Among the various uses of participial constructions, the one that is commonly used in books and articles is the participial construction that indicates a result (SVO + present participle ...).
First, let's take a look at some common example sentences of "SVO + present participle".
Expenses were higher than we had anticipated, leading to a sizable loss.
(The costs turned out to be higher than expected, resulting in significant losses.)
Vehicle crashes into building, causing over 3 million yen in damage.
(A vehicle collided with the building, causing damage of over 3 million yen.)
A good user interface provides a user-friendly experience, allowing the user to interact with the software in a natural and intuitive way.
(An excellent user interface makes it easy to use, allowing users to operate the software naturally and intuitively.)
In the field of IT and FA translation, there are cases where participial constructions that express results can be effectively utilized, but excessive use can lead to translations that are difficult for users to read, so caution is necessary.
Let's take a look at some examples.
- Table of Contents
1. Unnecessary Use of Participial Constructions ①
- ・Original text: If there is too much clearance, the blank will take on a dish shape, creating a long string-like return around the edge.
- ・Translated text (before correction):The blank is dished if the clearance is excessive, producing long stringy burrs all around the edge.
- ・Translated text (after revision):Excessive clearance will dish the blank and produce long stringy burrs all around the edge.
The text before the revision is not grammatically or structurally incorrect, but the revised structure of "A + conjunction (and) + B" is simpler and easier for users to read than the participial construction that represents the result.
(Note: Changing the passive form "is dished" to "will dish" also contributes to readability.)
2. Unnecessary Use of Participial Constructions②
- ・Original text: This assembly method allows for semi-automated or fully automated work, effectively reducing the assembly cost per unit.
- ・Translation (Before Revision):A semi or fully automatic operation is possible with this assembly, allowing assembly cost per unit to be substantially reduced.
- ・Translated text (after revision):Such assembly lends itself to a semi or fully automatic operation with substantial reduction in per unit assembly cost.
The text before this revision is not grammatically or structurally incorrect, but the structure using the revised preposition (with) is simpler and easier for users to read.
Next, let's look at an example that separates the "SVO + present participle" structure into two sentences for better readability.
3. Unnecessary Use of Participial Constructions ③
- ・Original text: When a servo motor and a machine are connected by gears, position detection is performed due to the rotation of the feed screw, resulting in higher positioning accuracy compared to the semi-closed loop method.
- ・Translation (Before Modification): When the servo motor and machine are connected by a gear, the position is detected from the rotation of the feed screw, resulting in more precise positioning than the semi-closed loop method.
- ・Translation (after modification): When the servo motor and machine are connected by a gear, the position is detected from the rotation of the feed screw. This results in more precise positioning than the semi-closed loop method.
Since the original text is a single sentence, the translation before revision is also a single sentence. However, by splitting it into two sentences as in the revised version, it becomes easier for users to read.
4. Common Mistakes in Table Expressions Example ④
- ・Original text: Files and folders can have detailed access rights set, which reduces the risk of information leakage even in the event of an accidental email misdelivery.
- ・Translation (Before Modification): Detailed access permission can be set for files and folders, thereby reducing the risk of information leaks even if an email is sent to the incorrect person.
- ・Translation (after revision): Detailed access permission can be set for files and folders. This reduces the risk of information leaks even if an email is sent to the incorrect person.
In this example, I also determined that it is easier to read if the chapter is divided into two, similar to example ③.
In such cases, besides participial constructions, there are also instances where sentences are connected using methods like ⒶⒷ. However, I recommend utilizing simpler grammar or structure whenever possible, or separating the sentences.
Ⓐ Use of "Preposition + Relative Pronoun" (Difficult to read)
Detailed access permission can be set for files and folders, by which the risk of information leaks is reduced even if an email is sent to the incorrect person.
B. Use of the 'Subordinate Clause + Main Clause' Structure (Difficult to Read)
Because detailed access permission can be set for files and folders, the risk of information leaks is reduced even if an email is sent to the incorrect person.
Personally, I believe that among all English grammar, participial constructions are the most important. However, during the review of translations, there are often cases where correctly used participial constructions are modified and changed to other grammar or structures. This is because translations in fields such as FA and IT must strictly adhere to the elements of technical writing, always keeping in mind the balance between "stylish and advanced grammar or structure" and readability.
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