How flexible can you be with academic research paper translations?
Thread poster: MichaelLangue
MichaelLangue
MichaelLangue
United States
Local time: 06:34
English to French
+ ...
Mar 23, 2021

Hi friends,

I'm translating an academic scientific research paper from French to US English - intended for a wide distribution.
I'm obviously not removing any meaning, altering any of the findings or key points.

In your experiences, how flexible are academic and scientific clients in massaging some of the words or creating new ones in the target language to make it flow better, as opposed to abrupt literal translation? Liking adding, "with that in mind", etc. whe
... See more
Hi friends,

I'm translating an academic scientific research paper from French to US English - intended for a wide distribution.
I'm obviously not removing any meaning, altering any of the findings or key points.

In your experiences, how flexible are academic and scientific clients in massaging some of the words or creating new ones in the target language to make it flow better, as opposed to abrupt literal translation? Liking adding, "with that in mind", etc. when there is no connector word in the original language.

Would welcome your feedback, thank you,
Michael
Collapse


achisholm
 
Anton Konashenok
Anton Konashenok  Identity Verified
Czech Republic
Local time: 12:34
French to English
+ ...
Go for it if you know what you are doing Mar 24, 2021

The important part of a research paper is its meaning, not its wording, so if you can make its meaning more understandable by deviating from the source text, go for it by all means. It implies that you should also understand its meaning - and if you don't, don't take this job at all.

Generally, the above applies to the vast majority of texts, not just research papers. The only major exception I can think of is the documents that will or may be examined in judicial, administrative or
... See more
The important part of a research paper is its meaning, not its wording, so if you can make its meaning more understandable by deviating from the source text, go for it by all means. It implies that you should also understand its meaning - and if you don't, don't take this job at all.

Generally, the above applies to the vast majority of texts, not just research papers. The only major exception I can think of is the documents that will or may be examined in judicial, administrative or similar proceedings. Of course, it's also possible that the client will explicitly ask you to stay very close to the source text, but I have never received such a request in the 36 years of my professional practice.
Collapse


Philip Lees
Christopher Schröder
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
ahartje
Robert Rietvelt
Tina Vonhof (X)
Rachel Waddington
 
Sadek_A
Sadek_A  Identity Verified
Local time: 15:34
English to Arabic
+ ...
I understand. Source message is connected, but source wording is truncated. Mar 24, 2021

As for connectors/linking words, make sure their volume is reasonable and flows almost unnoticed.
As for specialist terminology, you have to stick to the exact equivalent, for instance 'feasibility study' shouldn't replace 'cost-benefit analysis', if the latter already has an equivalent in the target language.
In case of no equivalent, you will have to come up with one and get it approved by client.


 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Greece
Local time: 13:34
Greek to English
Stitch up Mar 24, 2021

I do a lot of editing and translation of academic research papers. In some the source is a mixture of English and Greek, sometimes, all Greek, other times just English, but written by non-native speakers. If the original is poorly written, as it may often be, I will make major changes on top of the straight editing and translation: for example, changing the order of the text, rewriting sentences or paragraphs, omitting repeated sections, etc. All this is aimed at making it more comprehensible an... See more
I do a lot of editing and translation of academic research papers. In some the source is a mixture of English and Greek, sometimes, all Greek, other times just English, but written by non-native speakers. If the original is poorly written, as it may often be, I will make major changes on top of the straight editing and translation: for example, changing the order of the text, rewriting sentences or paragraphs, omitting repeated sections, etc. All this is aimed at making it more comprehensible and hence more publishable.

My regular clients expect this and it's considered to be part of the services I provide. So the answer to the OP's question, "how flexible are academic and scientific clients?", is "very flexible", as long as that's what you've agreed.

