Download - Prescriptivism vs Descriptivism
IP t ranslation services rely on the abi l i ty of the translator to
understand the language and translate words correctly.
Grammar and structure play a large part in the translation process.
Which method should be employed to ensure a
successful patent translation?
TRANSLATION
Extremely correct grammar and usage
Budget ef fects
Time spent on translat ion & deadlines
EMPHASIZING PRESCRIPTIVISM
Prescriptiv i sm real ly emphasizes correct grammar and usage.
This can be a benef it to improving the quali ty of a patent or IP
t ranslation.
The clearer the translation, the better the patent wi l l do in foreign
markets.
CORRECT GRAMMAR & USAGE
The more prescriptive the approach, the more t ime wi l l be spent on a
t ranslation.
Most IP translation projects are on a deadline.
Spending too much t ime on one translat ion project could prevent
other projects f rom gett ing completed.
TIME SPENT ON TRANSLATION
How prescriptive a translation can be depends on the budget.
Budget funds might get used up more quickly i f prescriptiv ism is
emphasized too much, because of the t ime it takes to edit and
crit ique the translat ion.
I f you go over budget for IP translation, i t can cause shortages for
other projects later on.
BUDGET EFFECTS
Descriptiv i sm is much more f lu id and leaves more up to open
interpretation.
Sometimes translators wi l l have decide between the two approaches.
Some translations wi l l be incorrect by prescriptive standards, but st i l l
communicate the correct meaning.
ADDING DESCRIPTIVISM TO THE MIX
Both prescriptiv ism and descriptiv i sm should be applied to
t ranslations.
Prescriptive helps to keep correct language in translations.
Descriptive helps to convey meaning in a less conventional way and
save resources.
FINDING A BALANCE BETWEEN PRESCRIPTIVISM AND DESCRIPTIVISM