Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: our centre started to coordinate Cochrane translation for simplified Chinese in 2014, and
I joined it in June 2017, when I first contacted Cochrane. To date, I have translated 57 Cochrane abstracts and plain language summaries (PLS) and 26 podcasts, becoming the person who translates the most in the simplified Chinese translation group. Because of the high translation output and high quality, I became a review author at the end of 2018.
How did I achieve such a high translation output?
Translating Cochrane Reviews has permeated the gaps in my daily life. First, I translate several paragraphs before fully concentrating on my work to warm up. This step helps me find time and working hours daily. Second, translating before reading or writing an English article can establish the rhythm of English. Third, when I don't have enough time to do other things, I take advantage of the time to translate several paragraphs. On the other hand, my supervisor considers Cochrane Reviews very highly, giving me a lot of power to translate.
What has translating Cochrane Reviews given me?
Translating Cochrane Reviews can help improve English skills but also learn the standard structure of the abstract of a Cochrane Review. The massive amount of text translated gave me the confidence to write a systematic review in English, using appropriate words to describe specific concepts. When I read a systematic review in English, I can easily find the message I need because I’m familiar with the structure. From another perspective, our Chinese translation team is really organized, so we can get feedback and train quickly, and all volunteers can connect with each other to discuss the details of translation. Finally, translation can fill gaps in my daily time and working hours, making my schedule more effective.
What suggestions can I give from a volunteer's perspective?
First, a volunteer can regard translating Cochrane Reviews as a tool for scientific research. It can teach you how to construct the framework of the article and which expression is appropriate and authentic. Second, brief fragments of time are so important that you can make use of it to complete translating abstracts or PLS.
For translation platform, smart phone version is needed, so that we can make better use of fragmented time and produce more output. I also think it will be better if the glossary displayed on the right side of the translation screen can collect volunteers’ frequency of utilization and update it in a timely way.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: I’m a translator and reviewer, and I work for other translators, and they are also potentially healthcare consumers. Translating and disseminating Cochrane Reviews can help patients.
I joined it in June 2017, when I first contacted Cochrane. To date, I have translated 57 Cochrane abstracts and plain language summaries (PLS) and 26 podcasts, becoming the person who translates the most in the simplified Chinese translation group. Because of the high translation output and high quality, I became a review author at the end of 2018.
How did I achieve such a high translation output?
Translating Cochrane Reviews has permeated the gaps in my daily life. First, I translate several paragraphs before fully concentrating on my work to warm up. This step helps me find time and working hours daily. Second, translating before reading or writing an English article can establish the rhythm of English. Third, when I don't have enough time to do other things, I take advantage of the time to translate several paragraphs. On the other hand, my supervisor considers Cochrane Reviews very highly, giving me a lot of power to translate.
What has translating Cochrane Reviews given me?
Translating Cochrane Reviews can help improve English skills but also learn the standard structure of the abstract of a Cochrane Review. The massive amount of text translated gave me the confidence to write a systematic review in English, using appropriate words to describe specific concepts. When I read a systematic review in English, I can easily find the message I need because I’m familiar with the structure. From another perspective, our Chinese translation team is really organized, so we can get feedback and train quickly, and all volunteers can connect with each other to discuss the details of translation. Finally, translation can fill gaps in my daily time and working hours, making my schedule more effective.
What suggestions can I give from a volunteer's perspective?
First, a volunteer can regard translating Cochrane Reviews as a tool for scientific research. It can teach you how to construct the framework of the article and which expression is appropriate and authentic. Second, brief fragments of time are so important that you can make use of it to complete translating abstracts or PLS.
For translation platform, smart phone version is needed, so that we can make better use of fragmented time and produce more output. I also think it will be better if the glossary displayed on the right side of the translation screen can collect volunteers’ frequency of utilization and update it in a timely way.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: I’m a translator and reviewer, and I work for other translators, and they are also potentially healthcare consumers. Translating and disseminating Cochrane Reviews can help patients.