UNIT 12

SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

 

Task 1. Read and learn the words and word combinations.

essential a – неодмінний, обов’язковий, необхідний

derivative a – похідний

to set up v – встановлювати

to hold v – проводити

a topic n – тема

a request n – прохання

to submit v – подавати на розгляд, пропонувати (свою точку зору)

an application n – заявка,

an abstract n – короткий виклад змісту, резюме, уривок, анотація до статті

subject area n – предметна секція, група

a chairmanship n – головування

distinguished scientist n – відомий/видатний вчений

hearings n – слухання

to argue v – сперечатися

to keep abreast v – бути в курсі, не відставати

a workshop n – круглий стіл, семінар

thorough adv – ретельний, ґрунтовний, повний

 

Task 2. Make up sentences with the words given in task 1.

 

Task 3. Try to guess the meaning of the following phrases

1. conference — meeting for discussion, exchange of views.

2. symposium — a conference at which a particular topic is discussed by speakers.

3. event — an item in a programme of a scientific gathering, a pro­gramme include, such events as plenary sessions, section meetings, semi­nars, workshops, round-table talks, etc.; a social programme includes such events as dinners, reception excursions, tours, etc.

4. the state of the art — the level or position at a given time, especially at present, of generally accepted and available knowledge, technical achievement in a particular field.

5. seminar — a discussion group on any particular subject.

6. colloquium — a meeting for discussion.

7. workshop — a seminar emphasising exchange of ideas and practical methods.

8. criticism —judgement or opinion on something, remark that finds fault.

9. to keep abreast of (with) — to keep up to date.

 

Task 4. Read the text and discuss it. Write a synopsis of the text in five sentences.

SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

Communication is essential for scientific research. Science is a public knowledge and the aim of a scientist is to create, criticise and thus contribute to the progress of ideas. This aim is generally achieved through scientific publications and conferences.

Articles in regular scientific journals carry from one research worker to another various discoveries, deductions, speculations and observations which are of common interest. Generally scientific papers are derivative and depend on previous research. References to other research are reflected in citations. A scientist relies on the citations to show the place of his investigation in the whole scientific structure.

Another opportunity to share and exchange opinions and information is national and international conferences and symposia. They play an important role in coordinating scientific research. Usually scientific gatherings are sponsored by the central scientific organizations. An organizational committee is set up which decides where and when a conference should be held. Invitations are sent out to organizations interested in the topics discussed, together with the requests to submit applications and abstracts of papers.

After receiving all necessary materials the committee publishes a programme of the events. At the conference the participants present their papers and listen to the reports read by others on the latest developments and the state of the art in their field. Papers on general topics are read before all the participants, those dealing with specific problems are presented at group meetings and plenary sessions held in subject areas under the chairmanship of distinguished scientists. After the hearings the discussions follow. Scientists can discuss a given problem with other experts in their field, argue with their scientific opponents, find out the details of some experimental procedures. The materials of conferences and symposia are usually published to allow others to keep abreast of the achievements in science.

Another type of scientific meeting are a laboratory or work-group seminar, colloquium or workshop. The members of the staff and guest-speakers make reviews of the developments in their field and report the progress of their research. The speakers expect thorough discussion and criticism, advice and help of their colleagues. Such personal exchange of views is very essential for any scientist.

 

Task 5. Translate the following words and word combinations:

Наукові публікації, відкриття та спостереження, залежати від попереднього дослідження, відображатися у цитатах, обмінюватися думками, програма заходів, слухати доповіді, сперечатися з опонентами, бути в курсі наукових досягнень, персонал, робити огляд, бути важливим.

 

Task 6. Read the following statements and comment them:

1. Articles play an important role in coordinating scientific research.

2. Each paper must have an abstract of not more than ten lines to be translated into the other three languages.

3. The list of references should include only those publications, which are mentioned in the text.

4. Those who want to attend a scientific conference or symposium are requested by the Organising Committee to register, usually by filling in an official application form.

