The Best Translation Apps For Travelers While travelling, understanding people, directions, signs or restaurant menus is not easy if you do not really speak the local language. To obtain quick help in these cases we often use translation apps on our smartphones. Here are the best translation apps selected by LingoStar to ensure you easy travel. Google Translate With over 90 languages in its database, Google Translate is the translation app from the Californian giant Google. The app gives you several ways to enter a word or a phrase: typing, drawing with your finger, speaking through the microphone, or using your camera to take a photo of what you want to translate. The app is free and can be downloaded on Android and iOS; you can also use the browser version on your computer. Here for iOS download Here for Android download Pros: You can easily switch between languages Ability to use your camera for translations History of your translations Cons: Can be inaccurate with long texts or phrases Some languages are not very accurate iTranslate iTranslate is one of the easiest-to-use translation apps on the market due to the simplicity of its interface. Like Google Translate, the app has over 90 languages in its database and you can type or speak to get your translation. In its premium version ($5) you can type in long texts, use voice commands, and get rid of ads. A plus is that you can share your translation with somebody else via text message or social media. The app is available on Android and iOS in free and premium versions. Here for iOS...
Canada and France: are there many differences? We love to discover new cultures around the world. Here are a few cultural differences between France and Canada about the language they speak, the food they like and the sport they play or watch. Differences in Languages The two main languages spoken in Canada are English and Canadian French. English is by far the most spoken language in Canada with 58% of Canadians speaking English and only 22% speaking French. Canadian French is a variation of the French language from France, originating from the 18th century. In France, French is the official language and many people know some English but less are fluent. Differences in Food Canada has a large variety of dishes from East to West. Most of them are based on meat, cheese, and potatoes. First of all, poutine is one of the most famous dishes in Canada and especially in Quebec. It is a delicious meal made with French fries, gravy and cheese curds. In addition, British Columbia salmon, and Alberta beef and bacon are also very much appreciated in Canada. Coincidentally, meat, cheese and potatoes are also much appreciated in French cuisine. For example, Raclette and Tartiflette are typical French dishes composed of potatoes, bacon and cheese. On the sweet side, Canada is famous for its maple syrup and beavertails. Nevertheless, in France, pastries and bakery goods are also very typical with the classic baguette, croissant and pain au chocolat. Differences in Sport The national sport in Canada is ice hockey. However, most American sports, like football and basketball, are also represented in Canada. The National Hockey...
Lonely Planet: Best Travels 2017 For those who are dreaming of this year’s holiday but find themselves overwhelmed by a deluge of exotic options, help is at hand from the experts at Lonely Planet. The travel guide company has published its list of the top places to visit in 2017. Published every October, the list predicts the hottest trends and experiences, highlighting the top five countries, cities, regions, and best value destinations for the months ahead. TOP 5 Countries and there Languages 1. Canada The Lonely Planet Traveller 2017 guide presents Canada as the top country to visit thanks to its beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and a weak Canadian dollar. Thumbs up, Canada! LingoStar will be happy to guide you through Canada’s language mosaic! Check out our wide range of translation services provided in Canada >>. 2. Colombia Colombia, sitting at number two on the list, was lauded for its “rich tapestry, nature and hospitality”. Pictured is Cartagena in Colombia. Spanish is a beautiful language and it’s one of the main languages we translate into: English to Spanish translation is one of the most requested language services in Canada. 3. Finland Finland was awarded third place, with a whole host of events planned for the country’s centenary this year, including outdoor concerts, communal culinary experiences, and sauna evenings. Yes, we translate English into Finnish as well! 4. Dominica Dominica. “The Caribbean’s ‘Nature Island’ opens its doors this year with first-class resorts.” The official language of this beautiful beach country is English. Locally Dominican Creole French is spoken. 5. Nepal Nepal. “Witness its road to recovery from the devastating 2015 earthquakes.”...
Trends for multilingual websites in 2017 according to numerology (Claim your free gift for a Happy New Year) 6 things to concentrate on while doing business in foreign markets in 2017 Dear friends, So there you have it. The year 2016 has ended and 2017 has begun. Thank you for following our blog, Facebook page, and newsletters in 2016. We believe that this year we will continue to learn something interesting about languages and translations. According to numerology, with the year 2017 a new 9-year-long cycle begins, wherein we build something new, invent new things, develop new projects, set up new initiatives, and sow the seeds of adventure that we will nurture for the next 9 years. What is your next business venture? Are you thinking of reaching out to global markets and expanding your business internationally? In this post, we’d like to introduce you to trends in foreign language websites and how to market them effectively to foreign speaking audiences in 2017. We have a small gift for you: a translation of Happy New Year wishes in 15 foreign languages. Please download it at the end of the article! What are the trends for multilingual websites in 2017? If it is your intention to create an online business in another country, you will need a website in a foreign language. It is important to build a global website with a local focus. If you wish to succeed in a foreign market while doing business online, do your best to act locally, however, think globally. When writing texts and launching products via a foreign language website, write...
5 Little-known Places in China Worth Visiting Your first impression of China may be “BIG”: big country, big population and big culture. But did you know that there are hidden places that few people know about to explore? If you are tired of big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, etc., this blog can help you find something new to see in China. 1．Yili Valley, Xinjiang Province No, it is not Provence, France, it’s Yili Valley! Yili is the largest producer of lavender in China and one of the four largest lavender gardens in the world. 2. Pinjiang Road, Suzhou Historically known as Shiquan Li, this street and historic district in Gusu District (formerly the Pingjiang District), is located in northeastern Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. If you are looking for somewhere peaceful to explore classic vintage Chinese style, don’t miss it. 3. Kanas Lake, Xinjiang Kanas Lake is located in a valley in the Altai Mountains, near the very northern tip of Xinjiang and the province’s borders with Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia. There is a large population of ethnic Tuvans and Kazakhs in the Kanas valley. Many of them have maintained their traditional agricultural and nomadic life styles. There is a myth that a big monster lives in the lake. Actually it’s a type of large fish, 10 – 15 metres long and weighing over 4 tonnes. china 4. The Old Town of Lijiangh, Yunnan Lijiangh has a history going back more than 1,000 years and was once an enclave for trade along the “Old Tea Horse Caravan Trail”. Still today there are many tea shops and native handcrafts....
Language Through Culture´s Eyes Idioms: How do they portray culture? For those of you who are interested not only in languages but also in culture, we bring you the fascinating topic of Idioms. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, an idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own. In other words, idioms are composed of words that should not be taken literally. Idioms are phrases or expressions that help people communicate their thoughts and feelings in a different way from what they do with everyday words and phrases. To understand idioms you have to know the culture that is behind them, or at least their origin. We can say that understanding idioms is like being “in over one’s head”, meaning it is something difficult to do. Do you get it? Xiao Geng, in his 2009 paper An Analysis of the Cultural Phenomena explains: Idioms reflect the environment, life, history and culture of the native speakers, closely associated with their innermost spirit and feelings. Idioms have so close relationship with historical background, economy, geographical environment, custom, etc. of the nation concerned that they more typically represent the cultural characteristics of a language than words. As you can see, the use of idioms brings cultural aspects to the language. When learning or improving a new language, idioms help you understand the culture behind the words. If you understand the context of use well, then you will be closer to speaking the language fluidly. For example, if you travel to Venezuela you will get to know the...
