Working with untranslatable words

Most of us have used the expression “lost in translation” at one point or another to describe a misunderstanding. For language service companies, this is unacceptable. Generally, a translation services company believes there is always a way to translate an idea, even when there is no equivalent for a word in a different language.  A word that cannot be translated should be described or substituted with the appropriate interpretation of the meaning behind it. One common example is “Kummerspeck” (grief bacon), which a professional translator would simply describe as “emotional eating” or “emotion-related overeating.” Naturally, the best translation company will carefully hire a professional translator capable of navigating unique terminology without having to create a paragraph worth of explanation to translate documents. However, this becomes increasingly challenging when the language pairs are uncommon. The following list of words are known as “untranslatable” terminology by most professional translators:

1. Merak

Is a Serbian word that describes a kind of bliss, it means that one feels connected with the universe due to the simplest of pleasures. In English, the expression “It’s the little things” would likely describe this feeling.

2. Trepverter

A Yiddish word meaning a witty comeback that comes to mind after it’s too late to use.

3. Tsundoku

Is a Japanese word that describes the act of buying a book and leaving it unread, typically putting it together with other unread books.

4. Hanyauku

A Rukwangali or Kwangali word, which is a Bantu language spoken in Namibia and Angola. The word means the act of walking on tiptoes across warm sand.

5. Dapjeongneo

Is a Korean word that describes someone who has already decided the answer they want to hear and asks a question, expecting to hear that answer.

Certainly, international languages have many unique terms given the change in climate, food and objects or places that might pertain to a specific region. Naturally, English is no exception. For a professional translator, English words such as, “insight,” “shallow,” “flabbergasted,” and “crush” (as in a desire or strong liking towards someone) are some of the terms found to be a challenge.  For a professional translator, these one of a kind expressions are a chance to showcase their creativity and linguistic sensitivity.

Consecutive Interpreting services for children

For any consecutive interpreter, fast-paced environments are a daily encounter. Working in courts, hospitals, or community settings, the interpreter gains important skills, becoming increasingly resourceful in times of stress. Their training prepares them for many future settings. Nevertheless, a consecutive interpreter should also can slow down in order to break down difficult concepts for certain patients. One example is when interpreters are hired to translate for children. Certainly, every professional uses a lower register when speaking to a child. However, the challenge lies in expressing the ideas of a child. Especially in healthcare settings, it’s important for the interpreter to grasp the whole message in the sense it was expressed.

Some of the main factors affecting a professional’s understanding of what a child says can be physical, like a speech impediment or a craniofacial abnormality. On the other hand, it may be due to an array of behavioral or psychological factors such as: crankiness, willingness to talk, mumbling, emotions, or trauma. Comparatively speaking, conference interpreting might seem like a walk in the park. Children are fickle and may not have the tools to verbally explain what they are feeling, not to mention that they’re likely to feel confused or even overwhelmed when relying on consecutive interpreting services. Considering all of this, one of the most important characteristics for any interpreter is the ability to remain calm, empathetic and understanding.

When working with children, language service companies must assign a company interpreter that has experience providing consecutive interpreting services for children since there are different techniques. These include:

1. When communicating with a child in the 2nd person, the interpreter should use the informal pronoun rather than the formal. For example, in Spanish a child would be addressed as “tú” vs the formal “usted” used for adults

2. Normally, consecutive interpreting services require the interpreter to render the message in 1st person. However, saying “I” to another person is an abstraction for most children. For this reason, it is recommended that the interpreter use the 3^rd person in healthcare translation for the child to clearly understand who has said what.

3. Lastly, when working with children, the only option is to provide consecutive interpreting for life sciences translation. It is highly unlikely that a child can handle listening to two people talk at the same time. Oftentimes, it can be confusing for the child and it may cause them to become agitated.

How Can You Avoid Plagiarism for eLearning Translation?

Along with automated translation comes a new concern: translation plagiarism. Plagiarism from one language to another would be seem nearly impossible to detect. However, automated translation frequently results in poor sentence structure and even nonsensical phrases. For global translation services, ensuring the work of a professional translator is authentic and secure is one of the main priorities. As the internet provides a wealth of information at our fingertips, original ideas are becoming a rare encounter. The appropriation of others’ ideas seems to be reaching its peak. To handle this problem, companies are developing relevant tools to fend off plagiarism for those that provide professional education translation services— especially eLearning translation services.

