There are different companies that have set up shop so as to provide professional language translation services. Such companies are in a position to translate all sorts of languages with the greatest accuracy and precision.

Some of the services that professional language translation services offer to their clients include:

Proofreading: such companies have got experts who formulate a team, with a determination to offer the greatest standards in translation.

Localization: practices and cultures differ to a great extent all over the world so it is necessary to localize and meet the demand in different areas.

Transcription: usually this is another service that is offered by the professional language translation services. They can deal with video and audio files, converting them to text documents or any other format that the client may desire.

Interpretation: at times, professional interpreters can also be assigned so as to work with on-site and remote projects with some expertise in the area.

There are some things to consider and they include:

Linguistics

For professional language translation services to work well, there is need to have a network of linguists in place. There is also a need to have native translators from all over the world that can deal with different projects that may come up. When a native translator submits a project, it needs to be proof-read by other linguists so as to guarantee that the project is accurate before it can be delivered. When you are choosing a company, make sure that they have an entire team supporting them so as to know that they can indeed handle the project you have.

Price

You should also compare the prices that are offered by different companies. It is important to have a company who is really good at what they do as well as one that has very reasonable rates.

Reviews

Reviews are always a great way of telling whether a company is serious or not ambiguous, inaccurate and confusing content can only be received from people who aren’t qualified to be in the field. The translators should be able to adhere to the source text and not try to clean up any text they feel is questionable. They should not insert any kinds of corrections they think are necessary. If you are worried about ending up with such a translator, then you need to carry out an intensive review that will help you determine whether the company is up to the standards that you want to be maintained. You may get some valuable information from friends or relatives and they could very well recommend a company that they may have worked with in the past.

Colloquialisms

Colloquialism should be avoided completely. The best material should come into language that is neutral. Slang should be avoided as it may not be too easy to translate. It is important to communicate with the company that you select so as to understand how to go about creating a glossary with terms especially if you are in a technical field.

Any business participating in international transactions or possessing a client base of non-English speaking people could benefit from the use of professional translation services. If you’re currently managing your translation needs internally, the efficiency of your business transactions could be suffering. If employing a professional translator or translation agency seems like a big step, you should understand the benefits of having this service available to you and your business.

Quality of Work: While employing bilingual staff members to aid in the translation needs of your company may get the job done, the accuracy of the translations may be suffering. Simply understanding both necessary languages does not qualify someone to translate any amount of given material in the most efficient and accurate fashion. Translation agencies specialize in accurate translation because any translated material is revised a number of times by several professionals. This reduces the risk of misunderstanding or misrepresentation of information.

Specialization: If your translation needs consist of technical terms, professional translation teams offer specialists in many fields that aid in the translation process. A bilingual staff member would most likely struggle with heavily technical driven language. Professional translators will consult with IT experts, doctors, lawyers, and any other expert necessary to ensure the accuracy and quality of the translation.

Keeping Pace: Small companies who manage their translation internally often find it very difficult to keep up with demand as their business grows. This can cause missed deadlines and mistakes. Depending on the nature of the business, a mistake could be a really big deal. A translation company will scale with your business needs. These companies employ a large amount of linguists that are on hand for any demand increase that may arise. This ensures that their service is personalized to your needs and is flexible to any changes that may occur.

Consistency: Probably one of the most important benefits to employing professional translators is the consistency of their work. One sure way to lose business is to offer inconstant communication. If a customer has to relearn terminology in order to understand a process or a product, depending on who is translating, they will be more inclined to go somewhere else. In the business world, people leave jobs and positions all the time. If you lose two internal translators and gain two newer people, what are the chances that they will translate information in the exact same way as the old staff members? This can cause confusion, and loss of customers. A professional translator or translation team will be with you the whole way, ensuring a consistency of term usage and communication.

