Spanish Ranks as World’s Second Fastest Language

Posted On September 23, 2011By TranspanishIn Languages, Spanish Language/ 2 Comments

A recently published study in the journal Language presented evidence that Spanish ranks as the world’s second fastest commonly spoken language, just behind Japanese. Linguistics researchers from the University of Lyon in France discovered that native speakers of Spanish talk faster than speakers of languages such as English, German or Mandarin Chinese; however, the trade-off lies in that Spanish speakers transmit less information per second as compared with these languages.

Researchers performed an analysis to determine the average information density of a syllable in each of the seven languages included in the study. Investigators found that languages with greater information density per average syllable are characterized by slower speech; therefore, dense languages such as English and Chinese are spoken more slowly, while low-density languages like Spanish and Japanese are spoken much faster in comparison. “Despite those differences, at the end of, say, a minute of speech, all of the languages would have conveyed more or less identical amounts of information.”

Read more about this study in an article available at the Time Magazine website.

How Translation Rates Are Set

While some translators or translation agencies may charge per line, per standard page of text, or even per hour, the most common method for determining translation rates is to calculate them on a per-word basis.

Translators work from the original or source text to create the translation, also known as the target text. Translators use the word count function of their word-processing software or translation tool to determine the number of words contained within the source text. Translators then generally charge x number of cents per source word, taking into account the subject matter and technical complexity of the text. When it’s not possible to determine the word count using software (for example, in the case of some PDF files or hard-copy documents such as faxes), translators or agencies will typically use the target word count instead.

Charging per source word instead of per target word offers an advantage in that the translator can provide a firm price estimate to the client in advance of the translation. Furthermore, in the case of translations from English to Spanish, rates based on the source word count will result in a lower cost for the client since, as a result of text expansion, the target text in Spanish will contain more words than the English source text.

If the client requests special formatting and/or desktop publishing services, these fees are generally charged separately from the translation itself.

Some clients inquire as to whether translators charge for seemingly insignificant words such as “the” and “a.” Yes, these words count too. It’s important to recognize that translators translate meaning, not individual words. Even small words like these necessitate a great deal of thought because they must be considered within the overall context of the phrase.

In the case of technical documents or other texts suited to translation with translation memory (TM) tools, an agency or translator that utilizes this software may be able to offer a discount for repeated segments of text within a document.

The Meaning of ‘Pibe’

Posted On September 8, 2011By TranspanishIn Languages, Lunfardo, Spanish Language/ No Comments

In Lunfardo, the word “pibe” means kid or boy. While the word is unique to the Rioplatense dialect, experts in Lunfardo disagree on its origins. Some say that “pibe” is derived from the word “pive” of the Genoese dialect of Italian, meaning “errand boy” or “apprentice.” Another possible candidate for the forerunner of “pibe” is pivello or pivèll, of the dialect of Lombardy, meaning “youth” or, again, “apprentice.”

An alternative theory—one that feels like more of a stretch—posits that the origin of “pibe” lies in the word “pebete,” a term meaning incense, which arose from Catalan. The thought is that “pebete” came to refer to a boy or kid in an ironic sense, given that active young boys/adolescents are prone to some unattractive odors—the complete opposite of the pleasant smell of incense.

Related words in Lunfardo: piba (girl)

Usage examples: Diego Maradona, one of Argentina’s greatest soccer players, was nicknamed “El Pibe de Oro” or “The Golden Boy.”

The word “pibe” appears in the lyrics of the 1945 tango “El sueño del pibe” by Juan Puey and Reinaldo Yiso.

El sueño del pibe

Golpearon la puerta de la humilde casa,
la voz del cartero muy clara se oyó,
y el pibe corriendo con todas sus ansias
al perrito blanco sin querer pisó.

“Mamita, mamita”, se acercó gritando;
la madre extrañada dejó el piletón
y el pibe le dijo riendo y llorando:
“El club me ha mandado hoy la citación”.

Transpanish Announces New Manual Translation Page

Posted On September 4, 2011By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Translation Buyers/ No Comments

Transpanish is pleased to announce a new page describing the company’s manual translation services. As the business world continues to diversify, so do the customer bases and workforces of many companies, necessitating the translation of employee handbooks, technical manuals, and guides into other languages. We offer companies Spanish-English and English-Spanish translations of manuals, handbooks, and other types of technical materials.

Manuals and other technical documentation can be quite complex, and they require skill to be successfully translated. We promise the same high quality, accuracy and reliability with our manual translations that you’ve come to expect from all of the translations provided by Transpanish. Take a look at our page about manual translations for more details about this service.

If you’re in need of a handbook or manual translation, visit our Manual Translation webpage. Would you like a project quote? Simply click on the “Free Translation Quote” tab above.

Should Translators Work for Free?

