10 Free Online Resources for English Language Learners

Posted On January 7, 2010By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages/ 2 Comments

Studying English can open all sorts of doors – it’s no wonder that there are an estimated one billion people currently learning the language! Fortunately, the English language resources you’re in search of are right at your fingertips. Explore the following 10 free online resources for English language learners:

ESL Instructors and Students The OWL at Purdue The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) delves into English grammar and mechanics and provides practice exercises and business writing tips. The OWL’s writing tutors even serve up individualized help online.

ToLearnEnglish This site features a placement/leveling test, reading and listening exercises on a range of topics, over 7,000 lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced learners, and free, printable grammar and vocabulary worksheets. ToLearnEnglish also features chat rooms and forums that add to a sense of community.

BBC Learning English For those keen on British English, the BBC’s Learning English site offers up interesting features such as “Words in the News” and “Keep Your English Up to Date,” plus 200+ episodes of an award-winning English language teaching soap opera called “The Flatmates.”

SharedTalk Owned by the well-known language-learning software company Rosetta Stone, SharedTalk offers you the opportunity to chat live (either text or voice) with native English speakers from around the world.

WordReference This site offers an extensive set of bilingual dictionaries for translating terms to and from English and valuable user forums where you can pose questions to native English speakers regarding grammar and vocabulary usage.

About.com: English as 2nd Language About.com’s ESL pages provide comprehensive grammar lessons, vocabulary lists, idioms and expressions, and strategies to improve your English communication skills.

Randall’s ESL Cyber Listening Lab Randall’s listening activities for English language learners at all levels focus on improving comprehension of the spoken word.

Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, geared specifically toward those studying English as a second language, is an excellent resource for intermediate to advanced students. The site offers up 3,000 must-know words with the ability to create personalized, virtual flash cards, as well as quizzes and pronunciation exercises.

Antimoon The site aims to “provide advice and inspiration to learners of English as a foreign language.” Rather than vocabulary drills and grammar exercises, what you’ll find here is an overall approach to studying English that differs in some ways from conventional methods. Antimoon’s lively discussion forum focused on language learning is the site’s most compelling feature.

International Dialects of English Archive (IDEA) IDEA is a site for those English language learners interested in listening to and comparing the recordings of English accents and dialects from around the world. This site is a great tool for training your ear to hear the differences among accents.

10 Free Online Resources for Spanish Language Learners

Posted On January 2, 2010By TranspanishIn Languages, Spanish Language/ 1 Comment

Whether you’re just starting to dabble in the world of foreign language study or you’re an accomplished polyglot with five languages under your belt, the Spanish Language resources you’re looking for are merely a click away. From beginner language forums to college-level courses, the Internet offers a wealth of language resources that are available for free. Explore the following 10 free online resources for Spanish language learners:

Notes in Spanish This site provides a series of podcasts using real-world language and scenarios, ranging from beginner level through to advanced. Notes in Spanish also features a very active blog with additional content such as videos. Note: Many discussion topics focus exclusively on vocabulary and grammatical constructions used in Spain.

SharedTalk Owned by the well-known language-learning software company Rosetta Stone, SharedTalk offers you the opportunity to chat live (either text or voice) with native Spanish speakers from around the world.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Through MIT’s OpenCourseWare program, the university provides course materials for a number of Spanish language and literature courses that can be downloaded completely free of charge. MIT’s language offerings look to develop an understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills using various assignments, activities, and other resources.

BBC Languages – Spanish The BBC offers a choice of two different 12-week beginner courses: “Spanish Steps” or “Mi Vida Loca.” The site also features handy phrases to use while on vacation including food and drink, shopping, and even slang and swear words.

About.com: Spanish Language Look to About.com for comprehensive grammar lessons, vocabulary lists and tips for increasing your Spanish vocabulary, as well as a cultural section that provides insight into the customs of various Spanish-speaking countries.

StudySpanish.com StudySpanish.com This site features sections on Spanish pronunciation (with audio clips), grammar, vocabulary and verb drills, plus quizzes to help you gauge your progress.

Bowdoin College Bowdoin College With content that’s geared more toward advanced learners, at Bowdoin College’s site you’ll find an online Spanish textbook that addresses advanced grammatical concepts, a style checklist for Spanish composition, and articles and general resources about Latin America written in Spanish.

Spanish Language and Culture with Barbara Kuczun Nelson Spanish Language and Culture with Barbara Kuczun Nelson Brush up on your language skills with study modules featuring videos focusing on Spain and Latin America, as well as grammar exercises.

