Are You Looking For A Translator? Five Misconceptions You Should Avoid

Posted On May 23, 2013By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

It is a common belief to assume that having a sound knowledge of a second language is enough to become a translator. In fact, some people think no other skill is required to translate any kind of document. As a result, many people tend to downplay the value and effort of these language experts. In this article we’ll look into the five most common misconceptions you should avoid.

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1.     Being bilingual makes anybody a translator

Being bilingual only means that you have a sound knowledge of two languages. However, a translation is not made word by word. Quite on the contrary, translating implies having a deep understanding of the text written in the source language and knowing how to choose the best words and expressions to convey the message accurately in the target language. And not all bilingual people can do this.

This doesn’t mean that you cannot be a good translator unless you have a translation degree. There are plenty of excellent translators who don’t have formal training but, unfortunately, many people think that they are able to translate just by studying four years of a foreign language in high school. Even if you are a fluent speaker, it doesn’t mean that by default you are a good translator. In fact, it doesn’t imply that you can write in that language or translate into it accurately.

2.     Modern translation machines make translations easier and human translators are no longer needed

The translation tools now available in the market are far from being able to provide a reliable and good translation. Since they only translate sentences totally isolated from the context, they are unable to understand the different meanings that a word may have and, therefore, the translated text usually ends up being an unintelligible bunch of words one after the other. In addition, translation machines are totally unaware of the difference that may exist between the word order in the source language and the target one and it is not strange at all to find awkwardly worded sentences that require a human translator to clear the mess.

3.     “The translation is ready. Can you just proofread it for me?”

It is quite frequent to find translation clients that come to freelance translators or agencies asking to proofread and edit a translation done either by a machine or somebody that doesn’t have a thorough knowledge of the source and target languages. But what the client doesn’t know is that editing this kind of translations usually implies retranslating the whole document again almost from scratch, which means that the fee to pay will be higher than a regular proofreading one.

4.     A 5000 word document can be delivered in two hours

Have you ever tried typing 5000 words in two hours? You need to be really quick; therefore, translating the same amount of words in the same time is totally out of the question. It is quite difficult for a translator to estimate how many words he can translate in an hour as it depends on various factors. Amongst them we can mention: the type of text to be translated, the subject matter (a highly technical article rich in specific jargon takes longer than a general text) and the format.

On average, a professional and experienced translator translates around 250 to 500 words per hour so it would take between 10 or 20 hours to work on a 5000 word document. Needless to say, if you hire an agency, a group of translators may work on the text simultaneously so the translation is ready earlier. However, you should always bear in mind that if you expect a high quality translation you definitely need to allow enough time for the translation to be done.

5.     Every text can be translated in one possible way.

Different translators will translate the same sentence in different ways, being all of them correct. Translation, as language, is not an exact science and, therefore, there is no unique correct way of conveying an idea in a different language. It is true, however, that some translations will be more appropriate for the context or more in tune with the target audience. This is why you should always try to hire a translator who is well acquainted with the industry the document is about and the target audience.

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`Mina´: One of the Most Popular Words in Lunfardo

Posted On May 22, 2013By TranspanishIn Lunfardo, The origin of..., Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

If you ever spend a couple of days in Buenos Aires or Montevideo, there are great chances that you will hear at least once the word mina in a conversation and, needless to say, without referring to any kind of military device or to the place where precious metals are extracted.

What kind of mina is everybody talking about?  To begin with, we will mention that in the River Plate area mina has a very distinctive meaning since it is one of the most popular terms used in lunfardo. It is part of everyday language of men and women, both young and old. Generally speaking, mina means “woman”.

 

mina-meaning

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 Mina: When A Woman is as Precious as a Jewel

Both in Buenos Aires and in Montevideo, the term mina is traditionally used to refer to a beautiful and sexually attractive woman. The origin of this usage can be traced to the 17th and 18th centuries, when Buenos Aires was a Spanish colony, and groups of slaves were brought from Africa. The slaves that came to America from the old Portuguese African fort of San Jorge de la Mina received the name of Minas. The slave women that came from Cape Verde were especially expensive; their very dark skin and exquisite, exotic beauty made them very sought after by men, who employed them in their houses and used them to satisfy sexual favors.  In the 20th century and now in the 21st, mina is still used to talk about a beautiful woman, especially in informal or colloquial conversations.

According to some language experts, this term of lunfardo derives from the clipping of the Italian word femmina and the contraction of the Galician menina. To these origins we can add the metaphoric language used by procurers since the woman with her body brought them money, just as a mine does any time a precious metal is extracted from it.

