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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!
Bilingual signs lost in translation problem in Canada
Bilingual signs are a necessity in Canada As a bilingual country, Canada provides a great number of services in both French and English. Labels, product descriptions, and road signs are therefore often bilingual. Sometimes, however, they get lost in translation. The stop sign, most often found in Quebec and New Brunswick, is common in jurisdictions with significant francophone and anglophone populations. Translating the single word “Stop” seems somewhat unnecessary as STOP and ARRET could both be considered valid French words. But what about following sign found in Fredericton, New Brunswick: The yellow warning sign reads: “Caution: Raised manholes/Attention: Trous d’homme sur éléves”. If we put this in the online translation service Google Translate, we get “Warning: Manholes on pupils”, which makes no sense at all. It’s almost worse if we literally translate it to “men’s holes over-elevated”! No doubt a professional translator’s help is the safest way to make sure the sign reads naturally in both Canadian English and French. These bilingual signs need a precise translation In regards to food labels, the legislation in Canada is even more strict. Companies have to show mandatory information in both languages. This is restrictively defined by the Canadian Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act. And let’s be honest, without some of these bilingual signs we would certainly be lost!! 😀 Some product designers use the bilingual labeling law with a sense of humor. Although these bilingual signs might sometimes seem ridiculous or redundant, only a small fraction of the population speak both languages fluently. Professional translation services are therefore indispensable, especially in regards to more extensive documents and signs that affect public health and safety.... read more
Christmas Traditions From All Over the World – Merry Christmas
Looking at Christmas Traditions From All Over the World Our final 2015 newsletter will focus on Christmas: one of the most important holidays celebrated throughout the world. Although every culture has its own traditions, there are many surprising similarities in Christmas traditions from all over the world. First, you will always find candles and lights, even in countries that celebrate Christmas during summer. There is also the decorated tree and the old white-bearded man that plays one of the leading roles. His name diverges from Santa Claus to Baba Chaghaloo, to Sheng dan lao ren to Papa Noel. Wherever you might be, Christmas is a time to highlight the value of being with family and friends. This newsletter, however, aims to feature some countries that do something completely different. We will present you with some Christmas traditions from all over the world you might have never heard of before. We also invite you to learn about traditions in the countries of Armenia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Finland. Armenia – Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ (Merry Christmas) The Armenian people celebrate their Christmas on January the 6th, a date otherwise known as Epiphany or Three Kings’ day in some countries. In Armenia, however, they celebrate the birth of Christ and his baptism on this day, the 6th of January. While many countries enjoy a lot of culinary delicacies during the time before Christmas, Armenians do the contrary. Traditionally, they fast during the week leading up to Christmas, avoiding eggs, dairy products, and meat. The name of the traditional Christmas Eve dinner to which families gather together is khetum and consists of rice, fish and... read more
The Danish Language and How It Is Changing
Denmark and the Danish Language Denmark, where the Danish language is spoken, is a country with four hundred islands surrounded by two seas. It’s a beautiful country with the charming capital of Copenhagen, as well as Greenland, the biggest island in the world, which also belongs to the great Kingdom of Denmark. Lego, The Little Mermaid and beautiful castles are all part of the Danish identity. The country is full of intelligent, agreeable and welcoming people. But the Danish language in Denmark has experienced some challenges as of lately. It has strongly been influenced by English. Therefore, changes are happening in the Danish language and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, the Danish phonology, which is how sounds are organized and used in languages, has been mutating strongly since 1950. Danish people like to shorten their words and try to use the least energy possible to pronounce them when speaking. Danes are said to talk like they have something in their mouth. Secondly, all Danish people learn the language growing up but increasingly like to speak the English language because it’s easier to learn and pronounce. Thirdly, you see a greater influence of the English language in traffic signs, media and advertisements all over Denmark. All this impacts the way the Danish language is being presented in its written and spoken form and how it is perceived by the younger generation. Check out an interesting video below explaining some of the challenges of Danish. Here at LingoStar, we translate all cultural materials and business documentations from English into Danish, and other Scandinavian languages, such as English to Swedish,... read more
