Science and knowledge advance constantly, but their global reach depends largely on the language in which they are communicated. English dominates the scientific landscape, with around 80% of publications, yet research published in the journal Nature found that 35% of scientific articles are originally written in other languages. That linguistic diversity can become a barrier to the spread of knowledge unless it is matched by proper translation of research documents. Translating research is therefore a key tool for removing language barriers and increasing the impact of what is discovered.

In this context, scientific translation plays a fundamental role. It not only allows studies to be published and understood in high-impact journals (such as Scopus or Web of Science, abbreviated as WoS), it also drives collaboration between researchers in different countries, opening access to international funding, academic networks and multidisciplinary projects. For example, UNESCO has noted that R&D (research and development) projects covering several languages increase their impact and regional applicability. That collaboration is strengthened further by professional, precise translation of research documents that preserves the technical terminology and the original author’s intent.

In Spain, according to figures from the Estadística de Actividades de I+D 2022 (R&D activity statistics) produced by the national statistics institute (INE), more than 90% of research publications appear in English, confirming it as the predominant language of scientific communication. The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) also notes that almost all of its work aimed at international journals is written in English, which underlines the need for quality translation to reach a global readership. According to a study published in ScienceDirect, articles present in several languages or with “altmetric attention” tend to receive between 50% and 60% more academic citations, especially where they are accessible on platforms such as Google Scholar or ResearchGate.

Scientific translation: a key tool for global collaboration

Collaboration between researchers in different parts of the world has historically driven revolutionary discoveries. That cooperation can be limited by the language barrier, however, and this is where technical translation becomes a strategic resource.

Common abbreviations in research and translation:

• R&D: research and development
• WoS: Web of Science
• NGO: non-governmental organisation
• WHO: World Health Organization
• CTAs: calls to action
• SEO: search engine optimisation
• DOI: Digital Object Identifier
• PDF: Portable Document Format
• APA: American Psychological Association
• PPT: PowerPoint Presentation

Standardising these abbreviations allows the scientific community to keep terminology consistent and makes translation easier.

Direct benefits of translation in research

1. Access to more sources: translating documents allows references in other languages to be drawn on.
2. Wider dissemination of knowledge: multilingual publications gain more visibility in databases such as Scopus and WoS.
3. Participation in international consortia: translating proposals opens the door to programmes such as Horizon Europe.
4. Greater social impact: NGOs and health bodies such as the WHO depend on translation to apply scientific findings in local contexts.

Real cases where translation made the difference

Translation has played a crucial part in spreading scientific knowledge in recent years. A clear example came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the World Health Organization (WHO) translated technical documents and health recommendations into more than 30 languages. Those translations, which included guidance on hygiene, mask use and distancing measures, were essential in allowing governments and citizens around the world to put effective containment strategies in place.

Another significant case is CERN, the European particle physics laboratory. It works with more than 100 countries and relies on multilingual technical documentation so that scientists from different backgrounds can understand and apply complex protocols. Translating reports and manuals into English, French, German, Russian and Italian keeps that collaboration smooth and effective.

For its part, NASA has widened access to its research by translating educational materials and scientific studies into Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese and other languages. That has allowed missions such as Mars Perseverance and Artemis to reach a broader audience and has encouraged scientific alliances with institutions in other countries, strengthening international cooperation in the aerospace field.

What qualities should a scientific translator have?

A scientific translator needs a combination of technical knowledge, linguistic skill and digital competence in order to convey complex concepts accurately. These are the essential qualities:

• Deep knowledge of the subject: it is crucial that the translator is familiar with the specific field (biology, physics, medicine, law and so on), because that is what guarantees an understanding of specialist terms and of the context of the research.
• Command of specific terminology: using scientific and technical terms exactly is vital if the sense of the research is not to be altered. Many translators rely on glossaries, thesauri and terminology databases such as IATE or TERMIUM Plus.
• The ability to adapt format and style: they must respect academic style rules such as the APA, MLA or Chicago guides, and understand the bibliographic and structural conventions of scientific writing.
• Competence with digital tools: using computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools such as SDL Trados Studio, Memsource or Smartcat allows greater terminological consistency and more efficient work in collaborative settings.

These skills are what make scientific translation accurate, consistent and useful to the international research community.

Why good scientific translation matters

A quality scientific translation conveys not only words but precision, context and credibility. In disciplines where each term has a specific technical meaning, such as medicine, biology or law, a poor translation can have serious consequences. From misreadings of clinical protocols to confusion in regulatory reports, linguistic failures can compromise the validity of research, put critical decisions at risk and damage the author’s reputation.

Documented cases have shown how poor translations of studies or medical manuals have led to mistaken interpretations in the use of medicines or the design of treatments. Likewise, in legal or engineering contexts a single mistranslated word can mean a loss running into millions or an unnecessary legal dispute. Working with specialist translators is therefore fundamental to guaranteeing the reliability, precision and consistency of any research translation.

Put your trust in Alos Soluciones Lingüísticas

The need for quality scientific translation is reflected in the growing demand for professionals able to carry academic knowledge to international audiences. In that context, the services of Alos Soluciones Lingüísticas are the ideal ally for researchers, universities and professionals looking to take their publications, projects or careers international.

We offer an end-to-end academic and technical translation service, aligned with international editorial standards and the requirements of indexed journals. Our language courses for lawyers and specialists also build professional linguistic competence in real-world settings. For more information, visit our website at:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)