Castilian Spanish – so named for its roots in the region of Castile – emerged from Spain’s many regional languages and dialects to become the primary language of the nation. Castilian Spanish was later brought to the New World through the colonization efforts of the Spanish, where the language enjoyed widespread adoption throughout the Americas. Over time, Latin American Spanish has evolved in its own right to contain various features that distinguish it from European Spanish.

The use of the term “castellano” as opposed to “español” when referring to the Spanish language may be interpreted in a number of ways. Since there are several official languages in Spain including Catalan, Basque, and Galician, the word “castellano” is often used to differentiate the Spanish language from these regional languages. Castellano may also be used to refer to regional dialects of the Spanish language spoken in Castile, for example, Andalusian. Many times – particularly outside of Spain – castellano and español are utilized interchangeably and simply refer to the Spanish language as a whole.

The terms Castilian Spanish or castellano are often used to draw a distinction between the Spanish spoken in Spain (Peninsular Spanish) and Latin American Spanish; however, this usage is somewhat misleading since Spanish speakers in Latin America also speak what are essentially dialects of Castilian Spanish as opposed to a distinct language, as is often implied.

Many Spanish speakers in Latin America customarily refer to their language as castellano as opposed to español. For example, Southern Cone countries such as Argentina and Uruguay have a tendency to refer to Spanish as castellano, while other parts of South America alternate between the use of the terms español and castellano. In the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Spanish is almost exclusively referred to as español.

While there is no generic form of Latin American Spanish, many countries share several features of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar that set apart Latin American Spanish from Castilian Spanish.

Read more about Latin American Spanish and Castilian Spanish

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Americans notoriously read very little in the way of foreign literature. With translations representing a paltry 3 to 5 percent of books being published annually in the United States, authors and translators alike are crying out for more fiction to be translated. Intellectuals argue that exposure to writing by foreign authors will help us to bridge gaps of understanding and bring us out of our cocoon of cultural isolation.

After reading a collection of short stories by various European authors, writer and translator Tim Parks observes that he is “struck by how familiar these voices are, how reassuringly similar in outlook to one another and ourselves.” The elements of humor and narrative forms found within the collection only serve to underscore the similarities. “Across the globe, the literary frame of mind is growing more homogeneous,” Parks writes.

There’s no doubt that translated foreign literature deserves a spot in the bookcase, but perhaps we should shelve the idea of greater cultural awareness through these works.

Read more about the topic here on The New York Review of Books.

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Here are some of the top language-related stories from the last month:

1. The recently elected president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, sports an animal last name. Could the warm and fuzzy appeal of her name have helped her to get elected?

2. As part of the state’s new comprehensive immigration reform, Arizona now requires that any teacher instructing students in the English language speak without a heavy accent.

3. Renowned scientist Stephen Hawking ponders what sort of language humans would require to communicate effectively with extraterrestrials should they one day make contact with our planet.

4. Bad translations are the order of the day. A recent diplomatic visit to Washington D.C. by Mexican President Felipe Calderón was marred due to lackluster interpretation of his comments by a substitute interpreter.

5. The Eurovision Song Contest is perennially plagued with bad English translations, and this year was no exception.

6. Icelandic-English translators can barely keep pace with the flood of financial documents resulting from Iceland’s economic collapse.

For more information, visit this article at The World.

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As freelance translators, we all know the importance of making a good impression on our clients and maintaining a healthy professional relationship with them; however, what about the impression the client makes on you? The translator-agency relationship can vary significantly from vendor to vendor, depending on factors such as the size of the agency, the experience of the project managers, and the overall attitude of the agency toward the translation process (quality vs. quantity). A translation agency or client with concern for the translator will strive to meet the following expectations:

» Ideally, agencies express interest in negotiating rates, deadlines, payment methods and terms, etc., instead of forcing their own terms upon the translator. If a project requires urgency or overtime, the agency offers the appropriate incentives.

» A friendly yet professional tone. When communications from the project manager are overly formal, it’s easy for translators to feel like they’re talking to a robot instead of another human being. A touch of small talk and/or pleasantries can go a long way to humanizing the relationship with the agency.

» Tactful feedback. Translators do occasionally make errors, and while they appreciate feedback about their mistakes, it’s more helpful when the criticism is given in a tactful and constructive manner.

» Keep it simple. The agency that excels at simplifying the communication process, even for the most complicated projects, makes the translator’s life much easier and more productive.

» The agency sends the complete file for the translator’s review before expecting him or her to accept the project.

» Reasonably prompt communication. Translators understand that project managers or other team members are often swamped with work; however, a quick response to a question or doubt, especially on an urgent project, is much appreciated.

» Deft handling of administrative matters. Translators rejoice when the purchase order is sent in a timely manner, the agency confirms that the invoice has been received, etc.

» Timely payment. Translators put a great deal of stock in agencies that pay reliably and within acceptable timeframes.

