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A scientific text, whether in original or in translation, is different from other texts because scientific text is factual and information-oriented. The language of a scientific text is clear, simple and unambiguous. Since science is objective in its approach, the language of a scientific text is also more objective and subjectivity of the author is kept out of it. It is said for the style of writing that 'Style is the man', implying that the personality of the author is reflected in his style of writing. This may be true in case of literary genres such as poetry, short story, novel, essay etc. But it is not applicable for scientific writing, specially in the case of natural sciences. That is why it is said that the language of scientific texts is not subjective but is objective. Within sciences itself the language may vary according to the area under study. For example, the language of mathematics may vary from the language of physics. However, both are objective in their presentation of the subject. In other words, the language of scientific texts is more specific making the texts more clear and unambiguous as opposed to the literary text where language is often subjective. A Plant-scientist in his effort to understand the structure of a flower disintegrates it into smaller units. In his descriptions of the structure of the flower he has to be specific and objective without any scope of deviation from facts. A litterateur, on the other hand, in his appreciation of beauty personifies a flower and is always subjective in his descriptions. Therefore, the language of a scientific text, as opposed to the language of literary texts, if factual in its content. Every word is concrete and real. The style is not figurative and the language is semantically single layered and less ambiguous. As mentioned earlier, the idea of translation can be found in the discourses on science, as in history and philosophy of science, although it has not inspired the detailed discussion that it should have. In the context of interpretation, there has been a more sustained engagement with this issue that has led to a substantial body of work on hermeneutic approaches to science. 1 Here the idea of translation is implicit. Science is seen as reading the book of nature. This reading immediately implies the notion of translation and interpretation, which are usually used interchangeably in this context. Translation has also been explicitly invoked in the context of the incommensurability thesis. 2 This thesis responds to the belief that theories in science are ‘built’ upon each other, thereby implying that the concepts and entities referred to in one theory remain the ‘same’ when used in another theory, although in a different context. Incommensurability about theories maintains that it will not be possible, in general, to translate a term from an old scientific theory to a new one, if by translation is meant the complete carryover of meaning in these terms. 1. Scientific language is diachronic and it is not affected by temporal considerations. 2. Since technical terms are coined by use of roots and suffixes of classical languages the language of scientific texts, therefore, tends to be hybrid. 3. Every branch of science defines its terms in its own way and therefore, they are context-free and express single meaning. 4. Surface level meaning is more important in scientific' language than deep level. 5. Its use is always restricted. 6. Subjective elements are avoided to the extent possible and therefore passive constructions are mostly used. (Sharma 1985, 171).
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