Technical Translation Research Articles

Style of Technical Language: Oil and Gas Discourse

The present paper discusses the style and characteristics of technical language generally and oil and gas discourse particularly and shows the differences between technical and scientific language. The paper starts with providing an overview on technical language and the historical emergence. Then, it shows the difference between technical and scientific language because scads of people think they are the same, which is not the case. The paper proceeds to discuss the style and characteristics of technical language giving examples [along with the Arabic proposed translation] about each characteristic for further clarification, and it moves to discuss oil and gas language showing how this discipline is versatile and interdisciplinary. Finally, the paper recapitulates the characteristics of oil and gas discourse and provides examples [along with the Arabic proposed translations] about each. This paper might be of great benefit for specialist and non-specialist individuals who use technical language, including academics, engineers, technicians, linguists, translators and many more, as it helps to improve understanding of technical texts [which is beneficial for translators] and advance the writing skills of specialist individuals.

TRANSLATION PECULIARITIES OF SLANG IN THE OIL AND GAS FIELD(BASED ON THE TERMINOLOGY OF TCO, KPO B.V. COMPANIES)

The article deals with the translation peculiarities of oil and gas slangs. It highlights the translation methods and techniques applicable for technical jargons. The descriptive method is focused as an effective way of translating the slangs used in the oil and gas field. It also reflects the challenges that technical translators face and gives the ways of solving them. The technical translation requires different approaches and methods including subject-matter and language proficiency. That’s why specialized knowledge of the field is necessary for technical translators. It’s hard to say that any philologist of the foreign language is able to translate special terms connected with the oil and gas industry as long as she/he can work on site and see the equipment or the process that is going to be translated. It is vital to remember that the language of the technical text is concise and concrete too. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity and confusion.

Investigating how cultural differences influence the translation process and the strategies used by translators to bridge cultural gaps

This study investigates the impact of cultural differences on the translation process and the strategies used by translators to bridge these cultural gaps. Through qualitative interviews with professional translators specializing in literature, business, legal, and technical translation, the research identifies key strategies employed to address cultural challenges. These strategies include localization, adaptation, the use of cultural equivalents, annotation, and consultation with cultural informants. The findings reveal that these strategies are effective in maintaining both translation accuracy and cultural relevance. Localization tailors content to the cultural context of the target audience, while adaptation handles idiomatic expressions and culturally specific references. Cultural equivalents preserve the emotional and cultural impact of the source text, and annotations provide necessary explanations for cultural references without direct equivalents. Consultation with cultural informants enhances the accuracy and appropriateness of translations, particularly in specialized fields. The effectiveness of these strategies is supported by concrete examples from the translators' experiences, demonstrating successful applications across various fields. The study's findings align with established theories in translation studies, such as those proposed by Venuti, Nida, Baker, and House, reinforcing the importance of cultural competence in translation. This research highlights the complex interplay between language and culture in the translation process and underscores the necessity for tailored strategies to address cultural nuances. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of cultural translation and offers practical recommendations for translators. As global communication continues to expand, the role of culturally competent translators remains vital in facilitating cross-cultural understanding and interaction. Future research should explore the evolving role of technology in translation and its implications for cultural competence.

The Evolutionary Convergence of Technical Communication and Translation: An Integrative Literature Review of Scholarship From 2000 to 2022

The Evolutionary Convergence of Technical Communication and Translation: An Integrative Literature Review of Scholarship From 2000 to 2022

Building Bridges Between Technical and Professional Communication and Translation Studies

Building Bridges Between Technical and Professional Communication and Translation Studies

Setting Foundations: An Integrative Literature Review at the Intersections of Technical and Professional Communication and Translation Studies

Setting Foundations: An Integrative Literature Review at the Intersections of Technical and Professional Communication and Translation Studies

The Image of Philosophy in Herman Melville’s Story Cock-A-Doodle-Do! or, the Crowing of the Noble Cock Beneventano