Mina: Or How to Talk About a Woman in a Pejorative Way

Even though it may seem paradoxical, it is also quite common to find the word mina used to refer to a woman in a pejorative or derogatory way.

This is quite common in everyday dialogues or when somebody is telling a story in which in some way or another a lady intervenes, whether she is beautiful or not.

Mina: A Tango Word

There are many tangos where we can find the word mina, either because a beautiful woman is the main character or because she is the singer’s elusive object of desire.

In this context, language expert Gobello states that it comes from the Italian slang. On the other hand, etymologist Santillán comes up with two complementary points of view. He mentions that, either it is the Castillian voice mina figuratively meaning any profitable activity or business or it derives from the Italian slang of the camorra in which this voice stands for “donna” and “miniera”, which mean young and beautiful prostitute.

It is also worth mentioning that the word mina has additional meanings in the world of tango. Amongst them we can mention: woman, female, prostitute, woman that lives with a man, woman that lives with a man illegally, concubine and lover.

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How to Identify a Good Translation

Posted On May 20, 2013By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

Many people mistakenly believe that being bilingual is all it takes to offer a good translation. As a result, people often ask a friend or relative who has studied a foreign language for four or five years in High School to translate a document for them. However, translating can be considered an art and it is much more than a simple word by word exchange. With this being said, what makes a good translation?

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Firstly, can you tell the text is a translation? Does it read smoothly and sound as if it were originally written in the target language? Good translations do not look like ones. They are well written, ideas flow naturally and carry the sense and atmosphere of the original text. The information is presented clearly and any acronyms are correctly translated and/or explained.

It is also important to pay attention to the accuracy of the translation. The original document needs to be respected and translated completely, without missing any word or sentence, but it has to be grammatically correct and have no spelling mistakes as well. A wrongful translation is difficult to read and understand and can also seriously affect the reputation of the person or business organization that requested it.

Other aspect that should not be forgotten is clarity. The translator needs to ensure, when possible, that the final document is uncluttered, clear and has no complex and long sentences. In fact, it is not strange at all that the translated document is much easier to read than the original.

Finally, the audience should also be taken into consideration. This is important in two ways; on the one hand,  the translated text should be culturally appropriate for the target audience. There  should be no references to religious or political figures that may offend the reader or be controversial and the style needs to respect the tone and formality used by the original writer . On the other hand, the reading level of the audience should be accurately matched. For instance, the words used should be more complex and sentences more elaborated if the text will be read by scientists or high skilled professionals and simpler if it is written for newly arrived immigrants.

As you can see, there are several points that can be applied to determine whether the translation you are reading is good or not. You should bear them in mind next time you are handed in a translation.

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Translation Services Across Different Industries

Posted On May 17, 2013By TranspanishIn Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

Globalization, transnational business organizations and employees working across different countries have made translation services almost a must-have for companies all over the world. In fact, many of them would not be able to function properly if it weren’t for the valuable job that in- house or freelance translators or hired translation agencies do for them. From documents to glossaries, to technical manuals to legal records to signals and memos, almost every corporate piece of paper needs to be written in different languages so that everybody can understand them.

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Translating for the Heavy Industry and Home Appliance Manufacturers

These are probably the less novel and surprising fields for translators to work for. In fact, we are so used to reading users’ manuals in different languages that we tend to forget that a professional translator has worked on them. From instructions on how to use a domestic dishwasher to really long documents with detailed information on how to install, dissemble and use complex industrial machines, the heavy industry and home appliance manufacturers need to rely on translators to make sure that the products they make are used correctly no matter where they are shipped. In general, translators working in this niche do not only have a great command of the language but also a strong technical knowledge, either because they are technicians or engineers themselves or because they’ve been translating that kind of documents for a long time.

Translating for the Health Care and Medical Industry

Over the last years, the demand for translation services for the health care and medical industry has risen. Laboratories and scientific research organizations that publish medical journals, elaborate drugs or do clinical trials need to communicate their findings and discoveries to the medical community across the world. Translating for the healthcare industry is extremely challenging as the language professional needs to be totally proficient in the language he is translating into and understand the text he is translating; a wrong interpretation can be really serious!

Hospitals that receive foreign patients or are considered reference centers to treat certain diseases or conditions also require the services of translators or interpreters not only because they need to ensure that the professionals working there have access to documents and files in their own language but also to make sure that patients understand what’s wrong with them and what healing treatment they can undergo. Many interpreters find this field really rewarding as it implies being in constant relation with people and they can appreciate first hand the benefits of their profession.

