units of weight and measurement for translators

Units of Weight and Measurement for Translators

J. Roque Dias, CTLisboa, Portugal

J. Roque Dias, CTLisboa, Portugal

©

2010 João Roque Dias. All

rights

reserved.

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names

and

images

mentioned

in

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are for identification

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only

and

may

be

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or

registered

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of

their

respective

companies

and

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exclusive property

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owners. I make

no warranties as to the

accuracy

or

currency

of

the

information

contained

on

this

document. This

documentis

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users

"as is”, without

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express

or

implied, including

warranties or

fitness for a particular purposeor

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regular updating

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undertakings

that

this

document

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be

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from

defects, including, but

not

limited

to inaccuracies

or

typographical

errors.

Versão: 20MAR2010

A primeira versão desta apresentação foi realizada em Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil, no III Congresso da ABRATES –

Associação Brasileira de Tradutores e Intérpretes

How many do you know?kg

km

pF

kV

GW

TW

Pa MJ

S

kN

cm

kVA

mm2

ha kW

m3

nm kW.h

km/h

F

Nm3

F Nm3

Pa(a) dam

kat

µF

MPa

MN

kHz

Gy J

rad

C

kΩ

kPa

Correct meaning

This is the beauty of units ofweight and measurement

no equivocationno misunderstandings

no confusion

Units of Weight and Measurement for Translators

•

Thou shall use (many) units!•

What are units, anyway?

•

Units and our target audience•

Units in Translation

•

Bad examples, good examples•

Avoid pitfalls!

•

Things you should do! •

Units in real life

Thou shall use (many) units!

Besides

the

10 Commandmentswe all know,

God

gave

us

another

one:

and it allstarts here...

…and ends here!

In this world,we all do the same things.

Only in different

units!

Only in different

units!

•

A simple, precise way to speak our minds about physical quantities.

•

The adjectives of numbers.•

“30”

means nothing in the real world...

•

We have to add something to “30” to make it mean something.

•

30 inches. Now, that means something!•

30 dollars. Now, it really means something!

•

A simple, precise way to speak our minds about physical quantities.

•

The adjectives of numbers.•

“30”

means nothing in the real world...

•

We have to add something to “30” to make it mean something.

•

30 inches. Now, that means something!•

30 dollars. Now, it really means something!

WHAT ARE UNITS, ANYWAY?

The Portuguese National Kilogram(international copy no. 10)

The Portuguese National Kilogram(international copy no. 10)

In 100 years, it lost only 2 μg(i.e., 2 parts in 1 million)

In 100 years, it lost only 2 μg(i.e., 2 parts in 1 million)

The mass of theInternational Prototype

is being investigatedfor stability.

The mass of theInternational Prototype

is being investigatedfor stability.

This will probably lead to the fabrication of a

new set of prototypes.

This will probably lead to the fabrication of a

new set of prototypes.39 mm1.54 in.

39 mm1.54 in.

The

Avogadro

Project

International effort to create a new kilogram standard.

Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Australia and USA.

Silicon (Si) sphere with 93,6 mm diameter.

It is believed to be the roundest object in the world.

International effort to create a new kilogram standard.

Germany, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Australia and USA.

Silicon (Si) sphere with 93,6 mm diameter.

It is believed to be the roundest object in the world.

Numbers without units are meaningless.

What if numbers appear in the source text without any units?

Well, we just have to find outwhat those numbers mean...

That’s why we’re Translators!

We know that!

What the numbers of a cigar vitola mean?

5 5/8 - 465 5/8 - 46

5 5/8 inches = 143 mm5 5/8 inches = 143 mm

5 5/85 5/8 - 461st number = Length in inches1st number = Length in inches

46 / 64th inch =46 / 64th inch =18.26 mm = 18 mm18.26 mm = 18 mm

5 5/8 - 4646

2nd number = Ring Gauge2nd number = Ring Gaugein 64th of an inchin 64th of an inch

•

Units in the source text have a meaning for the audience using it.

