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LingoStar’s Blog 
Welcome to LingoStar’s blog! On this page, you can find a lot of interesting and useful information about the translation industry. Explore topics on website translation and localization and how successful localization can influence your business to help your company grow and go global.
Language Blog Topics
On this blog, you can also learn about professional translators and interpreters, multilingual search engine optimization (SEO), the importance of socializing and networking and translators’ professional ethics. Quite often we write posts about the languages of the world, other cultures, and their traditions. Not only do translators convert texts from a source language to a target language, but they also help people communicate with each other, help establish international contacts, and are often prominent figures in the social, economic, and political life. Lastly, of course, we want you to have fun, so on our blog, you can find many posts that will entertain you and, hopefully, make you smile!
We hope you enjoy our blog and discover a lot of interesting things!
The Development Of the English Language Through the Ages
Dictionaries and the Development of the English language Did you know that the word “nice” originally meant “stupid”? Or that “decimate” used to mean “to kill one in every 10”? The development of the English language keeps evolving , and we don’t even realize it. Anne Curzan, professor of English at the University of Michigan, studies how the English language works and how it has changed over time. In her TED Talk, she explains how various words have developed and what makes a word “real”. People usually think a word is real when it appears in the dictionary. However, most slang words don’t, even though they fill important gaps in the English language. Curzan notes that dictionaries are not timeless since words and languages change all the time. For example, if you wanted to write a business letter, would you use a dictionary from 1910? Probably not. You would use a recent dictionary. And why? Because we usually don’t use the terms any more that have been used 100 years ago, since language is constantly developing. Languages back then Curzan gives interesting examples during her speech. In 1875, Dean Henry Alford said that “desirability” is a terrible word. In 1760, Benjamin Franklin complained about the word “colonize”. However, today, these words appear in every dictionary and no one doubts their validity. Many words develop from other languages as well. In Germany for example, people use a lot of English loan words and sometimes mix both the German and English language to create new ones. These words may sound English, but English native speaker wouldn’t understand them. “Handy” is the... read more
Mother’s Day in Vancouver
Mother’s Day in Vancouver Dear readers, This Sunday, May 8, 2016, sons and daughters all over the world will celebrate Mother’s Day. On this special day, they concentrate on the wellbeing of their mothers. (Actually, this should be done every day, not just once a year…) Anyway, if you are in need of some ideas on how to spend Mother’s Day in Vancouver, here are some suggestions for you! Brunch Brunch is always a good idea. It’s about food and, let’s be honest, everyone loves food! You can either prepare something at home (your mother will be so proud– lots of kisses will follow), or treat your mother to brunch at a fancy restaurant. You can enjoy a nice breakfast at The Teahouse, (Stanley Park) on Mother’s Day in Vancouver and spend the rest of the day walking through the park. Spa Day A mother’s life can be very stressful. Mothers work, prepare meals for their loved ones, do the housework, and look after their children. And no matter how old their kids are, even if they don’t live at home anymore, mothers still worry about them. Mother’s Day is the best opportunity to give back to your mother for all her hard work! And a good way to do this would be to spend Mother’s Day in Vancouver relaxing at one of Vancouver’s best spas. VanDusen Gardens If your mom loves the outdoors, you should definitely go for a walk through the VanDusen Botanical Garden, where there will be live music, a photo booth, and pop-up café in celebration of Mother’s Day in Vancouver. (The weather is supposed... read more
Which City Takes The Most Selfies?
Selfies Everyone has taken at least one in their life. Young people, especially, love to take a lot of selfies. They are popular, and a fast and easy way to share moments with your friends. You take a selfie and can send it within seconds to your partner, best friend, or parents, or share it on Snapchat, Instagram or Facebook. Have you ever wondered which city takes the most selfies? Most people would assume a North American city, since there are so many locations perfect for selfie – taking (think New York, San Francisco or Hollywood…). Which city takes the most selfies? Well, they would be surprised to hear it isn’t an American or Canadian city, but Makati City in the Philippines! In any given week, the residents of Makati take 258 selfies per 100,000 people. They are followed by Manhattan, N.Y. with 202 selfies. Makati City is where politics, showbiz and nightlife meet, and since this is one of the biggest business districts in the greater Metro Manila area, a lot of selfies are taken there. The Philippines want to show their status because they are proud of themselves, what they do, and of their country as well. They are working their way out of poverty and to show their success, they take a lot of selfies! What about Canadian cities? Well, Canadians do take selfies, but way less than the Philippines. Check out the chart below! Here at LingoStar, we have professional translators who are native speakers of Tagalog. We also have a range of other services to offer such as revising, updating and localizing your content... read more
Chinese And English Advertisement In Richmond
Richmond’s Chinese and English population Richmond, located south of Vancouver, has grown into a modern and multicultural city. Its population of 213,000 people makes it the fourth largest city in B.C; and with an immigrant population of 60 percent, it has the highest in Canada. Over the years, Richmond has become a dynamic and multi-ethnic community, and 50 percent of its residents are Chinese. After World War II, large numbers of Asian immigrants from China and Hong Kong settled there and today many Chinese and English speakers call Richmond home. Advertisement signs in both languages In Richmond, there is advertising in both Chinese and English. Recently a huge debate has arisen regarding Chinese only advertisement signs, and whether or not they should be banned. This debate was sparked by Budweiser’s January 2016 advertisement of their beer in Chinese, with only a few words appearing in English. The Richmond city council voted against banning signs that are only in Chinese, but advised that at least 50 percent of advertisement signs should be in English. The Translink bus advertisement in Chinese which was not well received either. This debate has led to misunderstandings, since some residents think that Chinese people do not respect the English language community. However, this doesn’t hold water in the above case, since Budweiser is an American company, not a Chinese one. Furthermore, the problem is not as extensive as it seems since, in fact, less than five percent of advertising signs in Richmond are in Chinese only. Most of these businesses do not even realize that they are deterring business from English speakers. Advertisement in Chinese... read more
German beer – Here Is Why You Should Celebrate With Us!
