Scientific and Technical
Translation in English: Week 2
Dr. Ron Martinez

What was the purpose?

Aims for today
• Encourage critical thinking/discussion around the
concept of “accuracy” in STT;
• Raise awareness of the perceived role of
“accurate English” and English in general in
science;
• Present research article (RA) structure, focusing
especially on the Introduction section;
• Discuss typical problems in RAs, especially those
that contribute to rejection.

Homework
• Read “Lost without translation: scientific research”
– on the class website. Please also read the
“Reader’s comments.” Be prepared to discuss next
class.
• Translate “Cocamar” text; bring translation to next
class (hard copy preferred).
• Read (on class website) "Research article
introductions: A comparison between
Brazilian Portuguese and English​" (Hirano,
2009)

Rudolf Jumpelt (1961)
In STT there is an “absolute priority of
information content over form, and of the
accuracy of its transmission.” (p. vii)

Roman Jakobson (1959) (also online)
• There is ordinarily no full equivalence
between code-units.
• Translation involves two equivalent messages
in two different codes.
• Translation activities must be kept under
constant scrutiny.

Show your translation to a classmate
• Are they similar?
• Any disagreements?
• Copy and paste your translations into the
Google Docs (online).

• n
Discuss:
Why the
changes?

Source: Lionbridge (LSP)

General course outline
• Week 1: Introduction to the course; Important concepts in translation
• Week 2: Research article structure, common discourse problems
• Week 3: Hands-on introduction to electronic tools; glossaries
• Week 4: Team translation of a research article
• Week 5: Review of team translations
• Week 6: Introduction to midterm
• Week 7: Midterm assessment (in-class)
• Week 8: Midterm review; New teams, new “live” assignments
• Week 9: Assignments continued
• Week 10: Assignments continued
• Week 11: Completion of final translations
• Week 12: Group presentations
• Week 13: Group presentations
• Week 14: Group presentations
• Week 15: Certificates and meet-the-author

Discuss the article
QUOTE FROM ARTICLE QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION
“A misplaced preposition or poor choice
of verb can ruin a convincing narrative,
reducing the probability of publication in
a top international journal and limiting
the impact of the research.”
Do you agree? Is it possible to avoid?
How?
“(M)any foreign scientists spend precious
research funds on private translation
services. But standard translators may not
understand the science, the structure of
scientific papers or the technical
language.”
Does such knowledge of “science” and
the “structure of scientific papers” really
make a difference?
“(W)e suggest that university
departments in non-anglophone
countries could hire professional
translators with a science background…”
What do you think about this solution?

Some comments from readers:
But there is a third skill that may well be
overlooked in the rush to find someone who
knows the languages and the subject area in
sufficient depth. While mastery of two or
more languages and an understanding of the
science are two key elements, the act of
translation itself is also a skill that must be
learned and honed over many years of
experience.

They often work closely with authors
to ensure the accuracy of their work,
and provide added value
[…].Moreover, ITI’s members must all
adhere to a Code of Professional
Conduct…

“fidelity of meaning and register...”

Any ambiguity here?
“O Uso Racional de Medicamentos compreende a
prescrição apropriada, o acesso, a dispensação em
condições adequadas e o consumo de medicamentos
eficazes e seguros, nas doses, intervalos e período de
tempo indicados. Implica conhecimentos específicos e
atualizados por parte dos profissionais e na
compreensão do paciente sobre a importância da adesão
ao tratamento. Esta linha de pesquisa contempla
projetos que visam oferecer subsídios para o seu uso
apropriado, focados na informação, na pesquisa básica
e clínica e no uso adequado de medicamentos pelo
Sistema Único de Saúde.”

Moreover, publishers we work with have
been "looking into translation services"
over the past year or so, recognizing that
language editing just won't cut it for
many non-native, English-speaking
researchers.

I'm sure that teams of translators could be
established within individual universities, at
least for the most prominent source
languages. I think this initiative would not
only help many researchers but also increase
the yield of published research papers for an
institution.

…it is even worth to speak not about separated
individuals but about the Centres for Academic
Writing and Scientific Translation at universities
that could unite professional translators specialized
in different scientific fields and help academics and
researchers with the papers preparation in
compliance with scientific journals requirements,
including accurate translation. Additionally, such
Centres could accumulate the knowledge in
translation systematically within the single quality
control system and become the platforms for
experience changing.

