Units of Weight and Measurement for Translators

Units of Weight and Measurement for Translators

J. Roque Dias, CT Lisboa, Portugal

© 2010 João Roque Dias. All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be published, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. All product names and images mentioned in this document are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and the exclusive property of their respective owners. I make no warranties as to the accuracy or currency of the information contained on this document. This document is available to all users "as is”, without any representations or warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including warranties or fitness for a particular purpose or of regular updating or otherwise. I also make no representations, warranties or undertakings that this document will be free 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

J. Roque Dias, CT Lisboa, Portugal

How many do you know? kg Pa mm2 km/h dam Gy

km MJ ha F kat J

pF S kW Nm3 µF rad

kV kN m3 F MPa C

GW cm nm Nm3 MN kΩ

TW kVA kW.h Pa(a) kHz kPa

Correct meaning no equivocation no misunderstandings no confusion

This is the beauty of units of weight and measurement

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

Besides the 10 Commandments we all know, God gave us another one:

Thou shall use (many) units!

and it all starts here...

…and ends here!

In this world, we all do the same things.

Only in different units!

WHAT ARE UNITS, ANYWAY? • • • • • •

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!

The Portuguese National Kilogram (international copy no. 10) In 100 years, it lost only 2 Îźg (i.e., 2 parts in 1 million) The mass of the International Prototype is being investigated for stability.

39 mm 1.54 in.

39 mm 1.54 in.

This will probably lead to the fabrication of a new set of prototypes.

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.

Numbers without units are meaningless. We know that!

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

Well, we just have to find out what those numbers mean...

That’s why we’re Translators!

What the numbers of a cigar vitola mean?

5 5/8 - 46

1st number = Length in inches

5 5/8 - 46

5 5/8 inches = 143 mm

2nd number = Ring Gauge in 64th of an inch

5 5/8 - 46 46 / 64th inch = 18.26 mm = 18 mm

Units and your target audience • 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...

Golden Rules • • •

For specialized audiences, DO NOT “change” units.

For broader audiences (e.g., manuals, ads, cooking recipes, etc.), convert or localize units, so they can be “understood” AND used by the user.

There are a MILLION exceptions to these rules!

Meter Convention Member States 17 (1875) 54 (2010) Portugal is one of the 17 charter members of the Convention.

Brazil (1921) One member of the CIPM is always of French nationality.

Instituto PortuguĂŞs da Qualidade www.ipq.pt

INMETRO www.inmetro.gov.br

The members of the

ComitĂŠ International des Poids et Mesures at their meeting in 2009

SI Base Units Base quantity

Name

Symbol

length

meter

m

mass

kilogram

kg

time

second

s

electric current

ampere

A

thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

K

amount of substance

mole

mol

luminous intensity

candela

cd

SI Prefixes Factor

Name

1024

yotta

1021

Symbol

Factor

Name

Symbol

Y

10-1

deci

d

zetta

Z

10-2

centi

c

1018

exa

E

10-3

milli

m

1015

peta

P

10-6

micro

Âľ

1012

tera

T

10-9

nano

n

109

giga

G

10-12

pico

p

106

mega

M

10-15

femto

f

103

kilo

k

10-18

atto

a

102

hecto

h

10-21

zepto

z

101

deka

da

10-24

yocto

y

SI Units with Special Names frequency

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

立

THE (GOOD) WRITING OF UNITS • The writing of units has VERY simple rules!

• Learn and follow these rules STRICTLY! • With writing rules, NO EXCEPTIONS! • Next: some examples of bad BADwriting.

WRITING.

BAD WRITING = WRONG MEANING

• 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)!

GOOD WRITING = RIGHT 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)

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NUMERICAL VALUE

UNIT SYMBOL

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

PREFIXES USED RIGHT UPPER CASE / LOWER CASE NO PERIOD

SPACE ALWAYS!

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NUMERICAL VALUE

UNIT SYMBOL

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

PREFIXES USED RIGHT UPPER CASE / LOWER CASE NO PERIOD

SPACE ALWAYS!

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NUMERICAL VALUE

UNIT SYMBOL

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

PREFIXES USED RIGHT UPPER CASE / LOWER CASE NO PERIOD

SPACE ALWAYS!

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

NUMERICAL VALUE

UNIT SYMBOL

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

PREFIXES USED RIGHT UPPER CASE / LOWER CASE NO PERIOD

SPACE ALWAYS!

AVOID PITFALLS •

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).

The pitfalls!

DO NOT convert electrical units: They are the same all over the world...

WARNING This shaft was made in the US with a 2-inch diameter.

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.

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO: 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?

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

by Bernardo Bertolucci

UNITS IN REAL LIFE Length Area Capacity Temperature Pressure Fuel Consumption

Units of length • Conversion of length is straightforward.

• Same accuracy as in the source unit.

A 11-inch long microphone should NOT be “translated” by 279,4 mm.

• For all practical purposes, use 280 mm.

