The first and foremost quality of good translators is professionalism. They have to, according to AMR Scientific Translations:
* Confine themselves solely to recapturing in the destination language what the author expressed in his original language.
* Stick to the original style, albeit with all the licence permitted in the translation of one language to another, but without re-interpretations or explanations (fidelity and concision).
* Be familiarised with and respect the terminology, or seek out suitable equivalents (accuracy).
Scientific translators must also have a scientific educational background and be familiar with the terminology.
What is more, as the terminology is continually being enlarged with neologisms and new technological advances, translators must keep themselves completely up to date.
We are, says AMR Scientific Translations, therefore talking of a profession that calls for dual training, both linguistic and scientific.
A long period of academic and extra-academic training is required. A good scientific translator must have broad-based training and several years' practical experience.
However, nobody is capable of acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of all branches, that is why the modern-day translator has to rely on good information sources and work with reference tools: naturally, the traditional specialised library, specific text books in both the source and destination languages, and, in recent times, the Internet.
Over the world wide web you can not only search for information, but also consult experts and establish relations with other professionals in the sector.
There are specialised forums made up of translators ofhigh international standing. So translators also need to be, if not experts, at least well acquainted with computer applications.
Accordingly, AMR Scientific Translations says it defines the scientific translator as a:
* Native speaker, who translates into his own language, with some years' experience and specific training.
* Familiarised with the particular terminology of the field and the neologisms that are constantly appearing and equipped with suitable search tools.
* Also as a person concerned with keeping up to date on the new technologies
* In short, someone who is in a process of ongoing training.
Enter 11 or at www.scientistlive.com/elab
AMR Scientific Translations SL, is based in Madrid, Spain. www.amr-traducciones.com
