Introduction
Scientific and technical translation involves communicating specialized information on a variety of subjects across languages. It requires expert linguistic knowledge and writing skills, combined with the ability to research and understand complex concepts and present them to a range of different audiences. It also requires subject matter knowledge and Cat tools application. Technical translation is primarily distinguished from other forms of translation by its style and terminology. It is usually free from emotive language, connotations, sound-effects and metaphor, if it is well written. It spills over into diagrams, graphs, illustrations, photographs, figures, formulae, equations, schemes, references, bibliographies. It includes scientific registers such as legal, business, medical, marketing, education and all other specialized types of language. This type of translation contributes to the dissemination of science and technology. Medical translation requires honesty, precision, confidentiality, and up-to-date technical knowledge
What makes scientific, medical, or technical translation different from any other type of translation?
Why is it difficult to translate scientific and technical texts?
1. We can only translate what we understand.
2. It needs subject knowledge of the field.
3. Scientific and technical texts have specific terminology.
4. Usually this type of text involves an exploration of phenomena or a description of a process which needs the translator’s knowledge and experience of the field.
5. It needs an imaginative mind of the experiences and applications of the specialized field.
6. The rapid development of this field requires the translators to update their knowledge and follow up all new concepts and terminologies. (E.g. wiki, tweets, path …etc.)
7. The use of acronyms which needs a skilled translator who knows the equivalent acronym of the full form used in the other language.
8. Knowledge of how to analyze charts and diagrams in order to understand their implications.
9. Knowledge of computer assisted translation programs and how to use them to present an organized work and build up a translation memory of the field, (E.g. Tradus, Memo Q, Word Fast Professional ...etc.)
10. Faithfulness, accuracy, and awareness that mistakes are fatal in these fields.
11. Cross-cultural issues. (Some people nod their heads even if they don’t understand and then ask the interpreter when they are out of the clinic).
12. Ethics of translation in regard to privacy and confidentiality. There is a code of ethics which has rules that an interpreter has to follow.(don’t play roles of doctor or nurse or administrator by answering what they should answer even if you know the answer)
13. Localization of medical material is important to meet the clients’ needs. (if the audience are not known translation should be in the general register)
Job: opportunities for this type of translation:
· VINNELL ARABIA
· Biotechnology Companies.
· Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies and Manufacturers.
· Medical Devices Companies.
· Clinical Research Organizations
· Saudi Customs
· Universities
· Hospitals
· Community Service Institutions
· The Saudi Electricity Company
· Aramco
· Food and Drug Authority
References for the course:
Byrne, Jody. (2012). Scientific and Technical Translation Explained. A Nuts and Bolts Guide for Beginners. St Jerome.
Gomez, Norman. (2011). A Handbook for Teaching Translation of Scientific and Technical Texts.
Wright, S & wright, L. (1993). Scientific and Technical Translation. Kent State University
Common medical Affixes:
Following, in no particular order, are frequently used word beginnings (prefixes) and word endings (suffixes) used to make up many medical terms. You don’t need to memorize whether an item is a prefix or suffix, or even if it is a word root, just what it means! I know this is all “Greek” to you (and some of it really is!), but there will be so much reinforcement as we go along that you can’t help but remember meanings. Be patient with yourself.
Hypo#hyper-itis / Low # high
= inflammation / hyperactive
tonsillitis, appendicitis
-osis / = abnormal condition / cyanosis (of blueness, due to cold or low oxygen)
-ectomy / = to cut out (remove) / appendectomy, tonsillectomy
-otomy / = to cut into / tracheotomy (to cut into the windpipe,
temporary opening)
-ostomy / = to make a
“mouth” / colostomy (to make a permanent opening in colon)
a/an / = without, none / anemia (literally no blood but means few red cells)
micro / = small
macro / = large
mega/ -megaly / = enlarged / megacolon (abnormally large colon = large intestine)
-scopy/ -scopic / = to look, observe / colonoscopy (look into colon)
-graphy/ -graph / = recording
an image / mammography (imaging the breasts)
-gram / = the image (X-ray) / mammogram
Whenever you see these endings, -graphy, -graph, -gram, they relate to recording an image such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan or a written recording with pen and moving paper. Mammography is the process of recording, i.e. the machine and procedure. Mammogram is the image itself, the X-ray. A recording of heart activity is called an electrocardiogram using an electrocardiograph. A recording of brain activity is an electroencephalogram and the medical procedure and machine is called electroencephalography.
