Businesses are done all over the world. A company may have its branches across different parts of the world. You know that different countries have different languages, and one language that is spoken almost all over the globe is English, which is known as the international language. Interpreters and translators have important roles to play in international business. Their job is to improve communication through the translation of one language to another so that the message could be conveyed accurately. Let’s know about their roles in detail.

Typically, interpreters help with verbal communication and the translators help with written communication. Both of the professionals offer their services in many areas because they specialize in certain fields. Given below are some of the fields where they may offer their services.

Medical field

Medical interpreters offer their services for ease of communication between patients and hospital management. Another role of them is to translate the information brochures and journals into different languages. Aside from this, these professionals are familiar with informal terms used in different languages. So, they can help a patient talk to doctors and vice versa.

Localization translators

The term localization means the total adaptation of a certain product so that it can be used in a different culture and language. As a matter of fact, a translator has a lot of knowledge of the local users of a specific product or service. Actually, the primary aim of localization is to adapt the products in a way that it gives an impression that the product was made in the target country. This helps the local people develop a liking for the product because they understand what it can be used for.

Business translators

The role of business translation specialists is to handle documents related to marketing, economics, and finance, just to name a few. As a matter of fact, a good translator or interpreter has a good deal of knowledge of the markets and businesses in a specific field. For instance, you can find specialists for financial markets. Their role is to translate documents like mutual fund reports, financial statements and other documents into different languages based on requirement.

Conference interpreters

The role of conference interpreters is to offer their services in global forums like World Bank and WTO just to name a few. On these forums, the participants hail from different parts of the world. At times, these pros serve as mediators between global business representatives that work in different countries. Often, conference interpreters can interpret from passive languages into active ones. For instance, they can take care of documents written in French and Spanish to make readable for English speakers and vice versa. This enables the participants to understand whatever is being said during the conference.

Long story short, translators and interpreters provide assistance with cross-cultural communication in order to help businesses. Their role is deal with both verbal and written languages. Therefore, we can say that translators play a great role to help grow businesses across the globe.

Globalization, bilateral trade agreements, and opening of business corridors have brought the world closer and just a click away. But if you think having a website with English content will open the doors of the expanding international market for you, think again.

Did you know that while 55% websites offer only English content, about 70% of the world does not speak English and more than 50% of Google searches are not in English?

Let not languages become a barrier in the growth of your business. Using professional and proficient translation services can pave way for interaction with other countries. Whether you are exporting, importing, setting up industries, or exchanging of technology translation into popular languages makes good business sense.

Portuguese, Language of choice:

Portuguese is spoken by nearly 209 million people, making it the 6th most spoken language of the world. It is an official language of the European Union and the most widely spoken language in South America. According to a report by the British Council, Portuguese has been identified as the ‘most important language for the future of United Kingdom’. If you are looking to take your business to countries like Portugal, Brazil and African nations like Mozambique and Angola, then consider translating your content to Portuguese.

Brazil is a burgeoning economy. With low inflation rates and rising incomes, Brazil has become a feasible investment option. In the last few years, about 25 million of the Brazilian population has become ‘middle class’ crossing the poverty lines. As the buying power of Brazilians increases, it becomes the 6th largest economy in the world and is moving forward at a fast pace to crunch more members. Internet purchases have hit an all time high thus this is the best time to use Portuguese Translation Services to better describe and advertise your products of e-retailing.

Brazil has a great business potential. Brazilians are a tolerant society and are open minded to using foreign products. Brazil exports several kinds of raw materials and is also a supplier of foods and different minerals. New partnerships can be seen in the area of crude oil, coffee beans, iron ore, meat products, corn etc.

Portugal is a member of the European Union and with its backing, it is making economic gains. This makes it an expanding market for new products, especially in the petrochemical industry. The ATLANTIS project by the European Commission will make Portugal a ‘Motorway of the Sea’ by developing several ports. Also, the people of Portugal are technologically competent, making it easier to set up industries in the country.

In Brazil, only about 5% of the population speaks English. To tap this emerging market, an effective and competent translation of material into Portuguese is required. This methodology of localization should be used in translation to make it appear more appealing to the Portugal populace.

