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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!
Global Gender Gap
As women’s participation in society is increasing, their role in the business world is also becoming more important. But it is true that only women can give birth, so it is controversial that women have to be at home, or should be treated as same as men. But it depends on countries or cultures whether equality of men and women is regarded as important or not. It is a crucial issue for women who would like to pursue their careers the same as men, and this issue may force them to give up their goals or dreams. Here are some examples: Asia In Japan, data shows that only 11.1% of women were working as an administrative post in 2013. Also there are no female prime ministers in Japanese history. Korea is in a similar situation. In most of Asian countries, it can be said that women are not treated equally to men. It is mostly because of Asian conservative cultures, and it is not easy to get rid of them. Europe Among countries in Europe such as Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands, at least 40% of members of the National Parliament are women. And it is common that women have infant-care leave as well as long-term maternity leave. Also there is wage gap between men and women, but it is not as obvious as it is in Asian countries. Such a situation shows that most European countries are successful in filling up the gender gap. Canada According to ‘The Global Gender Gap’ which measures gender gaps from the economy, politics, education, and health, Canada is ranked 20th out of... read moreCanadian Multinationalism
As the world becomes more international, the amount of immigration is also increasing. In Canada, an officially multicultural country, more than 200 thousands of people immigrate to Canada every year. Since the immigration act was adopted in 1869, Canada accepted immigrants from all over the world, and now there are more than 200 races of people living in Canada. Canada attracts people who would like to assimilate with its equality, solid health care system, high level of educational standards and beautiful nature. But there are positive points and negative aspects to accepting large number of immigrants to be Canadian. Here are some opinions: Pros: – Enhancement of cultural exchange – Increase of population – Growth in economy – Increase of international competition Cons: – Financial burden – Racial problems – Risk of cultural devastation – Illegal immigration Even though there are positive points and negative points, Canadian multinationalism has enormous appeal for people around the world, and the amount of immigration is still increasing. Often described as a cultural mosaic, various cultures, languages, and races all co-exist in Canadian society, and it have built Canada its own identity. Here at LingoStar, we cover various languages all over the world. Call us today or send us an e-mail for a free... read moreImportance of non-verbal communication
There is a Japanese proverb “The eyes say more than the mouth”. It means eyes show one’s real feelings, and it is more trustworthy than spoken words. According to a professor of Psychology at UCLA, when there is an inconsistency between verbal information and non-verbal information, people tend to believe non-verbal information rather than verbal information. For example, if someone says “It was really nice to meet you today” with a frown face, most people will feel that he/she is not happy. Verbal communication is simple. It is divided by just spoken words and written words, but non-verbal communication is more complicated. Here are some examples: Body Language and Posture: Gesture, Attitude, Behavior, Body movement etc. Facial Expression: Smile, Frown, Eye Gaze (Hold, or avoid eye contact), etc. Voice tone: Tone of voice, pitch, etc. Appearance: Height, weight, clothing, hairstyle etc. In this way, non-verbal communication is important in face-to-face communication. It is beneficial to be aware of non-verbal communication when you would like to leave someone with a positive impression. Verbal communication is also essential in our daily life and businesses. Here at LingoStar, we provide various types of services related to languages. Call us today or send us an email for a free... read moreEsperanto, as an international language
If you are interested in language, you may have heard about the language “Esperanto”. Esperanto is the world’s most successful constructed language created by Polish linguist L. L. Zamenhof. The name “Esperanto” derives from his pen name “Dr. Esperanto” when he presented the language in 1887. It is said that there are almost two million Esperanto speakers (called Esperantisto) around the world. Esperanto does not intend to overtake other native languages. It aims to become an international auxiliary language, which is used as a second language for people all over the world. Here are some examples of Esperanto words: • Jes (Yes) • Ne (No) • Saluton (Hello) • Dankon (Thank you) • Ne dankinde (You’re welcome): • Mia nomo estas … (My name is …) As you see, Esperanto uses the Latin Alphabet. Also, because 80% of the words are originated from Latin-Romance origin, most vocabularies look similar to other languages such as Spanish, French, or German. Esperanto can be learned much easier than other languages. For example, the accent of words always exist on the second last vowel. All common nouns finish with –o, adjectives finish with –a, adverbs finish with –e. Furthermore, there are no irregular conjugations of noun (such as go-went-gone), and there are no gender of nouns in Esperanto. Because Esperanto has no cultural background and it has quite a few native speakers, it has not become one of the major languages in the world. The process of Esperanto to become an ideal second language for people around the world is still underway. Here are Lingostar, we offer translation and voiceover services in over... read moreWEBSITE RENEWAL NOTICE
