池谷大星：科学技術用語: one-third or 1/3?

I have come across several Japanese parts makers using "1/3" in their catalogs or press releases. Typical in-house translators or engineers at such companies typically render "1/3" or any other fraction exactly as it is in the original Japanese document when preparing the English version.

True, mathematical symbols are basically universal around the world. However, when publishing a document for public use in the English language, I typically transpose simple mathematical symbols like "1/3" into "one-third."

Here is one example from The Nikkei Business Daily Wednesday edition, dated March 27, 2008 (bold emphasis added by me):

The strong growth in online gaming is not limited to Asia, however. U.S research firm Strategy Analytics forecasts the global online gaming market will expand by 25% annually and be worth 11 billion dollars in 2011, accounting for one-third of the total game software market.

Here is another example from an article by Reliable Plant:

When asked whether they have made – or are planning to make – changes to their total rewards programs with generational preferences in mind, nearly one-third of respondents (32 percent) answered in the affirmative.

And, one last example from an article by Machinery Lubrication:

In a heavy-duty diesel engine, only one-third of the total energy produced works to propel the vehicle forward. An additional one-third is removed as heat energy by the exhaust system. The remaining one-third of heat energy produced is taken away by the coolant.

So, why do good writers choose to go through the trouble of spelling "one-third" when it would be much easier to simply write "1/3"?

I believe that reading one-third spelled out is easier on the eyes and less distracting than 1/3. Regardless of what I believe, the Chicago Manual of Style clearly states the following:

9.15 Simple fractions
Simple fractions are spelled out. When, as in the first four examples below, a fraction is considered a single quantity, it is hyphenated. When, less commonly, individual parts of a quantity are in question, as in the last example, the fraction is spelled open. See also 7.90, section 1, under fractions, simple.

Examples:

She has read three-quarters of the book.
Four-fifths of the students are boycotting the class.
I do not want all of your material; two-thirds is quite enough.
A two-thirds majority is required.

Of course, when publishing a technical paper, then the numerical form of a fraction might be the preferred style in accordance with International System of Units (SI).

Can you think of any other situation where a simple fraction might be written as 1/3 instead of one-third? In your English translations, do you follow the CMoS rule or do you use another reference that has a different view? Let me know what you think. Feel free to post your own questions as well!

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池谷大星：科学技術用語

Thursday, March 27, 2008

one-third or 1/3?

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