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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!
Automatic translation: what it means and what it represents
What is automatic translation? “Automatic translation” means substituting words from one language to another. It is software that translates a text in a very short time with little human effort. How does it work? It is usually (and hopefully) based on corpora. Words are translated automatically because of other words nearby. However, because a machine can’t think, it can’t give a perfect translation. It lacks context and meaning. For more on this, take a look at our blog post about Common Mistranslations. What does automatic translation mean for “human” translators? There are two opinions on the subject: It means that a machine with no faculty of thought could take the translator’s place. The machine works rapidly. On the other hand, using a machine could be useful when the topic is technical. Likewise, when one just wants to understand the general meaning of a text. This can help the translator in post-production. That is to say, the translator can edit and proofread the machine-translated text until it reads naturally. Does automatic translation represent a real threat? The answer is: it depends. If a machine translation is trained in a specific field, the resulting technical translation could be useful. It represents a threat if the translator is afraid to be replaced. However, it could also be an opportunity for the translator to save time by working with the text post-production. However, if one wants to translate a literary text, the machine translation will fail. Why? Because in a literary text, you will find metaphors, allegories, hidden meanings and more. A machine cannot identify these figures of style and will therefore produce a... read more
Greta Thunberg and the environment: let’s opens our eyes to reality.
How languages and Greta Thunberg are connected to the environment. News items about climate change, Greta Thunberg and the environment bombard us. Something is changing all over the world. But what’s really happening? And who is this girl speaking to our state representatives? Her name is Greta Thunberg. Who is Greta Thunberg? Greta Thunberg is a 16-year-old Swedish girl. People consider her a young influencer for the environment. Last year she wanted to meet politicians. In fact, she started to spend her days in front of the Swedish parliament. She has organized strikes and founded a movement called Friday for Future. Greta took part in several debates about the environment. She was present at several conferences: firstly, the Katowice Climate Change Conference, which made her famous; secondly, the World Economic Forum in Switzerland; thirdly, the meeting at the European Parliament. She also went to the Senate of the Italian Republic (where she met Pope Francis); World Earth Day in London; and finally, to the United States Congress in Washington. She wants to share her message: “We have wasted too much time and risk having no future.” What is happening in our World? The effects of global climate change are clear. Glaciers are disappearing and the temperature of the globe is rising. In the long term, the seasons will no longer exist. Besides, precipitation will increase. There will be more aridity and stronger hurricanes. Species are becoming extinct. What we can do for the environment? As Greta Thunberg says, we should be activists for the environment. We should share awareness in every possible way: in English, Spanish, Chinese, using images,... read more
Freelance translator daily organization: LingoStar can help you get it right
How organized are you? A freelance translator’s daily workload Those of you who work from home know that establishing a good daily routine can be a challenge. There is no place for tiredness or boredom in a freelance translator’s day. You must manage your time wisely and can only count on yourself to complete the wide variety of tasks you have to juggle and to get the work done. A freelance translator spends hours in front of a computer working with texts or visuals, using various technical software programs and dictionaries. For example, multiple projects, lengthy documents in several languages, tight deadlines, meticulous attention to detail, all these are part of a typical day’s work. Unfortunately, if not carefully managed, these aspects can lead to a problematic sedentary lifestyle. Indeed, this in turn comes with its own health risks: reduced mobility, lethargy, weight gain, back pain, cardiovascular issues, headaches, eyesight problems, low mood. It’s easy to see the negative impact a sedentary lifestyle in front of a computer can have on your health. Therefore putting time aside for your own personal wellbeing is crucial. On top of all this, you may have to continue dealing with all the typical household duties – such as the school run, shopping, cooking, helping with the kids’ homework, taking them to their respective activities, doing the laundry, etc. – but combined with your own daily workload, it can very quickly get out of hand. It’s very common for a freelance translator to feel overwhelmed. We hope our top tips below will help you with your daily organization to achieve a better work-life balance!... read more
Public Speaking
What is Public Speaking? Public Speaking in Vancouver or in any part of the world is the way by which we connect with a live audience. We are living in a world where we need to prove ourselves by our actions. Some people are really extroverted and some are introverted. Also, some people have good communication skills while others are nervous when speaking in public. Communication is the very first impression a person makes on another person. At the same time, public speaking plays an important role in the professional or business environment. All successful job interviews are based on the communication skills and confidence of the interviewee. Ways to Overcome a Fear of Public Speaking Know your topic and audience: Before going in for a presentation or speech, it is important for the individual to know well what they are speaking of and who they are speaking to. Knowing this will help the speaker to present with confidence. Good posture: To look confident, it is important to have good posture while speaking to a group of people. It shows that you have perfect knowledge of the topic and are comfortable with the audience. Relate with personal life: It is always beneficial when you relate the topic to your personal life. In that way, you can express your words or feelings in a convincing manner. Begin and end strong: Always make sure that your introduction and conclusion have a strong impact on the audience. As a result, the audience will understand the topic from the very beginning and leave with a good impression.Add visual aids: While doing public speaking, visual aids play... read more