We are excited to announce the launch of our brand new website! This newly designed website will enable you to access your required information. Here is a quick review of our new website. SERVICES We offer a variety of services to meet various types of customer’s needs, which includes translation, language services, tutoring, and other services. We provide translation and voiceover services in over 100 languages. Combinations of languages are listed at the “language list” section. ABOUT US Here are some details about LingoStar Language Services, as well as owner’s profile, including achievements and expertise. You can explore achievements and developments of the company over the past 10 years. Also, you can reach the information of employment opportunities from this section. CLIENTS In this section, you can learn about various clients and language projects we have completed and detailed descriptions of our clients on our past project page. Happily, there are testimonials clients have given for us. Please go to our testimonials page to review those. GET A FREE QUOTE Please feel free to send us a request for a free quote. Please complete the form below and upload the documents to be translated. It will take only a few minutes to fill out information. We aim to deliver your quote within 24 hours. Your inquiry will be handled in strict confidence. NEWS Here is some reading material for anyone who is interested in the language industry. There are three sections. These include promotions, blogs, and translation news. Thank you for taking your time to read this notice. We will do our best to provide the best services... read moreAdvanced Nutrients
We’ve been with Advanced Nutrients almost every step of the way as they have blossomed into a high-yield international business. This innovative nutrient start-up company has grown exponentially since its inception in 1998. Today, Advanced Nutrients is the global quality leader in hydroponic fertilizers. Faced with a burgeoning international client base, we have helped them reach target audiences in countries around the world by translating their advertising copy, product packaging, website content, white papers, and research reports into Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Czech, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Scientific accuracy and technical prowess are prerequisites for their highly specialized microbiological content, as well as localization and branding of their advertising material to appeal to demanding clients and prospects in culturally specific target... read moreCommunication in Customer Service
As we have explained in previous blog and newsletter articles, language exists in different forms. These forms include body language, sign language and verbal language. Language helps us to communicate. Today’s blog is about communication, and to be more precise, communication in customer service. Communication between customers and service providers should not be underestimated. After all, your customers are the most valuable asset in your company. Without them, your business does not exist. Luckily, it’s quite easy to keep and make new costumers, with a little effort! Good communication and positive language is the key to outstanding customer service. Costumers like to be praised and to feel appreciated, and there are many ways that you can give these good feelings to your clients. Firstly, you should listen: pay attention to what they are saying and identify their needs. Always find a way to compliment them and thank them every time the opportunity presents itself. Make them feel important and don’t hesitate to use their name when addressing them as it gives them the impression that you are treating them as an individual and not as ‘one of the customers’. Secondly, always put your clients first. Know how to keep control of your emotions. Working in customer service is not always easy. Sometimes, the customer might be wrong, but no matter what, they must always be right! Learn to apologize. It’s not that hard, and clients love it, it gives them a sense of power. And, even if you might not always like it, take their complaints and bad comments as a constructive way to improve your services. Finally, always... read moreLanguage Matters in January 2014: Body Language
Dear Language friend, For the first Newsletter of the year 2014, we’re going to talk about a topic that concerns everyone: Body language. Body language is almost as important as spoken language. Although it is non-verbal, it says a lot about you and how you feel! Body language includes facial expressions, gestures, or even the tone of your voice. Most of the time, all of these elements will have a major impact on your professional life, your business relationships, and can make, or break your success. However, it is not as easy as it seems to know all of the variations of body language, as you can find different interpretations of it in different countries. This is why in this month’s newsletter, we will talk about the significance of body language in different countries and cultures, and how it affects your business and professional life. Read on! Contributed by Sophie and Nico Body Language and Crucial differences What kind of body language you use depends on your individual cultural background and upbringing. However, it is even more important to know about different types of body language than about the actual language. A wrong interpretation of body language can be quite dangerous or even life threatening. It is especially important if you want to develop a business relationship with companies from other countries, as only a slight misinterpretation could lead to considerable damage. For this reason, you should know about some crucial differences between cultures. For example, did you know that shaking hands is considered impolite in Japan and is replaced by a bow? The depth of the bow shows... read moreIs the Latin Language dead?
