7 Unbelievable Global Restaurants for the Adventurous Translator to Try

Though travel has certainly been impacted by the current pandemic, you can still plan your next trip for the future. Exploring different cultures is extremely important, rewarding, and enjoyable, regardless of your profession – you don’t have to be an international translator or work at a professional translation services company to explore new languages and cultures! 

 

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

This breathtaking restaurant is submerged over 16 feet underwater giving you a magnificent view of coral and sea creatures while you dine. With a domed, glasspaned ceiling that extends down to the floor, you can be sure you won’t miss any of the fish swimming around you. Known for their fusion menu combining local flavors with Western influences, and their exquisite views, this is certainly one of the most innovative and stunning restaurants in the world.

 

Cat Café Nekorobi, Japan

At this adorable café, you can enjoy a nice drink while playing with some of the cutest cats! Help yourself to various coffees and teas while you watch the cats play. The cats even eat with you from their own bowls. Definitely a must-see for any pet-loving translator.

 

The Redwoods Treehouse, New Zealand

Dine among the treetops in your own elevated pod nestled among the towering redwood trees. The Redwoods Treehouse has beautiful wooden walkways connecting the pods and stunning lighting and views. While the space is reserved for small functions and not available for individual dining, this is still one of the most whimsical places for a translator to eat. 

 

SnowVillage Restaurants at Lapland Hotel, Finland

When planning to visit these restaurants, make sure you bring an extra jacket! With two venues made entirely out of snow and ice, the SnowVillage Restaurants truly transport to a wintery wonderland. Boasting a menu full of local meals, the SnowVillage Restaurants is a standout both for its amazing food and amazing views.

 

The Rock, Tanzania

Located off the coast of Zanzibar, The Rock is a short boat ride away, or nice walk during low tide. Serving fabulous food, The Rock is known for its exquisite flavors and stunning locale. With numerous villas and resorts close by, The Rock is ideally located for all vacations that can hopefully be taken in the near future.

 

Modern Toilet, Taiwan

Starting out selling chocolate ice cream served in a small, toilet shaped bowl, Modern Toilet has grown to this unique, toilet themed restaurant. After having success with their ice cream and seeing the joy their restaurant brought to people, the owners decided to expand to a full restaurant with multiple locations throughout Taiwan. With great food and a fun atmosphere, Modern Toilet has easily risen to its vast popularity.

 

The Airplane Restaurant, United States

Located in Chicago, this restaurant is situated inside an old Boeing KC-97 plane. With great food and decades worth of historical memorabilia, this restaurant makes a great addition to the list. Also, they can accommodate functions and parties, so be sure to keep this unique venue in mind!

 

Hopefully we will soon be able to travel to see these fabulous places. Until then, hopefully this list made you excited about the prospect of exploring and experiencing different cultures. An appreciation for all languages, cultures, and backgrounds is extremely important, especially as the world grows more and more interconnected. With this increased connection comes the increased need for language service companies that offer translation and localization services, like Language Connections. We are committed to offering professional global translation services and full localization for all of your projects no matter the language. With our vast global network of linguists, we’re sure to find the best translator for the job. We want to help you reach as many cultures and languages as possible and we are fully equipped to help you achieve success and grow your global connections.

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, localization 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

4 Unbelievable Holidays Traditions From Around the World

It’s no question that people celebrate the holidays in different ways. For instance, while some celebrate Christmas by decorating a live tree with ornaments and exchanging gifts, others opt for a plastic tree. Nevertheless, different holiday traditions are part of the joy of the holidays. Here are four of the most unbelievable holiday traditions from around the world.

 

Australia – Christmas at the Beach

While Americans dream of a White Christmas, for many Australians, partying on the beach is their Christmas ideal. Temperatures in Australia often reach over 70 degrees Fahrenheit in December. As a result, many flock to Australia’s beaches to take in the sun, enjoy a nice barbeque, and hang out with family and friends. Many even dress up in Santa garb in spite of the hot weather and party well into the night.

 

Japan – A KFC Christmas

Japan is home to a very small Christian population; only 1 – 2% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian. However, many Christians in the country observe a unique Christmas tradition: eating a chicken dinner provided by the Colonel (Colonel Sanders to be exact). This tradition stems from a successful 1970 marketing campaign created by the first manager of a KFC franchise in Japan that championed the fried chicken dinner as an authentic Christmas meal. The English translation of the campaign tagline read simply, “At Christmas, you eat chicken.”  Today, 3.6 million people eat KFC for Christmas dinner in the country.