In the world of international business, communication is key. Whether you’re dealing with a Chinese auto parts firm or a Hispanic woman from down the street, you want your customers to understand your product information and policies. This is something that no business should skimp on. Communication is one of the most important aspects of business, and the only way to ensure your translations are 100 percent accurate and efficient is to hire a professional.

It can be hard to look for a good translator, especially if you have no idea how to judge their grip on the language you want to translate your content in. After all, if you knew that language, why would you pay for someone for translation services?

Regardless of the reason you want to look for one, you can follow the tips given below to find a good professional. Read on.

Shortlist the Candidates

First of all, you need to decide whether you need a translating company or a freelance translator. Generally, it depends on the type of work you need a professional for. For events, it’s better to go with a company. On the other hand, if you have a few legal documents to translate, we suggest that you choose a native speaker of the target language.

Screen the Translators

Once you have put together a short list of potential candidates, your next move is to screen them based on their fluency, experience, and qualifications. For instance, you can ask them to take a translation test. This will give you a pretty good idea of their skills.

Besides, you can get in touch with the chamber of commerce, hotels, and bureaus, for instance, for references. Based on your list, you can go to their websites for translators. Make sure you ask for references as well.

Certification

If you have decided to go with a company, make sure you check their ISO certification and Language Service Provider (LSP). The translation company needs to follow strict procedures for excellent results. So, we recommend that you go with a company that is certified.

Experience

Whether you are going to hire a freelance translator or company, the experience of the employees is of paramount importance, especially in the relevant field. Aside from this, make sure the translator is experienced and skillful. Their success rate should also be high. You can consider a lot of aspects to make sure your choice is right.

The test will help you determine how quickly they reply and how accurate their replies are. Keep in mind that this is really important if you are going to hire the services of a great translator for translating your legal documents. You can’t afford to make mistakes in legal documents.

Discuss their Fees

Once you have found the right person, make sure you negotiate the fees. Remember: translation is specialized work. So, be ready to pay more if you want to enjoy high-quality translation services. The fee of the professional depends on a lot of factors, such as the type of translation and the translator’s skills.

What you need to do is develop a positive business relationship with the pro as you are going to work with them for several months or years. You are going to hire another person since your grip on the target language is not strong enough. So, it’s important that you communicate with the translator openly, which will ensure the job is done well.

Hope these tips will help you hire the right translator.

When you’re dating someone everything is uncertain. You’re dancing with one another on a floor of insecurity. Girls normally spend the entire time over-analyzing and driving themselves crazy waiting for conversation where the “C-word” finally comes up. (It’s commitment in case there’s any confusion.) Find out what he’s really saying.

Man Speak: Inside the mind of the man you’re dating. What is he really saying?

He Says: I tried to call you but couldn’t get through.

Man Speak: I didn’t call. I’m not feeling this.

What does this mean for you?: Move on.

He Says: I think we’re better friends.

Man Speak: The sex isn’t that good and I don’t want to do it again.

What does this mean for you?: Move on.

He Says: My parents are having a party. Wanna come?

Man Speak: I really like you. This is getting serious.

What does this mean for you?: Keep riding that train. Just don’t piss off the parents.

He Says: I never got your voicemail (or email).

Man Speak: I got it. I’m just not feeling this.

What does this mean for you?: Move on.

He Says: We’re Dating.

Man Speak: We’re having sex and I’m not ready to commit.

What does this mean for you?: It depends on where you are in the relationship. If it’s early; that’s normal. If it’s been over three months, it’s probably not going to happen.

He Says: Are you still friends with your ex?

Man Speak: Do I need to worry about you dumping me for him?

What does this mean for you?: Looks like this one is on the commitment track. If he does need to worry about your ex, you’re an idiot. Exes are ex for a reason. Keep him there and start something new with this guy.

He Says: I’m busy that night.

Man Speak: I’m going out with another girl.

What does this mean for you?: If he’s not up front about where’s he’s going it’s probably because he doesn’t want you to know.

He Says: It’s not you, it’s me.

Man Speak: It’s you.

