厚さが～になる、厚さの変化、視点の移動

基板は断面において見た端部に外部端子部を有する。基板は、断面における厚さが変化する。基板は、外部端子部から初めて５μｍ以上となる最大厚さ部分を有する。

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

The substrate has external terminal sections at end portions viewed in cross-section. The substrate’s thickness varies in cross-section. The substrate includes a maximum thickness portion that is at least 5 μm from the external terminal sections.

あなた:

Does the translation accurately and sufficiently convey the meaning of 「なる」 in 「から初めて５μｍ以上となる」? Specifically, it seems that the original passage demands movement, in the mind of the reader, of the point of view from the 外部端子部 to the 最大厚さ部分, because the thickness varies in the cross section and there is a point at which the thickness becomes at least 5 μm "for the first time". What do you think?

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

You're absolutely correct in identifying that 「から初めて５μｍ以上となる」 implies a progression, as if moving along the substrate from the external terminal sections to the point where the thickness reaches 5 μm for the first time. The translation should reflect this gradual increase in thickness.

Here’s a refined version to capture this nuance:

"The substrate includes a maximum thickness portion, where, starting from the external terminal sections, the thickness first becomes at least 5 μm."

This revision aims to better guide the reader along the spatial progression from the terminal sections to the specified thickness.

あなた:

Or does "from" in your initial translation "The substrate includes a maximum thickness portion that is at least 5 μm from the external terminal sections" sufficiently suggest such progression in thickness and therefore work fine as the translation of 「から初めて～となる」 for general purposes?

ChatGPT:

ChatGPT

For general purposes, the initial translation—"The substrate includes a maximum thickness portion that is at least 5 μm from the external terminal sections"—may indeed suffice, as "from" does imply a progression in position. However, it’s more implicit and might lack the sense of reaching a threshold for the first time, which is specifically conveyed by 「初めて～となる」 in Japanese.

If absolute precision and clarity regarding this spatial progression are important, then a more explicit translation, such as:

"The substrate includes a maximum thickness portion, where the thickness first becomes at least 5 μm starting from the external terminal sections,"

would more directly communicate the intended meaning. For general or less technical contexts, the initial version is likely adequate, though it slightly softens the sequential implication of the original.