The work of the outstanding American writer Herman Melville (1819–1891) is widely acknowledged for its profound philosophical depth. It parallels various philosophical and religious traditions, works, figures, ideas, etc. However, the author’s philosophical position remains insufficiently researched. Among his works, one key in this regard is the short story “Cock-A-Doodle-Do! or, The Crowing of the Noble Cock Beneventano” (1853). It offers Melville’s feedback on a few ideas of such representatives of American transcendentalism as Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) and Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), with a particular focus on Thoreau’s analogy likening the purpose of philosophy to the crowing of a rooster. This story is almost completely unknown in Ukraine. Trying to reconstruct Melville’s view on Thoreau’s idea, the author recreates the context of creating “Cock-A-Doodle-Do!”, reviews available scholarly literature, and renders a technical translation of the narrative into Ukrainian. Throughout this process, the author provides commentary and clarifies its connection to ideas of Thoreau and Emerson, works by other authors, additional pieces by Melville, his biography, and related topics. The textual and intertextual analysis highlights the limitations of a common point of view whereby “Cock-A-Doodle-Do!” is only a piece of satire aimed exclusively at discrediting transcendentalism and the image of philosophy proposed by Thoreau. The author suggests that the story manifests Melville’s general attitude characteristic of his work overall and his philosophical method of philosophizing technique grounded in consistent skepticism towards any beliefs, convictions, and assertions, including those held by oneself. The systematic application of this method reveals universal ambivalence. Accordingly, Melville’s reflections on Thoreau’s idea of cockcrowing as a metaphor for philosophy reveal both critical and apologetic dimensions.

Investigating ISA adaptation in a developing country context: the selective influence of Big Four affiliates

ABSTRACT This paper examines how the national process of adapting the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) unfolds in developing countries, focusing on the case of Egypt. The study relies on data gathered from 33 semi-structured interviews with government officials and senior auditors alongside documentary evidence. Our findings show how legacy state institutions that were involved in the national standard-setting committee have largely fallen short of their aspirations to align local auditing standards with the expectations set out in the ISAs. The lack of a coherent approach to developing state policy objectives, resources, and public consultation, together with technical demands and translation difficulties, hampered the process. Such weaknesses provided an opportunity for the local Big Four affiliates to become deeply involved. The firms’ strategic manoeuvres were driven not only by a material desire to protect their market position/status but also by a commitment to a perceived national duty to support government attempts at national standard-setting. Importantly, our findings reveal the selectivity of such interventions and the differential impact of ISA adaptation on the diverse constituency of audit firms. Theoretically, we propose the institutional void perspective to conceptualise the intervention of private actors as well as to articulate the elements of a void in an audit regulatory process. While Big Four firms typically seek to position themselves in such processes, we argue that international reforms and policies should focus on fostering a more inclusive, accountable, and deliberative system that promotes the presence of diverse, independent and representative local audit actors.

Challenges in Romanian-English and English-Romanian Technical and Literary Translations. Grammatical and Lexical Distinctions Between English and Romanian

Challenges in Romanian-English and English-Romanian Technical and Literary Translations. Grammatical and Lexical Distinctions Between English and Romanian

Temporal aspects of technical text translation

Temporal aspects of technical text translation

Demand for and training of Chinese translators in the context of the �One Belt, One Road� initiative