Translating in the Internet and Technology Fields

The demand of translation services in the Internet and technology fields is definitely on the rise. This is one of the most interesting areas translators can work for as almost every company across every niche has a website and e-commerce and it has made it almost compulsory for them to be available for a multinational audience. Translating websites not only implies knowing the language but also having a deep understanding of the culture to which the professional is catering. In other words, in this field in particular, the documents not only need to be translated but also localized to make sure they are fully understandable in the target country.

Video Game Translation

Translating video games is a fun and interest niche appealing mainly to young translators who like spending some time playing videogames. The linguist professional not only needs to translate correctly what the different characters are saying but also make sure their message is conveyed in a natural way to the target culture so that the player can really immerse himself in the action proposed by the game.

Translating PR and Marketing Documents

Working as a translator for a PR or marketing  agency can be quite fun as it usually implies reading about products or services that are just about to be launched to a new country, working on slogans or marketing campaigns as a whole. Anyway, these documents need to be translated in such a manner that the right message is clearly conveyed making this translation field one of the most creative and challenging ones to work for as the translator must also bear the cultural background in mind.

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Everyday Life of a Freelance Translator: Are you Ready?

Posted On May 15, 2013By TranspanishIn Tips for Translators/  No Comments

It is a common belief that freelance translators have more fun than those that spend eight hours a day working in a translation agency. From being able to take a short nap to not having to see the grumpy face of a boss, there are hundreds of reasons that contribute to build the idea that working from home is heavenly. But, is this really so? What is the everyday life of a freelance translator like?

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One of the main objectives of a freelance translator is to secure work. Expenses keep on coming and you need to have a more or less steady income. This usually means spending lots of time browsing translation job ads and applying for them, updating your profile on job boards, building a relationship with your clients and accepting jobs at lower rates than expected. As you build up your portfolio and get to know the industry inside and out you can start being pickier and focus on translation jobs that are better paid or that come from customers that request your services more often.

Balancing your family and professional life as a freelance translator is not easy. You are now in charge of many administrative tasks somebody else used to do for you (invoicing, taxes, banking, dealing with clients, and so on) and many times your family fails to understand that you are really working at home and ask you to run some errands for them, for instance.

Besides, working by yourself as a translator can sometimes become boring and you will definitely miss gossiping with your coworkers. Of course you can build long lasting relationships with clients, other translators or project managers over the Internet, but you won’t be able to enjoy that informal chit chat over a cup of coffee as you used to do.

It is also worth mentioning that in your everyday life as a freelance translator it is very likely that you will work for really long hours. At the beginning, you will spend most of your time marketing yourself and then, once you have a regular amount of clients requesting your services, many a time you will find yourself working for twelve or fifteen hours!

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Getting Started as a Translator: Jobs you Can’t Miss

Posted On May 14, 2013By TranspanishIn Tips for Translators/  No Comments

The demand for freelance translator jobs has increased dramatically over the last years. That is not surprising at all: in a globalized world cross cultural interactions require people confident and proficient in more than one language, with a passion to communicate and convey ideas accurately from one language to the other. Even though multilingual people have always been important, they are highly requested nowadays as society is more and more influenced by different cultures. In our last article, we covered the most important aspects of specialization. Let’s review now some of the most interesting translation specializations you should really consider.

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Medical Translators:

As there are faster and less expensive means of transport, people are open to traveling long distances for their holidays and even visit countries in different continents where they do not know the local language. The economic situation also leads people to migrate and many a time they do so to countries where they are totally unfamiliar with the language. Whether travelers or immigrants, they may get ill or they may need to receive a medical treatment and this is where the services of a freelance translator are greatly valued. Doctors many times find it difficult to understand the patient’s symptoms or to explain the diagnosis and treatment to the patient or to his family. Thus, having somebody around that is proficient in both languages and act as a solid bridge that relates the two cultures is very much appreciated.

Legal Translators:

Travelers and immigrants may not be aware of the laws that rule the country they are visiting or living in. In case they get in trouble with the law, a freelance translator may be really useful in explaining to them their wrongdoings, what their punishment would be and the legal procedure to follow.

Historical Translators:

When historians or archaeologists find ancient documents or manuscripts they are very intrigued to understand what is written on them. Many a time historians do not know the language but with the help of freelance translators from related languages they can try to decode what’s written on them.

Academic Translators:

Translators can also help make scientific discoveries available for people all around the world. By translating scripts into different languages everybody can be updated with the latest scientific news.

Translate in The Military Field:

Military organizations often require freelance translation services. Sometimes they need to translate a document, make a document available for the locals or just understand what’s going on in the news.

