Translation of Scientific Texts

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to crystallize the nature of scientific texts from different perspectives and to illustrate how interaction is made between interlocutors in this respect. Doing so, we hope to shed light on the translation of English texts for specific purposes. As an introduction, the notion of ‘translation’ is defined as a dynamic and process-oriented task; then methods of translation in general and technical translation in particular will be discussed. It is essential to discuss the characteristics of technical texts in terms of generic, sociolinguistic, and linguistic factors involved in their evolution. An attempt will be made to clarify the problems the translators encounter in translating technical texts and their choices to tackle the issue on the basis of the appropriate text-types. Finally, some characteristics of efficient translators in facing with the respective difficulties will be elaborated.