 

Mexico – Night of the Radishes

This Christmas tradition originates from Mexico’s colonial past, as radishes were first introduced to Mexico in Oaxaca by Spanish colonists. Some time during the 18th century, local farmers carved misshapen radishes into intricate figures as an artistic way to promote their business. Eventually, in 1897, this tradition became a formal competition held annually on December 23rd; the Night of the Radishes was born. Now, every year, people flock to the city of Oaxaca to see the elaborate displays ranging from Nativity scenes to depictions of traditional Oaxacan life and await the awarding of the grand prize of 15,000 pesos.

 

Austria and Hungary – The Legend of Krampus

This frightening legend popular in Austria and Hungary makes receiving coal seem like a blessing. Although many families living in the two countries observe the tradition of Santa Claus, many also celebrate the tradition of Krampus, a devilish creature designed to scare naughty children. This mythical figure is typically celebrated on Krampusnacht (December 6th), the day Krampus punishes children for their misdeeds, making it one of the scariest holiday traditions in the world.

 

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, localization 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

The Script for Parasite: Obstacle or Opportunity?

Bong and co-writer Han Jin-won’s script for Parasite is a multinational masterpiece. Part of what makes this film so groundbreaking is the way the interpretation of the film’s light and dark moment never detract from each other. Humor and horror can be hard to translate on their own, but a dark comedy thriller comes with its own challenges.

The movie follows the Kim family as they realize they can fit into the “holes” of the rich Park family’s life. After their son begins to work as an English tutor for the Park family’s daughter, he smuggles each of his family members to fill a service role. The Park family relies on their hired help to maintain their lavish lifestyle. To translate Parasite in such a way that it hits the same story beats in Korean as in English takes experienced, expert knowledge of interpretation services.

Darcy Paquet provided translation services for the English subtitles and worked directly with Bong. An American residing in Korea, the stellar English translation has redefined the type of movie Americans are willing to engage with. Translations are no longer a barrier between foreign films and American audiences. Now, they look like an opportunity.

Why is their opportunity in translation?  Language learning can add meaning to your understanding of the world. Bong describes the ending scene in Parasite as a “surefire kill.” This is a Korean phrase filled with double meanings that can only be unlocked through translation. The surefire kill of a gunshot is found in this last scene, the shot audiences walk away from the movie remembering.

Parasite’s Script: Obstacle or Opportunity?

Bong and co-writer Han Jin-won’s script for “Parasite” is a multinational masterpiece. Part of what makes this film so groundbreaking is the way the interpretation of the film’s light and dark moment never detract from each other. Humor and horror can be hard to translate on their own, but a dark comedy thriller comes with its own challenges.

 

The movie follows the Kim family as they realize they can fit into the “holes” of the rich Park family’s life. After their son begins to work as an English tutor for the Park family’s daughter, he smuggles each of his family members to fill a service role. The Park family relies on their hired help to maintain their lavish lifestyle. To translate “Parasite” in such a way that it hits the same story beats in Korean as in English takes experienced, expert knowledge of interpretation services.

 

Darcy Paquet provided translation services for the English subtitles and worked directly with Bong. An American residing in Korea, the stellar English translation has redefined the type of movie Americans are willing to engage with. Translations are no longer a barrier between foreign films and American audiences. Now, they look like an opportunity.

 

Why is their opportunity in translation?  Language learning can add meaning to your understanding of the world. Bong describes the ending scene in “Parasite” as a “surefire kill.” This is a Korean phrase filled with double meanings that can only be unlocked through translation. The surefire kill of a gunshot is found in this last scene, the shot audiences walk away from the movie remembering.

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

What is a Translatable Joke? What about a Bilingual Joke?

Have you ever heard the term bilingual joke?

4 Funny Movie Titles Botched Due to the Lack of Professional Translation and Localization Services

Hilarious Movie Title Translations Fails Caused by Ignoring the Importance of Translation and Localization Services

There have always been issues regarding how producers translate their films into different languages. There are new movies coming up every week and everywhere around the world. Importing new movies outside the host country means employing the use of localization and business translation services from reputable language services providers. 

But when a film is going to be distributed internationally, the movie title is the very first item that must be considered. The host country will ask: Should we translate it, adapt it or just keep the original title? A good movie title will create a buzz, but bad movie translations may result in bad sales of that movie in that country. Using professional localization and translation services is the best way to come up with a culturally and linguistically appropriate movie title. Language Connections takes a look at some humorous translations of English movie titles in foreign countries. 