Posted On August 26, 2011By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators/ No Comments

Everyone knows you can’t get something for nothing…or can you? These days, it seems that many big name Internet properties, particularly those involved in social media, are trying their darnedest to get users to contribute their knowledge and expertise with no promise of remuneration, a practice commonly referred to as crowdsourcing. But as a professional translator, should you offer your services for free? Are there situations where it’s worthwhile to work without expectation of payment?

Translators devote significant amounts of time and effort to research terms, compile glossaries, and craft the language of their translations, and most are adamant about being paid a fair wage for what they do. Many translation professionals see crowdsourcing and the like as exploitation, preferring to work on personal projects or other endeavors if they have extra time on their hands.

Although not alone in the hunt for unpaid volunteers, the social network LinkedIn really managed to ruffle a few feathers two years ago when it asked members who are professional translators if they’d be willing to translate the site “for fun” or in exchange for nothing more than a profile badge. This move generated a great deal of controversy, with members noting that such requests devalue the translation profession—a vocation that already struggles for recognition.

Others argue that if one is keen on working for free, it’s best to do so for a non-profit. Translating for a non-profit organization can help translation students or recently graduated translators gain experience and build their resumes, all while working for a good cause. Many seasoned translators volunteer their time or charge a reduced rate as a means of giving something back to the community.

There are, however, certain instances in which it may be beneficial for linguists to donate their time and skill to profit-making ventures. For newly minted translators looking to build a name for themselves and get their foot in the door, collaborating with large websites may prove worthwhile.

For example, in May 2010, TermWiki was launched. The site encourages users to contribute translations with the goal of “collecting every single term in every single language, to be made freely available to the world.” In addition, the site’s “My Glossary” feature allows users to build glossaries for sharing with friends and colleagues.

The advantage for translators looking to gain a bit of name recognition is that TermWiki links the users’ names, the companies they represent, and their professional details to each entry submitted to the site. The company promises exposure to participating users as their contributions rise to the top in the search engines.

For experienced translators with limited free time, these types of projects are not terribly sensible from a business standpoint. Whether one enjoys participating on a personal level is another matter altogether; however, it’s wise for professionals of any stripe to think twice before offering their services free of charge.

Marketing Your Business in Times of Economic Crisis

Posted On August 19, 2011By TranspanishIn Languages, Spanish Translation, Translation Buyers/ No Comments

“Successful companies do not abandon their marketing strategies in a recession; they adapt them.”^{^[1]} — John Quelch of the Harvard Business School

With today’s challenging economic climate, both in the United States and abroad, businesses must do more to actively market their products and services. An aggressive marketing strategy is called for in an economic downturn, even as other businesses and individual consumers tighten their belts. After all, despite the negative economic outlook, clients still need your company’s goods and services.

While some businesses may be keen to cut their market research budgets, companies must understand consumers’ thoughts and behavior during hard economic times. Use market research to develop a strategic marketing plan to focus your advertising dollars on the right message and the right audience.

Along the same lines, businesses should think twice before slashing the advertising budget. While your competitors pare down their marketing spending, stepping up marketing efforts at your company can help you gain market share and increase return on investment. Study after study indicates that companies willing to forge ahead with marketing efforts, even during a recession, reap benefits in the long term.

Innovative branding will ensure that your company gets a leg up on the competition. If your business previously overlooked the importance of online marketing, now is the time to establish more of a presence on the Internet through a professionally designed and translated website, social networking campaigns, and potentially, a blog. Using the Internet as a marketing tool is less expensive than conventional methods of reaching customers, and companies have the opportunity of making contact with an even greater audience, both at home and overseas.

Lastly, open up to the possibility of exploring new markets—especially those enjoying a more favorable economic climate. Tap into emerging markets throughout the Americas including México, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Perú through Spanish and Portuguese translations. Reach up to 650 million customers previously unfamiliar with your product or service, simply by making your company’s information available in Spanish and Portuguese.

Get a discount for your translation service.

Cutting Translation Costs
Cutting Translation Budget: Good business move or not?

[1] Harvard Business School: Working Knowledge, Marketing Your Way Through the Recession by John Quelch

The Meaning of ‘Atorrante”‘

Posted On August 12, 2011By TranspanishIn Did you know?, Languages, Lunfardo, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/ 1 1 Comment

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets of Buenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language in Argentina (especially in and around Buenos Aires) and Uruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

In Lunfardo, the word atorrante commonly refers to one who avoids work and other responsibilities or one who lacks honesty and respect, with concern only for his own personal gain. In addition, atorrante carries the following meanings:

When used to describe a man or a woman (atorranta in the case of a female) – scum, bum, tramp, layabout, crook, slacker, good-for-nothing, naughty, cheeky
When used to describe a woman – whore, slut, easy, promiscuous
When used to describe a child – prankster, mischievous, cheeky
When used to describe an animal – mutt

The origin of the word “atorrante” is uncertain; however, there are two widely held explanations as to its etymological roots.

