3 Reasons Why Covid-19 is the Ultimate Translation Services Test
The emergence of the coronavirus in December 2019 presented a major challenge to humankind. Not since the deadly 1918 flue pandemic had the world experienced a pandemic of Covid-19’s magnitude. In the months following the beginning of the outbreak, countries around the world quickly mobilized to contain the virus by purchasing masks and other personal protective equipment, creating safety protocol for restaurants and businesses, and beginning the process of developing a vaccine to inoculate their citizens. However, most people (including policymakers) forget about the importance of translation services to the fight against the coronavirus. In fact, proper investment in government translation services could prove vital to preventing the further spread of the virus. Here are three reasons why Covid-19 is the ultimate translation services test:
1. The Inadequacy of Machine Translation Services in the Coronavirus Era
Clear communication is essential to public health in the midst of a pandemic. Keeping the public informed of developments and of the latest health regulations helps to both mitigate the spread of the virus and calm people’s fears. Yet for many in the era of the coronavirus, accurate information cannot always be found due to the shortcomings of Google Translate. Because many websites rely on machine website translation that lack understanding of linguistic nuance, many people cannot read public service announcements or news reports about the virus. As a result, members of certain language groups have been left in the dark regarding the coronavirus.
2. The Scale of the Translation Services Provided by Government Agencies and NGOs
Nevertheless, certain non-profit organizations and government agencies have prioritized investment in translation services to fight the coronavirus pandemic. For instance, according to a recent article in the popular science magazine WIRED, the Indian tribal advocacy group Adivasi Lives Matter employed a global translator to translate coronavirus fact sheets into the different tribal languages of India. Similarly, the WIRED article mentioned how the King County government in Seattle, Washington recently started to translate documents related to coronavirus mitigation efforts into the different languages spoken by its linguistically and culturally diverse. Governments across the globe have also begun to invest in video translation efforts. For example, the government of the Northern Territory in Australia provided coronavirus safety videos in the languages of its First Nations indigenous population.
3. Beyond Translation Services: The Problem of Interpreting
Obviously, the efforts described above represent only a fraction of what world governments are doing to counter the coronavirus threat. Understandably, there is still a great deal of work to be done beyond website translation services, especially in the area of press conference interpreting. As mentioned in WIRED, the South African government has taken flak for conducting its coronavirus briefings only in English despite the fact that the country has over 10 official languages. In a similar fashion, state governments across the U.S. took criticism for failing to provide an ASL interpreter for meetings and press briefings related to the coronavirus. Hopefully, in time, all world governments will realize the importance of translation services and hire language service companies in order to carefully articulate the coronavirus threat to their citizenry.
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
Healthcare Translation Services and the Coronavirus
Why the Coronavirus is Dangerous
Across the board, Asian countries are implementing extensive border bans. The U.S. State Department has advised Americans not to travel. While information about what is happening on the other side of the world trickles over to us, the circumstances surrounding the outbreak in Wuhan remain hazy. Questions about the coronavirus are multiplying by the day. However, through the use of healthcare translation services, government scientists can seek to understand Chinese doctors and scientists operating on the frontlines of the fight against the virus and, hopefully, can one day create a vaccine to prevent future outbreaks.
Thus far, we know the disease has killed over 200 people in China and infected 9,500. Outside of China, the cases detected number around 100 over 16 countries. Research points to the disease spreading fairly easily, but not being as deadly as other diseases of its kind. Experts on disease control, however, warn that fatality rates are harder to estimate in the early stages of an outbreak.
Because the disease has spread to various parts of the globe, healthcare translation is a necessary tool to decode signs of illness. There are certain symptoms including a fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath that lead up to a patient needing hospitalization. As of January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency.
The Role of Healthcare Translation Services and Interpretation in Coronavirus
In response to the outbreak, an international team of experts was assembled to go to China and work with experts. There, medical interpreting to learn more about how the disease is transmitted remains a priority. In order to make decisions on this magnitude, life science translation must be able to operate on a global scale. Although there is no specific cure or vaccine, a number of people have recovered after treatment. This shows why exchanging knowledge between countries using multiple avenues facilitated by healthcare translation services is paramount. Only cooperation on a global scale will eradicate this disease.
Chinese doctors are giving patients combinations of HIV drugs and drugs developed to treat Ebola. These have shown promise against coronavirus in animals. Clinical experience in China will show whether any of these help against nCoV. Medical translation of the clinical trials is paramount to convey what Chinese scientists have learned to the rest of the world.
Healthcare translation services help us understand the circumstances that allowed coronavirus to spread. Until a vaccine is developed, we will rely on scientists and researchers to contain the disease.
The Correlation Between Music and Language Training
Language service companies have developed a variety of classes and programs for language training over the years. However, few have seized upon the possibility of using music to promote language learning. Although it’s not obvious, a strong relationship exists between music and language. First and foremost, music functions in a similar structural way to a language. Just as words can be thought of as the building blocks of a language, groups of notes combine to form phrases and, eventually, songs. Additionally, music and language both serve communicational purposes (with music’s main purpose being the conveyance of emotion). Perhaps most interestingly, music and language are processed in the same part of the brain: Broca’s area in the left hemisphere frontal lobe. This region of the brain is critical to the processing of sentences and, according to a recent study, also helps musicians understand musical phrases, as musicians tend to have more brain matter in Broca’s area as compared to those who never studied music.