•

The EXACT same meaning must be conveyed to the target audience.

•

There are NO exceptions to this rule.•

However…

•

Units in the source text have a meaning for the audience using it.

•

The EXACT same meaning must be conveyed to the target audience.

•

There are NO exceptions to this rule.•

However…...that same meaning may be conveyed

in many different ways...

Units and your target audience

••

For specialized audiences, For specialized audiences, DO NOT

““changechange””

units.units.••

For broader audiences (e.g., manuals, ads, cooking For broader audiences (e.g., manuals, ads, cooking recipes, etc.), recipes, etc.), convert or localizeconvert or localize

units, so they can units, so they can

be be ““understoodunderstood””

AND used by the user.AND used by the user.••

There are a There are a MILLION

exceptions to these rules!exceptions to these rules!

Golden Rules

Meter ConventionMember States

17 (1875)

54 (2010)

Portugal is oneof the 17 chartermembers of

the Convention.

Brazil (1921)

One member ofthe CIPM isalways of Frenchnationality.

INMETRO

www.inmetro.gov.br

Instituto Português da Qualidadewww.ipq.pt

The members of theComité International des Poids et Mesuresat their meeting in 2009

SI Base Units

Base quantity Name Symbollength meter mmass kilogram kgtime second selectric current ampere Athermodynamic temperature kelvin Kamount of substance mole molluminous intensity candela cd

Factor Name Symbol

1024 yotta Y1021 zetta Z1018 exa E1015 peta P1012 tera T109 giga G106 mega M103 kilo k102 hecto h101 deka da

Factor Name Symbol 10-1 deci d10-2 centi c10-3 milli m10-6 micro µ10-9 nano n10-12 pico p10-15 femto f10-18 atto a10-21 zepto z10-24 yocto y

SI Prefixes

SI Units with Special Namesfrequency hertz Hz

force newton N

pressure, stress pascal Pa

energy, work, quantity of heat joule J

power, radiant flux watt W

electric charge, quantity of electricity coulomb C

electric potential difference, electromotive force volt V

capacitance farad F

electric resistance ohm Ω

•

The writing of units has VERY

simple rules!

•

Learn and follow these rules STRICTLY!

•

With writing rules, NO EXCEPTIONS!

•

Next: some examples of bad writing.

•

The writing of units has VERY

simple rules!

•

Learn and follow these rules STRICTLY!

•

With writing rules, NO EXCEPTIONS!

•

Next: some examples of bad writing.

THE (GOOD) WRITING OF UNITS

BAD WRITING.

• 1 MW is 1 billion mW. What a difference a simple letter can make!

• pH (picohenry)

has NOTHING to do with pH (measurement of acidity)!

• nm (nanometer)

has NOTHING to do with N.m

(moment of a force)!

• Pa (pascal)

has NOTHING to do with pA

(picoampere)!

• 1 MW is 1 billion mW. What a difference a simple letter can make!

• pH (picohenry)

has NOTHING to do with pH (measurement of acidity)!

• nm (nanometer)

has NOTHING to do with N.m

(moment of a force)!

• Pa (pascal)

has NOTHING to do with pA

(picoampere)!

BAD WRITING = WRONG MEANING

• Rules for writing units are defined by the International System of Units (SI) • SI prefixes must be used correctly!

• NEVER: Kg, Km, PF, G, and the like...

• YES: kg, km, pF, g, kV, GW, TW, Pa, MJ, kPa, kN, cm, kVA, mm, ha, kW, kW.h, nm

• V (volt), Pa (pascal), W (watt), F (farad)

• Rules for writing units are defined by the International System of Units (SI)

• SI prefixes must be used correctly!

• NEVER: Kg, Km, PF, G, and the like...