Germans and beer The Germans. Organization and structure? Yes, please! We Germans love rules and have them for everything. And I really mean EVERYTHING. What else do we love? That’s right! German Beer! And how are rules and beer related? Well, let me show you. Why do people always use beer and Lederhosen to describe Germans? Because we know how to brew good German beer (and needed some hardwearing pants…). There are over 1300 breweries in Germany, and so what do the orderly Germans do to guarantee high-quality beer? We lay down rules! And since beer is such an important part of German culture, we pay a lot of attention to the brewing method. By the way, the translation of “Prost” is “Cheers!” And if you are looking for some German beer in Vancouver, there are a lot of pubs where you can try some. The German Beer Purity Law The Reinheitsgebot (translation: “German Beer Purity Law”) is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients of beer made in Germany. This goes back to 1516, Bavaria, Germany, when beer could only be made from water, barley and hops. The law passed in order to prevent price competition with bakers for wheat and rye, in an attempt to ensure the availability of affordable bread. The rules were so strict that breweries were punished for producing impure beer! And the Bavarian government wasn’t kidding… “Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in future in all cities, markets and in the country, the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be barley, hops and water. Whosoever knowingly disregards or transgresses upon this ordinance,... read more
A Second Language can Enhance your Career (Part II)
Speaking a second language is also beneficial for YOU Being able to speak a second language is a real asset. It will open doors for you in a way you would never imagine. As reported by recruitment agencies, speaking foreign languages one can result in a rise of 8-20% of your salary. Also, the benefits of being bilingual are numerous in any given career. A multilingual employee may be trusted with new duties and responsibilities simply because of their ability to speak another language. They might also get the chance to go abroad as part of their job, and become a location, independent professional. Of course, with the development of the internet, it is possible for anyone to go abroad and gain experience. However there are many dialects around the world, so knowing the language of the place you’re visiting is an advantage. Furthermore, knowing the local dialect allows communication with others and total immersion in the culture of a country. Speaking a second language also helps you to create a multicultural environment and social network. It is an opportunity to get to know clients or colleagues whose languages you’re familiar with. Gaining a higher level in a foreign language Even though speaking another language may help boost your work opportunities, this does not necessarily mean having to be fluent. If some proficiency is an advantage, recruiters may be happy with just the basics – being able to welcome prospective new clients from overseas with a few polite phrases is always a good thing. There is room for all levels, but if you think you want to learn more and prove your skills... read more
Enhance your Career by learning a Second Language
Understanding the link between multilingualism and business When looking for work, the first thing to do is create or update a CV that will convince an employer that you are the one for the job. A second, third, or even fourth language will surely open doors and improve your chances to enhance your career. In the USA, most people speak English, even if it is not their first language. However, not many Americans, whose mother tongue is English, can brag about being multilingual. In today’s globalized business world, it’s no longer enough to only speak one language. Due to insufficient language skills and cultures knowledge, numerous companies lose business and pass over contracts every year. Employers worldwide are ready to invest in quality workers with multi-language skills and may give preference to multilingual people. For example, since Hispanics represent 15% of the US population, Spanish is a highly predominant language for recruiters in the United States, along with Chinese due to China’s worldwide economic influence. With globalization and integration developing so quickly, multilingual people find themselves offered more job opportunities as compared to monolingual individuals. Whether the job is located in Canada, the United States, or the United Kingdom, almost any job calls for language skills, and not just for jobs like journalism, transportation, tourism, banking, but also positions in retail, catering, reception, to name a few. However specialist language jobs like language teacher, translator or interpreter, require a higher level of education and expertise. Enhance your career, bridge the Gap It is clear that adding a language to any CV can enhance your career. It multiplies your chances of... read more
The Importance of Localization – How Companies Localize their Products
