March 23, 2009
Hurray to the Translators in the World!
Seeing that translators are now becoming the up and coming industry, this shows how closely knitted our world has become. The need to communicate with our counterparts in other parts of the world has made this industry boom over the past few years.
Translation has now become a BIG part of our lives, knowing that with globalisation and migration of people, culture and businesses, it is ever so important to know other languages.
I used to learn French, and while I dragged my feet to the language school ever twice a week, I used to wonder whether I would ever need the language, since most people that I come into contact with at that time speak English or Chinese. However decades down the road, I master the courage to take up the language again, because now the need has come for us to communicate with clients overseas! Well, everything starts and happens for a reason, isn’t it?
The article in TIMES magazine has really pleasantly amazed me, and I see this industry still growing as the need to reach a wider network of people increases. Thus we are in a very exciting role, with more opportunities to translate different kinds of materials, and learn much more than what 1 culture can offer to another.
3 Cheers to the Translators in the World! 
March 20, 2009
Little did we realise what our greatest asset is
As I was reading the latest issue of Times magazine, I came across an article that talks about “ideas that are changing the world”. One of them would be our jobs being the new assets now.
It used to be when we are trying means and ways NOT to work, and making passive income and investments, such that we can have more free time to ourselves. Times when we talk about the new properties whether they are worth investing, or when the latest designer brand or clothing is out and comparing whether who has more collector items.
Somehow, it seems like we got more materialistic and everything we own is more of a shown off and a signification of our status. We forgot our roots and how some of us started out less well-to-do, forgot our humility that we once started with little or nothing. Slowly as we climb up the ladder we decided that we want to work less for more, and our payroll does not justify the amount of work we do. So we start to source for other means of getting riches. We start investing on bonds and properties, and thinking that one day we can depend solely on investments we can stop work for good. We think we were smart, until the collapse of the economy. Now it seems that those who are still hold a job are having the last laugh.
Many times we fail to realize that our greatest asset is ourselves. We have knowledge and skills that cannot be taken away from us until the day we die. Upon discovering that, we begin to look at our jobs differently. What we do now could be our only source of income. We need to relearn what we have learnt, back to where we began. Only this way will we be able to look at our jobs from another angle, learn to appreciate and enjoy what we go.
After all, simplicity makes one more content with what is laid on the table for them.
February 19, 2009
Book Translation – Keeping the Faith!
I have just finished reading “The Fifth Mountain” by Paulo Coelho. For those who do not know him yet, he is the same author who wrote the international bestseller “The Alchemist”. This book “The Alchemist” has been translated into over 60 different types of languages and has sold over 75 millions copies!
As I am reading “The Fifth Mountain”, I found that it is immensely intriguing and it keeps me reading on to find out what will happen to the main character, Elijah. It is a story about a person finding his own courage and commitment to his higher purpose. All of us have our higher purpose when we are born, but many of us choose to ignore or defy that purpose.
Well for me, this book brings a great sense of inspiration to me. I will follow my instinct and achieve my higher purpose in life – to serve mankind through better communication and education.
Because Paulo is a Brazillian writer, so I assume that the book is written in Portugese and translated into English and other languages. Kudos to the translators who did a marvellous job. The whole book is very well written and the principles behind it are timeless. I believe the team of translators and editors have spent lots and lots of time doing research, translating, proofreading, re-editing and proofreading the content before it is good enough to be published. The team effort and synergy is enormous.
I guess the translators and editors have a great responsibility to the author and the readers. The writing style and flow must be consistent without losing any flavour as compared to the original copy.
We are in the midst of doing a book translation. Hence, we can share their feelings and responsibilities. We will definitely keep you update on our new book launch.
For those who would like to have a read of the reviews or to get the book, here’s it:
February 11, 2009
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Successful Translator?
Recently, I just watch this movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. It is a very compelling movie illustrating a man’s journey in finding his own dreams, true love and destiny.
It strikes a deep thought for me. We will never know our true purpose until we step out and start this self-discovery journey. We just gonna keep on believing and taking actions towards our dream.
When I first joined my friend’s translation company, a lot of my people (even my family members) start to question me. Are you making the right move? What if the situation does not turn out the way that you want? Are you getting enough to spend each month? Blah…Blah…Blah. Lot of negativities being thrown to me.
I have been with my company for almost 2 years now. Looking back, it has been a very fruitful experience for me. We have led our company to new heights each year. Our team of translators has also grown in size to over one hundred till now. This is definitely a more challenging experience than my previous engineering job. Besides equipping with good translation skills, I also need to do project management, sales and marketing and leading my own translator teams. The true joy is seeing your company and yourself growing daily.
If you ask me, what it takes to be a Successful Translator? Is it…
a) Passion
b) Perseverance
c) Continuous Learning
d) Continuous Improvement
Well, my answer is all of the above. Hopefully at the end of our journey, we would become a better person to our society and this world. And not forgetting, to fulfill our ultimate destiny and purpose in life.
Well, some said it is written.
February 5, 2009
Do You Know the Difference between Translation and Interpretation?