What does this mean for you?: This is an easy way to dump you without telling you why.

He Says: I’m totally OK with you having male friends.

Man Speak: I’m not even remotely OK with you having male friends but it’s too early in the relationship to tell you so.

What does this mean for you?: Keep your friends. You’ll have plenty of time to fight about it when you’re in a committed relationship. (Which is where it’s going btw)

He Says: Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth for a while, I’ve been really busy with work.

Man Speak: I got back together with my ex but it just ended and I want to have sex.

What does this mean for you?: This dude is never going to be that into you. He’s just looking for someone to use to get over his ex.

He Says: I might have plans this weekend, let me get back to you.

Man Speak: I’m waiting to see if something better comes along first.

What does this mean for you?: This dude’s just biding his time with you until something better comes along.

He Says: My marriage is basically over.

Man Speak: You do realize, you and I are having an affair. Right?

What does this mean for you?: He’s not going to leave his wife for you. If you’re down with being his mistress, go to town. Otherwise, bail.

He Says: I really like you.

Man Speak: I think I love you but I’m not ready to say it yet.

What does this mean for you?: Good job.

He Says:Any of the following things:

I’m focusing on my career.

I’m not looking for a relationship right now.

I just got out of a bad relationship.

I like being single.

I have too much on my plate at the moment.

I’m interested in someone else.

We make better friends.

I’m dating someone.

You’re going to make some guy really happy one day.

I’m focusing on me right now.

I’m not good enough for you.

I have a lot of stuff to work through before I can get into a relationship.

I’m really busy right now.

Maybe after I finish with xyz project.

I’d make a terrible boyfriend.

Man Speak: I’m just not that into you.

What does this mean for you?: Move on.

Hope this translation helps you figure out what’s going on in your current scenario.

In creating and maintaining a company or business of any nature, one of the first steps is to acquire a staff that will portray your company and product in the best possible light. This is particularly important in all legal aspects of the business world. Whether your company is a law firm or simply has to go through the everyday legal hoops that come with running a business.

While you strive to put the best foot forward on an internal basis, it is equally important to do so with a business partner. Many businesses partner with a professional translation service to perform legal translations. While it is important to find a translation service that provides a quality product overall, legal translation is one of the most important aspects of translation services.

Any language translation should be done on a professional basis but the ability for translation services to produce a quality legal translation can be a matter of keeping your business out of a lawsuit for lack of proper translation. Using the wrong grammar or even misinterpreting a cultural norm could not only reflect poorly on your business but could also cost a great deal of money and result in anything from fines to the closure of your business, depending on the severity of the inaccuracy.

You count on the people you hire within your company to create and maintain a quality business, you should be able to instill the same trust in the company you partner with to translate your vital legal documents.

The process of translating an original legal document into a different language that is still recognized and approved as a legal document after translation is known as sworn translation. The advantage of sworn translation is that the translated document has the same legal effectiveness or validity as the original document. The documents that are created by sworn translators are presented in the prescribed format which is acceptable by the country concerned. Sworn translation is used mainly to translate formal, legal letters and documents. These documents are:

• Letters of Mandates/Attorneys
• Court Decisions
• Diplomas
• Certificates
• Registration Certificates of Companies
• Statements
• Permits/Licenses

Translation of this type is specially used for documents that need to be presented in front of the Court or any public institution.

The basic difference between a certified translation and sworn translation is that in a sworn translation, the translated document is sealed and signed by authorized sworn translator and it is as effective and valid as an official document. The translated documents in sworn translation can only be supplied on paper and it should bear the official seal and signature of the translator. However, the original document can be sent by e-mail or fax.

Due to the recent boom in the translation service industry, the presence of sworn translator is the need of the hour. Especially in cases where statements are drafted in foreign languages, the presence of sworn translators becomes extremely important. In most countries, sworn translators are people who are appointed by specific government departments and they are authorized to translate from one foreign language to another. In many countries, sworn translators are used to translate court documents but they are also authorized to do private translations.