The Importance of Localization and its Secrets Take a moment to look around you. No matter where you are, you will probably see items the entire world has heard about. Samsung TV? Nike shoes? An iPhone? All these brands have something in common; they are known all over the world. Whether you are Canadian, Chinese, French, American, Indian, or German, you can’t look at a can of Coke and wonder what it is. These companies have translated their products into so many different languages and exported them in so many different countries that you can now find them just about anywhere, even in the remote villages of Nepal nearby Mount Everest. These companies have all understood the importance of localization. The Big And The Giant So, how did big companies localize their products? What is localization? Localization is a process of product translation and cultural adaptation to account for differences in distinct markets. You can’t simply take a product made by your company and sell it in any country, as some content might be offensive to other cultures. Therefore it can be tricky to translate the brilliant idea and concepts involved behind the name of your company. For example, did you know that the name Coca-Cola comes from the coca leaves and the kola nuts used as a flavouring for the drink? Founder John S. Pemberton changed the ‘K’ of kola to C to make the name look better. Simple, concise, and the brand is known worldwide. Nonetheless, the brand encountered a certain problem when entering China. The original Chinese version of the name “ke-ke-ken-la” meant “bite the wax tadpole”.... read more
Festival du Bois – A French Canadian Experience
Get your French Canadian on! A French festival in British Columbia? Yes, that’s right, the Festival du Bois is coming! For those who didn’t know, Canada is divided into two regions: English-speaking and French-speaking. French is predominantly spoken in Quebec, where most of Canada’s native French speakers live, and it is Canada’s second official language. Unfortunately, Quebec is on the other side of Canada, and if you live in B.C. and don’t want to travel that far, just visit the Festival du Bois to get in touch with the French Canadian culture right here in British Columbia! When and where is the Festival du Bois happening? Every year, at the beginning of March, the festival takes place in the Maillardville neighborhood of Coquitlam, British Columbia, which is about half an hour from Vancouver. But what is so special about this festival? It is the largest and most attended Francophone festival on the west coast of Canada! Many people from Vancouver and its neighboring districts come here to speak French, have a lot of fun, and taste some real French Canadian food. The French language – an important part of the Festival du Bois! Most of the visitors speak French while they are here, but don’t worry! You won’t need a French translator to attend this special festival. But I really recommend leaving your comfort zone and trying to speak this beautiful language, even if you haven’t tried it yet! Words like “Bonjour” (Good Morning), “Salut” (hello) or “C’est quoi?” (What’s this?) will do. And don’t hesitate to ask people what all the words mean; no one is born a master.... read more
Japanese People Learning English are Having a Hard Time
Struggles of Japanese people learning English There are many aspects that make it difficult for Japanese people learning English. At first, we think about the differences between the English and the Japanese alphabet. However, I would like to introduce three others that many struggle with. Vowels following Consonants Firstly, in Japanese, a consonant is always followed by a vowel, like in the word ‘arigatou’ which means ‘thank you’. When Japanese people speak English, they tend to unconsciously add vowels after consonants, especially in words that end with consonants. In the case of ‘cat’, for example, many Japanese speakers will pronounce it like “kato”, with an additional ‘o’ at the end. That’s why English spoken by Japanese people can sometimes sound strange. English has many sounds that are not existent in Japanese and it is also one of the main reasons why our pronunciations can be peculiar. Number Another difficulty is that in Japanese, singular and plural forms are not important, so, Japanese people will often forget to use the correct form when speaking English. It may sound like it’s not a big problem, but when it comes to translating from Japanese into English it can pose some challenges. Since the number is not a grammatical construct in Japanese, it isn’t always clear which form should be used. Articles Finally, most Japanese people struggle with the use of articles because they do not exist in Japanese. Even those who have lived in English-speaking countries for a long time find it difficult to use articles properly. It is one of the most challenging aspects of English for Japanese people to master.... read more
Coltan: The Mineral Which Creates Technology and Destroys Lives
What is Coltan? Nowadays we tend to spend most of our time looking at our phone or working on our computer. You might not realize it, but if you have a phone or laptop, you have one of the most valuable minerals in the world in your possession: Coltan. Simply put, Coltan is a mineral. But it is not just any mineral. This compound consists of a mixture of Tantalum and Columbite, some of the most much-appreciated minerals of our time. It’s very resistant to acids, transmits electricity rapidly (80 times faster than copper), and supports large loads, so it is used in almost all modern electronic circuit components. Where do we find it? Coltan can be found in many places around the world but 80% of it is located in Congo. To mine it, they dig caves in extremely bad conditions. They get it at a very low cost and sell it at a very high price. The Problem brought by Coltan Congo is the perfect place to exploit labor. They force people to work in bad conditions and earn poor wages. Afterward, the mineral is introduced in devices worth a small fortune. Raising Demand The world keeps developing so it needs more technology but the quantity of Coltan is decreasing. So the demand goes up along with the market value. The smartphone: Friend or foe? Most of us have at least a phone in our possession so we are all responsible for this situation. How are we destroying ourselves? All the time we need more technology more often: better communication, find a location, etc. But it is also... read more