As of today, machine translation (MT) can still be defined as the holy grail of computational linguistics. While undeniable that this discipline has seen a significant progress in the last decade (especially with the introduction of statistical methods), translation between morphologically-rich languages remains an extremely challenging task. Statistical MT tries to generate translations through statistical procedures based on huge bilingual text corpora.

There is often confusion between the terms “computer-aided translation” and “machine translation”. Machine translation is an automatic process that will always return a translation result for any given source text, sometimes one that is useful, very often one that does not fit the context, and in some cases even a direct copy of the source text (whenever the translation cannot be resolved). Computer-aided translation is, on the other hand, the most common type of human translation, wherein a human linguist takes care of the translation process using computer software that is specifically designed to support and facilitate this task. There is a third concept gaining relevance in the last few years: “postediting.” This technique aims to gather the best virtues of both modes by improving an automatic translation with a certain amount of manual editing.

Since automatic translation translates texts without the aid of professional translators or native speakers who can discern the nuances and influence of context, it is important to remember that the accuracy and appropriateness of the results is not guaranteed. Human language is full of ambiguities, exceptions, plays on words, subtle expressions, mistakes, and logical associations that computers cannot handle (at least in 2011).

All this said, there are good things to say about machine translation. In certain scenarios, it can be sufficient to get an imprecise translation that reveals what the text is about without everything being translated correctly. And, at the same time, there are circumstances where it can be more important to get the result without delay than to get a good translation. One easy way to understand what these systems can offer is by having them translate into your native language.

The advantages of machine translation compared to the work of human translators could be summarized as: cost, speed and mathematical consistency.

Companies considering using machine translation should spend a reasonable amount of time evaluating its capabilities and limitations, and assessing its customized implementation in their daily workflow. If you are considering adopting machine translation in your workflow, it is advisable to discuss your plans with a professional translation or localization company.

If you are a business that has broken out into the world in that you constantly get involved in international transactions, then you definitely have a client base that may not be English speaking. To keep your business network growing, you must find a way of accommodating all your clients, regardless of the language and this means getting reliable translation services to give both parties smooth sailing through the transactions.

The translation services can either be medical, technical, financial or legal, it all depends on the kind of business you are into and the kind of transactions you get involved in. Employing a professional translator is a very good step. When hiring or employing the services of a translator, there is need to ensure that you choose a professional who will indeed deliver to your expectations and help you maintain a good relationship with your clients from all backgrounds. Here are some reasons why you should think about translation services for your business.

You get to enjoy quality work. A professional translator offers accurate translations you can rely on without suffering your business in any way. The professionals are efficient and specialize in the area so you can be sure that your business materials are revised several times by several professionals, thereby reducing the chances of misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the information. When you hire someone who knows what they are doing, you can be sure that you will get only quality work in the end.

You get specialists for your field. Translation agencies have specialists who handle different areas. If for instance you are a financial institutions requiring financial translation, then you get a professional who is qualified especially for that. The translators consult experts in the industry like IT experts, lawyers and doctors depending on the area of interest to ensure that they deliver quality and accuracy in your special area.

You are able to maintain consistency. Professional translation services help you maintain consistency in terms of communication. A qualified and competitive translator will use terminologies that are easy to learn so your customers and clients do not need to keep relearning to understand. For this, it is advisable that you stick to one agency or translator to ensure that communication and term usage remain consistent for the sake of your customers and clients.

You will be able to keep up with business growth. This is because when you have reliable translation services you need not worry about missed deadlines and mistakes that could be costly for your business. With proper handlings, you can be sure to keep up with the demands of your business as it grows without necessarily being overwhelmed. You can have the services customized to match your needs and remain flexible to accommodate any changes as they occur.

You remain culturally sensitive to your audience. Professional translators who are fluent understand cultural nuances and will be able to keep you in check with your targeted audiences and languages. They reduce the chances of context mishaps that can ruin business for you.

When it comes to Arabic Translation, there is a misconception that sentences in Arabic are always longer than their English translation. This case of so-called text expansion really does occur when it comes to Arabic translation, but is not always the case. The question now is: what should our standard metric really be when judging the quality of Arabic translation, or of other languages for that matter?

