Translating
 

I got an email enquiring if I was available for some freelance translation work. I thought, yeah, why not? And downloaded, completed, and returned a sample translation.

Most of it was simple enough, but it turns out the sample document was part of a patent or something, so it contained some grammar I've not come across before.

First off is: または as in "ペプチドまたはそれらの塩"

I assumed it to mean "peptides and their salts". Is that correct?

Also, this brings up a question that might well be better asked at a molecular biology forum: What is the salt of a peptide?!
We don't use the expression in English. I'm sure I've never heard of peptides as salts, although I can appreciate the ability of peptides to form ionic bonds.

I don't suppose ペプチドの塩 rings any bells among the few of us who've taken biology lessons in Japan? lol

Peptide salts are... peptide salts. :D I can`t think of a better way to say it, nor can I remember what they are in contrast to regular peptides... Sorry.

As for the sample sentence, "peptides or any of their salts" - the または implies "or" a lot more strongly than "and".

Hrmm. I'll bear that in mind for my biochemistry module next semester, but honestly, after 7 years of biology at school, and 3 at university, I've not heard peptide salts mentioned.

Still, if peptide salts is a good translation, then I'm happy.

I'll bear in mind that または is more of the feeling "or" in future. Luckily for me the way I worded the translation, the ands + ors were relatively interchangeable.

Thank you very much, Nyororin. :)

Off topic, but nice site PouncingAnt :) Really informative and good layout.