WordReference WordReference This site offers an extensive online dictionary, a verb conjugation tool and user forums where you can pose questions to native Spanish and English speakers about grammar and vocabulary.

Destinos Destinos A 52-part series presented as a telenovela or Spanish soap opera, the entertaining format of Destinos is sure to engage you while introducing everyday situations in Spanish.

Latinos and the 2010 U.S. Census

Posted On December 30, 2009By TranspanishIn Latinos, Spanish Language/ No Comments

With the 2010 U.S. Census set to begin in March, members of the Latino community are at odds over their participation in the decennial survey. Some fear that the census data collected by the government could provide an inaccurate tally of the population. “Concerns about an accurate count of the Latino community partly stem from the outcome of the 2000 census, when the Census Bureau estimated that it over-counted the total population by 1.3 million people while under-counting Hispanics by 250,000.” [1]

Accurate census data that reflects the true makeup of the population is of great importance; decisions regarding the distribution of federal funding for community projects and political representation rely heavily upon information culled from the census. An inaccurate representation of the population could lead to the loss of federal dollars for services that would benefit the Latino community.

The language barrier is one of the principal threats to the accuracy of the Latino count. Advocates are hopeful that the government will hire additional Spanish-speaking census workers to conduct field interviews and outreach with Latinos who may be wary of completing census forms. The Census Bureau announced that 13 million bilingual census forms would be printed to promote increased participation in the government headcount.

Undocumented immigrants within the Hispanic community are far less likely to complete census forms out of fear of an investigation or raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), though the Census Bureau asserts that the information collected is not shared with other government agencies and is kept confidential for a period of 72 years.

Hispanic advocacy groups have been running informational campaigns to educate Hispanics about the census and to encourage participation. The Latino interest group known as the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) even went so far as to create Christmas-themed census posters “showing Mary and Joseph heading to Bethlehem for a census and the birth of Jesus,” a move that stirred up controversy among religious conservatives and the broader Latino community. [2]

Unfortunately, the poster controversy served to widen the rift between Latinos who are promoting participation in the census and those who are urging a boycott to protest the crackdown by federal authorities on illegal immigration, as well as the lack of movement on immigration reform.

More information on the Hispanic Community in U.S

[1] ABC News, High-Stakes Census for Latinos Complicated by Fears

[2] The Washington Post, Hispanic leaders disagree over Christmas-themed census poster

How Hispanic Immigrants and Their Families Fare in the U.S.

Posted On December 28, 2009By TranspanishIn Latinos/ No Comments

The impact of immigration on the U.S. over the years in undeniable, but what sort of influence is the U.S. having on recent Latino immigrants and successive generations of “native Latinos” born on American soil?

A study undertaken by the Pew Hispanic Center shows that U.S.-born Latinos expressed optimism regarding their economic futures, and they expect to improve upon the previous generation’s financial status. The study also revealed some troubling statistics concerning the Latino population, including higher-than-average dropout and teen pregnancy rates for newly-arrived immigrants, as well as a propensity for gang involvement and violence among native Latinos.

Analysts predict that within 15 years, 25% of college-aged students will be Latino. As such, advocacy groups are encouraging politicians to look beyond Hispanic stereotypes and to work toward creating transitional programs to assist Latino students with the demands of higher education in order to ensure their success.

Read more about the study and its findings here.

Scientists Find That Monkeys Make Meaning Too

Posted On December 21, 2009By TranspanishIn Languages/ 1 Comment

The human ability to utilize language is one of the most remarkable features of our species; however, new research suggests that the communication gap between humans and our primate cousins is narrower than previously supposed.

Earlier this month, scientists from the University of Rennes in France published findings that point to the use of basic syntax in the calls of Campbell’s monkeys. Prior to this study, scientists had never demonstrated the use of syntax – rules that dictate how elements of a language are combined – in animal communication. Researchers note that while the monkeys’ communication patterns may not be as obvious or familiar as those of humans, the animals do communicate using “meaningful units combined into other meaningful sequences, with rules imposed on how they’re combined.”

In light of the study’s findings, other scientists are now pondering the exciting possibility that evidence of syntax may be present among the chirps, groans and calls of other members of the animal kingdom.

Read more about this fascinating research at Wired Science: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/monkey-talk/

Will Slang Be the Ruin of the English Language?

Posted On December 19, 2009By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages/ 1 Comment

The answer, according to some detractors, is yes. But is slang really damaging the English language or is it just a natural part of its evolution?