Firstly, go for accuracy. See to it that the Arabic translation is neither shorter nor longer than the length of the source. We’re not talking about the word count of the document here but the message itself, the main text and the sub-points of the article. The translator’s task is just to render the document in a whole new language. There is little or no room for creativity here. Sometimes, the author of the document is actually the client, and in this example, he is likely to call the final shots.

However, shifting from one natural language to another is never simply an issue of composing one-on-one replacements. Cultural and localisation factors should always be considered. Clients must make the most of the translator’s knowledge of how different expressions may be used to state the same thoughts in the Arabic translation. Making use of the alternatives could actually help the client’s message reach the target audience in a more effective manner.

Secondly, check the grammar and structure. The job of any Arabic translator will never be considered satisfactory if structure, as well as grammar, are incorrectly used. For translators, there is always the technical challenge to be met of the difference between structural accuracy and the true meaning of the text. This could lead to mistakes in judgement over the use of adverbs and the proper placing of adjectives. Consider how the passive and active voices could either weaken or strengthen the impact of every statement. One example is that of structural considerations which could alter the message. A good translation agency will make it a point to fix these problems before delivering the final version of the translation to their clients. On the other hand, the client should be able to evaluate the translations done. Basic knowledge of the language is a must.

Lastly, but definitely not least, consider the style and the language. These are more subjective issues, where translators actually have more control. However, this could also mean more traps to fall into. One example of a trap is being inappropriately creative when translating into Arabic. The Arabic language has classical and modern modes of its own, as well as colloquial varieties. There is the big question when translating as to whether the agency should preserve the style of the source or just use its own style. If the source’s style is already good, then it is better to retain it. Basically, this could make the entire Arabic translation process more stable.

When we talk about documents with legal content, having the correct words and phrases in place is highly important. One small mistake can lead to a criminal getting off on a technicality or an innocent man being sent to prison. When it comes to translating legal material, ensuring that the exact meaning is carried across to another language is of the utmost importance.

Legal translation is a specific branch of translation, which deals with the highly specialised terminology of the judicial system and ensures that all meaning is correctly explained in a different language. In this guide we will explain legal translation in more detail, as well as what to expect from the process and how to ensure that the best people are employed for the job.

Here are our top ten tips which will help you with legal translation:

Knowing what actually needs translating

Before you begin looking for a translation partner, ensure that you know exactly what you need translating. There are a number of different specialisms within the legal system, such as criminal, immigration, employment or maritime law. Depending on the case, each different branch will require certain documents to be translated. However, it may not be necessary to translate the entirety of your material. Working out which parts of your content does and doesn’t need to be translated can help you save time and money.

Knowing which languages are needed

Once you have worked out what needs translating, you should clarify which languages are required. Although this seems simple enough, regional dialects can have a habit of complicating matters. Laws usually apply to an entire country or territory, but often there can be a number of languages and dialects spoken within it, each with their own unique idioms and terminology. Understanding these variations is highly important. If you are in any doubt then a good legal translation company will employ specialists with knowledge of the relevant language and branch of law.

Working with the best

There are a lot of people who offer legal translation services, but it is important to be completely sure that whoever you choose will provide an accurate translation. There is no room for error in legal translation. Before you make your final decision you should thoroughly research the market. The ideal candidate should have experience in the legal translation field and a good knowledge of the law in relevant countries. They should also be translating into their native language.

Defining a glossary

Defining a glossary of terms is an important part of any translation process, but never more so than when dealing with legal translation. The law is full of important words and phrases which carry a highly specific legal meaning. Ensuring that these are translated correctly is highly important. Agreeing a list of terms before the translation process begins reduces the scope for error, ensuring that the exact meaning of a term is perfectly clear.

Choosing a formatting style

When you pass on all the information about the project to your translation partner, remember to let them know your preferred formatting style. Legal documents are generally set out as either a bilingual document, where both the original and translated languages are presented side by side, or as a monolingual document, translated in its entirety into another language but keeping specifications such as the font and format of the original.

Learning about the law

The majority of countries in the world now have their own judicial systems, and each one will come with its own particular laws and language. A clear understanding of the relevant legal system is an absolute must for successful legal translation, and although your translator should handle this, it never hurts to have some local knowledge yourself.

