Hi all!
I am studying law (have one year to go) and am also studying a masters in language translation/interpreting. What careers can anybody suggest that might use both these qualifications? I honestly don’t want to work in a law firm, especially a big corporate litigation one.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Posts Tagged ‘Translation’
Careers Using A Law Degree And A Masters In Language Translation?
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Language Translation for Market Expansion
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010In an age where hundreds of companies provide the same service, it is useful when a solution can offer its services in many languages. Business Intelligence is an important area that is very crucial to the functioning of any organization. It is basically the strategy to fish out necessary information from large amounts of data and use it for key global outreach programs.
Challenges & Solution
The organization may face challenges during its expansion programs due to limitations in foreign language documentation or a limitation in providing localized support services. These limitations can come in the way of restricting overall revenue growth and sometimes be the reasons for losing valued customers.
The common solution would be to recruit efficient translators, who, cannot meet this growing demand base. So, in order to look for solutions that are cost-effective as well as beneficial to the organization in the long run, robust language translation software needs to be used.
Why Translation Software
Solutions for language analysis and translations can bring out the desired results for market expansion strategies.
These systems can prove useful when the organization needs to establish a competitive edge over other market players and broaden market potential or user base.
They can add value to Business Intelligence and predictive analysis by enabling end users to make effective decisions through sentiment analysis in multiple languages.
The system can enable accurate market feedback from the local customer base and indirectly work towards improving ROI for the organization.
Also, they can be indirectly used for other important functions like customer care, community content development and government related content.
Language Translation Software – How to Use it Properly
Sunday, January 10th, 2010When conducting research for a school project or an article, certain information that might be crucial to your overall topic may prove a pain to research. Even with the wealth of information already available at your disposal, certain subjects that may be native to a certain part of the world, may not be available from sources that you can understand.
I encountered this exact same problem while conducting research for a magazine article I was writing on a certain type of gadget. Since it has received little adoption in the US and the UK, much of the information available for it were written on websites that served non-English speaking audiences. In fact, the bulk of the reviews and press releases I found were either in Korean or Japanese.
Instead of giving up on it, though, I downloaded the available research pieces and put them through a language translation software, which I purchased online over a year ago. Within minutes, I had all of my references translated in English, allowing me to conduct the necessary study to write my piece. However, don’t forget to ad the translation sources as references to your document.
Translation software has helped me tremendously in my job as a writer, allowing me to derive cutting-edge information from sources that aren’t easily available to English speakers. As a result, my reports are often more expansive in coverage than those from others who haven’t yet discovered the benefits of sifting through foreign language documents as a vital source of research.
When you write for a mixed audience, occasionally peppering your work with foreign phrases can lend it a character that makes it more endearing to certain segments of it. If you write a blog, for instance, and has seen a growing number of French readers, throwing in a couple of French phrases during a piece (even if you haven’t learned to speak the tongue) can really make it all the more special for those who pick up on the reference.
Common Expressions
Throwing in a common expression from the foreign language is employed by many writers. However, much of the luster in this case tends to fade away, especially if it’s such a frequently employed phrase, such as greetings or clichés.
Section Headers
I love using the technique on section headers, especially if the article is related to the foreign language. When I wrote a piece about Italian aperitifs for a food website, for instance, I wrote short two to three word section headers, ran them through a language translation software and used the Italian equivalents on the actual piece.
While English-speaking readers probably didn’t understand what the headers meant, they would have picked up on it eventually based on the context of the section. On the other hand, Italian readers loved it, almost like it paid a genuine homage to them.
Full Foreign Language Sentences
Occasionally, I’ve seen writers use full sentences in the foreign language as part of the piece. Even without explaining what they meant, the pieces flowed smoothly, while lending it a special character. As with headers, let the context fill in the blanks.
Foreign Language Translation: Tips While Traveling
Thursday, January 7th, 2010When traveling to a foreign country, it can be very difficult making yourself understood or even understanding others without some foreign language translation help.
It is a horrible feeling when you need to find a washroom but have no idea how to ask where one is or how to find one. Luckily, there are a large number of ways to make them understand you.
Prior you start your traveling, go to the library or purchase books on foreign language translations for the countries you will visit. They have key words and phrases that help you understand what others are saying and for people to understand you.
Often, reading up on this before you travel makes it much more effortless while on vacation. Make sure you purchase a foreign language translation book that is simple, contains common words and phrases.
By learning common phrases and basic vocabulary, you can then try making up sentences to use as conversational topics.
There are also foreign language translation CDs and computer software programs around that not only help you understand or learn another language but let you hear the accents and pronunciation of words and phrases.
By listening to the unique vocal patterns and emulating their speech,you will find foreign language translation is not as difficult and frightening as you thought.
If you are going to be in another country for an extended period, there are people that will teach you the foreign language basics before you travel that can help a great deal while you are away. Between books, CDs, computer software and teachers, you can certainly find the help you need before you embark on your vacation in a foreign country.
Remember to carry a foreign language translation dictionary with you at all times in case you do run into difficulties and need a little help making yourself understood.