• YES: kg, km, pF, g, kV, GW, TW, Pa, MJ, kPa, kN, cm, kVA, mm, ha, kW, kW.h, nm

• V (volt), Pa (pascal), W (watt), F (farad)

GOOD WRITING = RIGHT MEANING

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NUMERICAL VALUEUPRIGHT FIGURES

(I.E., NON-ITALIC)DECIMAL COMMA OR DOT

UNIT SYMBOLPREFIXES USED RIGHTUPPER CASE / LOWER CASENO PERIOD

SPACEALWAYS!

•

DON’T

try to convert everything: lengths, weights and temperatures are

probably enough.

•

Practice converting temperature units: these are a major source of problems.

•

Make units clear

to your target audience: in Europe, we also inflate our tires in psi (pounds / square inch).

AVOID PITFALLS

The pitfalls!DO NOT convertelectrical

units:

They

are the

sameall

over

the

world...

This shaft was made inthe US with a 2-inchdiameter.

The size in SI units will be 50.80 mm. Easy!

But, when translating the Parts List for this machine,DO NOT

call it a “50.80 mm SHAFT”.

The purchase order for a new shaft MUST mention: 1 EA -

2”

SHAFT -

P/N 1234567890.

WARNINGWARNING

Create a binder with information about units, conversion factors, etc. This will become one of your best resources!

Ask your Client for specific instructions about units, BEFORE you start working!

DON’T

be afraid to ask!

Ask yourself: could I UNDERSTAND

and USE the unit I just wrote in my translation?

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO:

“If you cannot say what you mean, you will never mean what you say.”from the film “The Last Emperor”

by Bernardo Bertolucci

And remember:And remember:

LengthAreaCapacityTemperaturePressureFuel Consumption

UNITS IN REAL LIFE

Units of lengthUnits of length

••

Conversion of lengthConversion of length is straightforward.is straightforward.

••

Same accuracy as in the source unit.Same accuracy as in the source unit. A 11A 11--inch long microphone should NOTinch long microphone should NOT

be be ““translatedtranslated””

by 279,4 mm.by 279,4 mm.

••

For all practical purposes, use 280 mm.For all practical purposes, use 280 mm.

General rule for units of length:••

For lengths related to For lengths related to machinery, electrical devices, machinery, electrical devices, etc, etc, ALWAYS

use use millimeters..

••

For lengths related to buildings For lengths related to buildings and buildingand building--related areas related areas (roads, gardens, etc.) (roads, gardens, etc.) ALWAYS

use use meters. .

••

For geographical lengthsFor geographical lengths (e.g., distances) (e.g., distances) ALWAYS

use use kilometers..

Units of areaUnits of area

••

Conversion of areas is straightforward.Conversion of areas is straightforward.

••

Same accuracy as in the source unit.Same accuracy as in the source unit. A 472A 472--sq.ft. room should not be sq.ft. room should not be

““translatedtranslated””

by 42,48 m2.by 42,48 m2.

••

For all practical purposes, use 42,5 m2.For all practical purposes, use 42,5 m2.

Be careful:••

Surface units can become very awkward:Surface units can become very awkward:

what is the area of mainland Portugalwhat is the area of mainland Portugal in square meters?in square meters?

••

DonDon’’t express the area of an American t express the area of an American living room in square inchesliving room in square inches……

••

As you shouldnAs you shouldn’’t express the area of your t express the area of your living room in square centimeters.living room in square centimeters.

Units of capacityUnits of capacity•

Conversion of units of

capacity is straightforward.

•

But, be aware that: 1 US gallon is 3,785 liters

1 UK gallon is 4,234 liters The difference is about 20%!

•

Rounding of units of capacity

is very important.

••

Conversion of units ofConversion of units of capacity is straightforward.capacity is straightforward.

••

But, be aware that:But, be aware that: 1 US gallon is 3,785 liters1 US gallon is 3,785 liters

1 UK gallon is 4,234 liters1 UK gallon is 4,234 liters The difference is about 20%!

••

Rounding of units of capacityRounding of units of capacity is very important. is very important.