Being secure

Your legal document is probably subject to strict privacy guidelines. Try to understand how your documents need to be handled. Security is highly important when it comes to legal material, and agreeing with your translation provider how content will be stored and transferred before the process begins can really help to minimise risk.

Keeping in touch

Try and be fairly hands on with the translation project. At the start of the process, gather together as much reference material as you can find to send to the translator. Keep in touch with them throughout the project. Doing so helps to guarantee everything is running smoothly and any issues are ironed out quickly. A good translation company should send you a translated sample early on in the project. If they don’t, ask to see a sample, then provide them with feedback regarding the style and terminology.

Making sure it stands up in court

Once the translation is completed, double check the document before signing it off. Some legal translations will need to be validated by the translator in order to be accepted in court. Whilst a watermark is usually used, a signed statement from the translator will also suffice. Ensure the document is proof read, if necessary through the use of back translation. This is the process of translating the document, back in to the original language, to ensure that the translation is 100% accurate. Good translation companies should include this as part of their service.

Keeping up to date with changes

New amendments to existing laws are continuously being issued. Even the smallest changes can have an impact on large groups of people, and each change in the law may require you to amend your translated legal documents. Keeping abreast of the latest updates allows you keep your documents up to date. A good relationship with a legal translation company can really help in this respect. They should be using memory software which allows quick access to translated documents which can then be amended as necessary, producing time and cost savings.

Translation is not just the activity of translating word by word from the source language to another language. This cannot guarantee quality translation as one language cannot express the actual meaning of the other if the transalation concentrated on words only.

In fact there are differences between the meanings built in and the meanings that must be captured and expressed. A translator might face a lot of difficulties while translating from one language to another. This is why a translator working with a Translator Toronto or New York based company needs to think differently by directing their attention to different aspects of the environment.

Translation is not simply replacing words with similar meaning but of finding appropriate ways of saying things in another language. For accurate translation from the source language to the target language importance must be given to the culture of the target language. It is the cultural aspect only that can help in communicating the message in the way it should be. Plus, it also helps in avoiding misunderstandings.

Before beginning the translation work, it is essential for the translator to do some research on the lexical content and syntax of the target language along with the ideologies, value systems and ways of life in a given culture. This will help the translators to have an idea about the audience in both languages and different elements of the target language. For example there is a lot of difference in the way French is spoken in European countries and in Canadian states and the same goes with English too and any translator in Toronto or Montreal or in some European city will have to take the differences into account.

Key cultural elements to consider while translating:

1) Customs and tradition are part of a culture and for translating a translator must be aware of these aspects. Be it a marriage or a funeral, a festival or some vows, any translator can get into problems if he/she translates without comprehending or understanding the significance behind the occasion. For example, in a Christian marriage, the exchange of kisses is part of the ceremony while the same would be totally inappropriate. Even expressing feelings in public is outrageous here.

2) It is important to verify the connotation of the product name in a foreign language, as there might be different meanings of the same word in different languages. This is even more important when the translation is done for a global marketing campaign.

3) Anything humorous must be treated carefully as the target audience might not appreciate the way it has been written or even understand it. Thus, translation and linguistic expression must be viewed within the wider societal and cultural environment.

4) Keeping in mind the target audience, the grammar, punctuation and vocabulary should be used as it impacts the style of the language.

5) Also consider other cultural factors too such as pictures, symbols and colors as the same picture might have negative connotation in some other country. For example the color white is associated with mourning in Japan but in most of the European countries it is the black color that represents mourning. In the same way even pictures can have a cultural or political implications and can sometimes cause a problem with the target audience.

Thus, for a good translator working with a Translator Toronto or New York based company it is important for him to a thorough understanding of the culture of the source language as well as that of the target language apart from their hold in linguistic. When looking for translation service in Spanish Translation or say German Translation make sure that the company gives due importance to the cultural aspects of both the source and the target language.

What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages? Trilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages? Bilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 1 language? French

French is the national language of France. The hackneyed world view was that the people of France so highly regarded their language (and themselves) that they refused to speak in anything else! This may or may not have been true, but it is certainly not the reality today with France being an integral part of the multilingual European Union.

