​When translating a scientific article, be it from scratch or machine translation post-editing, it’s important to establish a process that you can follow each time. This will make your time and project management more efficient and result in a high-quality end product. If you need tips to do so or if you just wonder what goes into the process, please continue reading.

First, I'd like to say that, in my opinion, it's important that you enjoy the work you're doing. Not just translation, but any hobbies, sports, other businesses you operate, etc. Therefore, I recommend that specialized translators pay attention to which specific document types bore the living hell out of them and which ones engage their attention, thus allowing them to enjoy the process.

As you can guess, scientific articles are the ones I enjoy the most (as opposed to hospital discharge reports, lab work, SAE reports, imaging reports, etc.). For the reasons below, I find myself quickly absorbed in the work and satisfied with the process from start to finish. Try to make a similar list, in your head or on paper, of what you enjoy about different documents, then you can seek more of that kind of work.

Reasons I enjoy scientific articles

1. I ALWAYS learn something new. It could be a rating system for a disease or even a disorder I’ve never heard of before.
2. Articles are presented in a format that flows, like a story. I can see where the “story” is going and what it’s building on. Thus, I can ensure that my translation flows smoothly, too.
3. I can find published works to support my translation of terms and concepts. For example, the mechanism of action of a drug is usually clearly explained in numerous resources online. (This also helps me explain my choices to clients.)

Every document type has its own challenges and unique features. You must understand these in order to develop an efficient translation process that results in a high-quality product.

For scientific articles, paying close attention to these 3 key features in the source file will help ensure that is the case.

​Scientific articles contain highly specialized terminology and concepts. These may not have direct equivalents in the target language (thus requiring an explanation instead of a brief term) or may not have a word-for-word translation. It's important to identify and understand these terms in the source text either before you start translating or as you go. Look for technical jargon, scientific notations, abbreviations, and acronyms. Research any terms that are unfamiliar or unique to the field to ensure accurate translation. Maintaining consistency in translating these terms throughout the document is also important. So, if you do this step as you go, be sure to go back regularly and check if you’re consistently using the same translation for the same phrase in the source language.

​Scientific articles rely on citations and references to support the research and establish credibility. Pay close attention to the source file's citations and references to see if any need to be translated. Check for proper formatting, citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago), and ensure that all cited sources are correctly linked to their corresponding references. You can also skim over the references before starting your translation (and after if you like) to search for overlapping terms from the article. As I specified in my list above, these references can be great support for maintaining the integrity of your translation.

Note:
​My social circle is not international or multilingual. The majority of my friends will likely never need a document translated into another language. So, this post goes out to them. If you’re a translator reading this, then it goes out to those same people in your social circle.
 
I find it necessary to describe my career as a translator in a very simple manner for these individuals. Thus, this post will serve as a reference any time someone says, “My daughter is bilingual, she translates for me sometimes.” Or “Can’t you just use Google Translate or an app?” And many other clueless comments. Please share this post with friends who could stand to learn a little something about the field of translation.

One of the most prevalent misconceptions about translation is that it involves a straightforward word-for-word conversion from one language to another. In reality, translation is a complex and often meticulous process that requires a deep understanding of both the source language (the language the document is in) and the target language (the language into which the document is translated), as well as the cultural context in which both are used.
 
Languages are not interchangeable puzzles with one-size-fits-all solutions! Each language has its unique grammar, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances. Translators must carefully consider these aspects to convey the intended message accurately. Sometimes, a word or phrase in one language may not have an exact equivalent in another, requiring translators to use their creativity and cultural and subject knowledge to find the closest and most appropriate translation.
 
For example with French, there is often a formality, flair, or even politeness to the language that doesn’t translate into American English. This is because English speakers tend to consolidate their words. See my last post on the word atteinte for an example of a French medical term with multiple translations in English.

​While being fluent in a second language is undoubtedly a valuable skill, it does not automatically qualify someone to be a professional translator. Translation involves a set of specialized skills/abilities and a deep understanding of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary in both languages (see Myth 1 above) to accurately translate the meaning of the source text.
 
In fact, professional translators often undergo training and education before starting a translation business. They refine their language skills, gain expertise in specific subject areas, and build experience before advertising their services. They also learn to use specially designed tools and resources to help ensure the quality and consistency of their translations, especially with larger projects. Without these skills and resources, the risk of mistranslation or misinterpretation is high, which can have significant consequences, especially in fields like legal, medical, or technical translation.

​With advances in technology, machine translation tools like Google Translate have become increasingly popular and AI has flexed its muscles, showing off what it is capable of, as it should. While these tools can be helpful for basic translations and quick communication, they are far from being a perfect replacement for human translators.
 
Machine translation lacks the ability to understand context, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances, which are crucial for producing accurate and culturally sensitive translations (see Myth 1 and 2). It often produces literal translations that may not make sense in the target language. Human translators, on the other hand, can adapt to the specific needs of a text, ensuring that the final result is coherent, contextually relevant, and free from errors. They can even work with the author of the source and adapt according to their feedback.