If you work with languages, you are likely aware that languages change constantly. Some languages and their speakers change so much that they disappear. Today, we can count an upwards of 600 languages that became extinct. But what can we call a ‘dead language’? Let’s take Latin for example. Latin has been classified as an extinct language for centuries. No one uses it as a first language anymore and this is why it is a ‘dead’ language. Furthermore, even though people are still studying it, it is an ancient language that was never updated, therefore impossible to utilize in modern society. Despite the fact that Latin is extinct, we still use it today in many different sectors, like science, literature and medicine. Many plants have their names derived from Latin. Also, several languages stem from Latin, like French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish. The only circumstance where Latin is still used in conversations is in the Vatican and between members of the Roman Catholic Church if they have different mother tongues. Last year in February, Pope Benedict XVI made his resignation speech in Latin, which was a historic moment and proof that Latin is still used. So, can we really refer to it as a dead language? In terms of Latin being classified as a native language, yes, but it has helped us develop many other languages that are widely used today. In terms of the usage of the language, it is still alive. Due to our experience in the language business, we know that Latin as a language on its own is still used and read. Here at Lingostar,... read moreWebsite Translation VS Document translation
In the language and translation industry, you may have noticed that document translation and website translation are not classified as the same service. Indeed, website translation and document translation are not the same, and require different procedures and different skills. More often than not, website translation also comes with localization services. Read today’s article to know what differentiates website translation from document translation! While printed documents given to the translators are usually final, a website is often updated, which means the website translators have to deal with changes, modifications and newly added content constantly. Also, as opposed to printed text, website translation features the use of HTML and technical codes that the translator must be able to deal with, as well as being able to make the differentiation between text that has to be translated, and text that can’t be modified. A big difference between document and website translators is that website translators must have a good knowledge of computer science. And of course, website translation infers localization: adapting the layout of a text depending on the length of the words in a certain language, or simple but important details such as symbols, pictures or colours that might be offensive for people from different countries and cultures. Here at Lingostar, we provide document translation services and also website translation/localization. If you need translation services for your documents or for your website, we can help you! Call us today or send us an email for a free... read moreHoliday Traditions in Canada
People all over the world are excited about the holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s! The traditions are different in every country and sometimes even in different parts of the same country. In such a big country like Canada, we find different traditions. Most people in Canada buy their own Christmas tree: a real pine and fir tree that they decorate with lights and colorful ornaments in their home. Families and friends gather together on Christmas Eve for festive meals and drinks which include roasted turkey, ham, potatoes and vegetables. Many Canadian families open their presents on the evening on the 24th, but some just open their stockings or pick one present in their pile to open and leave the rest for the following day. On the 25th, another meal is served late in the afternoon, and the day is spent watching movies, playing cards or sports like road hockey. In Quebec, French traditions are incorporated during the holidays but similar customs to the rest of the country include gift giving, decorating and feasting. Because it’s the holidays, you can take the time to go skiing, or simply party with your family and friends! For New Year’s Eve, people in Canada celebrate on the evening of December 31st. When midnight strikes, couples kiss and everyone makes a New Year’s resolution, a promise of what they will accomplish in the coming year. Then, bottles of champagne are popped and people sing Auld Lang Syne and party into the wee hours. If you would like to know more about holiday and Christmas traditions around the world, make sure you check out our December... read moreA Very Merry LingoStar Christmas!