Relevance. The need to investigate the specifics of Chinese translator training within the framework of the global programme �One Belt, One Road� is primarily conditioned by the constant changes in various aspects, particularly in structural, semantic, and artistic aspects. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the global initiative �One Belt, One Road� in the context of training professional human resources to perform Chinese language translations. Methodology. This study analysed materials available on the websites of several higher education institutions. The analysis focused on specific parameters such as the distinct features of training students in Chinese studies, the education of translators working with Chinese, and the principles, methods, and techniques used in teaching the Chinese language. Results. Analyses of translator training have identified key skills for students: parallel language and culture study, adherence to translation norms like business etiquette, and mastery of technical translation tools. In Kyrgyz universities, methods include verbal (lectures, discussions), visual (audio and video materials), and practical (creative works, exhibitions, quizzes, conferences). For Chinese translators under the �One Belt, One Road� initiative, training spans multiple linguistic levels: phonetic (phrases, accents), grammatical (categories, meanings), lexical (vocabulary related to the initiative and various fields), syntactic (word order, links), and stylistic (business etiquette, unique vocabulary). Conclusions. The study found that the �One Belt, One Road� initiative's language policy focuses on planning Chinese language status, foreign languages, language structure, educational language use, and language services. The key challenges are the shortage of skilled professionals, intergovernmental cooperation, infrastructure standards, financial integration, and cultural exchange. In the future, this study can be used to develop technical improvements in Kyrgyz-Chinese translation, to improve the training of Chinese specialists within the framework of the global initiative �One Belt, One Road�. Keywords: lingua franca; linguistic levels; linguistic policy; linguistic parameters; terminological units

The use of the SmartCat platform for the development of soft skills in masters of philology

Skill requirements and implementation of new information technologies drive changes in the professional training for future technical translators, including the development of both highly professional and soft skills. The purpose of this study was to develop soft skills in Masters of Philology and future technical translators in the process of implementing the group project using the SmartCat Cloud Platform. The soft skills in Masters of Philology required to implement the group project using the SmartCat Cloud Platform have been identified and analyzed: planning and time, workload, stress management skills; skills of compliance with project implementation terms, instructions and technical specifications; teamwork skills, including in a virtual media, using modern communication technologies; responsible use of information technology for professional purposes; continuous self-assessment, updating and developing competencies and skills through personal strategies and co-education. The didactic opportunities of the SmartCat Cloud Platform have been revealed, enabling instructors to monitor and evaluate the activities of both the group as a whole and individual activities of group members. Overall, the SmartCat platform is a tool for the development of soft skills needed for a future professional career of technical translators.

Terminologie et traduction des nanosciences et nanotechnologies : de l’anglais aux langues romanes

Terminology and Translation of Nanoscience and Nanotechnolo¬gies: From English to Romance Languages. Based on our experience of building a Multilingual Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Glossary, we propose in this article to study the complementary relationship between the terminology of nanotechnology and its translation from English as a source language to the languages analyzed: French and, more particularly, Italian and Romanian. More specifically, the objectives set out in this contribution are to describe the terminology and definitions of nanoscience and nanotechnologies from the perspective of their translation in order to highlight the common and divergent elements among the three Romance languages: French, Italian and Romanian. Keywords: technical translation, terminology, translation methods, nanotechnology, conceptual definitions

Artificial Intelligence - Digital Limiter of Consciousness

Translation as one of the types of human activity is related to topical philosophical issues, including transhumanism, as well as the need for its application in modern technologies for creating a man-machine and the upcoming AI singularity. The accuracy and unambiguity of language content is the foundation of AI software. For a specialized technical translation, this is an undeniable advantage in terms of the speed and efficiency of the process. The reduction of heterogeneity and polysemy of any language as a reflection of the activity of human consciousness to unambiguous definitions is an absolute limiter of creative mental activity. Specific examples of the intervention of an automatic editor in the process of individual activity of an AI user demonstrate real conflict situations. According to the author, translation is a universal property of human thinking, and cognitive processes are generated by the activity of the brain, and not exclusively by its structure. Combinatorial thinking is unique to humans. Reflection - the subject's appeal to himself - is one of the most important acts of consciousness, which makes it possible for an individual translation of thoughts into their native and any other language.

