METM25 presentation

Beyond traditional translation: expanding services in the scientific field

Mar Fernández Núñez, Suresnes, France

Science relies as much on the communication and explanation of its results as it does on research. As specialised language professionals, we can draw on our range of talents and adapt to recent changes in the scientific translation ecosystem without limiting ourselves to translating, editing or interpreting.

In this session, we will see how we can use our skills to broaden our professional horizons beyond our classically assigned tasks, and how we can take advantage of our unique position to disseminate knowledge by bridging linguistic and cultural barriers.

• Is global English threatening to make research published in other languages invisible? Explore the field of grey literature or offer your services as scientific coordinator or rapporteur in working groups in your local language and environment.
• Is media globalisation leading to a demand for more eye-catching scientific content? Learn how to transform scientific texts into infographics, and even podcasts, videos and comics, to help your clients disseminate their knowledge to a more diverse audience.
• Is the public being alienated from science by the cacophony of misinformation on social networks? Tap into popular science, a very promising niche, to create complex content that is reliable and understandable to non-specialist audiences.
• Is AI becoming more and more advanced? Do your research to understand its strengths and weaknesses and learn to mindfully integrate these tools into your professional practice and gain the legitimacy needed to advise your clients in this rapidly developing area.

This talk aims to guide the exchange of ideas among participants on how to access and train for these niches and to map out alternative solutions that go beyond classical translation services.

The session will be of interest to all comers, regardless of their working languages.
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About the presenter

Mar Fernández Núñez is Spanish but now works in France. She trained in biology, environment, agronomy and oceanography. She first worked as a researcher in fisheries and started her translator career in 1999. She also teaches Spanish and conducts training in scientific translation. She has published several articles about academic writing.