 

Silver Linings Playbook (2012) | Title Translations Fails

Each country incorporates its own interpretation and cultural perspective into a movie translation.  Often, this can result in entirely different titles or even meanings. For instance, the movie “Silver Linings Playbook” is a 2012 American romantic comedy.  It’s the story of a former teacher who moves back in with his parents, starts a new friendship, and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. In France, the movie translation is titled “Happiness Therapy” in French.  In Taiwan, the Chinese version of the movie translation is called “Pat’s Happiness Playbook.”

 

Warm Bodies (2013)

The storyline behind this American paranormal romantic comedy is about a zombie who saves a girl from a zombie attack.  This leads to their eventual romantic relationship. The original title “Warm Bodies” also has the following the subtitle “He’s still dead but he’s getting warmer.” In Taiwan, movie translations kept the English subtitle, but added another one in Chinese which means “How could a zombie be so handsome?” Of course, this has nothing to do with the original meaning! This could be an unfortunate (yet funny) result of skipping out on professional translation and localization services from the movie studio/corporation responsible for the Chinese translation of the movie!

 

My Little Princess (2011)

The French-Romanian drama called “My Little Princess” in English also has an interesting Chinese title. This controversial movie, written and directed by the famous Parisian actress and photographer Eva Ionesco, was inspired by her relationship with her own mother. Her mother, the well-known artistic photographer Irina Ionesco, also created some noise when she published pictures of her young daughter in the 1970’s. Chinese movie translations were titled “The Goddamn Princess.” This title was eventually banned for obvious reasons! Although literally the title means “Her Mother’s Princess” (later changed to “Her Mama’s Princess,” in Chinese), the word for “Mama” can also be taken to mean “Goddamn.”

 

Movie Translations for Sinister (2012) | Title Translation Fails

The supernatural horror film titled “Sinister” also has a funny translation in Chinese. The film is about a true-crime writer who finds a box of 8mm home movies in his attic that eventually put his family in danger.  The interesting part of the translation is not the meaning of the word itself. Rather, the sound and tone of the title in Chinese are amusing. The meaning of the Chinese title is indeed the same as the English one “Sinister.”  However, the funny thing is that it also sounds just like the word “bra” in Chinese! Although the two words are spelled differently in Chinese, the pronunciation is exactly the same.

 

Sources:

In France, They Call It ‘Happiness Therapy’

http://www.imdb.com/

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

 

20 Funny English Sign Translations Caused by Not Using Business Translation Services

When travelling, especially in areas that are popular for English-speaking tourists, you may find lots of signs that are intended to make communication easier for English-speaking tourists. However, the quality of translations can sometimes be far from perfect. Without the use of certified business translation services, crucial mistakes can easily be overlooked. Here are some of the times when skipping proper business translation services has proven to be hilarious!

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Medical Interpreting Clears Up Major (and Funny) Miscommunications

In the US, patients with Limited English proficiency have a right to receive equal healthcare.  A few legal sources protect this right, including an executive order from Bill Clinton about Title VI in 2000, as well as the findings for Lau v. Nicols in 1974.  Even with a legally-protected right, a shocking number of LEP patients are forced to go without interpreting or translation services when they’re at the hospital or doctor’s office.  (This is especially egregious considering how many great medical translation and interpretation classes are out there.)  Many times, going without a medical interpreting can be dangerous, if not life-threatening.  Having a certified medical interpreter ensures that the misunderstandings and mispronunciations (which could potentially be dangerous!) are easily cleared up.  When they’re caught early, these miscommunications aren’t just nonthreatening– they can be downright funny.  Read on for some examples.

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10 International Marketing Fails due to the lack of Translation and Localization Services

Various companies have made linguistic and cultural errors when expanding their businesses into global markets. The lesson to avoid your own international marketing fails? It’s extremely important to localize your marketing materials by using professional localization and translation services from reputed language service companies!

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Do You Speak Northern Californian?

You don’t have to be studying education translation services to have heard someone speaking with a Southern California accent, otherwise known as “Valley Girl.” It was first discovered in the San Fernando Valley in northwestern Los Angeles, hence, “Valley” girl. However, the speech patterns that started in Southern California, are just as prominent in Northern California as well. So what is happening to the speech of young girls in California, or, ‘Like, what’s up with that?’   Let a linguistic services company explain.

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