The subject field of law is culture-dependent; any international level court proceedings with in-appropriate or inaccurate translation can be disastrous. Often lawyers have to deal with international law which includes legal documents having variety of language sources. So, people need to understand the importance and necessity of translation services. The demand for corporate document translation is increasing due to the growth of international trade. Everyday people have to deal with numerous documents but it is sworn translation that is mostly asked for.

Double translation is a method explained by Roger Ascham, a renaissance humanist who was tutor to Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) herself an accomplished linguist, in his treatise “The Scholemaster” (1570). He derives the method from Cicero and recommends it as one which will rapidly lead to “a true choice and placing of words, a right ordering of sentences, an easy understanding of the tongue, a readiness to speak, a faculty to write, a true judgement, both of his own and other men’s doings, what tongue so ever he does use.”

This is quite a dramatic promise to any language learner and I have found that this method does deliver amazing results if it is practiced consistently and diligently.

The method assumes that you have a competent teacher, but it can also be used for self-study with a little adjustment.

1. The teacher explains the passage to be translated, giving its background, purpose, drawing attention to peculiarities of style and carefully explaining any new vocabulary or grammatical structures;
2. The student then translates it to the best of his ability into English and hands it in for the teacher to correct – this could be done in class to lighten the load on busy teachers;
3. The following day, the student takes his corrected English translation and turns it back into the original language and then compares that with the original from which he started.

If used regularly this method will make students attentive to details of structure and phrase and they will develop an excellent style. It can also be used to translate between languages you know or are studying so that the student develops a keen ear for the individual cadences of each language and starts to think in them rather than mentally translating from everything to English first.

It is useful for language learners of all levels since you can select material for translation from anything although you want to make sure that it has a good style.

As the world gets smaller, people find ways to use materials from other countries. However, this requires some sort of translation in order to work well. Audio translation has a number of inherent problems that need to be dealt with on every track.

Unlike a normal translation, the audio version has a number of limitations based on the format of the original material. The biggest limitation is that the translated track must match the original in length. This can be a problem as some languages simply use more words to describe the same concept; for example, French uses about 25% more words to describe the same thing as an English version. This can make for some interesting issues when converting from one language to another and the length must be the same.

Complicating the issue is when the audio must be synchronized with a video track. An obvious issue is when the audio must match what is seen on the screen, but that is usually the simplest issue. A more interesting issue is when there are cues in the video that must match the audio, such as when the number “3” shows up on an instruction video. The same number must appear in the same place in audio translation as well, meaning that the translator must have the same length before and after the number.

If there are 10 seconds of audio before the number and 5 seconds after it, the translation must match that timing; this can make for some interesting timing issues when the two languages have different structures, such as the loose structure of English versus the rather strict one of French.

Another way to deal with the timing issue is to adjust the speed of the track, making some languages sound sped up a little, and other languages sound a little slower. Although there are more precise ways to do it, sometimes it is necessary to resort to some basic tricks in order to get the job done. However, there is rarely a translation issue too tough for technicians to deal with with some trick from their bag. Usually it is just a matter of looking for a slightly different translation, but given the potential issues that a wrong translation can cause, sometimes it is just better to go with a technical trick.

There are other applications for an audio translation, as some translation jobs require that a transcript be made for the client. As a transcript is made as part of the translation process, this is usually not a problem. This just allows for a number of different ways for one group to communicate with another group in a different country, making for a smaller, more intimate world.

Often in life something happens which never happened before. It might belong to our personal life, or professional career.

As a translator, I have to use different software which assists me in completing my translation projects. Software are not used to translate the documents (in my opinion software translation is rubbish), instead translators use them to maintain consistency and accuracy throughout translated document. Such software are known as CAT (computer assisted translation) tools. CAT tools help us to maintain translation memories and use previously translated sentences/phrases/words in very similar manner. They also saves lot of time as previously translated sentence need not to be translated again.