Superstitions in India: the fear of the unknown
What is a Superstition? A superstition is a belief that is considered supernatural or irrational. Over the years there have been many superstitions that have developed and some are still present. In every country there are superstitions but they may come in different forms. For example, they can be related to a number, day, colour, animal, etc. Superstitions in India: In India there are a lot of superstitions which are believed as supernatural. So here are some of the most interesting ones: Shaking of legs: If a person’s legs shake continuously, they will be left with less wealth. Washing hair on Thursday: Thursday is considered a bad day for washing your hair. The reason again is fear of losing wealth. If you see a garbage truck: If you see a truck full of garbage before leaving your home, it means that your day will pass very well. However, if you see a garbage truck that is empty before leaving your home, it is considered bad and unlucky. More superstitions in India: Colour (White and Black): The colours white and black are not considered lucky for a new bride. She cannot wear these colours for a few months because it is considered a threat on their new relationship. Whereas, in developed countries, it is tradition for the bride to dress in a white gown for the wedding. Sneeze: If you are about to leave from your home for work, and someone sneezes, it is thought to be fear of the unknown. Something will go wrong on the way or the task will not be completed. Perfumes and colognes (fancy and... read more
Study in Vancouver
Study in Vancouver: A Great City for Students Many people dream of studying and living in Canada and often Vancouver is the city which comes to mind. Vancouver is a coastal seaport city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, also known as Beautiful British Columbia. What’s more, Vancouver offers a unique and extraordinary experience in terms of lifestyle and educational opportunities. Here are some reasons people want to live and study in Vancouver. Benefits of studying and living in Vancouver Universities and Colleges: In Vancouver, there are a few universities and colleges which are ranked high in quality of education. For example, the University of British Columbia is in the top three universities in Canada. Other institutions include Langara College, Columbia College, Kwantlen Polytechnical University, and Simon Fraser University. Moreover, there are many programs available for different types of students. Climate in Vancouver: Apart from rest of the Canada, the weather in Vancouver is pleasant and soothing. You can feel the drizzling of the rain on your face in the month of September. Here in Metro-Vancouver, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy the beauty of nature like Grouse Mountain, Stanley Park, and Capilano Suspension Bridge. Public Transportation and Lifestyle: Getting around in Vancouver is easy. All the credit goes to the government who manage a vast network of public transportation. Moreover, travelling by public transportation is cheap compared to having your own car. This means that you spend less on a monthly basis. Diversity: As people from different countries come here to study, it makes the city richer in diversity. People from Asia... read more
Culture shock: transform it into a positive experience
What is culture shock? As the phrase itself states, culture shock is the feeling you experience when facing a cultural situation that is new, different and unknown to you. Although the word “shock” seems rather unfriendly and negative, undergoing culture shock doesn’t necessarily have to be an unpleasant experience. Believe it or not, it can turn out to be a really enriching, positive and life learning one. But, how do you survive culture shock? Top 7 things that can cause it First of all, we need to understand that culture shock can be presented to us in both obvious and more subtle ways. We can experience culture shock when coming in contact with different: Languages – Especially when meeting somebody from a faraway country whose language is not only spoken differently but it is also written differently. For example, an English speaker being introduced to a Chinese speaker or a Korean speaker being introduced to a Portuguese speaker.Weather – This can be even harder for those used to extreme weather. For example, an Alaskan native used to very cold weather traveling to an island on the Caribbean.Landscapes – Imagine moving from a mountainous town full of lakes and forests like those in Switzerland to an arid landscape full of cacti like in Arizona, United States, or the other way around. Food – Here we’re talking not only about tastes, colours and smells, but also about quantities, meal schedules and customs. For example, in Latin American countries as well as in some European countries, people tend to have a snack between lunch and dinner called “merienda”. And don’t even get... read more
Travel to South America : the things you should know
Travel to South America, the fourth largest of the world’s continents Ready to travel to South America? Here are some things you should know about it. Firstly, South America is located in the Western Hemisphere and constitutes the southern part of the Americas. Secondly, it consists of 12 independent countries— Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela —, the overseas department of French Guiana and some outlying islands. Thirdly, South America is connected to the rest of America by the Isthmus of Panama and is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Lastly, South America is also home to a wide variety of climates, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultures with its north-south extent of about 4,700 miles and its east-west extent of about 3,300 miles. Feel like home South American people are known to be kind and warm hearted. When greeting, they tend to go for a kiss on the cheek, even when you haven’t been formally introduced to the other person. They are used to being open with foreign people and are always willing to show their culture to the rest of the world by sharing a mate with you, teaching you some capoeira moves or making you a delicious ceviche. Language variations When traveling to South America, you must remember that the main spoken language in most countries is Latin American Spanish, but it is not the only language used in this southern continent. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, and other languages such as English,... read more
“El mate”: a special bond created by yerba mate