The top 5 free plagiarism detection tools can help ensure your eLearning translation content is plagiarism-free while tracking how your content is being used:

1. Copyleaks: This cloud-based platform is divided into different sections for educational and business purposes. Each section addresses publishers relevant to each sector, such as universities for education and SEO agencies. Additionally, this platform has the ability to scan all Unicode languages and multiple file formats. Furthermore, by using the API tool, the user can search for plagiarized content all over the internet.

2. Plagiarism Checker: In order to check if others have plagiarized content, this platform provides a step-by-step guide on how to use the detection tool. By clicking “For authors,” you will have the ability to search whether your content was posted and receive a notification by email.

3. Plag Scan: This tool has a more advanced interface, making it ideal for eLearning translation businesses to integrate it into several Content and Learning Management Systems (CMS/LMS). The platform is entirely online, and it has various options for plagiarism checks, such as: entering a URL, directly pasting from the web, or uploading from a cloud storage.

4. Viper: This platform has a simple plagiarism detection tool that will check over 10 billion online resources, including journals, books and websites. This tool is available for everyone, not just global translators, on the Internet for free.

5. Dupli Checker: This is one of the most effective tools for eLearning translation services.  With a basic layout, Dupli checker enables the user to copy paste the text in the field or upload a docx or Text file.

3 Tips for Expanding your Employees’ English Presentation Skills

For many Americans, public speaking is a source of unfathomable fear—even over death.  To be successful in a role at some companies, this fear must be overcome.  It’s not uncommon for jobs to require professional presentations—sometimes on a relatively frequent basis. While this is enough of a challenge, it can be even more demanding when your employees are not native English speakers or are not well-versed in business English.  Here are three tips to support your staff as they expand their presentation skills in English.

Facilitate Critiques of their Presentation Skills in English

Sometimes learning is better as a group effort. Work with providers like Language Connections to set up in-company language training where employees can practice their oral presentations. Then allow the teacher and pupils to conduct critiques. Though they might feel intimidating, critiques are one of the best ways for your employees to improve their public speaking skills in English.  They can learn exactly what they are doing wrong and what they can do better!

Supply Flashcards and Notecards

Offering your employees language training on-site will give them space for critiques and practice. During language courses for companies, we also suggest that employers supply employees with notecards or flashcards to use during their presentations. Having some visual cues can help your employees stay on track and focused. Since they might not be used to using these visual aids, making notecards readily available may embolden employees to try using them as they work to improve their English presentation skills.

Encourage them to Practice Presentation Skills in English

Have your staff get in front of a mirror, their family or friends, or even standing up in front of peers during in-company language programs.  This will bolster their confidence in presenting. Practicing a speech in your head is nowhere near as effective as practicing it with your voice and an audience—even if that audience is only your own reflection.

About Language Connections:

Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com

Professional translating for proverbs

An expression or a proverb in any language is like looking through a window into a country’s culture. In fact, these wise words or proverbs contain life lessons that shape and perpetuate certain behaviors in each country. On occasion, professional translation services are required for idioms, proverbs, or fixed expressions. This can be a daunting task for an international translator, especially an interpreter for meetings, who are tasked with producing an equivalent on the spot. Essentially, these expressions mean more than the sum of their words and direct translations tend to be bizarre or distort the meaning. Specifically, when comparing idioms across languages, a professional translator faces a unique task. Considering these phrases are riddled with unusual references and comparisons, professional translating is required to avoid strange interpretations. Similarly, for an interpreter for business it is important to understand both languages inside and out to accurately transfer the meaning of the expression into the target language immediately.

Overall, professional translating is a delicate balance between understanding the message and developing a wealth of knowledge in the target language, so you can generate an elegant, succinct rendition of the meaning.  Below, is a list of examples along with their direct translations and meaning from various countries:

Hindi: “Kaise kaise aise vaise ho ga.e, aise vaise kaise kaise ho ga.e ” (How how became this that, this that became how how)

The fundamental meaning is to illustrate how ordinary people become the extraordinary and the extraordinary become ordinary. Specifically, after the wealthy fled during the India-Pakistan partition and wealthy land owners left all their property to their servants.

Estonian: “Igal oinal oma mihklipaev” (Every ram has his St. Michael’s Day)

The proverb means that everything good will come to an end at one point. St. Michael’s Day marked the end of summer and traditionally a sheep or ram was killed and eaten on that day.

Azerbaijan: “Qani qaralmaq” (Blood turning black)

It is an expression used to show that one is feeling upset or disappointed.

Albania: “Edhe ndergjegjja e tepert te ben frikacak.” (Too much consciousness makes people cowards)

In this sense, it can be compared to the English saying “ignorance is bliss” meaning too much awareness is a burden, since there is no escape from knowledge.

