Language of Chemistry: Making IUPAC Nomenclature Available in Spanish

Abstract

Science, including mathematics, physics, and, of course, chemistry, has its own language and symbols and names we learn in school. However, to teach it, communicate it, and use it, we use our own native languages. Most of the scientific literature, including this article, is in English, as are the texts published by the various scientific unions, including the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), to define scientific nomenclature, terminology, and presentation. However, it is essential that these fundamental texts are available in as many languages as possible to facilitate their teaching, learning, and use throughout the world. It should be noted, however, that the translation of these texts into different languages is a complex task that requires some choices due to the lack of obvious alternatives or the cacophony of some terms. In this paper, we provide some details on the challenges, compromises, and difficult decisions involved in translating the IUPAC Nomenclature Brief Guides into Spanish.