-ology/ -ologist / = study, specialize in / cardiologist, nephrologist (studythe heart, the kidneys)
The Circulatory system
Cardi/o / = heart / Endocarditis, myocarditis, pericarditis (inflammation of the lining, the muscle layer, the outer layer of the heart)Brady/tachy / = slow/fast / Bradycardia (rate<60) tachycardia (rate>100)
Angi/o / = vessel / Angiography, angiogram (X-ray of artery)
Veno/phlebo / = vein / Venogram (X-ray of veins), phlebitis (inflammation of veins)
-stasis / = to stop / Hemostasis (to stop bleeding), hemostat (a clamp-like instrument)
-cyte / = cell / Erythrocytes, leucocytes (red, white blood cells)
Hem/o, -emia / = blood / Hypoxemia (low oxygen), hematosalpinx (blood in the uterine tubes)
الجهاز الدوري
يعتبر الجهاز الدوري من أهم أجهزة الجسم، ومن اسمه فهو يدور في جميع أنحاء الجسم ويصل بين أجزاء الجسم المُختلفة ، فهو كالوسيط بين الرئة و باقي الجسم لنقل الأكسجين, وهو الوسيط بين الغُدد و الأجزاء التي تؤثر فيها ،كما أنَّهُ الوسيط بين الجهاز الهضمي و أجزاء الجسم المُختلفة.
يتكون الجهاز الدَّوري مِنَ المركز الرئيسي الذي هو القلب ( المضخة ) ، الأوعية الدَّموية ( الوعاء الناقل) و التي تتكون من :الشرايين ( تحمل الدَّم من القلب ) و الأوردة ( تنقل الدَّم إلى القلب ) و الشعيرات الدموية (مكان إلتقاء الشرايين و الأوردة ) ، والدَّم .
أولا: القلب
القلب عضو عضلي مخروطي الشكل يعمل كالمضخة ، فعندما تنبسط عضلة القلب تتهيؤ لاستقبال الدَّم و عندما تنقبض فإنَّها تَضُخ الدَّم للخارج. ويتكون القلب من أربع حُجرات و هي الأذين الأيمن و البطين الأيمن ، الأذين الأيسر و البطين الأيسر.
ثانياً: الأوعية الدموية
هي أوعية أنبوبية الشكل يجري الدم فيها, وهي على ثلاثة أنواع:
الشريان: هو أنبوب ذو جدار عضلي سميك ينقل الدم من القلب إلى أعضاء الجسم المختلفة.
الوريد: هو أنبوب ذو جدار رقيق وغير عضلي يحمل الدم من أجزاء الجسم إلى القلب.
الشعيرات الدموية : وهي قنوات رقيقة جدا, تعتبر مفتاح الجهاز الدوري الدموي حيث تربط الشرايين الصغيرة بالأوردة الصغيرة ، وتسهل انتشار العناصر الغذائية والفضلات والغازات في الدم.
ثالثا: الدم
الدم عبارة عن سائل أحمر يحتوي على البلازما وكريات الدم الحمراء وكريات الدم البيضاء والصفائح الدموية.
- البلازما, وهي محلول مائي مائل إلى الاصفرار يحتوي على الأغذية الذائبة وظيفته نقل الغذاء إلى جميع أعضاء الجسم.
- خلايا الدم الحمراء وهي خلايا قرصية الشكل مقعرة من الجانبين ولا تحتوي على نواة يوجد بها مادة الهيموجلوبين التي تساعد في نقل الأكسجين وثاني أكسيد الكربون
- خلايا الدم البيضاء وهي خلايا تتألف من غشاء سيتوبلازمي وسيتوبلازم ونواة وظيفتها الدفاع عن الجسم
- الصفائح الدموية وهي تراكيب غاية في الدقة وخالية من النواة عددها يقارب 250 ألف صفيحة تساعد في تجلط الدم.
Common Diseases:
Palpitations of the heart
Palpitations are a sensation or awareness of your heart beating. They may feel like your heart is racing, thumping or skipping beats. Almost everyone has had palpitations at some time in their life. They are usually associated with an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia.(
Palpitations may have no obvious cause, but can be triggered by physical activity, emotional stress, caffeine, nicotine.
Types of arrhythmia:
1-Tachycardia
Tachycardia is when your heart beats too fast, generally more than 100 beats per minute. The two main types of tachycardia are supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia. Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that starts in the atria, and is not usually life threatening..
Ventricular tachycardia is when the ventricles beat too fast and is very dangerous. This life-threatening condition occurs when the electrical signal that should trigger your heartbeat splits away in uncontrolled ‘waves’ around the ventricles
2-Bradycardia
Bradycardia is when your heart beats too slowly, generally less than 60 beats per minute. It becomes serious when your heart beats so slowly that it can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Bradycardia may be normal, and can be associated with improved physical fitness. However, it can also be caused by many physical disorders, such as sick sinus syndrome and heart block.
تصلب الشرايين
قد يؤدي الغذاء عالي الدهون الى تكوين طبقة صلبة من الدهون تبطن الأوعية الدموية. ويمكن أن تصبح هذه المناطق الدهنية اكثر صلابة مسببه بذلك التصلب الشرياني. وعندما تقل مرونة الاوعية الدموية يرتفع ضغط الدم ، وقد يؤدي ذلك الى تلف أو حدوث جلطات في القلب والكلى.
Myocardial infarction (MI)-
An infarction is blockage of blood flow resulting in death of muscle tissue. This can also be called a “heart attack.” The blockage occurs in one of the arteries of the heart muscle itself, a coronary artery. Depending upon how much tissue dies; a victim of an MI may survive and undergo cardiac rehabilitation, strengthening the remaining heart muscle, or may die if too much muscle tissue is destroyed.
