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Patent translation
Thread poster: Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 09:46
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
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Aug 24, 2022

Would anyone have any tips on where I can find information on writing/translating patents?
I have in-depth knowledge about biomedicine, biochemistry and related areas, so I would limit my scope to these fields.

I suspect there must be some strict rules on wording and probably some fixed formulas but I have no idea where to find these. Suggestions for books, web sites, short courses/workshops or other helpful sources would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 08:46
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
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@Marjolein Aug 24, 2022

Have you visited the EPO website?

https://www.epo.org/index.html
 
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.)
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.)  Identity Verified
Thailand
Local time: 15:46
English to Thai
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Guidelines of patent offices Aug 24, 2022

I translate patents since 1970s. I usually learn new wordings and writing styles of the patent offices the documents will be filed. My too deep knowledge in science and others usually mislead and consume time for revisions.

Regards
Soonthon L.

Po7
 
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 09:46
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
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TOPIC STARTER
Thank you! Aug 24, 2022

Helpful advice, thank you both! I will take a closer look at the website and will try to locate some offices, when I have some time.
 
Heike Holthaus
Heike Holthaus  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 03:46
Member (2012)
English to German
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EPO Training material Aug 24, 2022

The EPO offers Terminology Training Material for Examiners for free. It's available in English, German and French I believe, but you will learn a lot about patent language.
 
Adieu
Adieu  Identity Verified
Ukrainian to English
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Make use of your government Aug 24, 2022

Patents are public information.

Most respectable governments have some kind of internet portal where patents are published for free.
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 08:46
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
@Marjolein Aug 24, 2022

You will find all free of charge EPO publications here:

https://shop.epo.org/en/Free-of-charge/c/freeofcharge

Other publications are paid:

https://shop.epo.org/en/Books/c/books

EPO has a... See more
You will find all free of charge EPO publications here:

https://shop.epo.org/en/Free-of-charge/c/freeofcharge

Other publications are paid:

https://shop.epo.org/en/Books/c/books

EPO has also a glossary in EN, FR and DE

https://www.epo.org/service-support/glossary.html
https://www.epo.org/service-support/glossary_fr.html
https://www.epo.org/service-support/glossary_de.html

Sorry, but no Dutch...




[Edited at 2022-08-25 12:24 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
jyuan_us
jyuan_us  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 03:46
Member (2005)
English to Chinese
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It will take less than two hours of your time to learn it Aug 24, 2022

Download a published patent application, read it through, and get familiar with its format, style, and terminology. It will take less than two hours for you to become adept in it.

[Edited at 2022-08-24 21:19 GMT]

Jorge Payan
 
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 09:46
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
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TOPIC STARTER
Good suggestions Aug 25, 2022

Thanks all for your helpful suggestions!
I will certainly look into them when I have some time!
 
finnword1
finnword1
United States
Local time: 03:46
English to Finnish
+ ...
Not different from other technical/scientific/pharmaceutical subjects Aug 25, 2022

If you are comfortable with the field, translate patent material word for word. It's not a translator's duty to stylize clumsy writing. But do not apply MT, as it usually tries to make the best of poorly written source text.
 


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