Be careful:••

DonDon’’t t ““translatetranslate””

the capacity of a the capacity of a

20 gallon fuel tank as 75.70 liters.20 gallon fuel tank as 75.70 liters. Use 76 liters, instead.Use 76 liters, instead.

••

Water reservoirs in cubicWater reservoirs in cubic inches or coffee pots ininches or coffee pots in

cubic yards?cubic yards?

••

Cubic centimeters or milliliters are Cubic centimeters or milliliters are used only in fine chemistry, used only in fine chemistry, medicine, and very small devices.medicine, and very small devices.

Units of temperatureUnits of temperature•

Conversion of temperatures is

NOT straightforward.

•

Is the text referring to temperature degrees OR to scale divisions?

•

Degrees of temperature and degrees of scale (also called intervals)

ARE NOT

the same!

100 °C -

Water boils

0 °C -

Water freezes

100 -

0 = 100 divisions212 -

32 = 180 divisions

Water boils at 212 °F

Water freezes at 32 °F-

40 °C-

40 °F

Celsius scaleCelsius scaleCelsius scaleFahrenheit scaleFahrenheit scaleFahrenheit scale

100 °C -

Water boils

0 °C -

Water freezes-

40 °C-

40 °F

Water boils at 212 °F

Water freezes at 32 °F

1 division1.8 divisions

Celsius scaleCelsius scaleCelsius scaleFahrenheit scaleFahrenheit scaleFahrenheit scale

So, if we’re talking aboutscale divisions:1 division of the Celsius scale equals 1.8 divisions of theFahrenheit scale.

1 division of the Fahrenheit scale equals 0,56 divisions of the Celsius scale.

180 / 100

100 / 180

But, if we’re talking about temperatures:

Celsius = (Fahrenheit -

32) / 1.8

and

Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32

An American physician measuresthe body temperature of a patient

in a French hospital.

The temperature is 37 °C.

What´s the patient’s temp in °F?

He’s OK!He’s OK!

Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32

(37 x 1.8) + 32 = 66.6 + 32 = 98.6 °F

Degrees of temperatureDegrees of temperature

That's hot!That's hot!

On a hot day in December, the thermometer in Rio de Janeiro reads 110 °F.

When calling your friends in Europe,what would you tell them?

(110 -

32) / 1.8 = 78 / 1.8 = 43 °C

Celsius = (Fahrenheit -

32) / 1.8

Degrees of temperatureDegrees of temperature

Degrees of scaleDegrees of scale1. Measure the gravity and1. Measure the gravity and

the temperature of thethe temperature of the battery electrolyte.battery electrolyte.

2. Subtract 0.3 from the2. Subtract 0.3 from the gravity reading, for everygravity reading, for every

5 degrees5 degrees

above 80 above 80 °°F.F.

1. Measure the gravity and the temperature of the

battery electrolyte.2. Subtract 0.3 from the

gravity reading, for every 5 degrees

above 80 °F.

1. (…) 2. Subtract 0.3 from the

gravity reading, for every 3 degrees above 27 °C.°F°C

27 805 degrees

5 / 1.8 =2.8 degrees

3 degrees

Degrees of scaleDegrees of scale

DegreesDegrees CelsiusCelsius

DegreesDegrees centigradecentigradeNOTNOT

since 1948since 1948

The centigrade is 1/100 (0,01) of the grade.

The grade is a measure of angles.In this scale, the right angle (90°)

measures 100 grades.90°

100 gr

Why NOT “centigrade”?

°°FF NOTNOT °° FF°°CC NOTNOT °° CC

50 50 °°CC NOTNOT 5050°° CC

IN CASE YOU FORGOT

150150 °C°CNUMERICAL VALUE

UPRIGHT FIGURES(I.E., NON-ITALIC)

DECIMAL COMMA OR DOT

UNIT SYMBOLPREFIXES USED RIGHTUPPER CASE / LOWER CASENO PERIOD

SPACEALWAYS!