Refugees in Europe and Their Influences on European Languages
A serious language-related issue The government is planning to resettle 25,000 refugees in Canada by February 2016 with 10,000 of them coming over the next few weeks, just like Europe did years ago. This raises some concerns: how to create enough accommodation, how the economy will be affected, and how well they will integrate into society. But there is another issue that is extremely important: The language barrier! It can be a serious problem for immigrants, especially for professionals, who cannot just continue their careers because of missing language skills. This is how stories about doctors driving cabs and engineers washing dishes become truth. Language teachers and translators are already at the start gate. Which will be the most required languages connected to the influx of refugees? Here’s a short overview: Arabic refugees in Europe, عربي ,عربى Over 290 million people worldwide speak this language, in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria – the country of provenance of most of these refugees. You might have heard that Arabic speakers write from right to left or that they use a different alphabet but did you know that the English language consists of many words with Arabic origins like cotton or magazine? Kurdish refugees in Europe, کوردی, Kurdî Kurdish is not just one language but a continuum of different languages which has a number of dialects spoken by Kurds in Western Asia. Its standard form, Sorani, is one of the official languages of Iraq – another departure point of many refugees. The Kurdish language is still a bit of a mystery to most historians but it is apparently born during the Medieval... read more
Remembrance Day and Red Poppies for Fallen Soldiers
Why do we celebrate Remembrance Day on the 11th of November? Originally called “Armistice Day”, Remembrance Day was introduced after the First World War in order to commemorate the Armistice agreement signed on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 am. It was the treaty that put an end to the war. Later, it became a holiday of remembrance for all the soldiers of the Canadian Army in times of war. Why is the Remembrance Poppy so famous? During the entire week of Remembrance Day, the people in Canada pin red poppies on their jackets, inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields“. It was written by the Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, who served in the Army and witnessed his friend’s death. Poppies were the first flowers that grew on soldiers’ graves in Flanders (Belgium). It then became a symbol of remembering the victims. What happens on Remembrance Day? The official Canadian national ceremonies happen every year at the National War Memorial in Ottawa according to a strict protocol. At the same time, throughout the whole country celebration services and parades take place. A minute of silence is often held at 11 am. This is in order to pause for a moment and remember all the sacrifices Canadians made in armed conflicts. Remembrance Day Worldwide Not only Canada but also many members of the Commonwealth celebrate this day in order to remember the members of their armed forces who have died on duty. With ongoing wars all over the world and millions of victims falling every week in military conflicts it is crucial to remember them. LingoStar... read more
Amsterdam : 10 Reasons to Visit The Netherlands’ Capital
The Netherlands’ capital in all its splendor Known for its laid-back drug and prostitution policies, Amsterdam is often not celebrated for all the other things it has to offer. From a party city to a cultural city, it has it all! Check out these 10 reasons why YOU should visit Amsterdam. Number 1: Channels of Amsterdam These waterways run through the entire city center and are a great way to explore the city. There are lots of boat tours you can get on but it is also fun to rent a boat yourself and explore the many channels on a self-guided tour. Number 2: Music Festivals of Amsterdam Amsterdam is a party city and especially in the summer, there are plenty of options. Festivals are everywhere and happening every week. The capital of the Netherlands hosts many of them in and around the city. While visiting the city, you should definitely try one of the many music festivals! Number 3: Dance Scene (ADE) A lot of modern dance music DJs are from the Netherlands so it’s no wonder that Amsterdam has a big club scene. Every year in October the city hosts Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), a 5-day non-stop party from Wednesday until Sunday with electronic music blasting day and night. Number 4: Museums of Amsterdam During the Dutch Golden Age, art played a major role in upper-class society. Almost everyone knows Rembrandt and his famous works, as well as famous painters like Van Gogh. There are many museums in the city but be prepared for long wait lines filled with tourists. Number 5: Bicycles The easiest and cheapest... read more
