07.16.08
Documents that Build Reputation
Every document a company produces, whether it is a brochure, instruction manual or journal, tells a lot about the company. A well-written document reflects a good image, and a badly-written one might cause people to think that the company’s product or service is similarly inferior. Companies who consistently produce attractive and flawlessly written documents are most likely enjoying a thriving enterprise. They, however, have to watch out for the day when their documents need to be translated. Many companies fall prey to shoddy translation companies claiming to be reputable and experienced. As a result, the reputation they have relentlessly been protecting for years almost got completely destroyed.
Reliable translation companies have individual approach to every client and ensure accurate translation of any document type. Fully aware of their critical role in keeping businesses’ strong and dependable, translation providers care for their client’s image and international reputation as much as any of its employees. Translation providers double-check each document to make sure that not a single trace of imperfection is found in its words, grammar, and massage; imperfections that could embarrass a company and severely affect its good name.
Dependable translation providers can handle different document translation of various complexities. Whether it is a medical document, a business document or a commercial document, these translation providers can deliver results that are accurate and clear. With a pool of highly-qualified translators who use languages like French, German, Chinese and Italian as their primary language, translation providers can help make any business the best it can be.
07.07.08
What Makes Website Translation Different?
Is there really a difference between translating website documents and regular documents? This question would probably linger in the mind of someone who is just starting out as a translator. But for those who have already been translating for a good number of years are already well aware that the only similarity between the two is that they have to be read first from start to finish before being translated. Aside from that, the two documents are worlds apart. A budding translator needs to have a clear grasp of what to expect in translating website documents to avoid committing mistakes.
The primary difference of website documents from regular documents is that they are in HTML files. When a client gives his document in HTML files, it is up to the translator to figure out which part of the HTML is the actual text that needs to be worked on. Furthermore, translators need to know the kind of link that should be used in every webpage. Is it relative links or absolute links? Most clients prefer relative links because they have shorter codes, thus faster downloading time; while there are some who go for absolute links for personal reasons. A translator needs to know the type of link his client is more comfortable in using before translating the website.
When translating a website, a translator also has to consider its images and the texts that support them. Often when an image’s text has been translated, it will relay a message somewhat different from what the image is saying. Translating web documents may be vastly different from regular documents, but both follow a basic principle in order to attain its purpose – both needs to have translators who have an open communication with clients.
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.
05.16.08
3 Key Roles of Professional Translators
Imagine a world with hundreds of languages having no one in the entire population who can speak a second language. Communication? A sure dead air. Growth? Impossible to achieve. Culture? Stagnant and unshared. Professional translators will never let this happen.
With diverse cultures and languages worldwide, professional translators serve as instruments for three essential human functions: communication, development and culture promotion. How?
In Communication
It is a basic instinct of man to communicate. And to communicate only means that the original message will be clearly sent in its equivalent context to the target audience. The main role of translators is to send the message across without any form of distortion or emphasis. That’s why it is an imperative that only professional translators handle the sending process.
Also, maintaining and building good relationships is an essential to an individual’s healthy living. Communication is vital to maintaining and creating those relationships. But how can one build or sustain a sound relationship across the world if there’s lack of understanding to one another? With professional translators it is possible.
The main job of translators is simple – provide an effective means of communication. Efficient communication is not only to translate an original text by word-per-word basis. It’s delivering the genuine context of the message to the language that the target person understands.
This task of professional translators is not a piece of cake as it demands nothing less than accuracy. A single mistake in context translation can result to offensive message that can eventually lead to misunderstandings between people.
With full content management, skilled translators take care of every single detail of the translation process, no matter how big or small. Professional language translation services make the client feel confident that every word reads and sounds locally correct. Accurate content and context are key to quality communication.
In Growth and Development
Growth and development can be achieved through fair trading or exchange of knowledge and resources. In business, not only that it is essential to understand the culture of the target clients but to communicate efficiently using their local language. This is another key role of professional translators.
Universal growth of any business requires employing not less than professional translation services to convert a single message to almost all languages in the world. The more languages a single message can be translated, the higher the possibility to reach diverse people. It is only when there’s freedom in exchanging goods and skills that global progress can be attained. And nothing can aid in this better than professional translators.
Culture Sharing
In able to appreciate, promote or share culture across continents, it is important that to have an in-depth understanding of it. Again, with the help of skilled translators, it is feasible.
The best manifestation of this role of translators is seen on beauty pageants. Candidates can freely promote their culture to the international scene but the job of professional translators can’t be taken for granted. Without them, culture promotion will remain unshared and uncultivated. Events that encourage culture sharing are quite impossible, if not chaotic.
Translating is a complex task that demands expertise. It offers three indispensable functions that man constantly needs. With such great and crucial responsibility only professional translators have the ability to carry out the tasks.