••

Conversion of pressuresConversion of pressures is straightforward.is straightforward.

Sometimes...Sometimes...••

Remember: tires are also inflatedRemember: tires are also inflated

in Europe in in Europe in psipsi (pounds per square inch). (pounds per square inch). ••

There is often no need to convert the US There is often no need to convert the US pressure units (psi) into SI pressure units pressure units (psi) into SI pressure units (pascals). Gauges are graduated in psi (pascals). Gauges are graduated in psi anyway.anyway.

Units of pressureUnits of pressure

Here’s a suggestion:Here’s a suggestion:

••

Nobody is going to replace the original Nobody is going to replace the original pressure gauges graduated in psi which pressure gauges graduated in psi which come on a UScome on a US--made machine!made machine!

••

Keep the original units (psi) in the Keep the original units (psi) in the translation, followed by the converted SI translation, followed by the converted SI units (in brackets):units (in brackets):

Turn the machine off, when the pressure gauge reads 200 psi (830 kPa).

Units of speedUnits of speed

••

Conversion of speed unitsConversion of speed units is is mostlymostly straightforward.straightforward.

••

In Portugal (and most European countries) In Portugal (and most European countries) speed limits are not posted with figures speed limits are not posted with figures ending in 5.ending in 5.

••

In Portugal, the scale of driving speed In Portugal, the scale of driving speed limits is 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 100 and limits is 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 100 and 120 km/h. 65 km/h is a NO120 km/h. 65 km/h is a NO--NO.NO.

75

•

Conversion is NOT straightforward and requires calculation.

•

In North America, the concept is “miles per gallon of fuel”.

•

In Europe, we speak of "liters per 100 km”.

•

Units may (and should) express cultural differences.

Units of fuel consumption

Units of fuel consumption

INFORMATION SOURCES

BIPM: Bureau International des Poids et Mesureswww.bipm.fr

Excellent informationSI Brochure (English and French)

Translation Linkswww.jrdias.com/jrd-links.html

Section: Units of Measurement and Metrology

Ready totake a test?

The English abbreviation of the International System of Units is:

a)

IS b)

SI

c)

ISU

1

In the International System, the unit of temperature is:

a)

degree centigrade (°C) b)

degree Celsius (°C)

c)

degree kelvin (°K) d)

kelvin (K)

2

In the International System, the unit of temperature is:

a)

degree centigrade (°C) b)

degree Celsius (°C)

c)

degree kelvin (°K) d)

kelvin (K)

2

Centigrade

and Celsius are just names of temperature scales

Where is the SI symbol of the unit CORRECTLY written:

a)

m (for meter)

b)

KG (for kilogram) c)

mts. (for meters)

d)

Joule (for the SI unit of work) e)

KpA

(for kilopascal)

f) kVA (for kilovolt-ampere)

g)

mJoule

(for the SI unit of energy) h)

kph

(for kilometers per hour)

i) kW (for kilowatt)

3

Where is the SI symbol of the unit CORRECTLY written:

a)

m (for meter) b)

KG (for kilogram)

c)

mts. (for meters) d)

Joule (for the SI unit of work)

e)

KpA

(for kilopascal) f)

kVA (for kilovolt-ampere)

g)

mJoule

(for the SI unit of energy) h)

kph

(for kilometers per hour)

i) kW (for kilowatt)

3

4Where is the SI symbol of the unit

INCORRECTLY written: a)

kg-m (for kilogram-meter, as in

the torque to tighten a screw) b)

kW.h (for kilowatt-hour)

c)

m/s (for meter per second) d)

1,000,000 m (as in 1,000,000 meters)

e)

kΩ

(for kiloohm) f)

Kva

(for kilovolt-ampere)

g)

PF (for picofarad) h)

kHz (for kilohertz)

i) mA (for milliampere)

5Your source text for translation reads:

"Engine power: 120 KW -

Temperature: 20°C" As written, this sentence contains two mistakes.