3 Top Reasons to Choose a Community Interpreter Job

Are you bilingual and looking for a new career path? A community interpreter job could be a fun and exciting job to consider. This kind of work is fast-paced and very rewarding. A community interpreter helps facilitate communication in community-based settings, such as education, housing, social services and more. You’ll be able to help break down language barriers to ensure proper access to vital community services. Read on for the top 3 reasons to discover a community interpreter job as your next career move!

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB HAS A BRIGHT FINANCIAL FUTURE

When you invest in a community interpreter course, you’re making an investment in a bright career for yourself. The projected growth rate for interpreter jobs from 2016-26 is an impressive 18%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means you can be sure there will be some financial stability ahead on your career path. The median wage of a community interpreter job was $49,930 in 2018 and the top 10% of workers in the field earned more than $90,610.  Depending on where you live in the country, some of these numbers would allow you to maintain a very stable and comfortable lifestyle.

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MINORITY AND/OR IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS

More than 20 percent of the U.S. population now speaks a language other than English at home, according to the latest United States Census Bureau American Community Survey. Community interpreting has an immense impact on communities with big immigrant and/or minority populations. Many individuals feel most comfortable communicating in their mother tongue, even if they know some English. Community interpreters may work at city offices, schools, or town hall meetings. Your work in public service interpreting will directly affect immigrant and minority access to public services that have the potential to change or enrich lives.

A COMMUNITY INTERPRETER JOB IS INTERESTING AND DYNAMIC

In a community interpreter job, you will never be stuck in the same old boring environment or routine. You’ll certainly never feel that you are chained to a desk, as many workers today do. Each day will bring new challenges as you tackle different events and travel to various locations. This is an exciting career path, especially for those who just don’t feel that a typical office job would suit them!

Language Connections offers an array of interpreter courses to jump-start your career or to expand your repertoire. Our Business and Community Interpreter Certificate Training Program will prepare you to become an adept interpreter in a host of different professional fields. Interpreter classes will prepare you for an exciting and rewarding future, so contact us today to learn more!

How is the International Translator a Key Player for the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most popular sporting events. In fact, the organization has its own language services department for professional translating and video translation because it has so many languages to accommodate. Officially, FIFA has four major languages: English, Spanish, French and German. Overall, FIFA’s language department translates around three million words per year. Nevertheless, there are still nuances within each language that result in some memorable translation gaffes. Since translation is a delicate balance between the words and their meanings, what happens when you don’t have a word for the meaning.  Read on to find out and to see how the international translator is a key player for the FIFA World Cup?

The language of sports is as specific and old as medical or legal terminology, and it becomes evident when we come across issues such as a lack of feminine terms for certain sports positions. This year, during the Women’s World Cup, commentators and reporters were stumped with how to appropriately adapt “defender” and “manager” for women in French. To refer to a women’s soccer defender, the French commentators and switched between défenseure or another feminine form défenseuse. In most cases, media professionals opted for the latter. They said it provided a clearer phonetic distinction, considering défenseure is pronounced exactly like its masculine counterpart défenseur. Obviously, this issue in soccer vocabulary stems from a larger debate concerning gender equality– from the equal pay to patronizing slogans.

In addition to the ‘defender’ issue, the French national team struggled when it came to referring to their manager, Corinne Diacre two years ago. For communications purposes, the team opted for “sélectionneure.” Even the 384-year-old Académie Française remained unsure of how to proceed, saying it would wait for the usage to settle the uncertainty.

An international translator is part of the long-run

Clearly, the presence of an international translator is fundamental to the World Cup’s success. A professional translator is just as key as conference interpreting services in ensuring that this event reaches the large global following. FIFA relies on more than 150,000 volunteers who provide global translation services during the World Cup. As much as technological advancements can help us navigate the basics of a language, pure Machine Translation is not close to replacing an international translator. For instance, during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, many people who speak rare languages, such as Welsh, were unable to rely on apps to move around a city lacking multilingual tourist infrastructure. In general, language is a lead player in any major sporting event. From the commentators to the audience, the influx of foreigners into any country increases the use for translation apps, interpretation needs and language service providers­­ like subtitles and ASL. Overall, major events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics host more than international teams. They provide the perfect opportunity for linguistic issues, as they expose travelers and players alike to cross-cultural communication and its complications.

Medical Interpreter’s Code of Ethics. Why is it important?

Have you ever considered enrolling in a medical interpreter training program? There is tremendous responsibility in performing this kind of work. There are so many duties beyond simply conveying an accurate translation from the source language to target language. Medical interpreter training includes learning the code of ethics, of which there are a few different iterations.  However, the three core values remain the same: beneficence, fidelity, and respect for importance of cultures and cultural differences. Language Connections provides exceptional training when you want to earn a Medical Interpreting Certificate. Read on to understand why the Medical Interpreter Code of Ethics is so important.