General rule for units of length: • For lengths related to machinery, electrical devices, etc, ALWAYS use millimeters.

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

• For geographical lengths (e.g., distances) ALWAYS use kilometers.

Units of area • Conversion of areas is straightforward.

• Same accuracy as in the source unit.

A 472-sq.ft. room should not be “translated” by 42,48 m2.

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

Be careful: • Surface units can become very awkward: what is the area of mainland Portugal in square meters?

• Don’t express the area of an American living room in square inches…

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

Units 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.

Be careful: • Don’t “translate” the capacity of a 20 gallon fuel tank as 75.70 liters.

Use 76 liters, instead.

• Water reservoirs in cubic inches or coffee pots in cubic yards?

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

Units of temperature • Conversion of temperatures is straightforward.

NOT

• 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!

Fahrenheit scale

Celsius Celsius scale scale

Water boils at 212 °F

100 °C - Water boils

212 - 32 = 180 divisions

Water freezes at 32 °F - 40 °F

100 - 0 = 100 divisions

0 °C - Water freezes - 40 °C

Fahrenheit scale

Celsius Celsius scale scale

Water boils at 212 °F

100 °C - Water boils

1.8 divisions

Water freezes at 32 °F - 40 °F

1 division

0 °C - Water freezes - 40 °C

So, if we’re talking about scale divisions: 1 division of the Celsius scale equals 1.8 divisions of the 180 / 100 Fahrenheit scale.

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

100 / 180

But, if we’re talking about temperatures: Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) / 1.8 and Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32

Degrees of temperature An American physician measures the body temperature of a patient in a French hospital.

The temperature is 37 °C. What´s the patient’s temp in °F?

Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32

(37 x 1.8) + 32 = 66.6 + 32 = 98.6 °F

He’s OK!

Degrees of temperature On a hot day in December, the thermometer in Rio de Janeiro reads 110 째F. When calling your friends in Europe, what would you tell them?

Celsius = (Fahrenheit - 32) / 1.8

(110 - 32) / 1.8 = 78 / 1.8 = 43 째C

That's hot!

Degrees of scale 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 째F.

Degrees of scale 5 / 1.8 = 2.8 degrees 3 degrees

5 degrees

27

80

°C

°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.

Degrees Celsius

NOT

Degrees centigrade

since 1948

Why NOT “centigrade”?

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

NOT NOT 50 °C NOT °F °C

°F °C 50° C

IN CASE YOU FORGOT

150 째C NUMERICAL VALUE

UNIT SYMBOL

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

PREFIXES USED RIGHT UPPER CASE / LOWER CASE NO PERIOD

SPACE ALWAYS!

Units of pressure • Conversion of pressures is straightforward.

Sometimes...

• Remember: tires are also inflated in Europe in psi (pounds per square inch).

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

Here’s a suggestion: • Nobody is going to replace the original pressure gauges graduated in psi which come on a US-made machine!

• Keep the original units (psi) in the translation, followed by the converted SI units (in brackets): Turn the machine off, when the pressure gauge reads 200 psi (830 kPa).

Units of speed

75

• Conversion of speed units is mostly straightforward.

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

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

Units of fuel consumption • 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.

INFORMATION SOURCES BIPM: Bureau International des Poids et Mesures

www.bipm.fr

Excellent information SI Brochure (English and French)

Translation Links

www.jrdias.com/jrd-links.html Section: Units of Measurement and Metrology

Ready to take a test?

1 The English abbreviation of the International System of Units is: a) b) c)

IS SI ISU

1 The English abbreviation of the International System of Units is: a) b) c)

IS SI ISU

2 In the International System, the unit of temperature is: a) b) c) d)

degree centigrade (째C) degree Celsius (째C) degree kelvin (째K) kelvin (K)

2 In the International System, the unit of temperature is: a) b) c) d)

degree centigrade (째C) degree Celsius (째C) degree kelvin (째K) kelvin (K)

Centigrade and Celsius are just names of temperature scales

3 Where is the SI symbol of the unit CORRECTLY written: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

m (for meter) KG (for kilogram) mts. (for meters) Joule (for the SI unit of work) KpA (for kilopascal) kVA (for kilovolt-ampere) mJoule (for the SI unit of energy) kph (for kilometers per hour) kW (for kilowatt)

3 Where is the SI symbol of the unit CORRECTLY written: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

m (for meter) KG (for kilogram) mts. (for meters) Joule (for the SI unit of work) KpA (for kilopascal) kVA (for kilovolt-ampere) mJoule (for the SI unit of energy) kph (for kilometers per hour) kW (for kilowatt)

4 Where is the SI symbol of the unit INCORRECTLY written: a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

kg-m (for kilogram-meter, as in the torque to tighten a screw) kW.h (for kilowatt-hour) m/s (for meter per second) 1,000,000 m (as in 1,000,000 meters) k立 (for kiloohm) Kva (for kilovolt-ampere) PF (for picofarad) kHz (for kilohertz) mA (for milliampere)

4 Where 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) k立 (for kiloohm) f) Kva (for kilovolt-ampere) g) PF (for picofarad) h) kHz (for kilohertz) i) mA (for milliampere)

5 Your source text for translation reads: "Engine power: 120 KW - Temperature: 20째C" As written, this sentence contains two mistakes.

