English for 科研成果的轉化與應用

[Kenny同志]

科研成果的轉化與應用

 

This is a segment from a document I am working on for a Beijing-based publisher. The term I have problem with is 轉化, for which neither conversion nor transformation sound good to me but I am not absolutely sure if they fit.

 

 

According to 百度百科, there's a lot more to 轉化 than just the application of scientific innovations and discoveries. So how would you say the whole thing? Many thanks in advance, folks. 

 

 

 

[roddy]

How about development? 

[Kenny同志]

Many thanks for your suggestion, Roddy. : )

 

I went with my own version, i.e. 'application of scientific innovations and discoveries'. I know it is not perfect but should be acceptable as what they call 轉化 is essentially application.

[imron]

How about commercialization?  It's not a direct translation, but often the application of scientific discoveries is related to their commercialization.  It also works together as a pair e.g. the application and commercialization of scientific research.

[陳德聰]

I think you could have gone with "translation" as a metaphor for 轉化, but to me "application" as it pertains to research findings in English already entails the process of turning those findings into something that can be used in practice, not just the act of using those findings.

[Kenny同志]

Thank you both. I have updated the translation with Imron's suggestion.

 

I think commercialisation is exactly what 轉化 is about. But of course, 'translation' is also quite good.