Professional Development


63 - Non-native English speakers
Non-native English authors of scientific articles face an additional complication: English is presently the standard language used in scientific communication and by the most important journals.Therefore, a non-native English author must be sure that he or she conveys in English exactly what would want to be conveyed in his mother tongue. Translators are usually required to help if the author has little knowledge of the English language, but it is important that the translator, in addition to being a native English speaker, also knows the scientific field.A very common mistake is the use of inappropriate verbal tenses, especially the past and present tenses. Here, you will find the basic rules for each section of the manuscript.Finally, some journals require that the texts be written in British English whereas others require American English. This should be taken into account when writing the manuscript.