Archive for October 2013

Monday 28 October 2013
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The curse of Google Translate

Google Translate and many other online translators are easily accessible for people today who are looking for a quick, free and simple conversion of text from one language to another.  An extremely valuable tool for those looking to quickly understand something they heard or read in an unfamiliar language, these translators offer easy, makeshift translations.  If nothing else, such software serves to at least generally point people in the right direction in interpreting select text in a foreign language.  However, it is extremely important that users of Google Translate and similar applications use them with caution.  The curse of Google Translate is that software fails to be able to identify all of the small and extremely important details of language and translation that a human translator recognizes.

Computer translators lack the skills and background knowledge of human translators in understanding the complexity and detail that exists in written and spoken language.  Computer translators do not have the ability to read between the lines in language, often leaving out implicit details that were present in the text’s original language.  Furthermore, while software is becoming more advanced, Google Translate often provides direct translations in the exact same sentence structure that the original text came in which causes significant inaccuracies.  For example, this would be particularly problematic if one language has fluid sentence structure and one follows rigid SVO (subject – verb – object) sentence structure guidelines.  Google Translate also cannot identify regional language differences, causing problems in situations like when one word can have multiple meanings in the same language depending on the geographical location in which the word is used.  Also, Google Translate does not understand the small nuances such as the differences between patterns in written and verbal language.  As human beings, the way in which we write and verbally speak is different and can further vary based on the level of formality in the situation where the language is being used.  Google Translate has no way to identify if it is helping you translate an instant message to a friend or a cover letter for a job application and may choose language that is not consistent with the tone or level of formality you are seeking.  In contrast, human translators have extensive background in the languages in which they translate, understanding things like multiple meanings of words, implied or inferred messages, correct sentence structure, formal and informal speech, and much more.


Language is immensely complex and extreme variation exists within every language in the world.  We speak with multiple accents, develop slang, change our vocabulary and way of speaking based on geographical location, are influenced by language transfer in areas where more than one language is spoken, use sarcasm and inferred messages in speech, and more.  As much as Google Translate does an adequate job of understanding the “by the book” elements of the languages it translates in, such software will never be able to properly address all of the small and pertinent details in language which, when ignored, can cause messages and their true meanings to get lost in translation.  So, Google Translate is a valuable tool for simple translations intended to give people a general idea of what something means or how to say it in another language.  However, be wary of the curse of Google Translate in that it is unable to accurately convert language and all of its fine details to another language.  Software overlooks the human intelligence that is such a huge part of language and its accurate interpretation.
Tuesday 22 October 2013
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Pitfalls to overcome when starting a translation business

Many newcomers to the translation business find it extremely difficult to find clients and frequently give up translation as a full time job owing to the frustration of working for agencies willing only to pay a pittance for their effort and skill.

Translators and potential translators are no different to others who believe self-employment to be a walk in the park and fail to develop the business skills essential and common to any business.

Being a good at what you do is the first and a key requirement. Having a good attitude is pretty much on a par with this. Having confidence in your knowledge and in dealing with clients and enquiries comes pretty close too, however, this can only come with experience and it is easy to become over-confident and promise too much. Failing a client once will result in a lot of one-off clients which greatly reduces the translator’s income potential. Satisfied customers means repeat customers the existence of which takes away the constant chore of having to find new ones.

Never be afraid to say “No”. When you offer your service to the public and people want to haggle, sometimes that’s OK and feasible for you to negotiate and work for a slightly lower rate. Only you can decide what works for you. But don’t forget that haggling and negotiation have their limits: you run your business, in whatever capacity, and you set your rate of pay, so stick to it rather than being a pushover. When was the last time you dictated the fee you are prepared to pay an accountant or lawyer?

 Getting word out there about your business is another key element to your success and many people are afraid to blow their own trumpets when it comes to this. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and reviews, and as many entrepreneurs will advise, don’t be afraid to ask for an order. Finding the style that works for you is again something only you can do and choosing the right written style shouldn’t be too difficult for decent translators who, in effect, are competent writers.

Many translators are put off by the low rates offered by agencies and by the lack of clients knocking down their door to place orders but reality is that with any business, it takes time. Give yourself a good two years to set up your business and gain initial clients and reputation. Nothing happens overnight although, potentially, this depends on your marketing budget.