Best Beer: 10 World-Class Beers from Around the Globe
An enjoyable travel Beer is available all over the world and every beer lover has his or her own favorite brands. It is a perfect drink for a night out or a sunny afternoon on a patio. Many of these beer companies are centuries-old and well-loved by consumers. Heineken (The Netherlands) Heineken is the 3rd biggest supplier of beer by volume. Founded in Amsterdam in 1864, it has remained under the ownership of the original family for many generations. Gerard Adriaan Heineken founded the company at the young age of 22. The company has now over 75,000 employees and owns 165 breweries. Warsteiner (Germany) If you think of Germany, it is pretty common to think of beer. Most people associate Germany with quality beers and a very famous brand is Warsteiner. The company was founded in 1753 and is the fourth biggest seller in Germany. Budweiser (USA) This beer brand is one of the biggest in the United States and is active in more than 80 markets worldwide. Founded by a German immigrant in the year 1876 in Missouri. Budweiser sponsors a lot of sporty events like NASCAR and the FIFA World Cup. Molson (Canada) This list would not be complete without a true Canadian beer. Founded in Montreal in the year 1786, Molson is almost 250 years old. Nowadays it has merged with Coors and together they are the world’s second-largest beer producer. Now that is impressive! Tiger (Singapore) This city-state off the south side of Malaysia has developed into an ultra-modern city with a gorgeous skyline. One of their top 10 most valuable brands is Tiger Beer. It was founded by the... read more
How to speak new foreign languages effortlessly in one night!
Well, well, well… Imagine that you are a native English speaker of Canadian English. You would love to learn a new language but you do not have the time. Well, your solution is here! After following this short, one-night program, you will be able to speak 4 new languages, just like that. Let’s have some fun! Phase 1: Warm up. The night begins by meeting some of your best friends at your favourite pub. For them this is just an occasional night out but for you, it’s so much more. You are on a mission to learn new languages! The waiter comes and asks you for your order. You order a Canadian brand IPA beer. This will get you loosened up and ready to learn. Phase 2: Irish. Now that you’re warmed up it’s time to step it up a notch. When the waiter comes back you order a good old pint of Guinness. After one you feel like having another and end up ordering two more. You will start to notice that you are no longer speaking English, you’re speaking pretty good Irish. One language down, three to go! Phase 3: German. Now that you have learned your first language, it’s time to move on to the second one. Learning this second language takes a little more time. When the waiter comes back again you order some fine German beers. This process will take longer so you need at least 4 or 5 German beers. The beers are now flowing and you feel great. You cannot speak at a normal volume anymore and start to shout aggressive, sounding... read more
20 Must-Sees In and Around Vancouver BC
Amazing City We all know Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world but according to The Economist, it is also one of the most livable. There are so many things to see and do! To break it down, we made a list of 20 must-see attractions and what time of year to see them. Stanley Park This park is the third biggest urban park in North America and is no. 1 on TripAdvisor’s top 25 parks of the world. The moderate west coast climate of Vancouver keeps the forest beautifully lush and green all year long. Take a horse buggy ride or walk the sea wall. Hike or bike through the park’s endless trails. And in the summer, lay back and relax on one of the park’s gorgeous natural beaches. Canucks Game The no. 1 sport in Canada is ice hockey and logically Vancouver has a hockey team of its own. The games are played in Rogers Arena in downtown Vancouver. The regular hockey season starts in October and ends in April when the playoffs start. The playoffs are always exciting in any Canadian city but especially in Vancouver where the Canucks have come close to winning a few Stanley Cups! Grouse Mountain Grouse Mountain offers a series of activities throughout the year. During the winter the top of the mountain is open for skiing and other snow-related activities. In the summer the mountain is famous for its hiking trail, the Grouse Grind, which is 2.9 km long and climbs 853 metres with an astonishing 2830 stairs. The trail is open from May till October... read more
