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French to English translations [PRO] Science - Biology (-tech,-chem,micro-) / neurotransmission
French term or phrase:(passe d’une cellule à l’autre) par les développements, des prolongements
This is the voiceover for a video interview about "théorie du neurone" for a Belgian university museum. Translation needs to be as natural as possible and I don't think "developments, extensions" is going to cut it.... Would "(nerve impulses) pass from one cell to another by bridging a gap" cover the meaning? I'm not looking for translations for the two words (so it's not two separate questions!), more a "normal" way of expressing the concept. The diagram that appears on the video at this point shows tendril-like roots reaching out (OK, extending) towards one another.
Interviewee is talking about the early days of neuroscience research: ... plusieurs chercheurs vont montrer que comme tous les autres tissus du corps humain, le cerveau est constitué de cellules donc d’unités, d’unités fonctionnelles et que l’afflux nerveux passe d’une cellule à l’autre par les développements, des prolongements qu’on voyait très bien au microscope grâce à des colorations particulières [= Golgi method]
I think "afflux" should probably be "influx" (nerve impulses) (text is a transcription).
Explanation: Dendrites are one of two types of protoplasmic protrusions that extrude from the cell body of a neuron, the other type being an axon. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrite
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Possible improvement' 'cell outgrowths, protrusions'
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Anatomy of a neuron. Neurons, like other cells, have a cell body (called the soma). ... Various processes (appendages or protrusions) extend from the cell body. These include many short, branching processes, known as dendrites, and a separate process that is typically longer than the dendrites, known as the axon. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/human-biology/ne...
I'm probably flying in the face of the biologists'/neuroscientists' advice but I just don't agree that the specific meaning of "processes" would be readily understood by a wide audience (OK, it's a university museum, but the visitors aren't necessarily academics - in fact they cover a wide age range as well). And there's no time for any further explanation in the voiceover. I'm not trying to dumb it down either. I've opted for via outgrowths/protrusions. Thanks, everyone! Fascinating discussion :-) 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Sorry, I'd wanted to change "without running down" to "without dumbing down" and I deleted my comment that was here. It hadn't really added that much that was new anyway, except to say that I have a research masters in biology and neuroscience and that although using ordinary terms is not necessarily dumbing down, using a technical term correctly in context can be understood. To that, I would add that I agree with Sue's comment that one ordinary term followed by a slightly more technical term is a trick often used in fun informative contexts. "Process" might not be initially understood by all, but with "growth" beforehand, it almost certainly would be ("growth, or process").
The original uses two terms that are pretty much synonymous so there is a fair bit of latitude here anyway. That said, and I am nitpicking here, "protrusion" suggests something that just sticks out and that it shorter than "prolongement". For me "extension" would have been a teensy weensy bit more faithful to the original. ;-) But yes, good exchange of ideas!
I am a scientist and translator and I will try to bring some light here, because I think you are all right, but are maybe missing a bit of the scientific context. The text is obviously meant to simplify and illustrate the structures of neurons and synapses that allow the influx to go from one cell to another. So I would recommend to rather use the valid and scientific terms that can be understood by all of us: neuronal structure or projection (most likely, dendrites) that are easily stained and visualized under microscope.
Sorry if I'm upsetting you (I'm trying to juggle about five balls at the moment) but this technical use of "process" just wouldn't be clear to me. I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of the general public listening to this interview at the exhibition. I was over-thinking it initially, I fear - herbalchemist's growths and extensions is fine.
@herbal chemist - Apologies I didn't mean to misrepresent you. However I agree with Nikki that this context requires the use of technically correct terms, especially as the text also includes an explanatory lay term.
Yes, I agree that introducing the gap is not appropriate. We are all talking about the same concept. I am also translating a "museum" piece, and it is more important IMO to follow the author's style compared to when translating a regular technical paper.
The text no doubt goes on to describe synapses later on. They are not described here. However, it is necessary to have that essential basic knowledge to avoid suggesting at this particular point that that they do touch.
