Tips for Proofreading Translations

Posted On July 26, 2012By TranspanishIn Tips for Translators/  No Comments

Proofreading a translationProofreading a translation before sending it off to a client is a final yet important step in every translator’s workflow. Careless errors not only reflect poorly on the translator, but they can have serious consequences for the client as well. Keep the following proofreading tips in mind to ensure that the client receives a polished, professional document every time.

  • Devote your complete attention to the text while proofreading. Minimize distractions, and work in a comfortable area with adequate lighting. If possible, work from a hard copy of the document so that you can make notes and corrections on the printed draft.
  • Imagine that you are the end-user of the document, and read through the text as though you were seeing it for the first time. Highlight any errors that you spot as you go along, and fix the mistakes that you marked once you’ve finished reading.
  • Read through the text a second time, paying extra attention to individual words, phrases and sentences. Highlight any errors that you find. Keep an eye out for misspelled words, run-on sentences, unnecessarily long paragraphs, use of the proper tense, consistent tone and register, and common errors such as it’s/its, then/than and there/their/they’re. Consult a dictionary or style guide if you have a doubt.
  • Carefully scrutinize formatting, punctuation, headers and footers, page and section numbering, headings, captions, etc. These items are also important, so resist the temptation to merely skim over them. In addition, double check the accuracy of dates and figures such as currency amounts, measurements or quantities. Mark each error and make corrections at the end of your second reading.
  • Now take a break to help clear your mind. If possible, come back to the text the next day so that you’re reading it with fresh eyes. Read through the entire document for a third time, searching for any possible errors in spelling, grammar, formatting or flow. Make sure the translated text sounds natural; the goal is to avoid “translationese.” If you spotted any additional errors during this third pass, correct them and save the document. You’re now ready to send the translation on its way to the client!
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The Value of Professional Translators

Posted On July 19, 2012By TranspanishIn Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  No Comments

Ever since the advent of machine translation, naysayers have been predicting the extinction of the human translator. In their opinion, it’s only a matter of time before this new technology renders professional translators completely obsolete. However, it’s not as easy to replace a human translator as some would have you think.

Trained professional translators possess a vast range of knowledge of at least two different languages and cultures. In addition, they have expertise in specialized topics including, but not limited to, law, science, medicine and business. Language service professionals have exceptional writing abilities in their native languages, and they must be able to adapt their writing style to the tone of the original text, whether it be formal, humorous, etc. They also possess knowledge of various dialects and an understanding of the cultures and customs in the places where their working languages are spoken. As a cultural and linguistic bridge—a language ambassador of sorts— translators are, in large part, responsible for effective communication with the world outside their countries’ borders.

Just like other professionals, translators must continually engage in training and professional development to keep abreast of important issues in the field of translation. Many translations are of a highly sensitive nature, and errors or shoddy work are simply unacceptable. Professional translators maintain high ethical and quality standards, standards which non-professionals are not bound to uphold.

Sadly, the prestige associated with the profession of translator seems to have waned in recent times. In many cases, the skilled translator is no longer viewed as a valuable professional, but one that can be easily replaced by a machine or an individual who is merely capable of communication in two languages. As an example, a new translation outfit known as Duolingo will soon be offering companies translations performed by language students. The students supposedly gain experience and knowledge while working for free, and companies get low-cost “translations” performed by individuals who are clearly lacking the requisite skills to produce quality work. The fact that a market exists for translations from a source like Duolingo speaks to the public’s low opinion of translation and all that it entails.

It’s important for language professionals to continue to educate the public about the role of translators and the true nature of their work. When the public understands the value of professional translation services, both clients and translators stand to benefit.

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The Field of Translation Ranks among Top Recession-Proof Industries

Posted On July 10, 2012By TranspanishIn Languages, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators, Translation Buyers/  1 Comment

Translation BusinessWith the global economy still feeling the effects of the recession, some industries are holding their own while others are floundering. Fortunately, the prospects for the field of translation look extremely promising, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting industry growth of 42% during this decade, a figure that exceeds growth estimates for other industries evaluated by the BLS. As the U.S. population continues to become more diverse, the demand for interpreters and translators will also grow.

According to a market research study by the firm Common Sense Advisory, the market for language services will total $33.5 billion this year. Overall, the translation industry has experienced a compound annual growth rate of 12.17%. Unlike many industries where a handful of top performers dominate the business landscape, the market for translation and interpretation is splintered, with over 26,000 companies worldwide offering translation services. Only nine of those companies reported revenue in excess of $100 million last year.

Despite the proliferation of machine translation tools such as Google Translate and BabelFish, the market for language services has not suffered a downturn. While machine translation tools do offer insight into the meaning of a text, computers fail to render the nuanced, culturally correct translations created by humans. Given the current limitations of machine translation, it would seem that translators’ jobs are safe.

With that said, it is important for language service professionals to adopt new technology. Computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools allow translators to work more quickly and efficiently, and with a potential shortage of qualified translators looming on the horizon, the use of technology will be necessary to meet the growing global demand for translations.

Experienced, educated, professional translators make up the backbone of the translation industry, and it is their expertise that will keep the industry riding high throughout this difficult economic period.

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The Meaning of ‘Chamuyar’ / ‘Chamullar’

Posted On July 5, 2012By TranspanishIn Did you know?, Languages, Lunfardo, Spanish Language/  No Comments

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets of Buenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language in Argentina (especially in and around Buenos Aires) and Uruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

In Lunfardo, the word “chamuyar” (also spelled chamullar) means “to chat up” or “to sweet talk” a woman or “to make small talk.” Other possible informal English translations of the word include to smooth talk, to chitchat, to bullshit, to shoot the breeze, and to shoot the shit.

Chamuyar has also come to mean “to lie” in certain contexts.

It’s said that the verb “chamuyar” stems from the caló (gypsy dialect) word “chamullar,” which means to converse or chat.

Related words in Lunfardo:
noun chamuyo or chamullo: smooth talk, bullshit, small talk, lie
noun chamuyero/a or chamullero/a: smoothtalker, bullshitter, liar, pick-up artist

Usage examples: Vamos a chamuyar a unas cuantas minas. // We’re going to put the moves on a bunch of girls.

El nuevo plan de viviendas es un chamuyo. // The new housing plan is nothing but a lie.

The song “El chamuyo,” written in the milonga style by Edmundo Rivero, prominently features the word “chamuyo” in the title and lyrics.

Se bate, se chamuya, se parola,
se parlamenta reo, como “grilo”,
y aunque la barra bufe y dé el “estrilo”
el lengo e’ chile es un bacán de gola.

Si es vichenzo, escafaña y no la grola
lo catan pal’ fideo manco dilo,
y hay cada espamentoso tirifilo,
más puntiagudo que zapallo angola.

El chamuyo cafiolo es una papa
cualquier mistongo el repertorio “ñapa”
y es respetao cuando lo parla un macho.

A veces si otro camba me lo emparda,
hay programa de espiche en la busarda
o se firma, con un feite, en el escracho.

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