Translate for Non Profit Organizations

From the Red International Cross, to Doctors Without Borders to UNICEF, there are hundreds of non profit organizations that help people in need all across the world. Freelance translators are required to translate documentation, explain medical or sanitary protocols to the locals or simply help assisting professionals build a strong relationship with people.

As it can be appreciated, there is a wide variety of freelance translation jobs you can undertake. Some of them are far away from spending hours on end typing on a computer, others imply being in constant contact with people and some can satisfy your thirst for adventure.

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The Benefits of Specialization for Translators

Posted On May 13, 2013By TranspanishIn Tips for Translators/  No Comments

In a highly competitive job market, the greater your skillset, the greater your chances are of obtaining employment. This idea holds true for translators today. Specialization is one way for translators to gain an edge on their area of expertise. While the benefits of specialization are ample, translators in obscure languages like Swahili, Tamil, or Burmese have a much less saturated job market and thus specialization is not as necessary. However, for languages that are most commonly used, (Spanish, German, and French) specialization in a particular topic will help distinguish you amongst your peers and gear you towards a certain niche.

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When choosing a specialization, experts in the field like Jill Sommer from Kent State University, suggest picking a subject matter you enjoy and are passionate about. Since many translators are self-taught in their specialization, translators should choose a topic they have a strong affinity towards like health & wellness, finance, technology, politics, or law. Moreover, trying to hone in on a specific subject that does not have much competition like horse racing or fishing may lead to a translator becoming an expert in that field. If you are translator of a language for a specific country try to also choose an issue that is of importance for that nation. For example, if you are translator for Japanese then perhaps choosing the automobile or technology industry would be of value given the economic importance of these divisions to Japan.

For those translators who do decide to take on a specialization, advise your clients as they may be able to provide you with on-site experience, course information, or contacts for gaining further knowledge. For those translators who work as free-lance, specialization is one way to certainly earn more money. As one becomes more accustomed to the terminology and materials in a specific specialization they can begin to take on a bigger work load. Lastly, there are always non-profit and volunteer opportunities that provide great work experiences for practicing a specialization. Remember to not be daunted by taking on a specialization, following a particular interest and sufficient work experience will eliminate any necessity of going back to school. The experience will not only be rewarding but also lead to an increase in work as you become a go-to expert in your specialization of choice.

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Unveiling the origins of the word “tango”

Posted On May 10, 2013By TranspanishIn Did you know?, The origin of..., Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

There is no doubt at all that Argentina, and especially the city of Buenos Aires, are immediately identified with the tango. Since the 1920’s, the tango has been considered one of the most popular and sensual dances in the world and, as years go by, passion for it has grown not only in the River Plate area but all over the world as well. But, what about the etymological origins of the word “tango”? Which cultural and sociological aspects have influenced the origin of this word? Can the roots of “tango” be found and determined or is it a world with a vastly rich origin? Throughout the following paragraphs we will try to unveil the origins of the word “tango”.

 

tango-origin

 

Historical Perspective

It is generally agreed by language experts that the etymological origin of the word “tango” cannot be detached from a historic phenomenon: the cultural relationship between Spain and America and the trade of slaves that started coming from Africa around the 1600´s.

According to some historians such as José Gobello and Ricardo Rodríguez Molla, “tango” comes from an African term some slaves used to refer to the place where they were reunited to be sent to America. The Portuguese adopted the Africanism “tangomao” to refer to the man that trafficked slaves. Thus, in America the word “tango” was embraced to name the places where the African slaves got together to dance and sing. Buenos Aires was a very important slave market in the 1600’s, 1700’s and 1800’s and, therefore, the African population definitely had a significant influence in the birth of the term “tango”.

The Beating of the Drum

Other language theory relates the etymological origin of the word “tango” to the onomatopoeic sound of the beating of the drums as, apparently, the drum was one of the musical instruments used in the beginnings of this dance.

However, this theory is widely rejected by experts as it has been proved that the drum was never used to play tango music. In fact, the first musical instruments for this dance were: the flute, the viola, the violin and, later on, the bandoneon.

Latin Origin

Another language theory supports the idea that the word “tango” derives from the Latin term “tanguere”, which stands for “to touch”. Language experts that agree with this idea base their findings on the fact that tango as a dance is characterized by the sensuality and closeness with which the couple move across the dance floor.

Yet, from an etymological point of view this idea cannot be accepted since, in its beginnings, tango dancers did not dance so close to each other.

Final Words

We have discussed the three most important theories regarding the etymological birth of the word “tango”. Only the first one can be considered valid as the other two are more far-fetched and cannot be traced back to actual facts to support them.

