“Unfriend” Selected as the 2009 Word of the Year
The New Oxford American Dictionary considered a slew of new words for the 2009 Word of the Year. The technology sector contributed heavily to the roster of candidates – particularly from the realm of social media – with new additions such as “hashtag” and “tweetup” growing out of the much talked about site Twitter. The […]
10 Free Online Resources for English Language Learners
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 […]
10 Free Online Resources for Spanish Language Learners
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 […]
Latinos and the 2010 U.S. Census
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 […]
How Hispanic Immigrants and Their Families Fare in the U.S.
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 […]
Scientists Find That Monkeys Make Meaning Too
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 […]
Will Slang Be the Ruin of the English Language?
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. […]
Working as a Freelance Translator
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 […]
New Inclusive Grammar Guidelines from the Real Academia Española
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 […]
CAT Tools: Wordfast vs. Trados
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 […]