The Disney Princess Names and Their True Meaning
Disney Princess Names and their Meaning Almost everyone grew up watching Disney movies, especially in the late ’80s and 90s when Disney produced a lot of great movies. Many of these Disney movies feature a princess character with a name like Elsa or Bella. Did you know that their names have different meanings in different languages? Beauty and the Beast (1991) Bella means beautiful in Spanish and Italian. The story is that Bella falls in love with an enchanted prince. He has been cursed to look like a beast and the only way the spell can be broken is if he learns to love. Bella and the beast fall in love and break the spell at a crucial moment. Frozen (2013) In Hebrew, Anne means grace and in Spanish, Elsa means truth. This movie has not just one but two princesses, the sisters Elsa and Anne, who are part of the Arendelle royal family. Elsa has the power to manipulate ice and snow but ends up hurting Anne who will be frozen until an act of true love breaks the spell. Eventually, Anne defrosts and they live happily ever after. Aladdin (1992) The princess name Jasmine means flower in Persian. A princess in a palace with a pet tiger and a street boy with a pet monkey must be a weird combination, right? They love each other but Aladdin is too poor to be with Jasmine. He finds a lamp with a genie inside. He stops the evil Jafar and saves the sultan. After the sultan sees the love between Jasmine and Aladdin he allows them to get married. Sleeping Beauty (1959) Aurora is Latin for goddess... read more
Sports and Their Origins : Top 10 most Canadian Sports
“O Canada” Canadians love playing and watching many different sports but there are always favorites! This is our list of the top 10 most Canadian sports. What do you think about this list? Do you agree? Number 10: Golf With its origin in 15th century Scotland, Golf is still popular to this date. The combination of striking a small white ball with a club generates lots of fun, however, because golfing clubs are so expensive to join, it is most easily played by people with lots of money. Number 9: Tennis The origin of Tennis goes all the way back to medieval France. In the 12th century, the French King Louis X was a keen player of an earlier version of modern tennis. The tennis we know today was born in 1958 when two friends used rackets in the old Spanish game of Pelota. The Canadian Open, an annual event, helped the sport gain popularity in Canada. Number 8: Curling Although Canadians dominate Curling at the international level, its origin lies in Scotland. Curling became an Olympic sport in 1998 and since then Canada has won five gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. It’s no wonder curling is so popular in Canada! Number 7: Cricket Although Canada is not a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the old English game of Cricket is still quite popular here. Currently ranked at 16th, the Canadian team is not winning any championships yet, but perhaps this will change in the future. Number 6: Baseball Even though Baseball is extremely successful in America, it is also very popular in Canada. Both... read more
Advertisement: 14 Creative Ads You Should Know
Advertisement Is Hidden Everywhere How do you choose the products when you go shopping? You might think you choose products on your own but you are suggested products subconsciously through advertisement. We just stare at the TV but actually we are being exposed to ads. So when we go shopping, we buy the products that remain in our memory. Today we have prepared the top 14 creative ads you should know. Therefore, let’s see how companies captivate customers’ hearts! It’ll be fun! Trust me. Reality Sucks This is multiplex advertising in Belgium. You probably recognize the first and second photos as famous movie scenes from ‘Titanic’ and ‘Free Willy’. This advertising doesn’t follow traditional methods. Usually, theater advertising tries to express something positive, such as couples or families having a good time at the movies. However, in this case, they are saying, ‘reality sucks’. Weird, right? They should be saying, ‘reality is good’. Here’s what they want to say: ‘reality is not romantic like you think, so just go to the theater’. They get their point across with just two simple words. Really brilliant advertising. “That’s what I want to say! Bring me my cheezy!” Miracle Whip’s advertisement Miracle Whip is a dressing manufactured by Kraft Foods and sold throughout the United States and Canada. This ad is selling a low-fat dressing. Look at the print. In the ad, fries lie on a plate like a seesaw. If something heavy is on one side of the seesaw, that side goes down. But in this ad, the side with the dressing isn’t going down. Because it’s so light! They expressed... read more