Though colloquialisms have long been a part of the richness of the language, experts say that slang-filled “multicultural English” is overtaking proper English as teens’ preferred method of communication. Concerned parents and educators worry that their children’s inability to differentiate between slang and more formal speech could result in serious setbacks for them in the work world. As a result, some schools have gone to such lengths as to ban the use of slang; however, others disagree with such a hard-line approach. They argue that “slang is…a natural human tendency,” and they favor teaching youngsters about the appropriate uses of informal language as well as its origins, rather than trying to impose an outright ban that they say just won’t work.

Read more on the debate here at BBC News:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8388545.stm

Working as a Freelance Translator

Posted On December 17, 2009By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators/ No Comments

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.

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New Inclusive Grammar Guidelines from the Real Academia Española

Posted On December 14, 2009By TranspanishIn Languages, Spanish Language, Tips for Translators/ 3 Comments

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

CAT Tools: Wordfast vs. Trados

Posted On December 10, 2009By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators/ No Comments

Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools provide many benefits for translators and clients alike. As previously discussed in this blog post, translators utilize CAT tools to create translation memories (TM), which enhance productivity and provide greater consistency within the document. Although there are a number of CAT tools available, the two most popular programs are SDL Trados and Wordfast.

Wordfast

»Wordfast Classic is a lightweight application that works within the framework of Microsoft Word. For users who prefer a standalone work environment, a new version known as Wordfast Pro was recently released. Since Wordfast Classic operates within the widely-familiar Microsoft Word, many translators find the program more user-friendly and easier to learn than Trados.

»One of the most compelling reasons to choose Wordfast over Trados is price. At a price-point several hundred dollars less than Trados, Wordfast’s lower cost makes it accessible to more translators.

»For users who are interested in Wordfast but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge, Wordfast’s creators offer a fully functional trial version of the software (translation memories will retain up to 500 segments).

SDL Trados

»SDL Trados Studio is a standalone CAT tool comprised of various modules. The makers of Trados offer both a Freelance and Professional version of their popular software suite.

»One of the major advantages of selecting Trados as your CAT tool of choice is its widespread adoption within the translation industry. Many translation agencies work exclusively with Trados, so translators without a software license and training may find themselves left out in the cold.

»Trados supports a wider array of file types than Wordfast. Its filters allow translators to work with over 70 different file types.

»Trados also offers a limited demo version of its software for those considering a purchase.

The good news is that there’s a native compatibility between Wordfast and Trados, which means that Wordfast users can work on just about any Trados project. If you are given a Trados TM by your client, you can easily import the TM into Wordfast. Once the translation is completed, you can export the TM back into a format recognized by Trados.

Google Adds Dictionary to its offerings

Posted On December 7, 2009By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/ 2 Comments

Google adds another language tool to its arsenal with the introduction of Google Dictionary. Google’s new dictionary offers up results in close to 30 languages, including the major Western European languages, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Hindi. Notable exceptions from the line-up include Japanese and Persian (Farsi), though surely Google will work to support these languages at some point in the future.

Dictionary results in English show the main definition with pronunciation, synonyms, related phrases, and “web definitions” pulled from various sources throughout the Internet. Users can also star words for future reference. Google Dictionary features a minimalist design that makes it ideal for mobile devices and those with slow Internet connections. The absence of ads makes for a simple, distraction-free user experience.

Both monolingual and bilingual, bidirectional dictionaries are available. While the results provided by the English dictionary and the Spanish<>English dictionary were fairly comprehensive, the monolingual Spanish dictionary only returned a few sketchy web definitions. Many users would probably be better off sticking with an academic dictionary such as the Diccionario de la Real Academia Española for Spanish definitions.

Indeed, while Google’s new dictionary feature will be useful to some, it won’t be a solution that meets everyone’s needs. “Alex Zudin is the owner of Paragon Software, which works closely with Merriam-Webster, Oxford and other renowned keepers of language to build applications based on their data. Zudin says that Google could provide a service in the low-level consumer market, but higher-ed students and professionals would still buy the unabridged versions.” [1]

Google previously returned links to web definitions by entering “define:” plus a search term; however, Google Dictionary offers a more elegant solution with extra features. In addition, many users were unaware of this search trick, even though it existed for some time.

Google Dictionary is a natural complement to the company’s other language tools. The dictionary joins Google Translate, Google Translator Toolkit (which includes a basic translation memory (TM) tool and offers the ability to share glossaries), and a newly integrated search feature called Google Translated Search that makes it easier to search for results written in other languages.

[1]Los Angeles Times, Google quietly rolls out Dictionary

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