Translating Writing Systems
A translator must not know only the language, but must be able to read it, as well. For some languages, this requires knowledge of not one, but two (or sometimes three!) writing systems. To English speakers, this sounds strange, but for several languages, political leaders have changed the way a language is written – some […]
Lands of Many Languages
Knowing a speaker’s country will not always reveal what language it is they speak. India offers a good example. Hindi, its most spoken language and one of its two official languages (along with English), is but one of several languages in the country, some of which have millions of speakers. Related to Hindi are Bengali, […]
Why not to use employees as translators or interpreters
Keeping costs low is important to ensure any organizations viability, be it a business or a nonprofit. Organizations therefore look to cut costs whenever possible, removing any extra “frills” deemed unnecessary. Language services, especially interpretation for non-English speakers, is often viewed as such a “frill,” and the organization will recruit bilingual employees to double as […]
Nuances In Translating Degrees and Certifications
One common difficulty posed in translating résumés and business documents is exactly how to translate degrees and certifications. It is not as clean as a simple word-to-word translation. Instead, it involves detailed knowledge of the educational structure of the country in which the degree is awarded. For example, the degree called in Spain and […]
Certified vs. Notarized Translations: What’s the Difference?
Customers frequently request a “notarized translation” when they really mean a “certified translation” and vice versa. What is the difference and why does it matter? “Notarized” simply means that a notary licensed by the state attests that the signature on the document is authentic – that it is actually the signature of the person […]
Unida Language Class?
Anyone who reminisces about the required Spanish, French, or German classes from high school remembers the verb-conjugation exercises, the vocabulary lists, and the stilted conversation exercises. They are likely not remembered fondly, and those who took them likely forgot most of the language they were meant to learn. But public-school language classes are not […]
Federally-Mandated Translations for Hospitals
The vast majority of hospitals are administered by organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Obtaining and maintaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, however, is not a simple or easy task. The federal government does not willingly surrender its tax collections, and therefore imposes strict requirements on organizations seeking 501(c)(3) […]
Chinese Characters
When Western academics about a hundred years ago suggested a Western-style alphabet for the Chinese language, Chinese academics retorted that Western language should adopt Chinese characters. This was more than simply a formal way to say “in your face.” Chinese characters have a versatility that alphabetic scripts lack. In nearly every writing system except Chinese, […]
The Many Sides of Arabic
“Translate this into Arabic,” might be a customer’s request, but it is not as easy as it sounds. The name “Arabic” gives a deceptive impression that it is a single language, but in reality it is best thought of as a family of languages. The official Arabic used internationally – the language of literature, academia, […]