The Difference between Canadian and Korean Culture
Canada, Korea and Their Differences Have you ever lived in Canada or Korea? Here we compare cultural differences between Korea and Canada. School Life In Canada, school usually finishes around 4 p.m. and then students either participate in after-school activities or go home. But in Korea, especially in high school, students have to stay at school until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Koreans think that students must go on to a good university for a better job and better life. So most Korean students study very hard during their 3 years as a high-school student. Small Talk Generally Canadians like making small talk. You can talk to passerby even if you don’t know them. Canadians are kind so if you say hello to someone, they will reply for you. But small talk isn’t a common thing in Korea. You can small talk with friends, family, etc. but if you talk to someone on the street, it is considered very strange. Tip Culture Usually Canadians pay tips between 10% and 20% in restaurants. Koreans who visit Canada are confused about this because you don’t need to pay tips in Korea. About Alcohol In Canada, if you want to buy some alcohol, you have to visit the “Liquor Store”. You can’t buy alcohol in the convenience store, or any supermarket. And you can’t drink alcohol anywhere outside. But if you are in Korea, you can buy alcohol very easily at any convenience store or market. And you can drink alcohol outside if you want. Lunch Time Usually Koreans don’t bring their own lunch to work. They eat lunch at their company cafeteria or... read more
Useful Guide For Canada Day Celebrations
Happy Birthday, Canada! On July 1st, Canada will celebrate its 148th birthday. Here is your Canada Day events schedule across the country. Check it out! Origin Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which called the Constitution Act today. Canada Day was originally called ‘Dominion Day’ but it was renamed in 1982. How to celebrate On Canada Day people gather downtown or in central locations in their respective hometowns. They wear red T-shirts with Canadian maple leafs and some people even paint their faces. There are many events like concerts, parades, etc. and you can enjoy eating various street foods. The biggest highlight is a fireworks display! Usually it starts at 10 or 10:30 P.M. This year’s celebrations for Canada Day Here is your complete events schedule for enjoying Canada Day across the country! Canada Day 2015 in Ottawa Parliament Hill 9am to 9:30am – Flag-Raising Ceremony 9:30am to 10am – Changing of the Guard 10am to 10:30am – Carillon Concert 12pm to 1:30pm – Canada Day Noon Show 2pm to 5pm – Swing Dancing, A Flock of Flyers : remix, Ottawa Stilt Union 7:30pm to 10pm – Canada Day Evening Show Major’s Hill Park (There are a lot of activities!) 9am to 3pm – NRJ 104.1 Ottawa – Gatineau 9am to 5pm – Commemorate the 200th anniversary of Sir John A. Mcdonald’s birthday, Historica Canada’s Trivia Challenge, GoodLife Fitness (Get in The Best Shape Of Your Life!) etc. 2:45pm to 3:15pm – Inner City Sirens 2, Fesso the clown 3pm to 3:30pm –... read more
Chopsticks And Their Multiple Use Across The World
The Culture Behind Chopsticks Unless you grow up using chopsticks, getting the hang of it can be difficult. Each country in Asia has its own culture and etiquette about using them, as well as different shapes, etc. So today we’d like to introduce you to the interesting world of chopsticks! The Origin of Chopsticks Chopsticks were invented in ancient China as early as 1766 ~ 1122 B.C. The first ones were probably used for cooking, stirring the fire, and serving or seizing bits of food, not as eating utensils. Types of Chopsticks China Longer than other styles at about 25 centimeters, thicker, with squared or rounded sides and ending in either wide and flat tips or tapered pointed tips. The most common type of material in regular households is lacquered bamboo and in restaurants, melamine plastic for its durability and ease of sanitation. Korea Medium-length with a small, flat rectangular shape, and made of metal. Traditionally they were made of brass or silver, with only rich families using silver chopsticks because silver was very expensive. Many Korean metal chopsticks are ornately decorated at the grip and they are used simultaneously with the Korean spoon. Japan Shorter length sticks tapering to a finely pointed end. Traditionally Japanese chopsticks were made of wood or bamboo and were lacquered. It is common for Japanese sticks to be of shorter length for women. Vietnam Long sticks that taper to a blunt point, quite like the Chinese style. Traditionally lacquered wood or bamboo. Etiquette China When eating rice from a bowl, it is normal to hold the rice bowl up to one’s mouth and... read moreTranslation Blog and News
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