confused in the choice of scientific terms in the translation process. Languages are all unique and thus, their terms and vocabulary are different.  In languages, there are many terms that have similar meanings. However, in translation, sometimes some of the terms used have no direct and specific meanings in the target language. Translators nonetheless have to ensure that he or she uses proper and accurate terms in the entire translation.

In the field of scientific translation, there are often specific style
requirements that should be applied and maintained in translation. One of the examples of this is translating chemical ingredients and procedures in making new fertilizer in modern agriculture. The translator should not invent or be creative in the style that he or she uses for translation. Ethics and proper discipline is required for success of the entire process. Thus, it is important that the translator should meet both the accuracy of the language and style requirements in scientific translation.

The scientific translator must possess good research and reading skills. If a certain terminology requires further and in-depth understanding, the translator should ensure that the provided translated term or explanation will be understood by the readers or audience.

To sum up, the success of scientific translation depends on the knowledge, skills and discipline of the translator. Since scientific translation has requirements for the effectiveness of the entire text conversion, clients should also make lists for the requirements needed in hiring translator in order to obtain professional and accurate translation.