Medical interpreter training supports interpreters

Interpreters are equally protected when the code of ethics is followed. It is easier for professional interpreters to succeed and meet expectations in their role when there are clear rules to follow. There are far less chances for mistakes, accidents or inadvertent interference with medical training to happen with a code of ethics in place. Impartiality is critical for both the patient and provider. Once an interpreter obtains a medical interpretation certification, ethics dictate that one must participate in continuing education to keep their skills as up to date as possible.

About Language Connections:

Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.

Language Connections LLC
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com

The Challenges Related to GDPR Translation

The General Data Protection Regulation was established in 2016 by the European Parliament and Council with the goal of providing consistent protection of consumer data across EU nations. Since the EU is comprised of 28 countries and 26 official languages (if we count Norway and Iceland) GDPR translation consistency is a true feat and a great responsibility.

Consistency impacts the innerworkings of the EU

For starters, maintaining consistency throughout legal document translation is fundamental.  Any minor difference will result in discrepancies in the interpretation of the law and the way it is applied. Truly, gdpr translation is key in maintaining a balanced ecosystem within the European Union.  This becomes especially imperative considering most countries conduct business in multiple member states or must comply with EU law, even if they are established outside the union. With all this in mind, it’s important to hire a global translator offering GDPR translation services.

International Legal Interpreting Discrepancies

One example of the perils of conflicting translations and subsequent legal discrepancies occurred in 1996.  The Council reviewed an agricultural regulation and discovered that the German version had a seemingly minor, but influential mistake.  They had translated “sweet cherries” as opposed to “sour cherries.” Similarly, the Dutch text for article 38(3) state that the DPO reports directly to the “highest manager,” as opposed to saying the “highest management level.”  This seemingly minor detail changed the way the law was interpreted because it meant a DPO could report to another board member rather than the CEO. The problem was that company law stated that “…the board acts in unity and the CEO does not outrank any of the other members.” However, this is not what the Dutch translation required.  This mistake meant the DPAs could have issued a fine for improper procedures.

Suggestions for interpreting GDPR translation

When reading a legal translation of a GDPR matter, compare the local language version to one of the major language versions that’s widely circulated, such as one in English, German or French. It’s also possible that the text can just be read in English, as it’s likely to be the common language in which GDPR compliant text are written. Finally, be sure to use the official wording of GDPR policies to minimize the likelihood of potential misunderstandings.

3 Top Reasons to Choose a Medical Interpreter Job

In the United States, there is a considerable population of non-native English speakers. To protect them, every healthcare provider (including hospitals) is obligated by law to provide language access services for their non-English speaking patients. Medical interpreters can break down language barriers in the medical industry by using their linguistic prowess to provide interpreting services to medical providers and patients. It is undeniable that a medical interpreter job comes with a lot of responsibilities. However, it can also be a superb career choice.  Here are 3 reasons why you might want to get a certification for medical interpreters.

What are the benefits of choosing a medical interpreter job?

1. A medical interpreter job can make for a fascinating day-to-day life

Besides all the responsibilities and duties that this occupation requires, it’s also an exciting job to wake up for each morning.  If you become an interpreter, it is inevitable that you will constantly have new experiences and learn new things. Not a single day will be the same as the previous one. Flexible scheduling can be another great perk of the profession. By obtaining a medical interpreter certificate, you can organize your working and free time as you see fit. This job never requires you to be chained to a desk for 8 consecutive hours. If you pursue a career as a medical interpreter, your office becomes the entire medical facility or doctor’s office you work in!  Additionally, with a medical interpreter certification, you could possibly travel around the world and experience new cultures.

2. It has a financial future

Those who have a medical interpretation certificate are in immense demand professionally.  They’re deeply valued by their employers and the patients they serve. This leads to satisfying remuneration and financial stability. According to the US Bureau of Statistics, as of May 2018, the average annual wage of an interpreter was $49,930.  That’s projected to grow another 18% from 2016 to 2026.  This is higher than the average growth rate of 7% for all the other occupations.

3. A medical interpreter job can be tremendously fulfilling

A trip to the hospital can be very stressful for everyone, but especially for LEP (Limited English Proficiency) individuals. Ineffective communication between the doctor and patient means that the patient’s life is on the line. There is a higher possibility of a wrong diagnosis or ineffective treatment. One of the most rewarding aspects of a medical interpreter’s job is the fact that they can prevent these important issues!