In this blog, we will introduce books that have helped professionals in medical translation improve their skills. I believe this will be very helpful not only for those who place translation orders but also for current medical translators and those aspiring to become medical translators, so please take a look.
- Table of Contents
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- 1. The effectiveness of technology-driven translation relies on having translators with extensive medical background knowledge and high translation skills.
- 2. Human Science Medical Translators with Experience and Achievements
- 3. Recommended Books! 3-1. Anatomy
- 4. Summary
- 5. Medical Translation Services from Human Science
3-2. Bio
3-3. Statistics
1. The effectiveness of technology-driven translation relies on having translators with extensive medical background knowledge and high translation skills.
Our blog provides valuable information focused on the latest document technologies such as ChatGPT and DeepL, as well as new forms of content like e-learning and annotation.
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We have also delivered verification articles on the use of ChatGPT and machine translation in medical translation on medical-related blogs.
Our company utilizes the latest technology for document production, but our medical translation staff is dedicated to translation and document creation with the understanding that "only with translators who possess a rich background in medicine and high translation skills can technology-driven translation truly thrive."
In fact, our medical translators take pride in their daily efforts to acquire medical background knowledge and translation skills, and our staff is supported by them every day.
This time, we have received recommendations for books that have helped improve the skills of professionals in medical translation, and we will introduce them.
Our blog is primarily aimed at those who are in a position to place translation orders, but I believe this blog will also be very helpful for active medical translators and those aspiring to become medical translators, so please take a moment to read it.
2. HS Medical Translators with Experience and Achievements
This time, the translator who introduced the book holds a master's degree in a science field and has experience in research related to the application of specific health foods and toxicity testing in companies. They are active in the translation of medical devices, biotechnology, analytical instruments, and analytical chemistry. After gaining experience at a translation company, they became independent as a translator and have earned high trust from clients due to their thorough research and translation skills, being appointed by multiple companies.
3. Recommended Books!
Finally, we will introduce books recommended by professional medical translators at HS.
3-1. Anatomy
Anatomy, physiology, and pathology are often discussed as the foundation of medicine, which encompasses the composition, structure, function, and development of diseases in the human body. Here, we will introduce recommended books on anatomy.
Book Title: "Prometheus Anatomy Atlas" Series (Medical Book Institute, Supervised by Takeo Sakai and others)
The links are "Prometheus Anatomy Core Atlas, 4th Edition." Other titles include "Compact Edition," "General Anatomy / Musculoskeletal System," "Oral / Head and Neck," "Thorax / Abdomen and Pelvis," "Head and Neck / Neuroanatomy."
This series can be used by anyone for investigating terminology, but it is intended for intermediate learners when used for study purposes. It is used in practical work involving medical devices and medical translation. Since the anatomical diagrams of each organ and tissue list the names of each part in both Japanese and English, it is possible to look up terms that cannot be found in medical dictionaries or online searches.
You can also check terms whose translations vary depending on the anatomical region. It includes cross-sectional diagrams of the vascular system, nervous system, and various tissues, along with explanatory notes, making it useful for understanding the positional relationships of anatomical structures and for studying human body structure and function.
3-2. Bio
Bio-related content involving genetics, molecular biology, proteomics, and the like is highly complex, making translation checks often challenging. The author frequently feels the necessity of daily study in this field. HS translators introduced the following study books.
Book Title: "Introduction to Bioinformatics" (Keio University Press, edited by the Japanese Society for Bioinformatics)
Due to its specialized content, it is intended for intermediate-level translators somewhat familiar with medical translation or those with a science background, and since there is no English notation, it is primarily for study purposes. It is useful for translating bio-related gene analysis and protein analysis content. It was especially helpful when translating content related to molecular biology databases, genome analysis, and phylogenetic tree analysis.
The fields of molecular biology related to bioinformatics, IT, and various analysis methods are concisely summarized by item, allowing for a general understanding of basic terms, the principles of analysis methods, and the flow of analysis.
3-3. Statistics
Statistics cannot be avoided in content related to not only medicine but also science. This time, multiple translators have introduced books.
Book Title: "Dictionary of Medical Statistics" (Asakura Publishing, edited by Toshirou Tango and Sadanori Konishi)
The terms in each item name and explanatory text are also accompanied by English translations, and there is an index in both Japanese and English at the end, making it useful for both translation practice and learning statistics. In practice, it is used as a reference for textual expressions when translating statistical analysis content that includes a series of formulas, as well as for researching translation terms. It includes not only statistical analyses related to clinical trials but also statistical methods used in epidemiological studies and literature reviews.
It is also useful for looking up the meanings of basic statistical terms such as "bias" and "odds ratio." Like the "Prometheus Anatomy Atlas" series, it can be used by anyone for researching translations, but for learning purposes, it is still aimed at intermediate users.
Book Title: 'Just This! Medical Statistics (3rd Edition)' (Kinhodo, translated by Chieko Okuda)
It is common to encounter explanations related to statistical analysis in medical papers and clinical trial documents. This book is focused on the essential content that you should grasp when reading papers, providing an understanding of statistical terms and basic knowledge without complex formulas or explanations. Additionally, several expressions of statistical terms and explanations are accompanied by their English equivalents, making it useful in that regard.
4. Summary
How was it?
Learning medical background knowledge for translation work not only gives you a sense of contributing to people's lives and health through your job, but also offers the intellectual challenge and enjoyment of tackling highly difficult content in medical translation, including pharmacology and genetics.
The translators who introduced the books this time are all people who take pride in being involved in medical translation and are diligently honing their skills every day.
Human science machine translation, along with various document technologies, and efficient translation and document production utilizing translation memory, are supported by those who introduced the books this time, as well as by translators who are diligently working to acquire medical knowledge.
Please try our medical translation services in human sciences, equipped with high expertise in both document technology and medical science.
5. Medical Translation Services from Human Science
At Human Science, we offer human translation services and post-editing services. Utilizing translation support (CAT) tools such as Trados and Phrase TMS (formerly Memsource), as well as machine translation tools, we are committed to improving translation efficiency and quality, contributing to our clients' further development.
If you have any concerns or interests, please feel free to contact us.
In addition, we provide information related to medical/healthcare translation, such as the following. We hope you find it useful.
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