Scientific and Technical Translation on the Revisited Maps of Translation and Translation Studies

Historically, scientific knowledge has proven to be a mobile form of culture. Translation is what has rendered this knowledge mobile. Scott L. Montgomery, ‘Scientific translation’ This paper looks into the core of scientific and technical translation, with regard to the nature of science and technology texts. The article revises the research opinions on the development of similar and different features of these translation types and highlights the importance of their differentiation, notwithstanding that it is generally convenient to group science and technology together. The research attempts to prove that though scientific translation and technical translation are closely connected domains, they are not identical and the terms ‘scientific’ and ‘technical’ are not interchangeable. Of particular research interest is the studying of scientific translation and technical translation as separate fields within the translation science. The article analyses the existing bibliography maps of translation and Translation Studies, to find out that scientific translation and technical translation have quite recently found their place as distinct fields on the map of translation. However, on the map of Translation Studies, these translation types are not yet present. The assumption for this investigation was that theories of scientific and technical translation, among others, are highly likely to be established within specialized translation and they need a comprehensive methodological research. There is much prospect for these theories to be developed, provided that major recent theoretical works in the field are systematised.

Research on Terminological Variation in Petroleum Scientific and Technical Translation

Research on Terminological Variation in Petroleum Scientific and Technical Translation

Grammatical aspects of scientific and technical translation (on the material of the rescue and emergency work instructions)

Grammatical aspects of scientific and technical translation (on the material of the rescue and emergency work instructions)

Content aspects of translation training programmes at chinese universities

The paper deals with the problem of training translators in higher education institutions of the People's Republic of China. Translation training programmes are offered by polytechnic, educational and language universities. It is stated that in China, translation training at the master's level is provided not only at language universities, but also at universities of applied sciences. The system of requirements for the content of bachelor's and master's programmes is considered. It is established that the training of translators at the bachelor's level consists of two stages: the basic and the professional training stage. Translation training programmes have the same structure at both stages, but differ in the content of the structural components, which are: theory, translation, interpreting, translator's tools, cultural literacy. The main competences required for obtaining a master's degree in translation are highlighted: language competence, translation competence, intercultural communication competence, competence in acquiring encyclopaedic knowledge, and teamwork competence. The basic stage focuses on fostering students' good academic style and correct teaching methods and on building basic bilingual skills. At the vocational stage, the focus is on developing students' practical interpretation and translation skills. As a result of professional translation training, a translation specialist should be able to translate texts of various genres, using translation principles and techniques professionally; be able to translate texts in various fields, such as politics, economics, automotive, business, medicine, into Chinese, and be able to translate texts in related fields into foreign languages. It has been determined that in order to better meet the current needs of society for qualified translators, universities create professional courses on a scientific basis. Such courses include, in particular, technical translation, translator's tools, and cultural studies.

Integrating Technical Communication Into China's Translation and Interpreting Curriculum: Course Design, Practice, and Evaluation of Two Graduate Classes

Integrating Technical Communication Into China's Translation and Interpreting Curriculum: Course Design, Practice, and Evaluation of Two Graduate Classes

The translation of an Italian procura alle liti into English: word-by-word rendering or functional translation?

Ad hoc corpora are considered effective to deliver native-like technical (and legal) translation. This paper explores how the translation of a system-specific document such as an Italian procura alle liti (power of attorney to appear in court) can be addressed. Translating this legal document may be problematic due to the fact that it is not recurrent in the common law system, which contemplates other types of special powers of attorney (PoAs). This paper explores whether and to what extent a corpus-based translation is possible when L2 parallel texts are difficult to find in native contexts. To this aim, a translation project with technical translators and lawyers is carried out. The participants compose an ad hoc corpus which they consult as a language reference tool. The paper findings report that the translators' corpus-based translation is mostly a word-by-word rendering of the source text, which may sound unnatural to an expert of the field. The lawyers' translation partly deviates from source words, but addresses the communicative function of the source text. The paper highlights the need for a balance between the two strategies, for example by focusing on textual functionality and/or paraphrasing, although at the cost of a reduced formulaicity.