What is Back Translation?
Filed under: Accurate Translation, Back translation, Certified Translation, Cultural Training, Globalization, Interpretation, Localization, Market Research, Proofreading, Transl8 Language Solutions
Back Translation is the process of translating a document that has already been translated into a foreign language back to the original language – preferably by an independent translator.
Translation of raw data such as focus group transcripts back into the language of a client from the language of the consumers is common in market research area. In fact translation remains one of the most important parts of a market research project.
The Power of “Untranslatable” Words
Filed under: Education, Interpretation, Learning a New Language, Market Research, Translation
Occasionally even the best translators come across of “untranslatable” words that make them stumble and think looking for the right equivalent in the target language. What are these so called “untranslatable” words? We are used to hearing about idioms that loose their meaning when transposed word per word into another language. Now it’s time to uncover the meaning of these illusive, hard to grasp words even though the part of the essence of the word is lost as it crosses from one language to another. Read more
Smart Phone Translation Technology To Be Used by US Military
Filed under: Interpretation, Mobile Technology, Translation Tools
This summer National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) performed a final round of complete tests for 3 of their new two-way, real-time, voice-translation devices. These speech translation systems were developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to improve communications between the U.S. military and non-English speakers in foreign countries.
Do Mystery Product Names Really Sell?
Filed under: Cultural Training, Globalization, Interpretation, Localization, Market Research, Transl8 Language Solutions, Translation
There is a certain attraction in foreign words and made-up names. Psychologists discover that people associate positive ideas with words that they do not understand. Especially in the United States where an average American citizen speaks 0.18 foreign languages. (by Dr. Julianne Malveaux).
So for 4 out of 5 Americans A “Grande Mocha Frapuccino” is a fascinating foreign name calling for higher price than your regular next-door Shake with Shaved Ice Chocolate and Coffee would. Starbucks figured it out, hooking caffeine addicts to their exotic-sounding “venti” and “grande”. Read more
Why does a Translator need to be a Linguist?
Filed under: Globalization, Interpretation, Localization, Transl8 Language Solutions, Translation
What makes a professional linguist?
For starters, linguists:
- Are bilingual (or multi-lingual) speakers; not just capable in another language but fluent
- Have advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of language, possess an understanding of sociolinguistics, which is the understanding of speakers’ backgrounds (socioeconomic group, degree of education, age, etc.) based on how they speak.
- Maintain specialization in a certain area such as legal translations, medical, IT/Telco, automotive, etc.
- Have experience doing professional translations
So, it is one thing to be bilingual or ‘fluent’ in the language, but to understand the underlying message and intent of the words is something much deeper altogether.
When it comes to translating, it’s the little things that count.
Filed under: Cultural Training, Globalization, Interpretation, Localization, Transl8 Language Solutions, Translation
Too many companies, not anticipating the sometimes subtle differences between countries and continents, send their products abroad without sufficient prior research. Later, they wonder why the sales results don’t match expectations.
Here’s a collection of real-life mistakes and some examples of machine translation, a technology that isn’t quite capable of all that’s often claimed for it. Read more
Top 10 Languages to translate your Website into!
Filed under: Accurate Translation, Certified Translation, Globalization, Interpretation, Localization, Proofreading, Transl8 Language Solutions, Translation, Translation Tools
When you’re looking to expand your market share and present your products to the broader international audience you have to do your homework in regards to your target audience. Knowing what are the fastest growing regions in the world will help you to position your website correctly and tap into the right markets.