What are they? a) b) c)

The engine power should have been written "120 kW" and not "120 KW" There is no space between "20" and "째C" Engine power is independent from temperature

5 Your source text for translation reads: "Engine power: 120 KW - Temperature: 20째C" As written, this sentence contains two mistakes.

What are they? a) b) c)

The engine power should have been written "120 kW" and not "120 KW" There is no space between "20" and "째C" Engine power is independent from temperature

6 The expression "heat the steel plate to 3 kilodegrees centigrade" is incorrect. Why? a) b) c)

One cannot heat steel to such a temperature without melting it SI prefixes (like kilo) should not be used with the unit "degrees" "Centigrade" is now deprecated (actually, since 1948).

"Celsius" should have been used

6 The expression "heat the steel plate to 3 kilodegrees centigrade" is incorrect. Why? a) b) c)

One cannot heat steel to such a temperature without melting it SI prefixes (like kilo) should not be used with the unit "degrees" "Centigrade" is now deprecated (actually, since 1948).

"Celsius" should have been used

7 Which of the following SI units are written CORRECTLY? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

1000 joules 20 MPa 110 Volts 220 volts 5000 ohms 3500 J 800 K 20 000 m2

7 Which of the following SI units are written CORRECTLY? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

1000 joules 20 MPa 110 Volts 220 volts 5000 ohms 3500 J 800 K 20 000 m2

8 Which of the following SI units are written INCORRECTLY? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

1000 N/m2 3000 N/m2 500 cc (for cubic centimeters) 7500 KN/m2 100 m/sec 500 째K 100 km/h 250 kg.

8 Which of the following SI units are written INCORRECTLY? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h)

1000 N/m2 3000 N/m2 500 cc (for cubic centimeters) 7500 KN/m2 100 m/sec 500 째K 100 km/h 250 kg.

9 Which statements are CORRECT? a) b) c) d)

The United States uses the electrical units of the International System There is no difference between the US gallon and the UK gallon A foot ALWAYS has 12 inches and is ALWAYS equivalent to 0,3048 m 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)

9 Which statements are CORRECT? a) b) c) d)

The United States uses the electrical units of the International System There is no difference between the US gallon and the UK gallon A foot ALWAYS has 12 inches and is ALWAYS equivalent to 0,3048 m 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)

10 Which statements are INCORRECT? a) b) c)

A frozen chicken should be thawed in the oven, heated to 100 째F (37,7 째C) As a Translator, I should always convert all US units into SI units All US pressure units (e.g. psi) should be converted to kPa (SI unit)

10 Which statements are INCORRECT? a) b) c)

A frozen chicken should be thawed in the oven, heated to 100 째F (37,7 째C) As a Translator, I should always convert all US units into SI units All US pressure units (e.g. psi) should be converted to kPa (SI unit)

11 In the following examples, which are degrees of temperature and which are intervals? a) b) c)

Patient temperature: 98 째F Add 3 g of salt for each 5 degrees above 100 째F For each stroke of the switch, temperature will increase 1 째C (0.5 째F)

11 In the following examples, which are degrees of temperature and which are intervals? a) b) c)

Patient temperature: 98 째F Add 3 g of salt for each 5 degrees above 100 째F For each stroke of the switch, temperature will increase 1 째C (0.5 째F) TEMPERATURE INTERVALS

12 You'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) b) c)

41,85 m2 42 m2 41,8 m2

12 You'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) b) c)

41,85 m2 42 m2 41,8 m2

13 Your source copy reads: "Assemble parts with the 1/2" - 3" bolts included in the package".

Should you convert these bolts to SI Units? a) b) c)

Of course, because the foreign user has to know what they are in SI units No. These are part of the original supply and should be addressed as such Yes, but one has to find an equivalent bolt of metric size

13 Your source copy reads: "Assemble parts with the 1/2" - 3" bolts included in the package".

Should you convert these bolts to SI Units? a) b) c)

Of course, because the foreign user has to know what they are in SI units No. These are part of the original supply and should be addressed as such Yes, but one has to find an equivalent bolt of metric size

14 Your 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) b) c)

13,180,665.36 m2 of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO 1318 ha of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO 3257 acres (1318 ha) of land, 50 miles (90 km) north of St. Louis, MO

14 Your 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) b) c)

13,180,665.36 m2 of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO 1318 ha of land, 50 miles north of St. Louis, MO 3257 acres (1318 ha) of land, 50 miles (90 km) north of St. Louis, MO

Grading results 0 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?

Obrigado!

IS NOT...

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1 megaphone