Jan 29, 2006 | Translation News
Dear Language Friend, Wishing you a fresh new start in 2006! Welcome to our January newsletter on the WHY, HOW, WHERE and WHEN of languages. I will explain WHY a funny translation may harm your business and HOW to distinguish between Mandarin & Cantonese and Traditional & Simplified Chinese. I will also give you the details of WHERE to learn Mandarin and WHEN to attend our free French lesson. Thanks for reading, Lenka de Graafova, Managing Director. WHY Translation Matters Whenever I travel to countries where English is not the main language I have a great time reading the menus, flyers and brochures. The translations for the tourists often leave me in stitches. During my recent trip to Argentina I collected a few such translations. In a bathroom: The cleanliness of the toilet is made between everybody. Please contribute throwing things and papers to the garbage can. On a menu in a very fancy restaurant: Crêpes stuffed with caramel crud. Smashed potatoes. Still, at no time am I more aware of the need to translate than when I am on holiday. I had an eye-opening experience while dining in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The restaurant in question was nothing short of glorious, offering up local delicacies perfectly paired with great wines. Everything was enchanting, except for their translations. The restaurant’s promotional materials and menu had been directly translated from Spanish, and were not consistent with their high standards. And so, over another glass of fabulous Argentinean wine I edited the translated menu, much to the staff’s delight. Tourism is booming in the southernmost part of the...
Dec 28, 2005 | Translation News
Dear Language Friend, Hello and Welcome to the Holiday edition of our newsletter on the HOW, WHY, WHEN and WHERE of languages. I’d like to begin by wishing you a happy holiday season from the LingoStar team. In this edition I will be covering the topics of WHERE to learn another language, WHERE to learn French online and WHEN to attend our free French lesson. I’ll explain WHY a flag is not a language symbol for your multilingual website and HOW to install foreign language characters on your computer. Please note that our office is closed for business between 23 December and 15 January. Thanks for reading, Lenka de Graafova, Managing Director. WHERE to Find a Language Partner: A Holiday Love Story Last month, when offering helpful tips on learning a language, I strongly suggested that you find yourself a foreign language speaking partner. We are not the sort of company to give out untried advice. And so in keeping with our recommendation on language learning, two of my students have decided to enter into an English-Czech relationship. I am happy to report that both parties are progressing rapidly in their language studies. I hate to say it, but I told you so. What our November Newsletter readers say: Hello Lenka, You are absolutely right about learning another language by having a foreign speaking spouse or partner. That is how I learned to read, write and speak German fluently because I had three German girl friends. I am now learning the Czech language. However, it is difficult when you have only one Czech speaking wife. Cheers! LM Lenka, You...
Nov 28, 2005 | Translation News
Dear Language Friend, Hello and Welcome to the first issue of our information newsletter on the HOW, WHY, WHEN and WHERE of languages. In this edition I’ll be sharing my top 3 tips on HOW to make learning another language easier. I’ll also try tempt you to see the movie The Interpreter with Nicole Kidman and, at the same time, explain WHY interpreters are different from translators. Find out WHEN to attend our free French lesson and WHERE to access free online translation. Thanks for reading, Lenka de Graafova, Managing Director. Top 3 Tips for Learning a Language Tip #1 Find a spouse or partner who speaks a foreign language. I’m not kidding. That’s how I learned my languages. However, keep in mind that even though I do speak five of them each language does not equate to a foreign language speaking partner! Tip#2 Listen to the lyrics of your favourite foreign language songs. When I was learning English as a teenager (Czech being my mother tongue), I was constantly playing Beatles songs and transcribing their lyrics. I did this 8 days a week, to the total dismay of my parents, of course. Tip#3 Sign up for our language course. We will be offering Spanish, French, Mandarin, Czech & Business English courses starting the weeks of December 5th 2005 and January 23rd 2006. All levels are welcome. Classes of 3-7 students are taught by professional teachers. These 2-hour language sessions will take place once or twice a week in Vancouver, Burnaby or, alternatively at your office. Other language courses can be arranged upon request. – Course fees (valid till...
