Top 10 Common Mistakes in French-to-English Medical Translation - and How to Avoid Them

Accurate medical translation is a matter of precision, not approximation. In the medical field, a single mistranslated term can alter a diagnosis, distort research results, or even put patient safety at risk.

French and English share Latin roots and many medical terms, which can lull translators into a false sense of confidence. But beneath these surface similarities lie critical differences in syntax, usage, and clinical culture.

As a professional French-to-English medical translation agency, we’ve reviewed thousands of documents - from clinical trial protocols and informed consent forms to radiology reports and regulatory submissions - and we’ve seen the same pitfalls over again.

Here are the top 10 most common mistakes in French-to-English medical translation, and how to avoid them.

1. False Friends and Deceptive Cognates

French and English share a vast medical lexicon, but many terms that look identical carry different meanings. Translators who rely on “faux amis” can easily distort a text.

Example:

               •             Actuellement ≠ “actually” → it means “currently”

               •             Éventuellement ≠ “eventually” → it means “possibly”

               •             Sensible ≠ “sensible” → it means “sensitive”

In medical contexts, such nuances can be critical.

A report stating that a patient is sensible à la pénicilline means the bacterium is sensitive to penicillin, not that the patient is emotionally “sensible.”

How to avoid it:

Always verify cognates in a reputable medical bilingual dictionary or termbase (e.g., Termium Plus, IATE, Grand Dictionnaire Terminologique). Never assume that a familiar-looking term means the same thing in both languages.

2. Mistranslating “Pathologie”

In French medical usage, pathologie often refers broadly to a disease, not necessarily “pathology” as the medical specialty.

Example:

               •             Le patient présente une pathologie cardiaque → “The patient has a heart

disease,” not “The patient presents a cardiac pathology.”

How to avoid it:

Consider the context and register. If the text discusses a hospital department (service de pathologie), “Pathology Department” may be correct. But in clinical notes or discharge summaries, translate pathologie as condition, disorder, or disease depending on the tone.

3. Confusing “Traitement” and “Processing”

French medical texts often use traitement in several senses:

               •             Traitement médicamenteux → “drug treatment”

               •             Traitement des données → “data processing”

               •             Traitement d’images → “image processing” (e.g., radiology)

The mistake: translating traitement mechanically as “treatment” in every case.

How to avoid it:

Analyse the semantic field of traitement. If it applies to data, images, or samples, “processing” is correct. If it concerns a patient, disease, or symptom, use “treatment” or “therapy.”

4. Literal Translations of Clinical Phrases

Many French clinical phrases don’t translate naturally into English medical style.

Example:

               •             Le patient présente une toux sèche → “The patient has a dry cough,” not “The patient presents a dry cough.”

               •             Il a bénéficié d’une intervention chirurgicale → “He underwent surgery,” not “He benefited from a surgical intervention.”

Literal translations can make English reports sound awkward or even unprofessional.

How to avoid it:

Familiarize yourself with English clinical writing conventions. Read authentic medical records, case reports, and journal articles in English. Aim for idiomatic clarity over literal correspondence.

5. Neglecting Register and Audience

French medical writing often uses nominal phrases and passive structures, whereas English medical English prefers concise, action-oriented syntax.

Example:

               •             Une augmentation significative de la tension artérielle a été observée → “Blood pressure increased significantly.”

A too-literal translation can sound stiff or bureaucratic to English-speaking clinicians or regulators.

How to avoid it:

Adapt register to your target audience - whether it’s a regulatory body (EMA, FDA), a patient population, or healthcare professionals. Good translation is not just about words, but tone, flow, and function.

6. Overlooking Units and Measurement Conventions

France uses the comma as a decimal separator and sometimes different laboratory reference ranges.

Example:

               •             5,6 mmol/L should remain “5.6 mmol/L” in English.

               •             Temperatures in Celsius may be retained, but spelling (“°C” vs “degrees Celsius”) must follow English norms.

How to avoid it:

Always convert decimal separators and check whether units require adaptation (e.g., HbA1c in % vs mmol/mol, depending on audience). Be aware of country-specific clinical reporting standards.

7. Inconsistent Terminology in Clinical Trials

French clinical research documents often contain regulatory phrasing that has established English equivalents.

Example:

               •             Essai de phase II randomisé, en double aveugle, contrôlé contre placebo → “Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial.”

               •             Critère principal d’évaluation → “Primary endpoint,” not “main evaluation criterion.”

How to avoid it:

Refer to ICH-GCP, EMA, and FDA glossaries to ensure alignment with industry terminology. Build and maintain a client-specific termbase to ensure consistency across protocols, patient information leaflets, and investigator brochures.

8. Ignoring Cultural and Regulatory Context

Certain French medical or administrative terms have no direct English equivalent because the healthcare systems differ.

Example:

               •             Médecin traitant → “General practitioner (GP)” in UK English, but “primary care physician” in US English.

               •             Arrêt de travail → “Sick leave certificate,” not simply “work stoppage.”

How to avoid it:

Localize, don’t just translate. Understand the target market’s healthcare system and regulatory environment. Clarify with the client whether the target English is for the UK, US, or international use.

9. Translating Patient Materials Too Literally

When translating patient-facing materials such as informed consent forms, overly technical renderings can compromise comprehension.

Example:

               •             Une ponction lombaire sera réalisée pour recueillir du liquide céphalo-rachidien → “A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will be done to collect cerebrospinal fluid.”

Here, adding a lay term in parentheses helps readability without sacrificing accuracy.

How to avoid it:

Apply plain-language principles. Translate for understanding, not just accuracy. Check readability (aim for CEFR B2/C1 for most patient information) and ensure compliance with health literacy guidelines.

10. Skipping Final Medical and Linguistic Review

Even seasoned translators make occasional terminological slips or typos - but in medical contexts, such errors can have real consequences.

Example:

Confusing hypoglycémie (low blood sugar) and hyperglycémie (high blood sugar) can reverse the meaning entirely.

How to avoid it:

Implement a dual-review process:

               1.            Medical review by a subject-matter expert or bilingual clinician.

               2.            Linguistic QA using terminology tools and style guides.

Use CAT tools’ QA features to flag inconsistencies, check numeric data, and verify terminology. Precision comes from process, not just skill.

Conclusion: Precision Is the Best Medicine

Medical translation demands more than bilingual fluency - it requires a deep understanding of both languages and medical logic.

By recognizing and avoiding these ten common mistakes, translators can ensure that meaning, accuracy, and patient safety remain intact across linguistic boundaries.

At FrenchMedicalTranslators.com, I combine clinical expertise with linguistic precision to deliver translations that meet international medical and regulatory standards.

Whether you need translations for clinical trials, medical devices, regulatory submissions, or patient information, we provide quality you can trust - because in medicine, every word matters.