Challenges that come up when translating, can anyone handle them?

Challenges that come up when translating, can anyone handle them?

Sep 28, 2017 | Blog

Challenges for translators, why translation can’t be done by just anyone In a past blog we tried to define the essence of the word “translation” in simple terms. At its core, “translation” is the transfer of a message from one language to another, but there is much more to the process. It is a highly demanding activity and translators face many challenges. Translating requires a lot of research and preparation. To start, we have a pair of languages, one the “source” text and one the “target” text. The source is the language of the original text and the target is the one you translate it to. Now we can begin… Challenges in translation First it is important to know that there is more than just one type of translation. Each type attends to the different communicative needs that we have in our lives. Among the types of translation that exist, we have: legal translation, academic translation, scientific translation, audiovisual translation, technical translation, and so on. Understanding the type of translation is the first challenge in translating a written text. To get a proper translation by translator contact us. The second challenge is figuring out the purpose of the translated text. It affects the format, vocabulary, word choice, and level of research required in order to to be prepared. This leads us to the third challenge, the topic of the written translation. This is one of the biggest hurdles of the job. Depending on the topic, the vocabulary and format of the text will vary. There are other exceptional cases, for example the translation of jokes or idioms. These can...
How to go from an amateur translator to a professional translator

How to go from an amateur translator to a professional translator

Aug 3, 2017 | Blog

A Translator’s Tale Once Upon a Time… …there were translators. But they were translation students or amateur translators. We’re sure you’re familiar with that feeling of not being good enough and fearing that you won’t find work. Many of us are told during our studies that the world of translation is difficult and cold. Some professors even say that we’d be better off becoming language teachers or finding other work because it is impossible to make ends meet working as a translators. This mix of pessimism and closing doors makes amateur translators feel lost and helpless. However, opportunities exist and once you find one, you will discover that the world of translation is very rewarding­. You will find wonderful colleagues who will share your interests. You’ll realize how cool it is to always keep learning through the texts you translate. This is something they don’t teach you during your translation degree. Decisions of Translators The biggest, scariest question for amateur translators or for translators who just finished a degree (or master’s degree) is “so what now?” Let’s walk in an amateur translator’s shoes for a moment. You finish your degree knowing that there are much more experienced translators than you in the labour market. Two things can happen at this point: you are determined to thrive as a professional translator from the very beginning, or you keep studying to gain more experience. Many translation students decide to complete a master’s degree, which gives them one or two more (safe) years to make up their minds on what they want to do in the future. Nonetheless, the master’s degree comes...
The Cannes International Film Festival : It’s birth and growth

The Cannes International Film Festival : It’s birth and growth

Jun 26, 2017 | Blog

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival is a yearly event which showcases new films and documentaries from all over the world. It is celebrated in Cannes, France, and is attended by international producers, actors, actresses and stars. This year was the 70th anniversary celebration. The festival has had a big impact not only in the film industry, but also in other areas like the media and translation industries. The place where all stories meet The Cannes Film Festival represents an opportunity for filmmakers from all over the world to meet in one place and to exchange their cultures and experiences. The festival is a window to the world, it gives the opportunity to filmmakers to showcase their country’s customs and traditions on a big screen watched by a wide audience. One of the most important aspects of the festival is the principle of equality, not that we are all the same, but that even with our differences in culture, history and language, we are all equal members of the world community. Cannes Film Festival provides an opportunity for all countries to establish their own cinema and in turn, celebrate the culture and history of their respective countries. Two industries join hands For the translation industry, films and documentaries represent a huge field of work and an interesting part of the job. The Cannes Film Festival provides amazing opportunities in translation, subtitling, and dubbing into a full range of languages. It is a win-win situation in that both translators and filmmakers benefit and profit from this activity. If a film is available in a large range of languages, it has...
Bilingualism: all the reasons and advantages for becoming bilingual

Bilingualism: all the reasons and advantages for becoming bilingual

Jun 14, 2017 | Blog

What are the advantages of bilingualism? “Bilingualism is the ability to speak or write fluently in two languages.” – The Canadian Encyclopedia In Canada, being bilingual is more common than in other countries due to its two official languages: French and English. Canadian instructions on food packaging at the supermarket, and signs around the city, are generally written in both languages. However, speaking, writing, thinking or dreaming in more than one language could also be enhanced thanks to the brain’s constant activity. So what are the real advantages of being bilingual? Boosts cognitive performance Many scientists who study linguistic development talk about “the bilingual advantage”. When a bilingual person has to solve a conflict, he/she will think in two languages. This flexes the cognitive muscles. This in turn improves the working memory and one’s ability to switch attention from one thing to another. Multi-tasking The most specialized scientist in bilingualism is Dr. Ellen Bialystok, Rotman Research Institute Associate Scientist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto’s York University, and Officer of the Order of Canada since 2016. Her research shows that bilinguals are better than monolinguals at tasks that require controlling several goals in mind at once. Multi-tasking and avoiding distraction during tasks are such examples. Read more about Dr. Bialystok’s research here. Improves linguistic skills When you are already bilingual, it’s easier to become multilingual. Your brain already knows how to learn new words and switch quickly between different languages. Scientists have proven that bilinguals have better listening and communication skills than monolinguals. Protects against Alzheimer’s disease Between 2008 and 2010, Dr. Ellen Bialystok wrote a research paper on “the...
Top Travel Tips for 2017 – An International Language Tour

Top Travel Tips for 2017 – An International Language Tour

Jan 25, 2017 | Blog, Tips, Translation, Worldwide

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.”...