What are they?

a)

The engine power should have been written "120 kW" and not "120 KW"

b)

There is no space between "20" and "°C" c)

Engine power is independent

from temperature

6The expression "heat the steel plate to

3 kilodegrees

centigrade" is incorrect. Why?

a)

One cannot heat steel to such a temperature without melting it

b)

SI prefixes (like kilo) should not be used with the unit "degrees"

c)

"Centigrade" is now deprecated (actually, since 1948).

"Celsius" should have been used

7Which of the following SI units are

written CORRECTLY?

a)

1000 joules b)

20 MPa

c)

110 Volts d)

220 volts

e)

5000 ohms f)

3500 J

g)

800 K h)

20 000 m2

8Which of the following SI units are

written INCORRECTLY?

a)

1000 N/m2 b)

3000 N/m2

c)

500 cc (for cubic centimeters) d)

7500 KN/m2

e)

100 m/sec f)

500 °K

g)

100 km/h h)

250 kg.

9Which statements are CORRECT?

a)

The United States uses the electrical units of the International System

b)

There is no difference between the US gallon and the UK gallon

c)

A foot

ALWAYS has 12 inches and is ALWAYS equivalent to 0,3048 m d)

The US ton (2000 lbs) and the

UK ton (2240 lbs) are different between themselves, but both measure the

same in SI units (roughly, 900 kg)

10Which statements are INCORRECT?

a)

A frozen chicken should be thawed in the oven, heated to 100 °F (37,7 °C)

b)

As a Translator, I should always convert all US units into SI units c)

All US pressure units (e.g. psi) should

be converted to kPa (SI unit)

11In the following examples, which are degrees of

temperature

and which are intervals?

a)

Patient temperature: 98 °F b)

Add 3 g of salt for each 5 degrees

above 100 °F c)

For each stroke of the switch,

temperature will increase 1 °C (0.5 °F)

11

TEMPERATURE

INTERVALS

In the following examples, which are degrees of temperature

and which are intervals?

a)

Patient temperature: 98 °F

b)

Add 3 g of salt for each 5 degrees above 100 °F

c)

For each stroke of the switch, temperature will increase 1 °C (0.5 °F)

12You're translating a sales brochure for an

American condominium. The target users of your translation are European.

The area of the living room is 450 sq.ft. In SI units, that should be:

a)

41,85 m2

b)

42 m2 c)

41,8 m2

13Your source copy reads: "Assemble parts with the

1/2" -

3" bolts included in the package". Should you convert these bolts to SI Units?

a)

Of course, because the foreign user

has to know what they are in SI units b)

No. These are part of the original

supply and should be addressed as such c)

Yes, but one has to find an equivalent

bolt of metric size

14Your client owns 3257 acres of land, 50 miles

north of St. Louis, MO, USA. His/her translated letter to a potential foreign

buyer should read like what? (Use your calculator)

a)

13,180,665.36 m2 of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO

b)

1318 ha of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO

c)

3257 acres (1318 ha) of land, 50 miles (90 km) north of St. Louis, MO

Grading results0 ERRORS Talk to ABRATES. You’ll be responsible

for the next workshop about this subject.

1 -

3 ERRORS

You almost made it. A little more reading and you’re there.

4 -

5 ERRORS

What happened? It’s gonna take you a lot more reading…

5 ERRORS +

What have you been translating? Poetry, philosophy, nothing?

IS NOT...

1 million million microphones

1 million million microphones 1 megaphone1 megaphone

Obrigado!Obrigado!

units of weight and measurement for translators

Documents

different units

beauty of units ofweight

target audience units

real world

new set of prototypes

investigatedfor stability

portugal2010 joo roque

precise way