Ubersetzung und Verständlichkeit deutscher und englischer Wissenschaftstexte

Differences between academic texts in English and German language are being discussed regarding translation and comprehensibility. Such differences may not be explained by the language system but rather by varying writing styles, and a different writing practice. One important aspect of comprehensibility is the fact of connecting new knowledge to the adressees' previous knowledge, being facilitated by definitions. According to Clyne (1987) definitions come more often and earlier in English texts - which are also more linear. They have no excursus like German texts. However such deviation may be an expression of considering a subject under various perspectives, and they can be made more comprehensible by means of metatextual formulations. As a conclusion we state that translators can enhance the comprehensibility of text particularly in the area of such metatextual formulations and in the organisation of content