Unidad 1

 Traducción técnica y científica

 Objetivo de una traducción científica
 Traductor científico
 Requisitos de un traductor científico
Traducción Técnica :
La traducción técnica puede definirse como una de las variantes de la
traducción especializada, es decir, la traducción propia de un sector
determinado, en este caso: la ingeniería, la automoción, la electrónica, la
minería, telecomunicaciones, la metalurgia, la construcción y sectores afines
a estos. Este tipo de traducciones destacan por el lenguaje empleado en el
texto al que nos enfrentamos, que suele ser bastante específico y con una
terminología que no suele ser habitual en el lenguaje común.
Technical Translation :
Technical translation can be defined as one of the variants of specialized
translation, i.e., translation specific to a given sector, in this case:
engineering, automotive, electronics, mining, telecommunications,
metallurgy, construction and related sectors. This type of translation stands
out for the language used in the text we are dealing with, which is usually
quite specific and with a terminology that is not usually common in common
language.
¿Qué es la traducción científica?
La traducción científica es una rama muy extensa de la traducción técnica
enfocada a la interpretación de textos complejos que engloban áreas
académicas donde es necesario tener conocimientos de la materia para
poder entenderla.
La interpretación científica como su nombre indica se encarga de campos
como la medicina, biología, farmacia, química y física entre otros.
Esta rama surge de la necesidad de interpretar con precisión terminológica
concreta, lo que implica formación adicional del traductor en las materias
solicitadas por el cliente para así poder traducir sin cometer ningún error
lingüístico, algo muy común en este tipo de trabajos.
What is scientific translation?
Scientific translation is a very extensive branch of technical translation
focused on the interpretation of complex texts that encompass academic
areas where it is necessary to have knowledge of the subject in order to
understand it.
Scientific interpretation, as its name suggests, deals with fields such as
medicine, biology, pharmacy, chemistry and physics, among others.
This branch arises from the need to interpret with specific terminological
precision, which implies additional training of the translator in the subjects
requested by the client in order to be able to translate without making any
linguistic mistakes, something very common in this type of work.
The main purpose
The main purpose of scientific translation is to interpret texts in academic
fields which may often be somewhat complex. So technical knowledge of the
subject is critical in order to be able to understand it and provide accurate,
truthful and consistent information.
Differences between technical and scientifc
Scientific and technical translation are two types of specialized
translation that are closely related, which often makes it difficult to establish the
difference between them.
The two disciplines share the same scope of action, scientific-technological,
working in areas such as medicine, chemistry or biology among others. Both also
use similar specialized vocabulary and specific abbreviations.
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 main differences between both types of translations.

1. The purpose of the text: theory vs. experience

The main goal of scientific texts is publishing the knowledge, theories and
studies developed by the professionals in this field. It is communication that is
highly influential academically and theoretically.
On the other hand, technical texts pursue the goal of publishing information
from a practical point of view, focusing on application. It is communication
aimed at empirical learning.

2. Types of informational texts

Having mentioned the points in common between both specialties,
the theoretical approach of scientific translation and the practical approach
of technical translation determine the type of texts they are aimed at.
This way, scientific translation is used in text books, essays, theses and
theoretical articles.
On the other hand, technical translation is aimed at technical user manuals,
instruction guides, patents, online assistance, guides and datasheets.

3. Common disciplines of scientific translation and

technical translation
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.
Scientific translation is requested for texts about medicine, biology, pharmacy,
anthropology or bioethics.
On the other hand, technical translation is common in fields related to industry
and disciplines such as engineering, telecommunications, metallurgy, electronics,
computing or automobile.

4. Target audience they are aimed at

Both types of translations are aimed at a target audience with different levels
of specialization. From students, teachers, researchers and communicators
to audiences inexperienced in these matters but interested in learning even if it
is not for professional reasons.
The difference is set by the purpose of the text itself. Scientific translations are
theoretical texts that need to be read slowly and are aimed at gaining
knowledge.
Technical translation is aimed at communicating the application of science as a
means to obtaining a practical result that is immediate.

5. The role of the language used

Specialized translators in scientific and technical translation, know how to
adapt to the features and purpose of each text. They know the appropriate
terminology and the ideal register they must apply.
The language of a scientific translation is educated and academic, just as it
corresponds with the theoretical field. As for technical translation, it is mostly
practical and avoids circumlocutions in order to be concise and make the
text more accessible and therefore facilitate its practical application.
Whether you need a scientific translation or a technical translation, counting on
the quality and experience of a professional translation company will ensure
success in all disciplines.

Requirements of Scientific translator

      According to London Institute of Linguistics, to be a scientific translator one should

have:

1.  broad knowledge of the subject-matter of the text to be translated;

2. a well-developed imagination that enables the translator to visualize the

equipment or process being described;

3.  intelligence, to be able to fill in the missing links in the original text;

4. a sense of discrimination, to be able to choose the most suitable equivalent term

from the literature of the field or from dictionaries;

5. the ability to use one’s owns language with clarity, conciseness and precision; and

6. practical experience in translating from related fields.  In short, to be technical

translator one must be a scientist, or engineer, a linguist and a write

1. amplios conocimientos sobre el tema del texto que se va a traducir;

2. una imaginación bien desarrollada que permita al traductor visualizar el equipo o

el proceso que se describe;

3. inteligencia, para poder completar los eslabones que faltan en el texto original;
 4. sentido de la discriminación, para poder elegir el término equivalente más
adecuado en la bibliografía del campo o en los diccionarios;

5. capacidad para utilizar la lengua propia con claridad, concisión y precisión; y

6. experiencia práctica en la traducción de campos relacionados. En resumen, para

ser traductor técnico hay que ser científico, ingeniero, lingüista y redactor.

Objetivo de este punto es :

Definir traducción técnica y científica –

Reconocer el objetivo de una traducción científica ( importancia) . –

Internalizar las cualidades de un traductor científico