With a new client, I would always discuss this aspect with them before I start the job. Mostly they're quite happy to let me do a thorough stitch up.
Collapse


Christopher Schröder
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
ahartje
Kevin Fulton
Robert Forstag
Tina Vonhof (X)
Rachel Waddington
 
Robert Forstag
Robert Forstag  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 07:34
Spanish to English
+ ...
Approach such work with caution! Mar 24, 2021

Given that such material is often not well written, I think that agreeing to the scope of your "editing/translation process" should most definitely be agreed on with the client before you begin work - and, indeed, before you provide a quote for the project - just as Philip has suggested.

To this end, I would recommend that, before agreeing to take on the project, you translate one-half to one full page of text using your best judgment, include comments, and then send this material o
... See more
Given that such material is often not well written, I think that agreeing to the scope of your "editing/translation process" should most definitely be agreed on with the client before you begin work - and, indeed, before you provide a quote for the project - just as Philip has suggested.

To this end, I would recommend that, before agreeing to take on the project, you translate one-half to one full page of text using your best judgment, include comments, and then send this material on to the client along with a message asking if they are in agreement with your approach in the attached sample. If they are, you should be good to go. If they are not then, depending on the nature and extent of the disagreement, and your own willingness to adapt your approach, you will need to make a decision as to whether to try to work out the differences and proceed - or not.

One final note of caution in undertaking the editing and/or translation of academic material: Be on the lookout for terms that look unwieldy, ungrammatical, and just play wrong - and yet that turn out to be standard usage within a particular field of research. Make sure you do your homework before confidently assuming that a term is wrong and adapting it to "idiomatic English." This will spare you embarrassment later on.

[Edited at 2021-03-24 15:10 GMT]
Collapse


Rachel Waddington
Philip Lees
MollyRose
Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
Shilpa Baliga
Christine Andersen
Valentina Simonova
 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Greece
Local time: 13:34
Greek to English
Error or not Mar 25, 2021

Robert Forstag wrote:

One final note of caution in undertaking the editing and/or translation of academic material: Be on the lookout for terms that look unwieldy, ungrammatical, and just play wrong - and yet that turn out to be standard usage within a particular field of research. Make sure you do your homework before confidently assuming that a term is wrong and adapting it to "idiomatic English." This will spare you embarrassment later on.


Indeed! I've done a lot of work in the field of cardiology, but the first time I ever saw the word "infarction" I thought it was a typo. Fortunately, somebody set me right before I could make an idiot of myself.


Robert Forstag
 
Christine Andersen
Christine Andersen  Identity Verified
Denmark
Local time: 12:34
Member (2003)
Danish to English
+ ...
Ask about a style guide Mar 25, 2021

I have the Chicago and the APA style guides on my shelf, although I normally write British English. There is a lot of good sense in them, and they overlap more or less.

Academics ultimately want their papers to be read. Of course, the first rule is that the content, terminology, figures, results, conclusions etc. must be correct, but after that, the text must be readable.

Stiff grammar and foreign syntax can be quite distracting, so you are allowed a fair degree of flex
... See more
I have the Chicago and the APA style guides on my shelf, although I normally write British English. There is a lot of good sense in them, and they overlap more or less.

Academics ultimately want their papers to be read. Of course, the first rule is that the content, terminology, figures, results, conclusions etc. must be correct, but after that, the text must be readable.

Stiff grammar and foreign syntax can be quite distracting, so you are allowed a fair degree of flexibility there. The ideal applies that as far as possible, the reader should not be aware that the text is a translation; it should read as if it had originally been written in English. (With the real-life caveats, of course.)

Thirdly, without dumbing down, bear in mind that many readers may have English as a second language. Professionals are experts in the field, so they will understand the terminology and jargon, but do not be afraid, for instance, to divide a sentence into two or restructure it. Look out for faux amis too!

John Swales offers good advice, and Brian Mossop's Revising and Editing for Translators are well worth reading.
Collapse


Beatriz Ramírez de Haro
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:


You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

How flexible can you be with academic research paper translations?







TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »