08 Mar 6 women scientific translators who made history

Believe it or not, in the world of translation, and specifically in the world of medical and scientific translation, women have played prominent roles and left an indelible mark throughout history. Not only have they transferred information from one language to another, but they have also contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge, succeeding in a male-dominated sector and paving the way for future generations of women. Would you like to know more about 6 women scientific translators who have helped us get to where we are today?

6 women scientific translators who left their mark on humanity:

Stay tuned since in this post, we explore the lives and legacies of six remarkable women who, through their dedication, skill and passion for science and translation, have left a lasting mark on the world of medicine and scientific research (even if you don’t know it). Their inspiring stories remind us of the importance of the role of women in medical translation and invite us to reflect on their invaluable contribution to society and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Let’s have a look at who they are:

1. Giuseppa Barbapiccola

Giuseppa Barbapiccola (1702-1740?): poet, philosopher and translator of Latin, French and Italian. She translated Descartes and, in her prologue, she dedicated a special note to encouraging the study of science and promoting the education of women.

2. Claudine Picardet

Claudine Picardet (1735-1820): chemist, mineralogist, meteorologist and scientific translator from Swedish, German, Italian, Latin, English and French. Her translations contributed to the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the chemical revolution.

3. Émilie du Châtelet

Émilie du Châtelet (1706-1749): Mathematician, French physicist and translator of Latin, Greek, English and French. She worked with Voltaire (as well as being his companion). Émilie du Châtelet translated Newton’s theories into French.

4. Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn (1640-1689): writer, playwright, poet and translator of English and French. This scientific translator is believed to be the first woman to make a living from writing. She translated Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle’s work on astronomy, disseminating the ideas of Copernicus and Descartes. Aphra Ben was an inspiration for Virigina Woolf, who included her in her 1929 work ‘A Room of One’s Own’.

5. Clémence Royer

Clémence Royer (1830-1902): translator of French and English who translated the first version of Darwin’s ‘The Origin of Species’. Nevertheless, she included notes and a foreword which was widely criticised. Clémence Royer only became famous in the sixth edition.

6. Mary Fairfax Somerville

Mary Fairfax Somerville (1780 -1872): Scottish mathematician, astronomer, scientist and translator of French and English. Translator of Laplace’s ‘Celestial Mechanics’. She popularised astronomy and was a well-known scientist of the time.

The importance of women scientific translators

The stories of these six women scientific translators are a powerful reminder of the transformative influence women have had on the field of scientific translation throughout history. They broke down language barriers and opened new frontiers in scientific understanding. Without them, we wouldn’t have made it this far.

In honouring the impact of these pioneering women, we also recognise the importance of continuing to promote gender equality and diversity in healthcare translation. By providing equal opportunities and support for women in scientific translation, we can fully harness their potential to drive innovation and progress in the medical and scientific field.

May their achievements serve as an inspiration to future generations of women who will continue to build a bright future for scientific and medical translation!