Language Translation Misconceptions
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009Businesses justify not using language translation services with many excuses. The bulk of these excuses are founded on common misconceptions. Here are the most common:
· It costs too much: Just like most other services, you get what you pay for. However, when you compare the total price with the total cost, language translation services come out far ahead. The cost of not investing in professional services can be astronomical not just from a financial perspective, but from a company image point of view. You also greatly limit the number of markets you penetrate and consequently, sales. When you compare how labor intensive language translation is, it’s clear the going rate now for these services is very competitive.
· I don’t need it for my industry: You won’t be able to make that call until you give it a chance. Maybe you don’t need it where you currently operate your business. But ‘your industry’ exists in other countries in the world, and they probably have the same viewpoint. The first ones to take the chance and challenge the norms are usually the first to pioneer great things for their industry. If you can reach out to others in your field by talking their language, you can open up endless possibilities with suppliers, customers and even the international media.
· It’s too long and complicated: Yes, it can be if you try to do it yourself. Right now there is a company that can manage your entire language translation needs as well as integrate them with other world class support services. This means not only are your language translation needs covered, but your other promotional needs such as copywriting, search engine marketing, advertising or even your hosting are taken care of. The result is your message goes faster and further than anyone else’s. Details
· I only speak one language: If you’re concerned you won’t be able to understand your customers when they communicate with you, rest easy. The company you choose to do your language translation can take full responsibility for this and make communication with anyone speaking a foreign language a breeze. Just make sure you partner with a company that doesn’t restrict itself to language translation, but has the infrastructure and resources to combine language translation with other services for optimal results.
· My company isn’t ready yet: If you don’t take the initial step, your company will continue missing out on potential sales. In fact, launching a new facet of your business will force your company to adapt for the better. That way, it’s well equipped to face other challenges along the way.
Language Translation Services Aren’t as Fun!
Saturday, December 12th, 2009When it comes to experiencing the culture of a foreign country, sometimes a slow pace is the better pace.
I lived in Guatemala for a while. I remember learning Spanish and having red-cheek moments when I âmessed upâ the language. My face would burn and I would once again tell myself to just shrug it off and keep going. I was going to learn Spanish! If youâve ever wanted an experience more than you cared about the possibility of awkward embarrassment, then you probably remember how easy it was to progress during that time. Despite my embarrassments, I never would have coveted language translation services because I wanted the learning experience.
I remember a particular time I was coming out of church and there were groups of people standing in a sunny courtyard. It was very pleasant as many sunny days in Guatemala areânever too hot. I was familiar with some of the faces but still struggling with the language. I was determined to be friendly however and so I said what I could and smiled as much as possible at some of the people around me. Finally the group of people that I was standing byâafter some polite and limited conversation– said ânos vemosâ which is basically like saying âwe will see each other again. â I however was more familiar with the phrase ânos vamosâ which means âletâs goâ so I started to follow them. When I was favored with an explanation of my discomfiting mistake, it was amusing for them and not quite as amusing for me but let me assure you that language translation services would never have taught me so much. Language translation services can be an undesirable protection against personal language experience.
Another time when I was with a group of young single adults. It was a beautiful day and we sat around talking a bit, smelling the meat cooking and just enjoying one another and the wonderful weather. Before we were going to eat, I started playing basketball with some of the girls. They were very friendly with me and we enjoyed ourselves. After our scrimage, a Guatemalan girl (Nancy) and I laid down on the pavement and enjoyed the beautiful day. I said something about my parents âmis papasâ (the accent is supposed to be on the second syllable) with the accent on the first syllable. Nancy didnât know what I was saying because instead of talking about my parents I was talking about fries or potatoes! It was another embarrassing moment to add to my list but I wouldnât substitute language translation services for that fun experience. Language translation services can be an undesirable protection against personal language experience.
I remember later on when my parents and grandparents came to visit. I was enthralled with the idea of them coming to the land that I had fallen in love with. I loved the people, the weather, the colors, even some of the smells and I couldnât imagine someone else not falling in love with my beloved Guatemala. However, when my parents and grandparents arrived they didnât seem enthralled. In fact, their reactions were very different than mine. They, like many others (just a fact and not a judgment) responded to a new culture the easy wayâwith language translation services. I was a part of that service, as was a temporary tour guide who annoyed me because I wanted to be surrounded with Spanish, Spanish, Spanish! I couldnât understand why my relatives didnât want to bathe in the mistakes that a foreigner has the opportunity to make. Language translation services only kept us safe. Language translation services dampened considerably a trip which I thought would be different. Language translation services can be an undesirable protection against personal language experience.
Sure. In a legal setting, a business setting, or in a technical setting there is a time for language translation services—and speedy ones at that. However, there is a time and a place when a slow pace is the better pace.
Language Translation Software – Instantly Write in 75 Languages!
Sunday, December 6th, 2009In today’s stressful economic times, thousands of people in America and around the world are facing the daunting reality of job losses, pay cuts, and a seemingly endless supple of bad economic news. National unemployment in the U. S. has hit a 17-year high, resulting in the layoffs of hundreds of thousands of our valuable work force.
During such a difficult period, many people are searching for ways to boost their resumes, increase their job prospects, and showcase themselves as potential employees. Employers looking to cut corners are willing to hire new applicants who present themselves as educated, efficient, and hard-working.