Language Training in Finland
These connections suggest that music and language are strongly linked neurologically. Yet can music fuel language learning? Take the example of Finland. In this Scandinavian nation, children are exposed to music when they are infants using the Musiikkileikkikoulu method. This method uses games to teach important musical concepts. Although Finnish children begin language training at the later age of nine, the average Finnish adult speaks a whopping three to five languages; a testament to the power of music’s ability to kick-start language learning.
Language Training in Germany
A 2011 study conducted by researchers from Justus-Liebig University also illustrates the benefits of musical training to language learning. For the study, German preschoolers were split into two groups. One group received musical training, while the other did not. The results were astounding. The group of preschoolers who received musical training showed a significant improvement in their ability to process language, compared to the group who did not attend music lessons. These results further demonstrate the neurological linkages between music and language training.
Drawing Conclusions
Finally, music can also help to improve vocabulary and grammar knowledge. According to a 2010 study, researchers found that those who took music lessons before turning seven years old displayed higher vocabulary comprehension in addition to increased grammatical abilities compared to those who did not study music. Clearly, music and language are highly connected through structural similarities as well as within the brain. Perhaps this could demonstrate the potential of music to help language professionals in industries, such as professional business translation, global translation services, conference interpreting services, or even government translation services.
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 Exactly is Patent Translation?
Why is Patent Translation Important?
These days, companies aspire to succeed not only on a national level, but also in the international landscape. To achieve that goal and triumph globally, companies need to ensure the protection of any unique or innovative proposals. Here, patent translation is the key. It’s not just necessary to do this in one language. So additionally, it becomes all the more imperative.
There are two categories that patent translation fall under. Depending on its purpose, it can be either for filing or for information. The former means that the translated patent(s) are filed as authorized documents in foreign regions. That type does not require full and detailed translation of the document. On the other hand, translating patents for information shares the ideas contained in patents that have already been filed. This one, conversely, demands a translation as close as possible to the original one. Nonetheless the importance of this type of translation is undeniable, and thus there is a wide variety of American translation companies or language service companies around the world that offer patent translation services. Here are 6 more reasons patent translation is so important.
Patent Translation ensures Intellectual Property Rights Protection
Protection of intellectual property, particularly in the age of the internet, is a top business priority. However, sometimes if intellectual property rights for an invention are secured within its country of origin, they’re not guaranteed to be protected internationally. Therefore, the translation of the patent helps to secure the owner’s rights in any other foreign regions.
Competition
In an international economy, companies must secure patent rights globally to stay competitive globally.
Zero mistakes are allowed
Even a small mistake in a translation of a patent, such as a life sciences translation, can cause the patent application to be rejected. Using experience, professional language service companies means this won’t happen to your patent!
Expansion Opportunities
Without proper patent protection, a company’s expansion potential may be limited in hot markets.
Legal and Financial Consequences
A translated patent document that includes errors can have an adverse effect financially or legally for the business. For instance, correcting an erroneous translation could result in extra costs.
Translation Certification Requirement
Translation for patents can be challenging, especially if you are translating in a difficult language (for instance, if your company needs patent Korean translation). Its accuracy is always paramount. Hence, the translation of the patent application must be done by an accredited translator, which means that even the best machine translation is a terrible idea. Human translation is the only thing that will save you from future headaches or even legal battles when it comes to your patent.
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
3 Signs of Good Medical Interpreting
When you or a family member is ill, you don’t want to go to a subpar hospital or doctor. If you or a family member is sick and needs interpreting services, then it’s equally important to have great medical interpreting and medical translation services. Having good communication with your caregivers means you can participate more fully in your treatment and understand care instructions better. You can also ensure that your medical history, current life circumstances, and anything else that may affect treatment is properly communicated and considered. So how do you ensure that you pick a high quality medical interpreter for your needs? Here are 3 signs that you can trust the professional you’ve hired.
Understanding The Brazilian Life Science Industry
Already a leader in biofuels and agriculture, Brazil is poised to emerge as a leader in the life sciences industry as well. Driven by the nation’s highly skilled scientific base, a growing middle class, and a growing and aging population, the South American giant is only a few steps away from global dominance in the life sciences. Favorable market factors, especially greater market privatization, have created a Brazilian life science industry on course to compete internationally.
How The Globalization of Healthcare And Life Sciences Affects International Strategy
The world is moving ever closer to the point of convergence both in the physical sense, through rapid transportation, and in the realm of ideas, through advanced telecommunication. This convergence has a myriad of consequences in politics, business, and lately in the globalization of healthcare and the life science sector. Navigating cross-national political structures, regulations, language barriers and cultural practices successfully is a must to compete in a globalized market. (more…)
Do Language Barriers to Research Impede Scientific Advancement?
Language barriers to research interfere with scientific progress which is in turn highly dependent on international research collaboration. The role of language in science and research collaboration is undeniable, and increased globalization has created a greater need to translate scientific research and provide access to larger international audiences. By employing professional translation and interpreting services providers, linguistic barriers to research can effectively be overcome.
Will Science Become Multilingual?
By publishing scientific works primarily in English we may be taking away from the scientific discoveries of non-English speakers, especially if professional translators do not perform the translations. But with advances in the translation industry and the decline of English users, will more scientists publish in their native language? Will this lead to multilingual versions of their work for colleagues in their field around the world?
Computational Linguistics: A Rise in Machine Translation
Human translation services versus machine translation services – the first demonstrating a kind of artistic precision and the other quick efficiency – one of the oldest battles in the books (or at least we think so). As of late, the two have been reconciling due to increased sophistication with machines’ ability to process language, and the need for quick turn-around time for some translation projects. Now, thanks to advancements in the field of Computational Linguistics, Machine Translation may soon reach a level of precision before only known to human translators…