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15:19 May 31, 2010
German to English translations [PRO] Science - Science (general)
German term or phrase:wissenschaftlich
Does anyone else have problems with translating 'wissenschaftlich' and also 'Wissenschaft'. I often find that the usual options like scientific, academic or scholarly sound awkward and silly and so struggle around to think how we would express the idea in English. I think the root of the problem is that the German 'Wissenschaft' covers a broader field than 'science'. Science to me is first and foremost Natural Science, but in German it can also mean literature, languages and much more besides. Is perhaps the way out to make more use of 'knowledge' which is also 'Wissenschaft'.
A classic example which regularly stumps me is the phrase 'wissenschaftlich begleitet'. 'Scientific or academic monitoring really doesn't always fit.
Sometimes I use expressions like 'expert' or 'knowledge based' to try and make a text sound more English and less like a translation from German.
Explanation: I am answering this late and only upon special request! As indicated in the discussion box, there are a plethora of options to translate this term, and I am listing a few for the glossary:
-scholarly
-systematic
-academic
-supported by scientific evidence
-based on scientific evidence
-scientifically validated
-academically monitored
-methodological
Wissenschaft somehow denotes rational, proven expertise and experience. It can be scientific if appropriate for the topic, or expert, academic, technological or in the case of Pflegewissenschaft one may have to use more terms, such as body of knowledge or best practices. I have often found that English runs longer because of the lack of such one-word or combined word terms.
It is certainly a fascinating question and I concur with others in that the German word “wissenschaftlich” does not match exactly the range of one single English term. You said it yourself: “the problem is that the German 'Wissenschaft” covers a broader field than 'science'. “
We have to look at the sentence in front of us to find the equivalent. If you ever have some time, read the translator’s preface to Gadamer’s “Wahrheit und Methode.” (Truth and Method). He touches on the translation of various philosophical terms (Bildung, Erlebnis, Erfahrung…), including “wissenschaftlich”(on page XVIII of the preface). http://shortify.com/10358
In German, one speaks of "theaterwissenschaft", in English we have "social sciences." Depending on the era, "science" has been applied to a large variety of fields. Clearly the word can not be pinned down to a specific meaning, regardless of what we may think of it. Consider the "Christian Scientists".
I didn't give an example on purpose because I thought people might concentrate too much on the one example and not on the general problem.
I would very much like to know whether other native speakers also understand 'science and 'scientific' as basically natural sciences. There is, after all, a distinction between an Arts Degree (BA or MA) and a Science Degree (MSc, BSc). A degree in Economics is also a BA and yet in Germany I'm sure they would talk of the 'wissenschaftliche Kompetenz' of an economist. I would probably translate that as 'expertise' or something. Am I seeing problems where there are none?
In my current assignment they talk of the Pfegewissenschaft. Surely long-term care is not a science?
Explanation: all the same, I would stick to the term "scientific" for "wissenschaftlich".
I recall my academic years studying economics and business administration in the 60's when the term "scientific management" was "in"; a term which has absolutely nothing to do with science in the sense of natural science.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2010-05-31 17:03:10 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
just came to mind: political science, social science
Goldcoaster Switzerland Local time: 18:45 Native speaker of: English, German
The translation workplace 
