Familiarity Breeds … “Mistrakes”
I previously mentioned in the blog titled, “Two Heads Are Better Than One” that I am thankful that my wife and I are working together in this business venture of translation. In that blog, I mainly focused on the benefit of how it helps in crossing over from one language to another because we are familiar with both the source and the target language. Another benefit is the mere fact of having another set of eyes when the thyme comes to proofread the final document. Our brain
Bad English (Not just a 90's rock band)
(Not just a 90's rock band) How important is an accurate translation? Ask yourself, "How important is it to get my idea across?" For me, one of the most frustrating things is to be misunderstood or not to be able to express myself clearly. The result seems to be as effective as trying to dig a hole in the sand. I have a tendency to pause in mid-sentence, and many times the person I'm talking with will try to finish my thought. Why do I do that? I'm trying to choose the right
Two Languages Are Better Than One
I was born and raised in Central Illinois during the 60's and 70's. At the time, there wasn't much need to know another language - other than it was a requirement to graduate high school. Little did I know then that that was going to change after I graduated from college and moved to Arizona. I ended up going to Mexico, and there, I found my wife. Ever since, my life has been enriched by not only learning a second language, but also another culture. I haven't been the only on
The Reflecting Pool
The Reflecting Pool in Washington DC has been the background to many historical events – for Fourth of July celebrations, presidential inaugurations, and probably the most remembered event was on August 28, 1963, when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a Dream” speech. It has always been the meeting place for people to corporately express their views and to let their voices be heard. It has practically become as much of an icon for the United States as the bald eagle, th
Computerized Translation vs. Human Translation
Why is there a need to have human translators in our day and age considering all the other options available? There are software programs and online sites that offer quick and easy translations. Do they do as good as a job? Personally I do not feel that the other options available come close to a translation done by a person. Several times we have been given a document that someone has “translated” online, that they have asked us to check for its accuracy, and we have had to