Traducción Especializada A-B

(inglés)

Catherine Way
Grupo AVANTI
Universidad de Granada
 Linguistic Features of Scientific English
• Part 1: Grammatical Features
• 1. Present Tense:
• a). scientific definitions—
• ~A generator is a machine that transforms mechanical energy to electrical
energy.
• b). scientific rules—
• ~Like charges repel each other, unlike charges attract.
• c). description of charts—
• ~Fig 3 shows the results of the research.
• d). description of serial processes—
– ~A substantial horizontal thrust, provided by the jet or the propeller, drives the
aircraft through the surrounding air, while the wing deflects downwards the mass
of air flowing on to it.
– Rationale: timeless notions
– objective facts
• misunderstandings caused by tense could be avoided
 2. Extensive uses of Passive Voice:

• Group A: Who or what is the Agent?

• a) The private sector is recognized as innovative

and willing to get involved in the provision of
transportation services.
• b) It is recommended that the proposal be
rejected.
• c) Hardened steel can be tempered if it is heated
to a certain temperature.
 Group B: Who or what is the Object ?

• a) Old mechanical parts are so well

designed that they are still in production.
• b) The private sector is recognized as
innovative and willing to get involved in the
provision of transportation services.
 3. Nominalisation Tendency:

• Group A: Nominalistion of Verb

• (GE) General English:
• ~We can normally regulate the temperature by using a
conditioner.
• (SE) Scientific English:
• ~A normal regulation of temperature can be achieved by
the use of a conditioner.
• (GE)~You can rectify the current by a commutator.
• (SE)~Rectification of the current is obtained by means of
commutation.
 Group B: Nominalistion of Adjective

• (GE)~This article is too general, so the reader

will not have a full understanding of the theme.
• (SE)~Over-generalization of the article hinders
the comprehension of the theme.
• (GE)~The manufacturers are responsible for
installing the new equipment.
• (SE)~__________________________________
________________.
• *keywords: responsibility, installment
 Group C: Nominalistion of Dependent
Clause

• (GE)~If the machine is run by this method, there

will be some loss of power.
• (SE)~The running of the machine by this method
entails some loss of power.
• (GE)~You can neither create nor destroy
energy, although you can change its form.
• (SE)~__________________________, despite
the _________________________.
• Note: Change the above into passive voice.
• Keywords: changeability
 Part II: The Terminology Features

• SE GE RE
• Be out of condition be broken down be out of
kilter
• Concur agree
• Fracture break come to
bits
• Inexperienced operator fresh hand green
hand
• Terminate end/finish wind
up
Compare these two pairs. Which are more likely to
appear in scientific writing?

• ~These machines can be easily taken to

pieces and put together again.
• ~These machines can be easily
dismantled and reassembled.
• ~The furnace eats up fuel at the rate of
three tons per hour.
• ~The furnace consumes fuel at the rate of
three tons per hour.