Ischemia
Sometimes the heart muscle is not getting enough blood flow, more importantly, the oxygen the blood carries is insufficient to sustain muscles functions. The term loosely means “not quite enough blood.”
Nervous system
Cephal/o / Head / Cephalgia (a headache)Encephal/o / Inside the head (brain) / Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) Anencephalic (born without a brain)
Mening/o / Membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord / Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes)
Myel/o / Spinal cord / Myelogram (X-ray of the spinal cord)
Neur/o / Nerve / Neuroma (tumor) Neuritis (inflammation)
Dys / Difficult, painful, abnormal / Dyslexia (difficulty reading)
-pathy / Disease, abnormality / Encephalopathy (disease of the brain) Neuropathy (disease of the nerves)
-plasia / Development, formation, growth / -plegia Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body)
Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four / Paralysis
الجهاز العصبي
يتكون الجهاز العصبي لجسم الانسان من مجموعة من الاجزاء المهمة والتي تلعب ادوار مختلفة ، وتستجيب لأجزاء واعضاء معينة في جسم الإنسان. ويتكون من الأعضاء التالية:
n 1- الجهاز العصبي المركزي ( C.N.S ) ويشمل الدماغ/ المخ ( Brain ) والحبل الشوكي ( spinal cord )
n 2-الجهاز العصبي الطرفي ( peripheral N.S )
n 3- الجهاز العصبي الذاتي او السمبثاوي ( Sympathtic )
يتكون الجهاز العصبي المركزي من الدماغ والحبل الشوكي
1- الدماغ (brain) : ويوجد داخل الجمجمة ويعتبر أهم الأعضاء في الجهاز العصبي ككل ، واكبرها حجما ووزنا ، ويبلغ وزن الدماغ في الراس حوالي 1500 جرام ، بينما تصل عدد خلاياه الى حوالي 100 مليار خلية .
Common Diseases:
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a disease of unknown cause that manifests as multiple hard plaques of degeneration of the insulating layer of nerve fibers in the central nervous system. The loss of insulation allows “short circuiting” of nerve impulses. Depending upon where the degeneration occurs, patients may suffer paralysis, sensory disturbances or blindness.
Stroke
Stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or brain attack, is when poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic due to lack of blood flow and hemorrhagic due to bleeding. Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, feeling like the world is spinning, or loss of one vision to one side among others.Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred. If symptoms last less than one or two hours it is known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The symptoms of a stroke can be permanent. Long term complications may include pneumonia or loss of bladder control.
The main risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. Other risk factors include tobacco smoking, obesity, high blood cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation among others. An ischemic stroke is typically caused by blockage of a blood vessel. Diagnosis is typically with medical imaging such as a CT scan or MRI scan along with a physical exam. Other tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests are done to determine risk factors and rule out other possible causes. Low blood sugar may cause similar symptoms.
A stroke often requires emergency care. An ischemic stroke, if detected within three to four and half hours, may be treatable with a medication that can break down the clot. Aspirin should be used. Some hemorrhagic strokes benefit from surgery. Treatment to try recover lost function is called stroke rehabilitation and ideally takes place in a stroke unit; however.
الزهايمر
مرض الزهايمر هو مرض دماغي متقدم يدمر خلايا المخ؛ مما يؤدي إلى مشكلات في الذاكرة والتفكير والسلوك تؤثر بشدة في عمل وحياة الشخص المصاب ونمط الحياة الاجتماعي. يتدهور وضع المريض المصاب بمرور الوقت وهو مرض غالبًا ما يؤدي إلى الوفاة. يصنف مرض الزهايمر اليوم بكونه السبب الرئيس السادس للوفاة عالميًا.
وتكمن خطورته في أنه يعوق الحياة اليومية للمصاب به، وهو مرض ليس له علاج حاليًّا، ولكن يتم علاج الأعراض ودعم المرضى المصابين لجعل حياتهم أفضل ولجعلهم يتعايشون مع المرض.
لا يوجد علاج لمرض الزهايمر حاليًا؛ ولكن يصف الأطباء الأدوية للتخفيف من الأعراض مثل: الأرق، والقلق، والانفعالات، والاكتئاب
الصداع النصفيأوالشقيقة
هواضطراب عصبيمزمن يتميز بتكرر حالات معتدلة إلى شديدة منالصداعوكثيرا ما يكون هذا بالاشتراك مع عدد من أعراضالجهاز العصبي اللاإرادي.
يتميز الصداع بحدوثه في جانب واحد (يؤثر على نصف الرأس) وبأنه نابض بطبيعته، ويستمر بين ساعتين إلى 72 ساعة. قد تشمل الأعراض المصاحبة لهالغثيانوالقيءورهاب الضياء واحتداد السمعورهاب الروائح. يتفاقم الألم بشكل عام عند ممارسة النشاط البدني.ويشعر حوالي ثلث الأشخاص الذين يعانون من الصداع النصفيبالأورةوهي اضطرابات عابرة بصرية أو حسية أو لغوية أو حركية تؤشر لقرب حدوث الصداع