Most common CAT tools are déjà vu, word fast and Trados. I am fan of Trados, and recently I installed Trados studio 2009 (previously I was using 2007). One of my clients provided me html file and asked me to translate this file and return it in bilingual ttx file. It was not a problem and I am used to create bilingual ttx files.

I launched my Trados Studio 2009 (for the first time), translated the file and then tried to save into bilingual ttx… “Oh no, where the option of saving file as TTX format vanished??” It was the very first question which came into my mind. I tried several times, but of no use. I simply saved file into sdlxliff format (parent format of Trados 2009).

With extensive web research I was able to solve the problem. Following is the technique which I used to solve this out:

1. Open your source file html/doc etc file with Tag Editor 2007 (which you are going to translate)

2. Save file into TTX format simply by Tag Editor 2007.

3. Now, launch your Trados Studio 2009. Start new project and open TTX file using “Open document” icon.

4. Translate file, go to File>save target as>ttx file

Congratulations! You are done. This file (which you saved just few moments ago) is bilingual ttx file. Actually Trados 2009 don’t have any built-in option of saving file as bilingual TTX. TTX format is commonly adopted by Trados 2007. However; Trados 2009 can open all 2007 formats and is capable to save them in the same format in which it is originated. That’s why you are able to open TTX file in 2009 and save it as TTX.

Has it ever struck you that Ugandan banks could be alienating potential customers by not considering financial translation services and having their transactions done in the English language? Every Ugandan bank you go to has its receipts written in English. In fact even most of the tellers and other staff in these banks speak only the official national language – English.

It’s ironic that banks that are at the forefront of preaching the gospel of developing a savings culture are the ones doing all their official business in the English language yet they know that most Ugandans are not well-educated and even some of those who have attained formal education up to university level are still not fluent with the Queen’s language and prefer communicating in the local languages.

This situation in Uganda’s financial sector justifies the urgent need for financial translation services. In the capital city, Kampala, the local newspaper Bukkedde sells more copies everyday than Daily Monitor and New Vision. Even in western Uganda, Orumuri newspaper which is written in Runyankole-Rukiga sells like hotcakes because people generally prefer reading something written in their mother tongues.

This also explains why the glut of radio and television stations that saturate our country since the liberalisation of media in early 1990s are popular for broadcasting in local languages. Radio stations like Sanyu Fm, Radio One, and Capital Fm (to mention only three) which broadcast exclusively in the English language are only popular among the urban elite who are the minority compared to stations like CBS in Buganda or Radio West in Mbarara who have more listeners but broadcast in the local languages.

Need for a paradigm shift

It goes without saying that we need a paradigm shift in Uganda’s financial sector as far as communications is concerned. Those who cannot speak English language fluently don’t deserve to miss out on messages of financial and economic empowerment. Thus the time is now for banks and other financial businesses to hire financial language translators to always translate their documents into local languages for accessibility of those not articulate in the English language. Other translation services offered in various languages include;

Oromo translation services

Kinyarwanda translation services

Malagasy translation services

Somali translation services

Kirundi translation services

Chewa translation services

Tigrinya translation services among many others.

The other day a lady from one of the big insurance companies in Kampala came to persuade me to sign up for one of their educational insurance packages. She was Ugandan with a Ugandan name but she was speaking fast like a rapper and in a foreign accent that made it hard for me to grasp what she was saying. I asked her to speak in Luganda but she said she was not fluent in it though she was born and raised in Buganda. In the end I never signed up for the package she was selling because I just could not keep up with her foreign accent and fast speech.

This is another example of how the language barrier is costing business owners and financial corporations many potential customers. The proletariat who are the majority would rather keep their money in piggy banks or stash it under their mattresses than save it with banks because the banks and other companies are not speaking the language these ordinary folks understand. If they did, many banks would be booming because many people would be saving with them and we would have a robust economy. As a common saying goes, a word for the wise is enough!