Раздел IV терминология, необходимая для презентации научного исследования Translation of Russian Terms
диплом
(First) degree is usually the most appropriate translation, since a Russian диплом is awarded after five years' specialised study at an institution of higher education. The use of diploma implies a shorter course, or one of a lower academic standard.
First should be included only when it is necessary to distinguish this degree (=диплом) from a higher degree (ученая степень).
I've only got a first degree.
Дипломная работа is difficult to translate into English, because there is nothing of this kind in most higher educational establishments in England. In order to graduate, students only have to pass the necessary examinations. In some institutions, however, mainly newer ones, students also have to write a dissertation, that is, a sort of extended essay based on some independent study or investigation, and this practice seems to be spreading. Dissertation could therefore be used as a translation of дипломная работа, bearing in mind that it exists only in some English institutions. The SOED (Shorter Oxford English Dictionary) defines dissertation as "a discourse, a spoken or written treatment of a subject at length". In American English, however, dissertation is a work submitted for a higher degree (BrE thesis). This fact, and the possible confusion with the Russian диссертация, make dissertation a far from ideal translation of дипломная работа.
The only other solution seems to be some descriptive expression with graduation, for example, graduation essay/ paper/dissertation.
Дипломный пpоект can be translated as graduation project. Remember, however, that this is not a set expression and that project has a wider use in modern English.
Зaщита дипломной работы/дипломного проекта
Even in those institutions where students write a dissertation there is no occasion corresponding to the Russian защита. The dissertation is simply marked by the examiner(s) together with the student's examination papers.
One possibility is to use the expression oral (examination) or viva, as in the case of theses but this has various disadvantages. Firstly, an oral examination (or viva) is not conducted like a защита. Secondly, it is not clear how to specify the idea of a first degree. Graduation/final oral (examination) or viva is possible, but this does not suggest the discussion of a dissertation or paper. Moreover, it would be better to keep the expression graduation/final oral (examination) as a translation of the oral part of the государственный экзамен.
In view of all these complications, there seems to be no good alternative to the literal translation defense of one's dissertation or graduation paper/project. Remember, however, that this will not be clear to English people without an explanation.
окончить (университет/институт)
Graduate (from a university/college) can generally be used as a translation in formal or semi-formal style. In non-formal style, however, some other version is more appropriate, for example, to take one's degree.
In cases where the fact of having passed the examinations, etc. is not the central idea, English people often use the verb to be with at, or to go with to.
was at
He went to London University.
Here it is assumed that he graduated.
(ученая) степень
Higher degree is the best translation.
Cтепень кандидата наук and кандидат наук are as a rule best translated literally as: degree of candidate of sciences or candidate's degree (less formal) and candidate of sciences.
Since these terms do not exist in English, and the word candidate has a more general meaning (that of a person applying for a job or position, or taking an examination), it will be necessary in many cases to explain to English people that a Russian candidate's degree is approximately equivalent to an English PhD (or doctorate). It may be justified in some cases, for example, when talking to English or American visitors, to use the word doctorate and doctor for convenience. However, if there are people present with the degree of доктор наук, such use will obscure the difference between the two Russian degrees.
W hen using the literal translation candidate of sciences, it may be necessary to explain also that science does not refer to the sciences in the modern English sense.
Cтепень доктора наук and доктор наук can be translated as: degree of doctor or doctorate and doctor (of sciences). However, it should be explained that this is not the same as an English or American doctorate, but that it is a more advanced degree, awarded for a thesis.
When translating the names of particular degrees, it seems on the whole preferable to omit the word science, although it is not necessarily incorrect to include it.
кандидат/доктор филологических наук - candidate / doctor of philology
The literal translation philology is preferable here to arts or any of the other words discussed in connection with the translation of филологический факультет. Neither candidate/doctor of arts nor candidate/doctor of languages and literature are English terms, and in any case the words candidate and doctor are themselves literal translations here. However, candidate/doctor of philology will mean nothing to an English person unfamiliar with the Russian system unless some explanation is given.
кандидат / доктор философских наук — candidate / doctor of philosophy
It may be necessary to explain that doctor of philosophy is not the same as the English degree of that name.
кандидат / доктор психологических наук — candid ate / doctor of psychology
кандидат / доктор педагогических наук— candidate/doctor of education
Pedagogical science or pedagogics is possible, although very learned, and not so easily understood.
кандидат / доктор экономических наук — candidate/doctor of economics
кандидат / доктор юридических наук — candidate/doctor of law
The names of the other degrees can be translated in a similar way.
диссертация
The usual British English equivalent is thesis, which is applied to both the Master's degree and the doctorate. Dissertation is used either as a general term, to denote any extended written treatment of a subject, or more specifically, to denote something of a lower academic standard than a thesis, for example, what students write for graduation in some institutions.
In American English, however, dissertation is used for a doctorate, whereas thesis denotes something of a lower standard, for example, for a Master's degree.
защита диссертации, защищать диссертацию
It should be noted that there is nothing of this kind in England, although the oral (examination) or viva fulfills basically the same function. Defend and defense can be used as translations, so long as one bears in mind that they are not real equivalents. In some cases one can avoid the difficulty by re-phrasing the sentence.
В 2001 году он защитил кандидатскую/докторскую
диссертацию.