The marriage of convenience

France is the ninth-largest economy in the world and ranks fourth in the Fortune Global 500 ahead of Germany AND the UK.

France is the largest country in the European Union and its second largest economy on the strength of purchasing power. It is at the heart of the EU excellently connected by its communications network. France is in easy reach of UK’s industrial centres as well as the vast industrial belts along Germany’s border. This enviously situated country is also a part of the Mediterranean arc running to Italy.

The French coastline is not just known for its rich and famous revellers: it provides access by sea to Northern Europe, Africa, and America.

The fascination with France

The world has always been fascinated with all things French which are regarded as the height of elegance and sophistication. French fashion, cuisine, and art have always been trendsetters.

This is not just a one-way street with the world being interested. French leaders are increasingly aware that the future of France is tied not just to the development of the EU but of trade and cultural relations with the rest of the world.

Venturing into France

The Economist notes that there has been a marked shift in the French start-up scene in particular and the economic scene in general. This is a country that is looking towards ‘fresh growth’ with a ‘new vibe’ and a more global attitude. This has resulted in new ventures and the capital for it is beginning to flow with increasing speeds and volumes. Last year France raised capital of 2.7 billion Euros.

Earlier investments in infrastructure for industries and start-ups are also delivering huge pay-offs. Existing big businesses had also invested in training facilities and incubator firms in previous years; these are now producing French entrepreneurs who look at the business scene with vista vision goggles. They dream big and multinational.

French is not just the language of France

French is spoken in 29 countries as an official language: la francophonie, the sorority of French-speaking countries. Parts of Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland, Monaco and the erstwhile French playgrounds of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East all belong to this French speaking club.

So when we speak of the desirability or the need to learn or operate in French, we must consider this extended populace too, not just the more than 65 million of France.

English to French translation

Want to do business with the French? Of course!

Then one has to understand that the French way of doing business is very closely connected to French culture and French culture starts with respect for the French language.

Noting the need for translations into French, research conducted by Cardiff University pointed out that English could be used ONLY for initial feelers and forays into the highly desirable French market. Entrenching businesses and related activities need French of the highest quality. Point to be noted: the French-speaking market includes all those countries where the language is spoken, officially or otherwise, like Africa and the Middle East.

It’s a small world

Cultural exchanges go hand in hand with economic ties. France has always been famous for its highly cultured society. French interest in literature, drama, theatre and the arts is no surprise to anybody.

Maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries is the reality of today’s way of life when finding common grounds is preferred to confrontation.

It is not just business and common economic interests that drive the need for translation. French interest in ‘elevating’ life and in being an integral part of, not just the EU, but also the world community also requires translation services. Since English is considered the lingua franca, and so much of the scientific, cultural and literary is in the language, English to French translation becomes necessary.

Perfection needed

La perfection is the paramount need for English to French translation. The script and the spelling are the same, but phonetically there is a world of difference.

French is a melodious language with sounds gently flowing into each other. The main reason for this is that consonants at the ends of words do not check this flow as they are rarely pronounced. This can make it difficult to match sound with text. Only an expert translator with a grip on the language can do it.

Unlike in English, every French word has a gender. Ah, French verbs! They are the dominion of the Francophone alone; not easy to master unless you speak French like, well, the French!

English to French translation services

Automated translation tools cannot do justice to this most beautiful and euphonious of languages. Such translations can only produce word-for-word texts but fail when language needs to be idiomatic and descriptive. Poor translations mean poor business reputations.

With the increasing need for top class English to French translation, it is advisable to use the services of a top class translation service who will deliver the goods discreetly and honour commitments of time.

As the 29 Francophone countries see a boom in popularity and population as well as commonality in coming times, French as a language will gain more prominence. Translation into French naturally follows.

Safe to say English to French translation has come of age and only the best translators and translation agencies need to be considered.

So far you may have covered a major ground with your communication translation goals. You may have picked out what communication formats are ripe for translation, must have sorted out their priorities, have figured out target audience areas and have even scoped out good translators.

Most of the time, it seems and feels enough that the document or communication task you wanted to be translated has been done in time, without any cost overruns and as per the project planned. However, most countries have a trend and tendency to put thrust on certification of these translations also.