Insufficient income over the first few years is another element that deters potentially talented translators from pursuing a translation career.  Not everyone has a supportive partner or the financial means to see them through until things pick up. Therefore, like so many other businesses, diversification is key, use your language skills to your advantage by promoting your editing and proofreading skills not just the fact that you are a translator. 

You can even try offering writing services since, after all, that is a big part of your role as a translator and it involves research which again is a skill required for translation. However, as with translation, never attempt to write an article on a subject on which you have little understanding: you want positive feedback and return clients, not the opposite.


Language Matters Worldwide Ltd is a UK based translation services company specialising in legal translation services including Sharia law and Islamic finance matters as well as business translation and document translation services for many industries.
Location: United Kingdom
Saturday 19 October 2013
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Learning English is easy! Is it?

As a British English speaker who has studied languages, worked in the language services sector and also spent time in different countries where English is not a national language, the author would estimate, from personal experiences, that US English, and its multiple uses of language and expression, is the most widely used form of English spoken by non-native English speakers in their native countries, certainly among those with no formal education in the language.

Firstly, US English seems to be the primary language of film and TV series in most European countries which are not always dubbed by native speakers although this frequently depends on the country. In Spain, for instance, dubbing is much more common for TV shows and films than it is in Portugal where most shows that are not aimed at children or not nationally made bear subtitles at the bottom of the screen.
This gives non-native English speakers the opportunity to hear the English language in use at least for those capable and with a desire to learn English that is. However, the use of US English in every day contact with British English speakers does not necessarily prepare the non-Anglophone for such encounters.

US English often uses expressions to describe an item or concept that are considered impolite by native British English speakers. For instance, the term “pissed” when used by the American refers to being in a state of annoyance or anger whereas to describe yourself as “pissed” to a British person means that you were drunk, i.e. intoxicated by alcohol. In British English the term is rather an impolite way to describe your alcohol induced merriment.

So is listening to television broadcasts helpful? Well, yes, of course it is. However, as many a student will confirm, there is nothing like feeling out of your depth when present in a country where the main language spoken is one you’ve studied but suddenly it is unintelligible gibberish when someone asks you a question in a regional dialect your textbook, fellow students or tutor did not warn you about.

Every country has its regional, district and even communal cultural and often linguistic distinctions and English spoken in the UK is clear evidence of this. So many non-native speakers are flummoxed by “English” speakers when the latter visit foreign parts for there is no single “English” accent and certainly no single “British” accent.

For a start, the main island of Great Britain consists of 3 nations: officially bi-lingual Wales where both the Welsh and English pronunciation varies from north to south and east to west, the written Welsh varying in spelling from north to south too. You have Scotland and its islands where pronunciation and dialect varies almost indiscriminately from one area to the next. Then you have England itself with its multiple dialects and pronunciations of English which are as varied as the pronunciation variations encountered in Wales and Scotland together.

This is why it is extremely difficult to become completely fluent in a language in an entirely national context. A native French speaker who has been UK based for 20+ years has been known to be speechless when faced with an expression considered commonplace by myself. However, this is not to “knock” non-native English speakers or to glorify British English to some exorbitant level for the same situations exist across the globe.

Hopefully this article has provided an overview of how watching English language films and other broadcasts does not qualify the non-Anglophone as a fluent English speaker although it does help. The author feels, however, that speakers of other languages often develop a certain over-confidence in their ability to communicate in English especially since communication is a two-way activity that requires patience and a willingness to continue to grow.

Has US English influenced your English communication skills? Or has a particular dialect limited your language learning or even assisted it? Air your views here.


Friday 11 October 2013
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Quick tip for language learners

How to expand your vocabulary quickly and easily. If you are a native speaker of English, Spanish, French, Italian or Portuguese, you will find many similarities in some areas of the language you've chosen to learn. Therefore, reading texts, whether articles, newspapers, magazines, books of whatever nature that interests you in the language in which you want to expand your vocabulary will give you a whole range of vocabulary to add to your list, mental or otherwise. The same applies to written matter in your native language, you can "convert" it then double check your translations in a dictionary or glossary. Before you know it you will have increased your vocabulary!

So, how do you do this? Well, with the languages mentioned above, the most similarities are found in words with the following endings and these provide a fast-track way to expand your vocabulary. Here we go:

English:  -tion. How many words can you think of? Try writing 10

Here are the other language equivalents:

Spanish: -ción

French: -tion

Italian: -zione

Portuguese: -ção

OK, not every single word throughout an entire language's lexicon will have such a direct equivalent but that's why you check in a dictionary and it's all part of the learning curve. But it's a good, quick way to learn new words without spending a lot of time.