The Best Countries in the World – Ranking Results
Canada Is Second in the Best Countries Ranking! This is official, Canada got the second place this week from the U.S. News Best Countries ranking in their ranking for the best countries in the world. And we are sufficiently proud of it. But let’s be sincere: Who does actually know what it takes to succeed in this ranking? How do they carry it out and which factors count in? Because “Best country” sounds quite general. So let us give you a brief insight into the ranking, the methodology, and the data. What Is the Best Countries Ranking? The Best Countries ranking is the result of a yearly study which is carried out by the US News & World Report. It is a project created to capture how countries are perceived on a global scale. The final ranking is made according to a set of 65 countries’ attributes which are grouped in 9 categories. These 9 sub rankings listed below eventually calculate the country’s overall ranking score. Adventure (3.24 percent) friendly, fun, pleasant climate, scenic, sexy Citizenship (16.95 percent) cares about human rights, cares about the environment, gender equality, progressive, religious freedom, respects property rights, trustworthy, well-distributed political power Cultural Influence (12.93 percent) culturally significant in terms of entertainment, fashionable, happy, has an influential culture, modern, prestigious, trendy Entrepreneurship (17.42 percent) connected to the rest of the world, educated population, entrepreneurial, innovative, provides easy access to capital, skilled labor force, technological expertise, transparent business practices, well-developed infrastructure, well-developed legal framework Heritage (3.17 percent) culturally accessible, has a rich history, has great food, many cultural attractions Open for Business (11.99 percent) bureaucratic,... read more
The Spanish Language. A new emerging speakers around the World!
The Spanish Language With 410 million native speakers the Spanish language is the second most-spoken language in the World. It is the official language in 21 countries above all and it counts many different accents. As one of six official languages of the United Nations, it is the official language of the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the Union of South American Nations, among other international organizations. The language of the Castile region of Spain became the official Spanish language thanks to King Alfonso’s efforts in the 13th century. The Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española), created in the 18th century, is widely considered the arbiter of standard Spanish. It produces authoritative dictionaries and grammar guides. Although its decisions do not have the force of law, they are widely followed in both Spain and Latin America. Although Spanish comes from the Iberian Peninsula as a descendant of Latin, today it has far more speakers in Latin America. This is mostly due to the Spanish colonization of the New World Arabic was the next big influence on Spanish after Latin and today, the language exerting the most influence is English. Spanish has adopted hundreds of English words, especially those related to technology and culture. Need a translation in Spanish? No problem! Do you need a translation in European Spanish or Latin American Spanish? We can help you! Here at Lingostar, we have professional translators who are native speakers of both Spanish languages. We also have a range of other services to offer such as revising, updating and localizing your content into more than 100 languages. And if you... read more
French Canadian And Its Many Differences With French European
What makes Quebec and French Canadian special Quebec is a ‘special’ Canadian province in many ways, but it is especially known for being the only province where English is not an official language! It is well known that the people of Quebec fought for the French Canadian language despite the huge English influence. Finally, in 1977, the French Language Charter set French as the only language for advertisement and education in Quebec. Despite this, it is important to refer to the French dialect in Quebec explicitly as Canadian French in order to differentiate it from the Metropolitan French dialect from France. French people often claim that they have trouble understanding Canadian French. Let’s explore some of these potential differences. Pronunciation differences The most notable differences between Metropolitan and Canadian French are probably to do with pronunciation. Whereas French, in general, contains a very rich vocalic inventory compared to other languages, Canadian French has even more vowel sounds (around 15) than that of France. Quebeckers also tend to reduce their use of consonants significantly and to use abbreviations extensively. The use of articles (le, la) is similar to Portuguese. Instead of saying “le” or “la” (the), they will often say “el” (or l’) and “a”. In some cases, “le” becomes “l apostrophe” in front of a consonant. Vocabulary in French Canadian changes from French European French Canadian vocabulary is distinctive from the vocabulary of Metropolitan France. This is not surprising considering that since its arrival in Canada, the French language was exposed to many different influences. It couldn’t possibly have developed in the same manner as in Europe. Some even... read more
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