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The translation of scientific texts is an essential need in the modern Indian context since most of the scientific texts are written in English, a colonial heritage, which is not the language of the masses. Consequently, most Indians are not in a position to take advantage of the scientific developments within the nation and abroad. They do not get even the preliminary knowledge of scientific achievements. Due to its dependence on a foreign language for scientific learning, Indian society has not made technical advances on par with the technically developed countries. To overcome this situation it is necessary that our scientists should be encouraged to develop scientific writings in Indian languages. Till such time, the only course left to us is to depend upon the translation of scientific texts which would not only contribute to our knowledge but also help us in the development and modernization of our languages. The language development not only means the development of vocabulary but also uses of language in the domains of science and technology. Within the Indian context, whenever the scientific text is translated, the gaps in the terminology are filled either by coining terms through borrowing Sanskrit roots, or adaptation of English words into our own language systems, or by borrowing terms from other Indian languages. In this way our languages develop scientific registers and become capable of expressing new ideas in new norms.

As stated earlier, the translation of scientific texts also contributes in the modernization of our languages. For instance, the translation of an ordinary book of 18th centuries from English into an Indian language may only help in the development of the TL literature, but the translation of a modern scientific text not only enriches the TL but also helps in its modernization.

Before tackling the problems of translating scientific texts, it is necessary to consider the ability levels of the target group which is a decisive factor in the selection of appropriate equivalents such as words, terms, styles, descriptions etc. in the translation process. It is obvious that the largest consumer of the translated scientific text is by and large the student community. Besides this group, there might be some smaller groups of people interested in understanding the happenings of scientific world for the sake of knowledge. From this point of view the scientific literature may be placed in three categories:

a. Text addressed to common masses (Journalistic writings)

b. Student Community (Text books, Reference material)

c. Expert group (Research papers, dissertations etc.)

The first category, i.e., scientific literature addressed to masses may include reports, features, short notes, reviews, columns for general reading on scientific subjects etc. As mentioned earlier, in the Indian context the main source of scientific knowledge is English language. Therefore, to a certain extent the scientific information remains restricted to educated elite. To spread this knowledge to the masses the scientific text written in English have to be translated into Indian languages with non- technical terms and in expository style. In this type of translation the focus is on the message rather than on the structure and style of the original text.

The second category i.e., the Student community studying through the media of Indian languages also requires instructional material including textbooks, reference books, work books etc. in Indian languages. The language to be used in such material has to be technical but should not be like the one used in the research papers written by scientists. All these textbooks and reading material have to be developed by translating or adapting or adopting from English sources.

The third category, i.e., Expert group may not require translation as this group is already proficient in English language. As such whatever their research findings are, they contribute through English only. But if Indian scientists someday decide to present their research findings in their own tongue they will have to develop the necessary jargon and styles of presentation in it.

Keeping in view the constitutional obligations and the growing importance of Indian languages in our national life efforts are being made by governmental and non governmental institutions to develop scientific and technical terminologies by preparing bi-lingual and tri-lingual glossaries, text books etc. in Indian languages. It is obvious that for all these tasks we have to depend upon translation only.

There are many practical problems of the translation of scientific concepts and ideas from English into Indian languages. It is almost impossible to develop scientific material in our languages without overcoming these problems. In other words, for proper exposition, description, discussion and presentation of the scientific concepts and ideas in Indian languages, there are many practical problems which need to the combated properly. The following points should be considered before translating a scientific text:

(i) The author,
(ii) The subject matter,
(iii) The translation method and
(iv) The reader.

Galison (1997: 47-50, 803, and 816) offers a more sustained critique of the idea of translation in science, both at the level of discourse and praxis. Instead of a model of translation, he suggests that it is the formation of languages at the boundary of different disciplines that is relevant. He concludes that it is the notion of trading that illustrates the way scientific communities interact and languages so formed at the boundaries are more in common with languages like Creole and pidgin. But his reading of translation is also limited as attested to by his comments that the idea of temporality is not captured in the model of translation. He also believes that translation is insensitive to the sociological issues pertaining to the dynamics of language.

These are contentions that a serious view of translation will not allow. The link between translation and science that I develop below will make this explicit. It is clear that there has been minimum engagement between the discourses of translation and those of science. Also, this engagement, when it occurs, has been overshadowed by a dominant emphasis on the naïve view of translation.