SCIENTIFIC TRANSLATION

Translating research, not just words

Scientific translation requires far more than an excellent command of English. It means understanding the field, its concepts, specialist terminology and the conventions of academic writing.

Expressum translates research texts between French and English, in both directions, for publication and international dissemination, with particular expertise in the humanities, history, archaeology and heritage.

FIELDS OF KNOWLEDGE

Subject expertise that makes a difference to translation

Translating a research text requires an understanding of its references, concepts and specialist vocabulary. Subject knowledge makes it possible to convey the author’s reasoning accurately, without flattening or standardising the argument.

  • Antiquity
  • Medieval Studies
  • Archaeology
  • History
  • Philology
  • Classical Reception
  • Byzantine Studies
  • History of Science
  • Heritage

TYPES OF DOCUMENTS

From research papers to collective volumes

Expressum works at different stages of scholarly dissemination, from manuscripts intended for academic journals to books, catalogues and content produced within research projects.

  1. Articles and book chapters
  2. Books and collective volumes
  3. Exhibition catalogues
  4. Research projects and reports
  5. Institutional and heritage texts
  6. Web content and interpretive materials

SCHOLARLY TRANSLATION IN PRACTICE

Our approach in a few minutes

This short presentation introduces Expressum’s approach to scientific translation: understanding the subject, respecting the author’s argument and voice, and producing an English text intended for genuine international scholarly communication.

A RIGOROUS WORKING METHOD

From source text to a publication-ready translation

Every translation is approached as a complete editorial process. The aim is not simply to produce correct English, but a text that is accurate, natural and suited to its scholarly and editorial context.

01 — Understanding the text

Understanding the text

The document is read as a whole to identify its argument, scholarly context, references and terminological challenges.

02 — Translate

Translate with precision

The meaning and reasoning are translated with particular attention to specialist vocabulary, nuance and the author’s voice.

03 — Revision

In-depth revision

The translated text is thoroughly revised for fluency, coherence, terminological accuracy and conformity with the conventions of the target language.

04 — Finalising

Prepare for publication

Final checks ensure consistency throughout the text, with terminology harmonised and, where required, comments from the author or publisher incorporated.

SELECTED WORK

Research texts for international audiences

Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge — Collège de France

English translation of her inaugural lecture on Greek polytheism.

→ View project

Royal Fortresses of Carcassonne

Translation and revision of a 366-page international volume and documents relating to the UNESCO nomination.

→ View project

AGRELITA — ERC Advanced Grant

Long-term specialist translation for a research project devoted to medieval literature.

→ View project

“Many thanks for the work carried out in response to my comments. I believe we have achieved our shared objective… Thank you again for this efficient exchange and for your sensitivity to my expectations. I will certainly come back to you for other translation work.”

Prof. Vinciane Pirenne-Delforge
Collège de France

Translated from the original French testimonial

A scientific translation project?

Article, book, catalogue, research project or content intended for an international audience: tell us about your text and what you need.