But how can you make yourself shine?
The first place to start is language. Being able to fluently and correctly speak the English language is a priority for a majority of employers in America. Not being fluent in the language is one of the biggest problems facing a large portion of today’s unemployed workers. Bridging this language gap will prove to be the key in fighting the surmounting job losses facing the world economy.
Language problems don’t only affect America’s lower working class, but also employees and potential employees of virtually any industry. Making a language or grammar error during and interview or application can be the deciding factor in the decision to not hire you. Employers expect professionalism, intelligence, and attention to detail, and without proper grammar you will be unable to convey these vital traits.
Below this post you will find link to resources which can help you achieve your language and grammar capabilities. Mastering this difficult language will give you the confidence to succeed, and the ability to make yourself shine in an incredibly difficult world job market.
How bad can poor translations affect your business? Back in 2005, the Wall Street Journal ran a story about a slight mistranslation, which caused a wave of panic in currency trading. Imagine all the folks who let their stocks go for cheap because of such a simple mistake.
If your business regularly depends on foreign contacts, the importance of a translation setup that you can rely on cannot be stressed enough. When you’re taking careful watch of news and events in certain countries, there’s no better place to get them than local sources. Oftentimes, they will be written in some foreign language you don’t have familiarity in and you’ll need to rely on a translation to get the complete picture.
For accurate and detailed translations for your business, nothing beats hiring in-house personnel who are capable in both the foreign vernacular and your native tongue. However, even the best translators will falter given the task of interpreting dozens upon dozens of news pieces daily.
As such, the best language translation solutions often come as a combination of both trained language experts and a capable translation software. Good language translation applications can automatically convert news sources into English or some other language, which your human translator can then fix up to correctly reflect meaning and context. As such, your in-house employees can accomplish in a shorter time frame.
For many businesses, information is power. Good communication is crucial. Arming yourself with knowledge of the right circumstances will help you make the correct business decisions.
The Problems With Language Translation
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009Anyone who has ever tried to translate between two different languages will understand the problems associated with language translation. These problems have been bugging translators for years. It is not easy to capture the same meaning when translating between two completely different languages. Language is a communication tool. It can be used in many different ways to express either the same idea, or a completely different idea. The problem arises when translators attempt to translate word for word. This can be disastrous because the context in which the words are used is not taken into consideration. For example, in the English language, the word “market” can mean the stock market, or the fish market. Simply translating the word market to another language without taking into account the context can change the original meaning completely. Therefore, the human mind is till required to do a translation job well. But the entire translation process can be very time consuming because this means the translator has to read the entire text and rewrite everything in a different language. Some translators have turned to technology for help. They use software to help with the translation. Unfortunately, most translation software in the market today cannot accurately obtain the semantic meaning of a sentence. So the software has to resort to word for word replacement. And as we have just mentioned above, word for word replacement does not work for translation services. The translator is better off without the software. Here is when another problem arises. What happens if a translator fails to understand the meaning of the original text? This can happen because of cross cultural differences. For example, the word “dude” is used as a friendly term between buddies. There may be no equivalent of the same word in another language. So the translator is faced with this problem: What is another word that can be used to express the same meaning? Sometimes, there is a close substitute. Other times, the translator is not so lucky and has to settle for a word that has a totally different meaning. This depends on the language. In today’s high tech world, the best software translation services are offered by the search engines. However, the technology is only meant to translate to a level where the reader can still make out what the passages of text are trying to say. Search engines continue to use such software because it is their role to find and deliver content to the end user in the quickest possible manner. However, the output generated by such software is still far from decent. The reader has to make smart guesses just to make out what the translated text is trying to say. In view of the above, if you are looking to translate one language to another for publishing purposes, you have to rely on skilled human translators. This is because, to date, there is no technology available that is powerful enough to replace the human mind’s ability to see and understand things in context. That is one up for the human mind against technology.
Medical device manufacturers boost their services with language translation
Thursday, November 26th, 2009Amongst the businesses that benefited the most from language translation services were the medical device manufacturers. They used the services offered by translation agencies to translate their product documents into various languages. This helped them expand their business in other countries which were hitherto inaccessible to them. With healthcare gaining importance in many countries around the world, these medical device manufacturers have seen a big potential in the overseas markets and so are aggressively resorting to medical translation services offered by translation agencies.
As the demand for the medical devices grew, more and more medical device producers started using the services of language translators. With the increasing demand, the number of companies operating in the field of medical translation also grew. This gave rise to stiff competition amongst these companies. In order to get a big chunk of business, these companies started cutting down their prices drastically. This benefited the customers as they could get their work done at lowest prices. But what they did not realize was that these translation agencies were unable to give quality services. As a result, many of these companies suffered losses in their business. Hence it is very essential for the company to select the right language translator for your needs.
Important points to consider when choosing a language translation service provider:
If you are wondering what the main factors are those should be considered for choosing the suitable medical translator for your work, then read on. These factors will end up saving a lot of money and pain in the long run.
Use these simple tips to ensure you get the best level of service from the language translator for your medical devices.
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