06.30.08
Tips for Travelers
Isn’t it just awful when you’re in a foreign country and you can’t seem to find your way around? When you can’t find a washroom because you don’t know how to converse with the locals? Traveling would definitely be more enjoyable if you know some basic language of the country you’re in. No, it’s not about enrolling in a six-week translation course. There are simple and affordable ways on how to be understood when in a foreign land.
Before embarking on a journey, be sure to drop by the local bookstore to purchase books on foreign language translation for the country you will visit. Choose a book that is simple, yet it contains the common words and phrases that are necessary to be understood and to understand what others are saying. It would be better if you read the book days or even a week before traveling, so you don’t have to spend extra time flipping through its pages when you’ve already reached your destination.
Foreign language translation CDs and computer software programs are also readily available in the market today. These translation materials are preferred by most travelers because they allow one to hear the accent and pronunciation of the language.
Along with translation books, CDs and computer programs, dictionaries should also be included in the traveling bag of a constant traveler. It is the basic necessity no traveler can live without.
The Truth About Machine Translations
For anyone who wants to get a quick and cost-effective translation, machine translation is the way to go. Machine translation is basically using the computer in translating human language. A lot of people have resolved in using this type of translation process because it is free and quite fast; however, people who have the intention of using translated documents for outbound purposes still go for translation companies. Machine translation can only provide gist translations with 70% accuracy. Anyone who totally depends on it will only receive inarticulate and sloppy translations. The technology is not yet fully developed to meet the various translation formats required by many companies.
Machine translations can only process common words and phrases, so it’s imperative for anyone who opts to use it to avoid complex words, sentences and phrases. Instead of using clichés, colloquial expressions and vernaculars, one should use the literal meaning of words. He should even avoid writing lengthy sentences that have more than twenty words. If a sentence contains too many ideas, it has to be broken down to one sentence per thought. Documents that will undergo machine translation must be thoroughly checked for incorrect spelling or grammar. If a word is spelled incorrectly, the computer might not recognize the word and eventually produce a document filled with translation errors.
In totality, machine translation can only be used for personal purposes; in knowing the general meaning of a word or phrase. Nothing can still replace the skill of professional translators. Businesses and companies should only entrust their critical and highly important documents in the hands of professional translators.
06.26.08
Why Proofread?
Generally documents that went through a translation process are considered confidential or highly critical. They contain information that could save a life like a medical diagnosis or information that can save a business from bankruptcy like a legal contract. It is no wonder why proofreading is a process reputable translation companies cannot do without. The contents of typically translated documents like technical manuals, passports, medical reports and police clearances are indisputably important in the day-to-day existence of countless human beings that they need to be checked and re-checked several times before they are handed over.
Proofreading is checking for any inconsistencies in the spelling, grammar, word usage and general message of a whole document. A document that did not undergo any editing or proofreading can cause unimaginable harm. One can just imagine how a badly written medical report can put a life in jeopardy or how a poorly translated instructional manual can tarnish a corporation’s image. Proofreading also eliminates any form of sexist or pejorative language that can lead to legal problems.
A well-translated and professionally proofread document will appear as if it had been written in the target language. Successful translation companies continue to gain success because they put the name of their company on the accuracy of their work. They hire top-quality proofreaders to ensure perfection and excellence in every project, so they can give their clients an edge in today’s ultra-competitive world.
06.24.08
Pointers Before Translating a Website
Website translation is becoming more and more important to companies as online marketing is increasingly becoming brutally competitive. Companies, however, should first consider the following suggestions in order to find the right translation company that can meet their website’s specific needs.
Identify the market. A localized website means it can do business with people that speak a different language. Inevitably these people will contact the website to ask about its product or service. A company should get to know the language of its targeted market so it can properly adjust the email settings of its website.
Do they do testing? A website translation company should test its translated websites on browsers like Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox. The larger the website, the more extensive the testing should be. Linguistic tests must be done not only on the development server but on the host too.
Consider the animation. The content is not the only part of a website that needs to be translated. A good website translation company can edit the animation and images of a website to make it fun and understandable to its targeted audience.
The internet is a venue where a billion people from around the globe buy products or services everyday. And a company that translates its website is opening its business to all these possible buyers.
06.05.08
Tips & Techniques for Improving Translation
From translating medical documents to translating complex technical manuals, language translation can be a real challenge. With the right techniques, however, translating can be an educational and rewarding experience.
Be equipped with the right resources. Like a soldier going to battle, a translator should be armed with the right tools in order to be victorious. Bilingual dictionaries and thesaurus, including those found in the Internet, are primary translation tools. The Internet is full of references that can help a translator better understand the language he is translating.
Understand the Document. Translation is about translating meaning and not words. A translator should read the entire document first, then he should take some time to imbibe the message of what he read. This is a vital process because it refreshes and opens the linguistic mind of the translator.
Have the Vocabulary Checked. With virtually millions of available translated documents, Google can offer translators a way to double check the accuracy of their work. Translators can also use Google to know the jargons their document should use. For instance, a translator who is working on a medical document can check Google to know how schizophrenia is translated in Spanish.