It is possible to use correct technical terms and still be understood. Indeed, that is the primary purpose of technical language. You can’t really gloss the technicalities of a technical explanation. You say the context is a university museum, a place of learning, so it is quite appropriate to use technical terminology. The source text uses what appear to be ordinary words, but they are technical in context. @Tony, a small number of neurones do work mechanically, but most communicate chemically, across a gap known as a synapse. So, neurones do communicate magically across a gap! Kids study neurones at various points in their science classes these days, so a very basic knowledge can be assumed. McGill, not a bad place to start : http://lecerveau.mcgill.ca/flash/pop/pop_pres/�cole profs She... As for pitching it for a uni museum, check the Science Musuem's website : http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/whoami/findoutmore/yourbrain...
Yes, I'm well aware that scientifically it is much more complex than that... but Asker was asking for a simplified, layman's approach. The key point I was really trying to make is that these "développements, prolongements" are "things that stick out", and it is in my view counter-productive to then introduce the notion of "bridging a gap" — they might be considered as some kind of 'gangway' that makes the gap to be bridged narrower, but surely it is the 'extension' aspect that needs to be emphasized here rather than the 'gap'.
No, I think even a lay person might understand what nerve impulses are ;-) But perhaps "neuronal processes" is less immediately understandable ("A neurite or neuronal process refers to any projection from the cell body of a neuron")?
I think you are misrepresenting what I wrote: 'would it be appropriate to *leave it* vague and mysterious?'. And I wrote this before your answer showed up, which I didn't disagree with.
@Moira I really can't agree I'm afraid! Plus I didn't suggest using axon or dendrite, I was simply explaining what the text referred to. Process is a general, technically and anatomically correct term - are you proposing to translate the rest of the text - e.g. afflux nerveux in a 'vague and mysterious way' too?
I think it's far too early to be using technical terms like axons and dendrites (interviewee is talking about the pioneers in this area), which is why I favour a vaguer approach. This is intended for lay people so I'm just looking for a way to "gloss" the technicalities. The "projections" you mention in your answer might work.
I think you're description is off. The dendrites don't touch but are in close proximity (there is a physical gap). The impulse is not like a current but more like a wave. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerve_impulse This is an interesting read (how nerves 'fire'): https://www.verywell.com/what-is-an-action-potential-2794811 I haven't studied this in depth, but I know the general theory, which was included in many of the Bio courses I took.
You asked: " Would "(nerve impulses) pass from one cell to another by bridging a gap" cover the meaning?"
Definitely NOT! — and your own text explains why! The whole point is that they DON'T somehow magically leap across a gap in space — as Sue's expert explanation shows, the neurons actually extend from one cell to another to carry the impulses — in a simplistic image, like 'wires' in an electrical circuit.
I was looking at the writing/speaking style of the person being interviewed. It seems like they are building a word picture. That's just my take on it.
I really don't think this is vague and mysterious, the text is referring specifically to axons and dendrites that can be seen under the microscope. Please look at the image showing a golgi stained neuron (my last reference).
Hi Moira, I think are describing the dendrites or the network of such. Since it is describing the early research, would it be appropriate to leave it vague and mysterious?
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
16 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
neuronal growths, processes
Explanation: Here process = prominence or projection, and refers to axons and dendrites
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A neurite or neuronal process refers to any projection from the cell body of a neuron. This projection can be either an axon or a dendrite. The term is frequently used when speaking of immature or developing neurons, especially of cells in culture, because it can be difficult to tell axons from dendrites before differentiation is complete
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http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/neuronal pro... (noo'ron?) [Gr. neuron, nerve, sinew] Enlarge picture NEURON STRUCTURE A nerve cell, the structural and functional unit of the nervous system. A neuron consists of a cell body (perikaryon) and its processes, an axon and one or more dendrites. Neurons function in the initiation and conduction of impulses. They transmit impulses to other neurons or cells by releasing neurotransmitters at synapses. Alternatively, a neuron may release neurohormones into the bloodstream. Synonym: nerve cell See: illustrationneuronal (noor''on-al), adjective afferent neuron
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Nerve impulses (action potentials) are basically electrical signals generated by depolarisation of a neuron; this travels along an axon, at the terminal a neurotransmitter is released which cross the interneuronal gap (synapse) binds to receptors on the dendrites of the postsynaptic neuron, where it exerts and excitatory or inhibitory effect. http://www.dummies.com/education/science/understanding-the-t...
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Process is therefore a general word applying to both axons and dendrites which mediate communication between neurons.
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so développement = growth or outgrowth (I wonder if it is necessary here?) prolongement = process
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peer agreement (net): +4
