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Medical Writing and Medical Translation – Two Crossing Paths

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Medical Writing and Medical Translation – Two Crossing Paths Medical writing and medical translation – two crossing paths Laura C. Collada Ali 1 and Monica Milani 2 1 Freelance Medical Writer and Translator, An interview with Laura C. Collada Ali Teksema – Cogne, Italy 2 Freelance Medical Writer and Translator, Laura C. Collada Ali Apropos Science – Cannes, France Correspondence to: Laura C. Collada Ali Freelance Medical Writer and Translator Teskema – Villaggio Cogne 57/A 11012 Cogne, Italy +39 3203671224 [email protected] My job gives me the opportunity to Abstract learn new things Transitioning from medical writing into every day. medical translation and vice versa is one of the many opportunities professional writers and translators may encounter in their career path. In this article, we present two personal experiences in doing so. We also present some data retrieved from a short survey conducted among professionals working in both fields. It is not rare to find medical writers who also do translations, and, likewise, medical translators who are also skilled writers. That is the case with What is your background, and how I was in charge of liaising with international the two of us: Laura C. Collada Ali is a medical did you become interested in experts involved in the revision process of clinical translator as well as a writer, while Monica Milani medical writing? research protocols. I loved that role and learned is a medical writer who is branching into I’ve always loved languages. I love how each so much; the languages I had studied were a great translations. We realised that we would be perfect language is strictly linked to a particular culture, toolkit. After a couple of years, I ended up being real-life examples of this sort of career mingling and I appreciate the beauty of their nuances. the administrator of the Protocol Review and decided to share our experiences in the form However, I don’t have a favourite language. Committee and of the New Drugs Development of interviews with each other. Therefore, I’ve ended up studying several! Committee and contributing to the collaborative I graduated in Translation and Interpreting at the protocol writing process. This is how “writing” University of Alicante (Spain); being a Spanish started for me… native speaker, I learned English, French, Arabic, Italian, and Catalan. Translators use languages as How did you get your first project in their main working tool, yet they need to get medical writing? familiar with the field they want to work in. For My first medical writing project consisted of I also like very much working as me, it was medicine. preparing the reports of the EORTC Protocol a freelancer, as it allows me to be In the years following graduation, I have Review Committee meetings. These meetings flexible with my schedule. I may go attended many different workshops and took place every 3 months and were aimed at skiing for a couple of hours when seminars – on translation, writing, and medicine reviewing and approving the development plans in general. My first professional assignment was for new clinical trials in oncology. At the the sun shines and then work at the European Organization for Research and beginning, it was a rather challenging task as I late at night. Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), in Brussels. needed to get acquainted with the oncology 42 | March 2019 Medical Writing | Volume 28 Number 1 Collada Ali and Milani – Medical writing and medical translation – two crossing paths field to properly understand and report the dis - document or the other. I enjoy being The best translators I know of in the field of cussions. With time, I improved my confidence, challenged, so I do welcome opportunities to medicine do not have a university degree in felt at ease at writing these texts, and actually work on different documents. However, I might translation. Translation university studies enjoyed a lot those high-level discussions. Over refuse to write documents on topics I’m not became a reality only in the ’90s. Therefore, there the years, I have covered many different types familiar with. When I don’t have enough is a generation of very experienced translators out of scientific and board meetings as a medical knowledge of the topic, I don’t feel confident there who do not have formal training and a writer. writing about it. degree in translation. That said, of course these professionals were passionate about languages Do you have any tips for medical Has your work evolved over time and keen readers. I would say that reading in the translators who would like to and what are the causes of this target language about the field you are translating branch into medical writing? evolution? about is a must. Always keep an eye on new regulations coming It has evolved a lot. I spent the first 10 years of my out at a worldwide level. When translating, it is career working for non-profit research organi - What do you like the most in your often enough to know the regulations related to sations. At that time, I did not know there was job? the source and target languages. However, when something called “medical writing”. My job gives me the opportunity to learn new you switch into writing, you need to broaden When I decided to become a freelancer, things every day. Languages are my main working your vision of the regulatory world. I realised that what I had been doing in the non- tool, and I very often need to do lots of research Networking with medical writing colleagues profit setting was, indeed, medical writing! on the topic I’m writing or translating at the and investing in professional medical writing I immediately joined EMWA. As a freelancer, my moment, which is something I really enjoy. I also training are extremely important. Thus, joining portfolio of clients grew to also include pharma like very much working as a freelancer, as it allows EMWA is a must! and medical device companies. Now I have a me to be flexible with my schedule. I may go comprehensive understanding of different skiing for a couple of hours when the sun shines What kind of documents do you approaches to clinical trials, and I have become and then work late at night. translate or write? experienced in the preparation of different kinds I mostly translate regulatory documents and of documents. What do you like to do in your free sporadically marketing material. time? I write both regulatory and medical com - Do you think that formal training is I love reading and mountain sports, particularly, munication documents. It seems that writers necessary to become a medical cross-country skiing and hiking. eventually specialise either in one type of translator? An interview with Monica Milani How did you become a medical scientific communication. In retro - writer and what is your background spect, I think the degree pro gramme in the field? was useful, but not essential. More than I became a medical writer somewhat by chance. anything else, it served to improve my I didn’t even know that this profession existed! confidence while exposing me to In my previous career, I was a researcher potential employers. Eventually, and working in the immunology and oncology fields. with no small struggle, I landed the While I liked my job at the time, what I enjoyed dream job – a junior position in a most was the communication of science. I found medical writing consultancy in the th at more than generating data I liked presenting South of France. Voilà! them – whether in manuscripts, posters, grant proposals, or so on. Driven by this interest, Why have you decided to I started searching for jobs on the web using also offer medical keywords such as “writer”, “science”, “com mu ni - translation services? cation” – that’s when the medical writer profes sion After some years spent at a medical popped up. Not only did I then realise that this writing consultancy and a pharma profession existed, but that it was in high demand. company, I decided to transition into Career changes are always daunting. Though freelancing. This change prompted me I had a background in science, I felt it wasn’t to think about additional services I Monica Milani enough and decided to get a degree in technical/ could offer to potential clients apart www.emwa.org Volume 28 Number 1 | Medical Writing March 2019 | 43 Medical writing and medical translation – two crossign paths – Collada Ali and Milani from medical writing. Since I speak three easier than translating something literary. long enough in the scientific/medical field. languages, translation naturally came to mind. I Overall, I think that if you master a set of An analytical mind, attention to detail, and strong grew up in Italy, lived in the US for a decade, and languages, have a scientific background and enjoy writing skills might be sufficient for transitioning I’ve now lived in France for more than 7 years. the challenge of faithfully and accurately into medical writing. While I consider English as my “second native” translating, you are set to go. Once one understands the basics of scientific language, I cannot say the same for French. writing, they can write any kind of documents. I Therefore, I am confi dent translating between Would you focus on any specific think this is especially true for regulatory Italian and English, and from French to English, type of document or would you documents, which are rigidly structured. It is less but not vice versa. Perhaps that will come with rather adopt a client-oriented true for medical communication documents, time. Bottom line, I thought – why not take approach? which could be more challenging since they advantage of these skills and offer translation Right now, I take any opportunity within reason.
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