Understanding, translating, adapting, succeeding : Winning the multilingual terminology challenge on a rocket engine development

Paper number

IAC-08.E7.1.2

Author

Mr. Christophe Rothmund, Snecma, France

Year

2008

Abstract

The development of a rocket engine is a technical challenge. When this development is undertaken by companies located in a dozen countries, each with its own language, the technical challenge is paired with a terminological one. How to translate highly specialized concepts, both technical and organizational, how to make them understandable by hundreds or thousands of highly skilled engineers and technicians from sometimes very different cultures? 

But instead of considering these differences as obstacles, when they are considered as assets then this can result in a richer environment that can lead to success both technically and humanly.

This challenge is neither easy to explain nor is it easy to win. It is widely accepted as a fact that each country has its own language and its own culture. This also applies to companies and to industrial branches. Combining so many differences might seem to result in hurdles that cannot be overthrown and might even be considered to doom a project from its very beginning.

This paper will describe, using actual examples from the Ariane program's cryogenic propulsion systems, how it was achieved to deepen the terminology domain to the highly specialized area of rocket propulsion and to succeed in achieving not only technical and commercial successes but also a deep human and linguistical understanding.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E7.1.2.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E7.1.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.