How to Translate Scientific Research for an International Audience


How to Translate Scientific Research for an International Audience
Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

5/4/2021

Similar to the business world, science has also become globalized.

Therefore, scientific dialogue is being conducted in various languages more and more, enabling a global audience to interpret and understand these scientific findings.

Most of the world's scientific study is translated into English, but an increasing amount is being translated into other languages as well.

This is particularly important for bodies that want to be considered global rather than culturally biased. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) has a multilingual website.

Additionally, its publications and other resources are available in several languages, ensuring that this information is available to everyone who needs it, making the data and the organization effective and fair.

The research carried out by a team from the University of Cambridge looked at more than 75,000 peer-reviewed scientific articles on biodiversity conservation from 2014 to come up with its findings.

Just about two-thirds of these were available in English, according to their results. The remaining papers were available in several other languages, with Spanish (6%), Simplified Chinese (6%), French (3%), and Portuguese (3%) being the most common.

The report concludes that language barriers often hinder the global collection and application of scientific information.

Overcoming this complex problem will provide extensive benefits to scientists and people using scientific knowledge to handle worldwide environmental alterations and resolve local ecological problems.

Why Should Scientific Research Be Translated?

The fact that most scientific papers are only available in English has the following consequences:

  • Non-English articles have a small readership.
  • Many non-English-speaking scientists are left out of the discussion.

Every research takes months to complete, and if all of the concerned readers cannot access it, its impact is often diluted.

There are many benefits of using technical translation to make published research accessible to a global audience. Here are a few examples.

1. Establish a connection with a worldwide scientific community.

Translating science into a language that a global audience can interpret allows scientists from all over the world to apply and expand the findings in a variety of ways.

When a seemingly insignificant piece of research is applied to the large, global pool of scientific evidence, it can have important ramifications.

2. Increase your visibility

The more a scientific paper is quoted in other research, the more it will be recognized, resulting in even more attention and the study being recognized and referenced by respected scientific journals and institutions.

All of this, however, is impossible unless the materials are available in the relevant languages.

3. Bridge the knowledge gap

Translated scientific work contributes to closing the information gap between various parts of the world.

People who do not speak English or other popular global languages such as French or Spanish, are unable to access the most up-to-date scientific knowledge without the translation of this necessary and often highly technical information.

4. Obtain funding

Obtaining the requisite funding is required before any research can begin. Individual governments, regional blocs, private businesses, and academic institutions, e.g., universities, etc., might provide financial assistance.

When bids are judged against competing plans, this can be a significant undertaking in and of itself. Contact is crucial to an effective funding application.

If a bid is not completely transparent about the work involved and the benefits it will provide, it's unlikely to get the required funding.

Therefore, an effective translation would give a research project the best chance of receiving funding.

Related: The Difference Between Scientific and Technological Translations

Translating Your Scientific Research

Despite the undeniable benefits of translation, many scientists are wary of the procedure, fearing that converting their results into another language would change or misrepresent them.

As a result, highly skilled translators with a thorough understanding of the science are needed for this task.

The experienced team of translators at GMR Transcription Services, Inc. is thorough in its approach.

Not only are our translators fluent in the high-level scientific language and terminology used, but we also have translating teams proficient in several languages, including Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, etc.

We see translation as an important part of the research effort to address the medical, environmental, and technical issues that affect us.

Contact our experts at GMR Transcription Services, Inc. about how to translate your scientific research paper into the languages of your choice. Our research paper translation services are fast, accurate, and affordable.

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Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy

Beth Worthy is the Cofounder & President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc., a California-based company that has been providing accurate and fast transcription services since 2004. She has enjoyed nearly ten years of success at GMR, playing a pivotal role in the company's growth. Under Beth's leadership, GMR Transcription doubled its sales within two years, earning recognition as one of the OC Business Journal's fastest-growing private companies. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.