More than a drink Just as British people religiously enjoy their 5 o’clock tea, some countries in the southern hemisphere share a very popular drink: “el mate.” This tea-like infusion (also known as chimarrão in Brazil) is made with yerba mate and is enjoyed by children and adults at any time of day. What’s more, it has been an integral part of the culture in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil for many years now. So, let’s learn a little more about this important drink. Origin of “el mate” and yerba mate Yerba mate was already being consumed long before the “new world” was discovered. Actually, it was the Guaraní people who inhabited parts of South America who introduced the plant to the European settlers. The settlers began to cultivate it and to make it well-known throughout the rest of the southern regions. Although the yerba mate cropping tradition almost disappeared when the Jesuits were expelled from the region, native people took over and transformed it into commercial harvesting. “El mate” is also related to the image of “el gaucho”, a popular cowboy-like figure from Argentina, Uruguay and the southern part of Brazil. El gaucho is commonly depicted as a horseman dressed in leather boots or espadrilles, a long-sleeved cotton shirt and baggy pants (bombacha), carrying a bola (best known as boleadora) or a long gaucho knife (facón). How to prepare “el mate” First of all, to start “el mate” we need the following things: Yerba mate –that is, the processed ground leaves of the yerba mate plant.A mate –that is, the receptacle where we’ll put the yerba mate.... read more
Humour in Translation: How to translate a foreign joke?
To laugh or not to laugh ? That is the question We all love to hear a good joke and laugh every once in a while. It makes us feel good and helps us leave our troubles behind. You know what they say, “Laughter is the best medicine!”. But, even if laughter has no boundaries, humour in translation does. Different types of humour As we all know, humour has many faces. Ideally, some instances of humour are unrestricted in that they can easily be translated into another language system without major difficulties. However, sometimes humour carries cultural, political and social references which can have an impact on the source audience but mean nothing in a different language. In addition, it can play with the meaning or sound of words, adding extra difficulty to the translation task as the translator may have to rack his or her brain to come up with a creative solution. In some cases, and to make matters worse during a translation, humour can be bound to a private or in-group joke, meaning that if you are an outsider to this group, you cannot understand what the joke implies. Or the translation of a humour instance cannot exceed a certain amount of characters and must forcibly be reformulated to fit the given space, as in the case of subtitles. So, bearing these situations in mind, how can a translator achieve the original intention of a humour instance? Different techniques for translating humour The challenges of translating humour are numerous. Translators must have a sound knowledge of the language and culture and, above all, a lot of... read more
The Caribbean Culture, its Different Traditions and Customs
Diverse Caribbean culture This is the second and last part of our blog about the Caribbean. Since one blog post was not enough to deal with some important aspects of the Caribbean Civilisation, we thought it would be better to split it in two. Therefore, if you have not read the first part which deals with Caribbean geography, identity, economy, and languages, make sure you catch up by clicking here. Today, we will discuss Caribbean culture and its diversity. Process of Diversity Every cultural aspect in the archipelago is the result of transculturation or cross-influence. According to Stuart Hall, “[Caribbean people] became subject at once to complex processes of assimilation, translation, adaptation, resistance, reselection and so on. That is to say, they became in a deep sense diasporic societies. For wherever one finds diasporas, one always finds precisely those complicated processes of negotiation and transculturation which characterize Caribbean culture.” So what is transculturation? Transculturation is a synonym of ‘cross-influence’. Fernanda Ortiz created this concept in order to describe the phenomena that occurred in Cuba. This term refers to the transmutations of cultures. It describes the contact between two cultures that discover each other and clash. According to him, this term is the most appropriate term for expressing the different phases of the transition process from one culture to another. Indeed, it consists not only in the acquisition of a different culture, but also in the loss and the uprooting of a previous culture. Moreover, it expresses the creation of new cultural phenomena (neoculturation). To prove his point, he uses the metaphor of a child, being the genetic result of... read more
The Caribbean Culture : Geopolitical and economical history
A General Introduction to the Caribbean Civilisation When you hear about ‘the Caribbean’, images may cross your mind, whether they are true or fabricated: paradise-like beaches with clear blue waters, sun, delicious food, relaxation, magnificent hotels… But these are just a small part of Caribbean life. The question of culture is interesting to tackle in the Caribbean context, but also difficult, as not one island is like another one. In a way, Caribbean identity is a gathering of different cultures; representing a mix of different values, habits and customs. Of course, there are some characteristics which are generally linked to the Caribbean. For example, it is not surprising to hear about ‘waiting’ or ‘island time’ culture in the Caribbean – the notion of time being different from other places in the world. But if you continue reading, you will see that there is no such thing as a ‘pure Caribbean identity/culture’. A little geography The Caribbean is situated in the Western hemisphere, in Central America and is divided into three main parts. Firstly, the Bahamas, which includes over 3000 islands and reefs on the North shore. Then, the Great Antilles, which make up almost 90% of the land of the West Indies and include Cuba and Jamaica. Cuba being the largest single island of the Caribbean. And finally, the Lesser Antilles, which are divided into the Windward and Leeward islands. The first group encompasses Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, The Grenadines, and Grenada. The second one Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Barthélemy, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. The “ABC” islands and... read more
Happy Easter Everywhere!