WHY ALL THIS TALK ABOUT
TRANSLATION IN THE FIRST PLACE?

In Science Citation Index (SCI)
Source: Hyland, K. (2015). Academic Publishing and Challenges in
the Construction of Knowledge. Oxford University Press.

On our website:
1. Download the two articles.
2. What sections do they have in common?
3. In terms of academic discourse, why do most
research articles follow this pattern? Why
not, for example, simply present a Results
section?
4. Which section do you think is often the most
difficult to write? Why?

Research Articles: A Look Inside
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: A Look Inside
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: A Look Inside
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: IMRaD
Introduction
Method
Results
and
Discussion
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: IMRaD
Introduction
Method
Results
and
Discussion
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Article Structure

Research Articles: IMRaD
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: IMRaD
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

Research Articles: IMRaD
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez - UFPR

WHY DO ARTICLES GET REJECTED?
Go to www.menti.com
CODE: 61 49 49

What does the research say? Is English
the most typical problem?
• Belcher, D. D. (2007). Seeking acceptance in an English-
only research world. Journal of Second Language
Writing, 16(1), 1-22.
• Bordage, G. (2001). Reasons reviewers reject and
accept manuscripts: the strengths and weaknesses in
medical education reports. Academic Medicine, 76(9),
889-896.
• Sullivan, E. J. (2002). Top 10 reasons a manuscript is
rejected. Journal of Professional Nursing, 18(1), 1-2.
• McKercher, B., Law, R., Weber, K., Song, H., & Hsu, C.
(2007). Why referees reject manuscripts. Journal of
Hospitality & Tourism Research, 31(4), 455-470.

Belcher (2007)

Belcher (2007)

Belcher (2007)
“In only 2 reviews out of the 29 (thus, 7%) were
there no language use/ style comments at all. It
should be noted, though, that in no case was
usage/style alone mentioned as a reason for
rejecting a paper (see also Flowerdew, 2001;
Hewings, 2002).” (p. 8)

Belcher (2007)
“In only 2 reviews out of the 29 (thus, 7%) were
there no language use/ style comments at all. It
should be noted, though, that in no case was
usage/style alone mentioned as a reason for
rejecting a paper (see also Flowerdew, 2001;
Hewings, 2002).” (p. 8)

Sullivan (2002)

Sullivan (2002)
1. Manuscript sent to wrong jornal
2. Content does not provide new information
3. Information is too old or out of date
4. Topic is too narrow
5. Important contributions to topic are missing
6. Author has relied too heavily on the literature
7. Manuscript was a class paper or speech
8. Too little information about method, or method
includes serious flaws
9. Paper does not make a point
10. Poor writing

Sullivan (2002)

Pierson (2012)

Pierson (2012)

Bordage (2001)

Bordage (2001)

Bordage (2001)

Bordage (2001)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

McKercher et al. (2007)

Main reasons articles get rejected
Belcher
(2007)
Bordage
(2001)
Sullivan
(2002)
McKercher et
al. (2007)
Wrong journal X ✓ ✓ ✓
Faulty method ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Lack of transparency X ✓ ✓ ✓
Problems with statistics X ✓ ✓ ✓
Poor discussion, overstating
importance of findings
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Improper formatting X ✓ X ✓
Writing difficult to follow ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inadequate literature review ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nothing new ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Contribution not clear ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Poor English X X X X

Main reasons articles get rejected
Belcher
(2007)
Bordage
(2001)
Sullivan
(2002)
McKercher et
al. (2007)
Wrong journal X ✓ ✓ ✓
Faulty method ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Lack of transparency X ✓ ✓ ✓
Problems with statistics X ✓ ✓ ✓
Poor discussion, overstating
importance of findings
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Improper formatting X ✓ X ✓
Writing difficult to follow ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inadequate literature review ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nothing new ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Contribution not clear ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Poor English X X X X

I live in Curitiba., where it
rains a lot.
I have many umbrellas.

Contributors to publication success (or failure)
LANGUAGE
WRITING
THE RESEARCH

LANGUAGE
WRITING
THE RESEARCH

I live on Curitiba.
I has many umbrellas.

