Without Columbus, Spanish wouldn’t be a global language

Santiago, Apr 3, 2009 (EFE via COMTEX) — If not for the discovery of America, Spanish today would be just another European language ranking 27th worldwide in terms of number of speakers, just ahead of Ukrainian, according to the director of the Chilean Academy of Language. “But in addition to the huge number of speakers […]

Spanish-English Translations: Pitfalls to Avoid

As with any field, newbies at freelance translation will make mistakes. But being aware of possible mistakes and correcting those errors is a part of any freelance translator’s journey from novice to expert. This list of tips will focus on errors of content and the nuts and bolts of translation work, not on the freelance […]

Translation Throughout History

Translation has played a role throughout history any time there has been an intersection of two cultures and languages. And each time one culture has produced a written text, translators serve as the bridge that allows literate members of one culture to be exposed to the written material the other has produced. Perhaps the best […]

Hispanic Buying Power: Will it Continue in 2009?

You may think it strange to discuss the growth of Hispanic buying power as the United States is in the midst of one of the deepest economic downturns in recent history.  But when times were flush, a few oft-quoted reports came out about the expected increase in Hispanic wealth-accumulation and buying power.   The SeligCenter for […]

Tips for Getting a Quote for Your English to Spanish Translation

The first step in forming a relationship with a potential translation agency is getting a quote for your project or document.  Translation agencies are experienced with asking the right questions so they can provide you with an accurate cost estimate.  Many agencies’ websites allow you to submit your document and query via an online application.  […]

Should Americans Learn Spanish?

If you visit any of the scores of language immersion programs in Latin America, you’d think that Americans are thrilled to learn Spanish.  And anyone who attended a four year college or university probably had a least a few friends who spent a semester in Spain, Guatemala, or Argentina.  But set foot in the United […]

Translation Outreach and Bilingual Employees: Two Halves of a Whole

Many business owners and service providers are sold on the importance of providing Spanish language translations of their documents.  Ensuring that Spanish speakers understand your written message will enable you to tap into a new demographic if you own a business or reach out to people who need your services if you are a nonprofit […]

Translations for U.S. Immigration Done Right

Whether you are an individual applying for a family-based visa or an employee bringing over foreign-born workers, you will need some official documents translated into English for the immigration petition.  The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requires that you provide a “certified translation” of important Spanish documents.  This Transpanish post talks more about […]

Nearing Election Day, Latino Vote Becomes Critical

In the spring and summer of 2007, organizations working with immigrants made a huge campaign to encourage people to apply for citizenship for two reason: to beat the monumental fee increase in the end of July 2007 and to get America’s newest citizens ready in time for November 4th.  More than a million applied for […]

Latinos and Real Estate

As people in the United States of all socio-economic classes worry about financial problems, Latinos are disproportionately getting hit with foreclosures on their properties.  Why are Latinos losing their homes to foreclosure at a faster rate than other demographics?  The upsurge in subprime mortgages (mortgages with high interest rates and tenuous ethics meant specifically for […]