Easter is coming! Easter Sunday is a celebration for millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus, described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after his crucifixion. For children, it is also the day the Easter bunny hides chocolate eggs for them to find in a much-celebrated Easter Egg Hunt. Easter corresponds with the first Sunday following the full moon after the March equinox, and occurs on different dates around the world since western and eastern churches do not use the same calendar. However the egg hunt is not the way every culture celebrates Easter. Here we detail some different Easter traditions around the world. Prizzi – Italy In Prizzi, Sicily, villagers do the “Abballu de daivuli”, dressing as devils wearing terrifying zinc masks and red robes and pestering as many “souls” as they can (which really means making them pay for drinks). In the afternoon, the Virgin Mary and the risen Christ save the day by sending the devils away with angels. Verges – Spain On Holy Thursday in Verges, Spain, the “dansa de la mort” or “death dance” is performed. Everyone dresses in skeleton costumes and parades through the streets. The procession ends with frightening skeletons carrying boxes of ashes. The macabre dance begins at midnight and continues for three hours into the early morning. Czech Republic In Czech Republic there is an Easter Monday tradition in which men spank women with handmade whips made of willow and decorated with ribbons. According to legend, the willow is the first tree to bloom in the spring, so the branches are supposed to transfer... read more
7 Reasons Why You Should Have a Multilingual Website
Still wondering whether to go for a multilingual website? In previous blog posts, we talked about the advantages of having your website translated and the importance of website localization, as well as the multilingual trends in 2017. If these weren’t enough to convince you, here are seven reasons why we think you should definitely take the plunge and go global! 1. A big truth to start with… This is a cybernetic era! These days, you should be up-to-date with technology to be successful in practically any business area. You are only part of the world if your name is on the internet. However, that’s not enough. To be connected and boost your business, you need to have a multilingual website. Even though English is a global language, consumers prefer to read in their own language. You should be ready to embrace them all! 2. Spot your target Your website will open many doors for you but to be in the game you have to know how to play. You obviously know your product or service but it is most important to know to whom you are selling it! Every text and image on your website is an opportunity to touch the heart of a potential client. If you know what your clients want, you can use it to catch their attention and show them that you have what they need. How will they know this if they can’t even read your homepage? 3. Let’s go global – Open your business to the world So the first step in the game is to have your website translated into a wide... read more
Dubbing : What it means and its importance throughout countries
Dubbing – Giving the Audience the Ultimate Sound Experience Dubbing is a post-production process in which sounds such as dialogue or other sound effects from a motion picture are perfected or added. The aim: to offer the audience an exceptional audiovisual illusion. Perfect dubbing allows the listener to perceive the sounds as natural, rather than recorded over through a post-production dubbing process. So, how does one achieve perfect dubbing? Let’s find out! Original-Language Dubbing Although for most people ‘dubbing’ means the foreign-language adaptation of a movie, there are two other types of dubbing that are commonly used but often go unnoticed: dialogue replacement and Foley. Dialogue replacement is necessary for many movies because the on-set audio recording is often unsuitable for the final version. There are many reasons why this might be. First of all, the set is often placed in unnatural environments or even a studio where the recording of voices does not sound the same way as it would in the actual environment where the scene is supposed to take place. Plus, undesirable noises can result from filming equipment, weather, traffic and other uncontrollable factors. Also, the microphones might not be placed close enough to the actors, e.g. in a long shot. So, in order for the audience to hear the dialogue clearly and to eliminate distracting noises as well as improve the sound quality in general, the actors come back to a studio to record their own voices again, in synchronization with the scene. Sometimes, this even allows for changing of lines. In some cases, this has also been done to improve or replace singing voices... read moreTranslation Blog and News
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