Scientific translation services

LinguaVox provides professional scientific translation services for research institutes, universities, biotechnology companies, academic publishers and individual researchers. Scientific communication calls for careful terminology control, a sound grasp of complex methodology and close attention to the conventions of academic writing. Working in translation since 2000, we manage scientific projects in more than 150 languages, helping researchers share their findings internationally.

The scope of a scientific project depends on the language pair, the discipline, the file format and the intended use of the content. A paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, a laboratory safety manual, a grant proposal and a conference poster each call for a different stylistic approach. We assign every project to a linguist who understands the underlying science, not only the languages involved.

Scientific documents and research papers

A significant part of our scientific work is preparing research papers for publication in international, peer-reviewed journals. We translate manuscripts, abstracts, literature reviews and supplementary data files, so that the translation reflects the researcher's findings accurately while reading naturally to an international academic audience.

Alongside journal articles, we translate a wide range of scientific documentation: laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), environmental impact assessments, scientific software manuals and technical specifications for laboratory equipment. We also handle grant proposals and funding applications, where clear, well-argued language helps present the research case effectively.

Subject-matter expertise across scientific disciplines

Science is not a single subject, and neither is scientific translation. The terminology of molecular biology differs markedly from that of astrophysics, materials science or environmental ecology. Where a document uses specialised nomenclature, the assignment is based on matching the text to a translator with the relevant academic or professional background.

Our project managers weigh the specific branch of science, any reference material and approved terminology databases. Whether the text concerns organic chemistry, quantum mechanics or epidemiological data, we select translators who are at ease with the relevant terminology and with the way those concepts are conventionally expressed in the target language.

Handling complex formats, data tables and LaTeX

Scientific documents are rarely plain text. They frequently include data tables, statistical charts, chemical structures, mathematical equations and detailed diagrams. Our process translates the text within these elements without disturbing the visual layout of the data.

Many researchers in physics, mathematics and computer science also draft their papers in LaTeX rather than a standard word processor. We handle LaTeX files directly, translating the text while preserving the formatting tags, equation environments and cross-references, which reduces the amount of manual reformatting required after translation.

Intellectual property and research collaboration

International collaboration often brings legal and administrative documentation with it. We translate joint research agreements, data-sharing protocols, non-disclosure agreements and material transfer agreements between universities and international institutes.

Where research moves toward commercial application, we also translate patents, intellectual property filings and technology-transfer documentation. This work sits at the meeting point of scientific and legal translation, and calls for linguists who understand both the technical invention and the controlled language required for patent claims.

Quality control for academic publication

The process begins with a careful analysis of the source files. Once the quote is approved, the project is assigned to a suitable scientific translator. For research intended for publication, we generally recommend an ISO 17100 workflow, which includes a bilingual revision.

During revision, a second qualified scientific linguist checks the target text against the source, checking specialised terminology, figures, units and academic register. This helps reduce the risk that language becomes an avoidable obstacle during a journal's peer-review process.

Requesting a reliable scientific translation quote

To prepare an accurate quote, please send the original files and specify the language pair, the discipline, the deadline and the intended use, for example journal submission or internal laboratory use. If your project involves specific formatting such as LaTeX, or you have reference papers to guide terminology, please include them.

Our quotations reflect the workflow each project requires. Word count is important, but the density of the scientific data, the file format and the review stages needed for academic publication also shape the final scope.

Frequently asked questions