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Tense when referring to past statistical information.
Thread poster: Lydianette Soza

Lydianette Soza
Belize
Local time: 07:00
English to Spanish
+ ...
Apr 1, 2016

Dear colleagues,

I am currently translating a document related to report which covers a statistical study conducted a couple of years ago.

My doubt here is if I should keep the present tense or should I keep it in past tense.

Below an excerpt of the document:

El 58.6% del universo están solteros con ligero predominio en el género masculino. El 77.1% del universo se dedica a estudiar con predominio en las mujeres. 38.5% estudian y trabajan, predominando esta situación en el género masculino y 2.1% (8) no tienen oficio alguno.

Any suggestion.

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Inga Petkelyte  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 14:00
Lithuanian to Portuguese
+ ...
Translate or update? Apr 4, 2016

If you have been asked to translate, then don't invent and translate as it is in the original. The update and adaptation to the actual reality is up to the client. Unless you have been to translate and edit taking into consideration the date of the original document.

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philgoddard
United States
Member (2009)
German to English
+ ...
I don't think this is something we can really advise you on. Apr 4, 2016

It's up to you, and it depends on the broader context. If the survey was carried out only a couple of years ago, the information probably still holds true and you can use the present tense.

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Tense when referring to past statistical information.

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