With the rapid expansion of scientific research and academic publishing worldwide, language has become one of the most significant challenges facing researchers, students and specialists. Statistics indicate that more than 90% of prestigious scientific research is published in English through global databases and platforms such as Scopus, Web of Science and Nature, making certified scientific translation an essential requirement rather than a luxury.
The importance of scientific translation at 9Yards LLC lies in its role as a bridge connecting local knowledge production with the international research community. It enables researchers to publish their findings, gain academic recognition, apply for scholarships and study-abroad programs and obtain degree equivalency abroad.
However, scientific translation differs fundamentally from other types of translation. It does not primarily depend on literary style or linguistic aesthetics; instead, it requires absolute accuracy, objectivity and strict adherence to specialized terminology. A single error in translating a medical term, engineering equation or measurement unit may distort the results entirely and undermine years of research efforts.
What Is Scientific Translation at 9Yards LLC in Dubai and What Are Its Fields?
Scientific translation is a specialized branch of professional translation concerned with transferring scientific texts and content from the source language into the target language with the highest levels of accuracy, objectivity and academic integrity.
These texts include academic research papers, university studies, theses and dissertations, technical reports, specialized books and journals, patents and other documents issued by research and academic institutions.
What Is the Importance of Scientific Translation in Dubai?
- Disseminating knowledge: It helps communicate the latest discoveries and innovations across different languages.
- Supporting academic research: It enables researchers to access previous studies published in foreign languages.
- International collaboration: It connects research centers and scientific institutions around the world.
What Are the Characteristics of Scientific Translation?
Scientific translation has several characteristics that distinguish it from other types of translation, most notably:
- Reliance on accurate terminology: There is no room for ambiguity or interpretation. The internationally recognized scientific term must be used.
- Objective style: Scientific translation avoids rhetorical techniques and literary imagery and focuses on conveying factual information.
- Accuracy in numerical data and equations: Numbers, units, symbols, tables and equations must be transferred exactly without alteration.
What Fields Does Scientific Translation Cover?
Scientific translation encompasses a wide range of fields, including:
| Field | Examples of Translated Content |
| Medical and Pharmaceutical | Medical research, pharmaceutical leaflets, clinical trial reports and medical case summaries |
| Engineering and Technical | Technical manuals, project specifications, patents and engineering research |
| Basic Sciences | Research in physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences and environmental sciences |
| Social Sciences | Statistical studies, conference papers and research published in peer-reviewed journals such as Scopus-indexed journals |
An Illustrative Example of the Difference Between Scientific and Literary Style
To clarify the nature of scientific translation, consider the following examples:
In a literary text:
“The night was a veil concealing the sorrows of hearts.”
Here, the translator has greater freedom to choose words and imagery that preserve the beauty and emotional impact of the text.
In a scientific text:
“The dosage of Paracetamol should not exceed 4g per 24 hours.”
The translation is:
“The dosage of Paracetamol should not exceed 4 grams within 24 hours.”
In this context, there is no room for linguistic creativity. Any error in the terminology or numerical value may lead to serious consequences for human health.
Based on the above, certified scientific translation is not merely a linguistic transfer. Rather, it is an accurate transfer of knowledge. The translator must combine strong linguistic skills with comprehensive knowledge of the relevant scientific discipline to ensure the integrity of the information and the accuracy of the research findings.
What Is the Difference Between Scientific Translation and Literary Translation?
Although both types fall under the broader field of translation, there are fundamental differences between them in terms of the nature of the text, the translator’s role and the ultimate purpose of the translation process. Confusing the two is one of the common mistakes that can result in inaccurate translation.
In Terms of the Nature of the Text
Scientific text:
Scientific texts are characterized by objectivity and extreme accuracy. They rely on standardized terminology, numbers, equations, tables and graphs. They do not allow for interpretation or linguistic improvisation.
Literary text:
Literary texts are characterized by their subjective and aesthetic nature. They rely on rhetorical devices, similes, metaphors and figurative language. They give the translator room for creativity to convey the intended emotions.
In Terms of the Translator and Their Skills
Scientific translator:
A scientific translator must specialize in the scientific field in which they translate, in addition to having strong linguistic skills. A medical research translator, for example, must be familiar with medical terminology, while an engineering translator must understand equations and technical symbols.
Literary translator:
A literary translator should be an accomplished writer with a strong command of expressive styles. Their role goes beyond transferring words to recreating the literary work with its spirit and style in the target language.
In Terms of Purpose and Objective
Purpose of scientific translation:
To convey information accurately and faithfully. The objective is to communicate knowledge exactly as presented, without addition or omission, to ensure the validity of research findings.
Purpose of literary translation:
To convey emotions and the aesthetic experience. The objective is to entertain and influence the reader in a manner similar to the original text.
It is therefore clear that certified scientific translation requires the precision of a surgeon and the objectivity of a researcher, while literary translation requires artistic sensitivity and a writer’s sense of style. A successful literary translator cannot necessarily translate a scientific research paper without a specialized background and vice versa.