What do you look for in your relationship with a translation agency or other vendors?

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The translation of marketing and promotional materials presents unique challenges, not only from a language standpoint but from a cultural one as well. Translations of advertising copy must strive for something beyond technical accuracy; just like the carefully-crafted original text, the translation of a marketing message must be both engaging and culturally relevant to the target audience. The incorporation of specialists in transcreation and cultural adaptation to the linguistic team ensures that marketing messages are accurately conveyed without sacrificing creativity or consistency.

Transcreation services focus on adaptation of a text rather than a strict translation, guaranteeing that – by remaining faithful to the original and reflecting the local preferences and culture of the target audience – the message achieves the greatest impact in every market. Transcreation entails a host of services including translation, copywriting, and localization, bringing together the creativity and contributions of professionals whose principal interests and activities center on content adaptation.

“The goal of transcreation isn’t to say the same thing in another language. Indeed, it is often not possible to say exactly the same thing in another language. The aim of the game with transcreation is to get the same reaction in each language, something that translation in itself won’t be able to achieve.” [1]

The translation of copy for the marketing world differs significantly from other types of translations such as technical translations, which leave little room for creativity, and some training in copywriting is recommended. Translators with a flair for creative writing tend to produce the best results with advertising, marketing, and media texts and are best suited to work as transcreators.

Transcreation demands an intimate understanding of the source language, continuous exposure to the local media in the target market, as well as a high degree of familiarity with the target audience. A specialist in transcreation will be able to evaluate why the advertising message works for the original group, and he or she will produce materials that are culturally adapted and tailor-made for the target audience. Ideally, translators, transcreators, and those responsible for content adaptation should engage the client in a dialogue about the brand and its intended message to consumers to maintain consistency and meaning for the target audience.

[1] Bad Language, Translation vs. Transcreation

While the content of a translation is always of utmost importance, the presentation of that content should not be underestimated. Even the best translation can flop if it is presented in an unprofessional manner. Desktop publishing (DTP) ensures that a translation delivers visual impact, with a design that complements and enhances the written word. Using sophisticated programs such as QuarkXPress, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign and PageMaker, a completed translation can be inserted into any number of file types, which may or may not include graphics, for use in presentations, advertising, web layouts, etc. The desktop publishing phase is not usually handled by the translator; instead, it is assigned to a team member with specific desktop publishing and design experience.

Documents translated from English to Spanish often contain up to 20% more words – a concept known as text expansion – as it often takes more words to express the same idea in Spanish. Text expansion may result in a visually-crowded document that is difficult to read, since an increased number of words must fit in the same design. To prevent higher formatting costs down the road, documents should be designed with adequate white space to accommodate text expansion.

Designers must be sensitive to the fact that the Spanish language includes characters and punctuation not found in English. The desktop publisher will ensure that special characters appearing in the Spanish translation such as á, é, í, ó, ú, ü and ñ are preserved in the final product. Special attention should also be paid to the uniquely Spanish inverted question and exclamation marks (¿ and ¡) as well as angular quotes (« and »). Desktop publishers should carefully select digital typefaces, as some fonts do not contain these characters. It is also worthwhile to experiment with different fonts in order to choose one where the accent marks do not appear to merge into the accented letters.

Lastly, a crucial element of desktop publishing is a visual assessment of each project to make sure it is acceptable from a cultural perspective. The use of certain images or colors may be perceived as offensive in some cultures and must be adapted for the local market.

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The life of a translator tends to be a rather sedentary one; many hours are spent hunched over the computer, pecking away at a keyboard. In addition, most freelancers generally work out of a home office, which may not be set up under ideal work conditions. While it may be tempting to dismiss recommendations regarding ergonomics and stretching as mumbo-jumbo, the truth is that they’re important considerations for the sake of your health.

RSI (repetitive strain injury) “is caused by repeated overuse and injury to the muscles of the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders. For example, constant movement of the fingers by a typist or musician causes stress on the tissues at a microscopic level.” [1] The heavy typing and computer use associated with modern-day translation work places translators at risk for developing RSI.

Top Tips to Prevent RSI

»Stretch – Consider doing a warm up and cool down after a long session at the computer. Click here for a list of exercises to prevent RSI.

»Take breaks – Take regular breaks throughout the day, and practice relaxation techniques to release tension. When you’re “in the zone” or feeling pressured to finish a job, you may sit for hours at a time in front of the computer without taking even a five-minute break. A program called Workrave “alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit.” [2]

»Consider ergonomics – Set up an appropriate work station no matter where you’re working, and use good posture and positioning while in front of the computer. It’s important to have a comfortable, well-lit place to work to maximize productivity and reduce the risk of RSI. Click here for a list of ergonomics guidelines.