Dear Language Friend, Christmas is around the corner. Almost all doors of the Advent calendar have been opened and everyone is waiting for the holidays to come. My experience with Christmas is that time is flying during the holidays and everything is over pretty fast. However, after Christmas the celebrations won’t stop as the New Year draws near. You may think of something totally different when you think of these two celebrations. Even in our office there are differences, as we come from various countries. Various countries mean various backgrounds and various Christmas and New Year celebrations. Do you want to find out how these two holidays are celebrated in the countries represented at LingoStar? Then continue to read this month’s newsletter. Contributed by the LingoStar Team Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch! In Germany, during the Christmas season (which starts around mid-October in the supermarkets, but normally with the Advent season, 4 weeks before Christmas Eve) we decorate our houses, inside and outside, with lights, candles and fir branches. On an Advent Sunday, we light the Advent wreath and in the afternoon, we eat self-made cookies – every family seems to have its own recipe. We also eat gingerbread, Christmas Stollen (a cake with lots of raisins and spices) and Spekulatius (a spiced cookie). At least one visit to one of the numerous Christmas markets, which you can even find in small villages, is a must. There you can get all sorts of spices, candies (like roasted almonds or marzipan) and the typical “Glühwein” – a hot drink made of wine and various spices. You can also buy... read moreVoice-over Artists and Services
A voice-over is a production technique where a recorded voice is synchronized to a video. Voice-overs are typically used on different platforms: television, film, and online for advertising, narration, documentary pieces, and more. In our industry, clients require corporate videos or presentations to be voiced in multiple languages for promotional or business purposes as well as employment training. Media companies also require multilingual voiceovers for their clients’ promotional material, TV shows, film production, commercials, etc. Generally, the voice-over artist is provided a translated script and then records the audio in a professional studio or using professional equipment in their home studio. Being a voice over artist is a hard job that combines linguistic, technical and marketing skills all in one package! High-tech software technology today can give you the option to instantly record tracks in acceptable quality. But to be a successful voice-over artist is not easy. First of all, if you want to have your voice heard, you need to have standout voice-over demo recordings available for potential employers. It is also a good idea to have your own at-home recording studio and that requires quite an investment. Furthermore, in the voice-over world, it is always useful to have a circle of friends in the business, so go to conferences! Meet some people, get some contacts, and seek advice from professional voice-over artists. What is there to lose? Finally, look after your main instrument: your voice! Vocal training can help you learn to breathe properly and help your voice sound great for long hours of recording. LingoStar Voice-over Services provides voice-overs in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese,... read moreQuality Assurance
LingoStar is committed to providing reliable and exceptional services to clients with global language needs. We take several steps along the translation process to ensure the highest standards are met in regards to customer service and quality assurance. We only use native speakers for translations, and all LingoStar translators and interpreters are highly qualified to translate into their native language. Our language professionals follow strict internal quality assurance guidelines, and we employ in-house quality control procedures for all our translations and related language services. To further protect against any chance of misinterpretation, all translations include editing/proofreading by a second qualified linguist to ensure accuracy in grammar, spelling, writing style, and linguistic and cultural subtleties. Additionally, all translations are spot-checked by the LingoStar team for inconsistencies and formatting errors prior to... read moreThe Different Varieties of Chinese
When it comes to the Chinese language, we can identify many different dialects, both written and spoken. First we will discuss the two most common spoken varieties of the Chinese language: Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Chinese. Then we will note the differences between the two main styles of written Chinese: Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. Mandarin is the most spoken Chinese language in Mainland China. It is the official dialect for millions of people: as of 2010, there were 960 million native speakers of Mandarin in Mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan and Singapore. On the other hand, we have Cantonese Chinese, spoken primarily in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou. Mandarin and Cantonese are very distinct languages. As for written Chinese, we have Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Simplified Chinese is a modern form of Chinese writing, appearing after the 1950’s. It is said that Simplified Chinese was developed to encourage people to learn to read by simplifying the Traditional Chinese characters. It is used in Mainland China and Singapore. On the other hand, Traditional Chinese is the original text that has been used for centuries in China. Chinese speakers in Taiwan and Hong Kong use Traditional Chinese characters. Of course, there are many more dialects than just Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese, and more written styles than just Simplified and Traditional Chinese. If we go deeper in the subject, we can also find differences between Traditional Chinese in Taiwan and Traditional Chinese in Hong Kong! Languages never cease to develop and change. Here at LingoStar we have professional certified translators available to translate your texts both in Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.... read moreTranslation Blog and News
LingoStar has been a language services provider in Canada, the USA, and Europe for more than a decade. We are proud to say that we cooperate with professional translators, interpreters, and other language specialists worldwide and work with over 100 language pairs. If you are looking for a reliable translation company, contact LingoStar! We are always ready to help you with your projects and documentation. Get a free quote online.