 

Task 7. Put questions to underlined words.

1. The aim of a scientist is to contribute to the progress of ideas.

2. Generally scientific papers depend on previous research.

3. Usually scientific gatherings are sponsored by the central scientific organizations.

4. After receiving all necessary materials the committee publishes a programme of the events.

5. After the hearings the discussions follow.

6. Personal exchange of views is very essential for any scientist.

 

Task 8. Translate the following sentences.

1. Науковці обмінюються думками та ідеями через наукові публікації та конференції. 2. Наукові статті публікуються у спеціальних виданнях. 3. У статті вчений посилається на цитати інших науковців, щоб показати місце свого дослідження у загальній структурі. 4. Організаційний комітет відповідає за організацію та проведення конференції. 5. Учасники конференції мають нагоду представити свою статтю та послухати доповіді щодо останніх досягнень у своїй галузі. 6. Зазвичай після слухання доповіді відбувається її обговорення. 7. Опубліковані матеріали конференції дозволяють науковцям бути в курсі останніх досягнень науки.

 

Task 9. Imagine, that you are the chairman of the conference. What would you say, if

•  the speaker is wandering about the point;

•  speaking time has been exceeded;

• you want the speaker to speak louder into the microphone (from the seat);

• you want the speaker to restrict their contributions to three minutes;

   the speaker's voice is not heard;

•  the speaker does not stick top the point;

•  the speaker is unknown to you and to other participants;

•  one of the conference participants is used to interrupting the speaker.

 

Task 10. You are at a conference. Your colleague who is asking questions has a bad command of English. He wants you to repeat and translate the answer given to his question.

1. Yes, I must simply agree with you.

2.1 share your opinion but I want to comment upon the results of your research work.

3.1 certainly agree with many researchers as to the problem discussed.

4. My observations of the problem agree with the observations of the previous speaker.

5.1 share your opinion concerning this problem

6.1 agree with what's been said today but I want to comment on one aspect of the problem.

7.1 must accept your point of view.

8. Unfortunately, you are right.

9. Unfortunately, the problem has not been yet investigated.

 

Task 11 . Your colleague from Britain asks you to translate some Ukrainian sentences of the discussion recorded, which he has not caught.

1. Я цілком згоден із цим твердженням.

2. Мої спостереження збігаються з вашими.

3. Я вітаю вас із позитивними результатами.

4. Я цілком згоден із попереднім доповідачем.

5. Ви маєте рацію. Результати дуже добрі.

6. Я цілком згоден з попереднім доповідачем.

7. Я мушу прийняти це без жодного сумніву.

8. На жаль, це справді так. Проблема потребує подальшого дослідження.

9. Я погоджуюся з тим, що щойно сказав професор Браун.

10. Я вітаю професора Козловського з результатами його наукових досліджень.

11. Мої спостереження збігаються зі спостереженнями англійських учених.

12. Я, безперечно, згоден з тим, що було сказано професором Рональдом, але я хочу прокоментувати результати дослідження.

13. Я, безперечно, згоден з багатьма зауваженнями, але хочу зазначити, що ця робота є перспективною.

14. Я згоден, що над цією проблемою треба ще багато працювати.

 

 

Lexical revision. Commonly misused words.

Translate the sentences. Choose the correct usage with the help of a dictionary if necessary.

1. I'll need one more lead /led pipe to complete this plumbing job. I only enjoy a race when I am in the lead/ led. John was unfamiliar with that route, so Jules lead /led the way.

2. Mike needs to learn/teach how to communicate with people. Liana is patiently trying to learn /teach me to type.

3.  If the customs officer finds nothing wrong with a traveler's luggage, the officer lets /leaves the traveler let/leave the area.

4.  Roy was excited about his first loose / lose tooth. If you step out of line, you will loose/ lose you place.

5. The manor/manner, or landed estate, dates back to feudal times in England. They don't like the manor / manner in which you respond to my question.