»Try a speech to text program – Programs such as Dragon Naturally Speaking are useful in battling the strain and fatigue associated with extended periods of typing. Speech recognition programs require patience and take time to train, but they are a viable option for those who need to set limits on the amount of typing they do.

»Investigate alternative keyboard and mouse options – Users can experiment with a trackball-style mouse or a stylus/graphic pad combination, which may provide relief for those experiencing early signs of RSI. Ergonomic keyboards are also available and reduce strain on hands and wrists.

Sources:

[1] BBC Health, Repetitive Strain Injury

[2] Workrave

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The rules for capitalization in English can be complicated. Use this list to help guide you when composing a text in English.

• Capitalize the first word of a sentence.
• Capitalize the first word of a direct quote.
• Capitalize the first word of each line in a piece of poetry or verse.
• Capitalize the pronoun “I” including its contractions (e.g. I’m, I’d).
• Capitalize proper nouns (used to denote a specific person, place, organization, or thing).
• Capitalize familial relationships when used as proper names (e.g. Uncle Bob).
• Capitalize acronyms except for those that have become regular words, as in the case of “radar” and “scuba.”
• Capitalize the names of countries, nationalities, and specific languages.
• Capitalize a person’s title when it precedes the name; however, do not capitalize when the title serves as a description following the name.
• Capitalize the titles of government officials when used before their names.
• Capitalize the names of national, political, racial, social, civic, and athletic organizations.
• Capitalize points of the compass (north, south, east, west) only when they refer to specific regions or sections of a country.
• Capitalize the first and last words of titles of publications regardless of their parts of speech. Capitalize other words within titles with the exception of short prepositions or the articles “the,” “a,” or “an,” unless they appear as the first word of the title.
• Capitalize the months of the year, the days of the week, periods and events (e.g. Great Depression), and holidays. Do not capitalize the names of seasons except in a title.
• When writing a letter, capitalize the first word of the salutation and the first word of the closing.
• Capitalize words and abbreviations derived from proper nouns (e.g. Daliesque).
• Capitalize the names of trademarks.
• After a phrase ending in a colon, do not capitalize the first word if it begins a list.
• Capitalize the names of God, specific deities, religious and mythological figures, and holy works. Do not capitalize the word “god” when used in a non-specific manner.

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The flexibility offered by working as a freelance translator certainly has its perks, but being your own boss presents its own set of challenges (and the occasional headache). Here are some tips for those of you considering the move to freelance translation or interpreting.

»Master the Business Side
When you’re a freelance translator, your responsibilities extend beyond those of crafting a high quality translation. In addition to doing the actual work of translation, you have to run your own business. As a self-employed freelancer you will be responsible for marketing yourself, making proposals for projects, collecting payments, tracking your finances, purchasing equipment, etc. The keys to running a successful business – as with most worthwhile endeavors – are having a long-range plan and staying organized.

»Get Social
Since translation is primarily a solitary activity, networking is of utmost importance.  Actively seeking out relationships with other translators can reap rewards in terms of feedback, generating leads, sharing knowledge, and yes, even socializing. Consider joining one of the many professional societies for translators and interpreters such as the American Translators Association (ATA) or the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI), and attend as many professional development events and seminars as your schedule and finances allow.

»Check and Double Check
Many times as a freelancer you won’t have the fallback assurance of an editor or QA team to proof and/or revise your translation. Always proofread your work multiple times, and for really key projects, consider having a trusted colleague review your translation for errors (you know, one of those people you met through networking!). Consistently providing top notch, error-free deliverables will get you noticed by providers.

»Have Confidence in the Value of Your Work
Once you have settled upon a fair yet competitive rate for your work, stick to it; don’t sell yourself short. Most clients recognize the relationship of quality to price, and those that don’t generally learn the hard way. Also, consider charging a rush rate or weekend surcharge for projects assigned at the last minute or with a Monday morning deadline. Remember: if you don’t value your time and talents, no one else will.

For additional tips for freelance translators, see this post.

Join our networking groups:
Facebook – Transpanish
Facebook – Neutral Spanish
Friend Feeder – Transpanish
Friend Feeder – Spanish Translation
Twitter – Transpanish

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Spanish speakers around the world, take heart; you don’t speak incorrectly, just differently. The Real Academia Española (RAE), Spain’s language authority, is finally acknowledging the diversity of grammar and vocabulary among the Spanish language’s nearly 500 million speakers in some 20 countries. The language mavens at the RAE just released a two-volume set detailing the state of grammar in the Spanish language; however, unlike their previous guidelines dating to 1931, this time they’ve gone beyond the borders of Spain to include acceptable grammar usage in other parts of the world. Instead of taking a purely prescriptive approach, the RAE’s new set of grammar books aims to document how the Spanish language is currently being used with indications for what scholars consider proper grammar. The project was 11 years in the making, and the finished tomes span some 4,000 pages. A third volume is due out within the next few months.

 Read more information (in Spanish) at  Real Academia Española

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