Scope of Scientific Translation Services in the UAE by 9Yards LLC
9Yards LLC provides comprehensive scientific translation services for universities, research centers, hospitals and government entities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and across the UAE. We rely on a team of certified translators with specialized scientific expertise to ensure content accuracy and acceptance by academic and official institutions.
Master’s and PhD Thesis Translation
The company provides comprehensive translation services for Master’s and PhD theses across various scientific disciplines. The service includes accurate translation of the abstract, introduction, research methodology, statistical analysis, results and recommendations while adhering to academic publishing standards.
Ideal for:
Scholarship students, researchers applying for degree equivalency and researchers seeking publication in international journals.
Scientific and University Research Translation
We translate research papers and scientific articles in a professional academic style compatible with the requirements of databases and platforms such as Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed. We also provide Abstract rewriting and reference proofreading services.
Ideal for:
Faculty members, researchers at UAE universities and researchers working with scientific research institutions such as Khalifa University and United Arab Emirates University.
Translation of Scientific Books, References and Journals
We translate academic books, specialized references and scientific journals while preserving the original formatting, tables, equations and citations. We also adhere to international copyright standards.
Ideal for:
Publishing houses, university libraries and researcher-authors.
Patent and Technical Report Translation
Patent translation is one of the company’s highly specialized services. We translate technical descriptions, claims and engineering drawings with a high level of legal and scientific accuracy. The service is also provided as certified translation for submission to the UAE Ministry of Economy.
Ideal for:
Inventors, technology companies, innovation centers and business incubators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Translation of Presentations and Scientific Posters
We translate and format PowerPoint presentations and scientific posters for conferences and seminars while maintaining the visual identity and professional formatting.
Ideal for:
Researchers participating in medical and engineering conferences in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Why Choose 9Yards LLC in the UAE?
- Official Recognition: Certified translations accepted by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and various embassies.
- Specialized Team: Translators with more than 10 years of experience in certified scientific translation across different disciplines.
- Confidentiality and Security: We adhere to NDA agreements to protect research data and intellectual property.
- Commitment to Deadlines: Fast delivery while maintaining the highest quality standards at competitive prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between regular scientific translation and certified scientific translation?
Answer:
Regular scientific translation aims to accurately convey content for personal or non-official academic purposes.
Certified scientific translation, on the other hand, is a translation authenticated with the company’s stamp and signed by a certified translator. It is officially accepted by universities, embassies, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and government entities. It must adhere to standards of accuracy, terminology consistency and quality review.
Q2: How long does it take to translate a Master’s thesis or scientific research paper?
Answer:
The timeframe depends on three main factors:
- Word count: An average of 2,000–2,500 words per day for one team.
- Specialization: Medical and engineering fields require additional time to review specialized terminology.
- Additional services: Such as proofreading, formatting or urgent translation.
At 9Yards LLC, we provide an urgent service with delivery within 24–48 hours while maintaining the same quality standards.
Q3: Can you translate research papers for publication in Scopus and Web of Science journals?
Answer:
Yes. We have a specialized team that translates scientific research papers according to the requirements of peer-reviewed journals.
Our service includes:
- Full-text translation.
- Academic rewriting of the Abstract.
- Reference formatting according to APA or Vancouver styles.
- Scientific proofreading by a specialist in the same field to help ensure the research meets publication requirements.
We have helped more than 300 researchers publish their research during the last three years.
Q4: What specializations do your services cover? Is the translator specialized in the field?
Answer:
We cover almost all scientific disciplines, including:
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Fields: Human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and radiology.
- Engineering Fields: Civil, mechanical, electrical, petroleum and artificial intelligence engineering.
- Basic Sciences: Physics, chemistry, biology and environmental sciences.
- Humanities and Statistics.
Yes. No project is delivered until it has been handled by a translator specialized in the relevant field, followed by linguistic proofreading and scientific review. This is our key guarantee of accuracy.
Q5: How is the cost of scientific research translation calculated?
Answer:
Pricing is based on:
- The number of source words rather than pages.
- The language pair, as translation to/from English may differ in price from French or German.
- The level of specialization, as medical and legal translations may cost more than general scientific content.
- The required turnaround time, as standard service is less expensive than urgent service.
We therefore provide transparent pricing after reviewing the file free of charge. Contact us and we will send you a quotation within two hours.
Q6: Do you guarantee the confidentiality of the research and prevent its disclosure?
Answer:
Yes, 100%. At 9Yards LLC, we require all clients to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). All files are also deleted from our servers 30 days after delivery. Protecting the privacy of scientific research and intellectual property is one of our highest priorities.
Scientific translation is not a luxury; it is an essential requirement for international publication and academic recognition. Choosing a specialized translation provider is what helps ensure that your research meets the required standards from the outset.
In conclusion, certified scientific translation is a fundamental pillar for the success of any research project and its access to international publication. Accuracy in terminology and numerical data can make the difference between the acceptance and rejection of your research.
With 9Yards LLC, we provide professional scientific translation performed by specialists in the relevant fields, supported by double linguistic and scientific review, complete confidentiality and on-time delivery.