(1) It’s said that in the early 20^th century, vagabonds and indigents slept inside huge cement pipes being installed for an important public works project in the City of Buenos Aires. Allegedly, the French-made pipes were emblazoned with the name of the manufacturer A. Torrent, and the men spending the night in these pipes gained the moniker “atorrantes” as a result.

(2) At the turn of the 20^th century, unemployed men who came looking for work at general stores were offered the job of roasting coffee beans (to roast/toast = torrar). The raggedy-looking folks given this task later came to be known as atorrantes.

Related words in Lunfardo:

atorrantear – to loiter; to go out and have fun, especially at night; to go out in search of someone to have sex with

atorrar– to sleep

The word “atorrante” appears in the lyrics of popular 70s tune “Cara de tramposo” by Argentine pop and tango singer Cacho Castaña.

Cara de tramposo

Cara de tramposo y ojos de atorrante
con el pelo largo y la lengua picante

Dejó la Argentina buscando horizontes
en un viejo barco fue de polizonte
en tierras lejanas buscando fortuna

Translation and Interpretation Challenges in the Field of Criminal Justice

Posted On August 5, 2011By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/ No Comments

Professionals specializing in court interpretation and translation provide an extremely important service during criminal justice proceedings. However, despite these professionals’ best efforts, controversy over the interpretation of testimony or translation of legal documents frequently arises in court cases.

Mark Cohen, a New York defense attorney with Spanish fluency, remarked that interpreters encounter occasional difficulties when interpreting for people who come from a different region of the Spanish-speaking world. For example, Mr. Cohen noted that when a South American interpreter assists a client from, for instance, the Spanish Caribbean, the interpreter might struggle with slang words or phrasing unique to that region. To avoid this problem, it is advisable to secure the services of a court interpreter who hails from the same region as the person requiring language assistance, whenever possible.

Defense attorney Arnold J. Levine noted that a question that crops up during jury selection is whether potential jurors can put aside their personal knowledge of a foreign language and accept the interpretation and/or translation presented by the language professionals involved in the case. Jurors who come to doubt the accuracy of a court interpreter’s performance can have disastrous effects on a trial – including the declaration of a mistrial.

Read more at the New York Times’ City Room Blog.

Apostrophe Use in English

Posted On July 29, 2011By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/ 1 Comment

The correct use of the apostrophe in English is problematic for both natives and English-language learners alike. Refresh your understanding of the rules of apostrophe use with the following simple explanations.

Apostrophes are used to form contractions, the shortened form of one or two words created by omitting letters. The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters.

can’t = cannot

it’s = it is

don’t = do not

could’ve = could have

‘til = until

Apostrophes also indicate possession. To form possessives, follow these rules:

Add ’s to the singular form:

the boy’s book

Katie’s cat

Chris’s coat (Chris’ coat is also acceptable in this case.)

Add ’s to the plural forms that do not end in -s:

the children’s toys

the mice’s tails

Add ’ to plural nouns that end in -s:

the two dogs’ bones

my sisters’ husbands

Add ’s to the last noun to indicate joint possession of an object:

Mike and Jenny’s house

Apostrophes denote the plurals of lowercase letters. When a letter appears in lowercase, form the plural by adding ’s after the letter. Capitalized letters, numbers and symbols do not need apostrophes.

Non-native Spanish speakers have trouble trilling their r’s.

Mind your p’s and q’s.

The man claimed he saw three UFOs.

Disco was popular in the 1970s.

When NOT to use an apostrophe

Apostrophes should never be used with possessive pronouns such as its and hers because these words already indicate possession.

wrong: The team won it’s third title.

correct: The team won its third title.

Avoid randomly using apostrophes with plural nouns.

wrong: He rode six miles’ into town.

correct: He rode six miles into town.

Do you frequently make mistakes with apostrophes in your writing? Here are a couple of tips to use when proofreading:

If you have a habit of leaving off apostrophes, check the words that end in -s or -es to see if they need an apostrophe.
If you are guilty of using too many apostrophes, check each apostrophe to see if you can justify it with one of the rules mentioned above.

Spelling Errors Cost Companies Millions in Lost Sales

Posted On July 21, 2011By TranspanishIn English Language, Languages, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/ No Comments

Poor grammar, errant punctuation, and typographical errors all spell disaster for online sales. When it comes to Internet sales and marketing, shoddy websites filled with spelling gaffes rarely get a second chance to impress. In fact, most visitors make up their minds about the quality of a website in just six seconds. According to British Internet entrepreneur Charles Duncombe, just one spelling error on a company’s website can lead to a 50% decrease in online sales. He estimates that Internet retailers lose millions every week due to spelling slip-ups.

Consumers look to attention to detail in spelling and grammar as important indicators of a website’s credibility. Spelling mistakes and poor grammar sound alarm bells for potential customers concerned about spam or phishing. While there seems to be a more tolerant attitude toward spelling and grammar mistakes on social media sites such as Facebook, websites marketing products and services can’t afford to take a lax approach to spelling blunders.

For more information on this story, visit BBC News.

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