Any questions? Just ask!
Thursday 3 October 2013
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Why is language learning so difficult for some yet a breeze for others?

Learning isn’t easy, no matter what the subject: it requires time, effort, commitment and often, of course, something of an inherent aptitude for the specific subject matter. With language learning you have to develop written and oral skills, learn how to structure verbs, nouns, adjectives and tenses correctly and consequently, structure sentences using the correct word order. On top of all that you need to know exactly what everything means!

Oral skills are potentially the most difficult for some since practising oral skills requires more confidence especially in older language learners. Adult inhibitions prevent them from making unusual sounds out loud whether they are alone or in the presence of others. The fear of looking silly is an immense one. But if you want to communicate fully in a language other than your own, vocalising your thoughts is absolutely necessary. Confidence is key.

However, the most difficult thing for many foreign language speakers, and based on feedback from other language speakers learning English, is the lack of opportunity to hear native English speakers and hence the opportunity to practice sentence construction orally which they deem especially important to developing foreign language skills both orally and generally. 

Foreign language writing and reading skills naturally require no such overt displays and many adult students are happy to submit written work to a tutor or show it to another adult even when they are not entirely confident that what they have written is correct.

Reading texts in the language you are trying to learn is an important and simple way to assimilate new vocabulary. It is simpler than trying to recall lists of vocabulary because typically you will read an article on a topic that is of interest to you. This raises another crucial aspect of language learning. If you are uninterested in a given topic you will be disinclined to read about it in your own language so the chances of becoming engrossed in a text on that topic in an unfamiliar language are slim indeed.

Grammar is an aspect of language that many find daunting and English speakers have indicated that they would learn another language they are interested in if they don’t have to learn the grammar. Depending on the level of language ability you wish to attain, a high degree of grammatical knowledge may or may not be essential. For instance, many individuals get along quite nicely overseas by simply learning the basics parrot fashion and picking up the language as they go along with no formal understanding of the language per se.

It is not possible, however, to gain proficiency, albeit conversational proficiency, in another language without getting to grips with some grammatical aspects. The teaching method used is essential to learning and a point of grammar expressed in a manner that “clicks” with the learner will be easily understood and applied in practice.

To gain any real proficiency in a foreign language requires a combination of the above. Understanding the spoken language requires the opportunity to speak and hear the desired language on a regular basis. Confidence can be built by initially looking at a reflection of one’s self practising phrases out loud. Imitating pronunciation and accents is essential to developing your understanding.

Reading topics of interest in the other language and note taking are important to discovering sentence structures and expanding vocabulary. Once you are practising the above and building your confidence you will find it easier to apply the grammar for you will have seen and heard it applied to “real life” scenarios.

Thanks to those friends and collaborators, students and translators alike for their opinions and experiences. 

Wednesday 2 October 2013
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Accurate translation of legalese

Don’t we all hate legalese? Some see the practice of writing in legalese as an antiquated art, maintained alive only to keep the law firms in business, charging exorbitant fees to decode legal jargon. Some lawyers would agree that in modern times there is no real need for legalese and that plain language contracts ought to be the norm. Others argue that legalese is an essential tool that greatly increases the clarity of meaning in a contract. Whether you agree with the former or the latter opinion, it appears that at least for the foreseeable future, legalese is here to stay. Therefore, if you engage in legal matters, you’ll have no choice but to navigate the maze that is legalese.

The challenges of working with this complex language are compounded when the document to be prepared is in a foreign language. Most companies prefer the advice of their own legal staff over the unknown element of hiring a local firm in the overseas destination where they hope to do business, so instead of outsourcing the drawing up of a foreign language contract, they compile the document in English and have it translated.

A core mistake often made when translating contracts or other legal forms is to simply hire a run-of-the-mill document translation service as opposed to seeking out a firm that specializes in and has proven experience with legal translation. A successful legal translator not only needs to be adept in legalese in more than one language, but also needs to understand the potential consequences of misinterpreting portions of a legal document and therefore look at their task from a unique point of view that goes beyond simply modifying a document to read from one language into another. 

Whereas simple mistakes made in the translation of a non-legal document generally lead to fairly inconsequential penalties, simple mistakes in a contract can have dire financial implications. In fact, according to The Economist, 64% of Britain’s business leaders say that their company is suffering negative effects internationally simply due to language misinterpretations.