This is not to be confused with certification of translators, which by the way, is also a good hallmark of professional translation services since it bestows validity for the skills, professional stature and competencies of a given translator.

Translation-related certification, on the other hand, is all about giving an assurance that the given task has aligned well with the accuracy aspect of both sides of the language. It also trickles down to a conclusive indicator about the message staying intact in the outcome translation. The certification usually covers the following areas:

· The source document in the original language

· The translated document in the target language

· An affidavit by the translation company representative that they believe that the translated document wholly and fully represents the original source document. It bears the signature of the Notary.

Some of the documents that frequently require certified translation, include:

· Birth certificates

· School certificates

· College certificates

· Legal documents

· Financial contracts and agreements

· Filings with Tax authorities etc.

Most of the personal documents need certified translation. Some companies who are transacting across different countries, need to file certain types of pre-specified documents in that country’s language.

This is done through various means – like a signature or a notarization or someone attesting from the company’s or the translator’s behalf. The idea is to convey precision and completeness of the translation task. That does not necessarily imply that the company or translator involved would have to be certified too. But any rules or protocols to be followed by the given region’s or industry’s primary translation body or regulator would be adequate guidelines to follow.

Certified translations are usually requested by colleges, Universities and Government agencies like Tax authorities, Financial Regulators etc.

One may wonder about the purpose of this seemingly bureaucratic element in the translation process, but many times this has come in handy when the question around negligence in translation or misinterpretation or accountability of a wrong translation has surfaced in some cases. This becomes an intensive point when one is dealing with official documents. Or imagine the case of a legal set of translation work where any oversight or recklessness or wrong interpretation of key issues or even insufficient capabilities to undertake the translation properly can exponentially rise into huge problems.

The certification area allows for some sense of quality and accuracy to come in on its own and it also allows for identification of translators involved, should a mishap occur regarding the documents in the course of any legal procedure ahead.

Certification is not mandatory but it helps many times and distinguishes strong process-oriented translation providers from also-rans.

According to statistics, around 20% of the US citizens speak a language other than English. And this is more than 60 million citizens. And it’s important for businessmen to reach as many potential buyers or service seekers as possible. And one easy way of reaching people is launching a website.

And if you have a video of your products or services, make sure you have subtitles for each video. If your content is in English, you should translate your video and provide subtitles in another language. Let’s find out why you should use the services of a professional for this purpose. Read on to know more.

What Are Subtitles?

Basically, subtitles refer to the translation of what the speaker says in the video. Typically, they appear at the bottom of the video, and help viewers understand the speaker. They can be in different languages. Usually, they are offered in multiple languages.

For instance, if you take a look at YouTube videos, many of them have subtitles at the bottom. And they help a lot.

There is a difference between Subtitles and Captions

Now, you may be thinking how you can have subtitles for your videos. An easy way out is to create subtitles yourself. If you know the target language and have plenty of spare time, you can translate the video to offer subtitles.

Alternatively, you can use the captions file. You can produce one using a machine translation tool or a computer. If you want to create accurate subtitles, these tools may not be a good choice. Since the English language has tons of sarcastic sayings and idioms, computer tools can’t offer accurate translations. So, from the accuracy point of view, it’s not a good idea to rely on artificial intelligence for this purpose.

Professional Services

Another way is to use the services of a bilingual friend. Your friend may have good grip on his second language, but he may not be able to compete with a professional translator. Therefore, he may end up creating a mess. For instance, he may not be able to differentiate between American English and British English. Some differences are subtle, while others stand out.

As far as professional translators are concerned, they can interpret dialogues and know how to translate well. Producing accurate subtitles is an art that not everyone has. Only trained professionals should be hired if you want to avoid glaring errors in your subtitles.

Although they will cost you, it’s worth the price you will pay for the service. After all, you don’t want to end up sending wrong messages to your viewers.

The Takeaway

So, if you are really serious about producing high quality subtitles, we suggest that you hire the services of a professional translator. Your videos must have accurate subtitles in all the languages they are offered in. We can’t deny the importance of accurate subtitles as far as allowing more and more people to get access to your videos and understand them. Therefore, you should hire a pro for this purpose.