Is the novelty/contribution clear?
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez
ronmartinez@ufpr.br

From the Introduction: What’s the
problem?

Work in pairs

Work in pairs

DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION
METHOD
RESULTS
I.M.R.aD.

C.A.R.S. (Swales, 1990)
• Create
• A
• Research
• Space
INTRODUCTION

"C.A.R.S." framework
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be
filled.
1
2
3

Can you identify the “CARS” moves?
Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not
getting enough sleep. Moreover, there is
increasing evidence of an association between
sleep and adult health. However, there is still
little research on how much sleep older adults
(>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration and possible
associations with health concerns. Results show
that older adults generally require less sleep
than younger adults.

Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not
getting enough sleep. Moreover, there is
increasing evidence of an association between
sleep and adult health. However, there is still
little research on how much sleep older adults
(>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the
elderlyand possible associations with health
concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.

Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not
getting enough sleep. Moreover, there is
increasing evidence of an association between
sleep and adult health. However, there is still
little research on how much sleep older adults
(>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the
elderly and possible associations with health
concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.

Common problem: No “Space” created
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be
filled.
1
2
3

Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not
getting enough sleep. Moreover, there is
increasing evidence of an association between
sleep and adult health. However, there is still
little research on how much sleep older adults
(>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the
elderly and possible associations with health
concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.

Common problem: No “Territory”
or “Space”
• Establish “territory”: Mention importance,
what the “conversation” is.
• Establish “niche”: Mention the “gap.”
• Occupy niche: Say how that gap will be
filled.
1
2
3

Abstract
There is a growing concern that people are not
getting enough sleep. Moreover, there is
increasing evidence of an association between
sleep and adult health. However, there is still
little research on how much sleep older adults
(>65) need. This retrospective cohort study
examined reported sleep duration among the
elderly and possible associations with health
concerns. Results show that older adults
generally require less sleep than younger adults.

Can you locate Move 2 In the Hirano (2009)
article Introduction?

Move 1 (“Territory”)

Move 1 (“Territory”)

Move 1  Move 2 (“Niche”)

Move 1  Move 2 (“Niche”)

Move 1  Move 2 (“Niche”)

Move 2  Move 3 (“Occupy the
niche”)

Move 2  Move 3 (“Occupy the
niche”)

Notice the grammar
1. Look at the Hirano (2009) Introduction again.
2. In the first sentence of each new paragraph,
which has Hirano chosen to use: present
simple, past simple, or present perfect?
3. Discuss: Why are such grammar choices
important? What relevance might they have
in translation?

Discuss the Hirano (2009) article
1. What were her main findings?
2. What are the possible implications for
Brazilian authors?
3. What are the possible reasons for the
phenomena that Hirano reports?

Moves from the international journal

Moves from the Brazilian journal

Where should the translator start?

Cohesion!
TITLE
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez
ronmartinez@ufpr.br

113Ron Martinez

MAIN ISSUE NOT ‘ENGLISH’
114Ron Martinez

Summary – 1
accuracy
audience
/ register

Summary -2
rejection
Unclear
writing
Unclear
contribution
“English”

Summary – 3

Homework 1
1. Download “Article Requiring Revision”.
2. Try to identify CARS in the introduction (Section 1).
3. Look at the comments from the Journal Editor (also
online). Specifically, focus on the comments from
“Reviewer 2”. Do you agree?
4. Look at lines 56-72: Can you identify any of the
problems discussed in Belcher (2007), McKercher et
al. (2007), etc.?
5. Look at lines 134 and 139: Which words were
translated “wrong” (i.e. potentially lead to
misunderstanding)?
6. Discuss with a partner.

Homework 2
• Are you confident enough to suggest changes to
an article? Read the introduction to the
unpublished “Corpus Linguistics” article (online).
Any problems? Make notes on what you would
tell the author; bring the suggestions to class.
• Read the Doherty article on translation
technologies (online). According to the author,
what opportunities and advantages do new
technologies present? Any potential
disadvantages?

Prof. Dr. Ron Martinez
ronmartinez@ufpr.br

The science of results sections and
other reporting of Method