Anyway, whether “tango” derives from the place where the African population in the River Plate met to dance, talk and sing or from the onomatopoeic beating of the drums or a Latin word, it cannot be denied that tango is one of the most enjoyable dances in the word.

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Modern innovation revitalizes endangered language

Posted On May 1, 2013By TranspanishIn Did you know?, Languages, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

Recent technology has proven useful to language acquisition in many ways.  Whether it’s practicing speaking with target language natives via Skype or reviewing vocabulary with one of the myriad smartphone language apps, the various innovations have diversified and streamlined the learning process. For some, though, such technologies have even deeper potential.

 

Screenshots of The Ma! Iwaidja app, an initiative of the Minjilang Endangered Languages Publication project.

Many Native American tribes, in response to the potential extinction of their native language/s, have begun to embrace apps, iPads, and other related tools in efforts to above all generate interest in younger generations.  Currently, there are over 200 Native American languages spoken in the U.S. and Canada, although in many cases they are only spoken by a handful of people.  There are an additional 100 Native languages that are already extinct.

The majority of tribes have historically made efforts to pass native languages down to younger generations, but the success of these efforts has waned with time.  One of the main reasons for this, of course, is the ever-rising influence of external influence, including both language and technology.  Until recently, tribes’ general response to such influence was commonly (and understandably) marked by resistance and resentment.

Many cite the Native American Languages Act of 1990 as being a crucial turning point in the language struggle, for it provided resources and funding to tribes working to revitalize their native tongues.  As a result, technology has been increasingly integrated in the process, a trend that may be seen as a sort of “reclaiming” of an early source of oppression.  Furthermore, the new learning methods have changed the very nature of the languages themselves.

The phenomenon is also representative of a larger concern—that is, how languages should adapt to or be adapted to seemingly distinct, non-linguistic innovation.  Although many take a conservative view, believing that speakers and writers should try to maintain the specific lexis and grammar of languages—and either reject or are highly selective about linguistic innovation—, the majority see language as an inherently malleable thing, always in a state of flux, including the methods used in teaching and learning.

What do you think?  Is there any limits when it comes to linguistic innovation and means of acquisition, or does more variety simply and always make a language more rich?

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Online language learning: a mixed innovation

Posted On April 25, 2013By TranspanishIn Languages, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

Foreign language acquisition and multilingualism have been influential human phenomena for centuries, with the most popular and supposedly successful methodology being a combination of formal study and cultural-linguistic immersion.  As any foreign language learner can attest, the statement “in order to really learn a language, you must live where it is spoken” is a common one.

In recent decades, though, because of globalization and international business, among other factors, multilingualism has risen.  Now, multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers, and their means of acquisition are becoming increasingly diverse.  Now, for instance, a native Spanish speaker in Mexico City is able to practice her Russian with a native Russian speaker in Moscow.

The Internet’s influence on multilingualism is obvious, for it is an easily accessible, seemingly unlimited realm of many languages.  Traditionally, using the Internet would foster passive language learning, i.e. reading, above all English, which is used exclusively on nearly fifty-seven percent of websites.  But many have begun to utilize the realm in some innovative ways, forming online communities of like-minded learners, yielding impressive results.

One such learner who’s had particularly impressive results is 17-year-old polyglot Timothy Doner of New York, who’s become fluent in several languages, and has a working knowledge of more than 20, mostly thanks to his conversations with native speakers around the world.  Although he supplements these conversations with traditional book-study, he attests that the most useful method has been speaking with native-speaking friends, who he slowly acquired after posting several YouTube videos of himself speaking in the particular language(s) he had been focusing on at the time.

The phenomenon could completely change the way foreign languages are learned and taught. If one is able to speak with native speakers—and furthermore, watch them speak—how necessary is it to actually be physically close to them, let alone in the same region of the world?  What’s more, applications like Skype make it possible to speak with multiple native speakers simultaneously.  Many language institutes have already harnessed the technology, and now offer classes—one-on-one- and group-style—through Skype.

But perhaps it has deeper implications still, as evidenced by Doner in a 2012 video interview.  “I don’t necessary see language as being first and foremost about communication”, he says, “You can almost see it as studying a sort of math.”  Although many would argue that math is a sort of language as well, Doner’s statement/motivations suggest that the nature of language acquisition and its relationship to foreign cultures and experience is changing.  Sure, it may be easier to learn foreign languages now, but does that somehow cheapen the process, and by extent, foreign cultures as we traditionally understand and seek to better understand them?

What do you think?  Is the new phenomenon an ultimately good thing, or it does what is inevitably lost outweigh the benefits?

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