Often, we will get client inquiring for translation service when in fact, they require interpretation service. Then we will spend the next few minutes explaining to them what is the difference between the two terms.
So why people get mix up with the 2 terms? People associate translation as “converting” from one language to another language. So anything to do with language conversion, it will mean translation whether it is for document or verbal. Interestingly, interpretation means oral translation.
I will usually explain to them that if anything that is to do with writing or brochure, it is translation. And if anything that is verbal, it is interpretation. Upon hearing this, our client is more aware of the difference. Hence they can tell their inquiry to us clearly. In this way, we can also tend to their inquiries faster.
This is what we call effective communication and good services to our clients.
So do you know the difference between translation and interpretation now?
January 19, 2009
Can Pictures Really Say a Thousand Words?
In your view, do pictures really mean a thousand words? If that is so, can we just do away with words, and just use pictures only?
Let’s try…
So what is this trying to say?
That Frosty the Snowman is celebrating Christmas on a starry December night, and he is asking for a hug from Santa?
Many a times, just purely visual ads do not really help a lot in communicating what your thoughts are to your clients. That is why, a copywriter is very important, to make the visuals stand out and attract readers, and hopefully make them your loyal customers.
To have your ad in another language, it does not just take translation to do the job. It has to be translation plus copywriting skills. You, as a renown company, would need to think twice, before you give this piece of art to your translator. A direct translation would ruin the meaning totally.
To copywrite it, the translator also need to understand the local needs of the market, whether phrasing it in this way would make it right for people reading it. And what I mean by “right” is that the phrases used are fit for the language in that country. What you use in 1 country does not necessarily be appropriate in another. That was what we talked about in the Importance of Localisation topic earlier.
So be very selective in who you choose to be your partner in your copywriting needs.
January 12, 2009
Multi-racial, Multi-language translation
As you all might know, Singapore is a multi-racial country. The four official languages in Singapore are Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English.
English is the most common language used. Children are taught in English at school but also learn their mother tongue to make sure they don’t lose contact with their traditions. This is made compulsory by our education system where every child is given a chance to take up an additional language as their Second Language (example Mandarin, Malay or Tamil).
Public signs and official publications are in English, although there are usually translated versions in other official languages. Some of the advertisment, marketing collaterals and newsletter will often be translated into other languages for ease of understanding.
During festive seasons, there are also a higher demand for certain language translation. This is obviously due to advertisers who wish to promote their services or products catering to a bigger market during these seasons.
For Lunar New Year and Mooncake festival, we see that there are more demand for Mandarin translation. Likewise for Hari Raya and Deepavali, there will be higher demand for Malay and Tamil translation respectively.
Sometimes, you may find different languages in a single brochure. Naturally, such brochures are catered for greater public audience. The multiple languages add a unique feel to such brochure too.
We do believe that there are also other countries having the same experiences as us. Do share your comment with us. We love to hear from you too!
January 4, 2009
Should We Have More International Languages?
English seems to be a widely spoken language in the world, be it whether you are living in the West or East. It has made communication slightly easier, as most people would roughly understand what you are trying to say. Perhaps it all started when the East India Company travelled around the globe, making other countries part of the Britsh Colony. Hence, today, countries like Singapore are still using British English as one of the spoken languages. Even her laws are built on the foundation of the British Law.
Several decades before the English travelled the globe, the Portugese and Spanish had done that. They were the powerhouses in the 17th century. That was why in some countries, like Brazil, the main language is Portugese. People are now tapping into this market due to its vast resources.
Now with China opening up to flood the world with about 20% of the total population (estimated to be about about 6.7 billion) today, more people have also taken an interest in its language. When I visited US last year, while we were waiting for a tour bus, I saw that a reporter was interviewing some Chinese people who were also visiting US. What appalled me was that he was interviewing them in CHINESE!! He spoke fluently, and was praised for his ability to do that! So I believe many people in the world are also learning the language now.
Looking across Asia, one can also find another up and coming market in the Arab countries (for example Dubai and Abu Dhabi), where opportunities are vast. In order for one to tap into the market, it may also be necessary to learn of the culture and Arabic language.
In Singapore, due to the foresight of the government, children are to learn 2 out of 3 major languages in school, namely English, Chinese and Malay. Thus we are effectively bilingual or tri-lingual.
So, should we have more international languages? If yes, should we be learning all of the above mentioned (Portugese, Chinese and Arabic)? Or should there be some more?
December 26, 2008
Standardise My Name, Please!
I have watched many movies, and I tend to appreciate those with the availability of subtitles. However it seems there is always a chance that the names used, is sometimes different, though in English, the name is the same. What do I mean?
For example, Johnson in chinese can be written as “zhuang sheng” or “qiang sheng”. So sometimes, without listening to the voices, it is difficult to correlate the names to the English one.
I thought that for names to be translated to Chinese, it should be like those of country names. No matter where you are, be it in Taiwan, China, Singapore or Malaysia, the names remain the same, only whether it is written in the Traditional or Simplified form. You don’t have a case whereby for example in the name Korea, Singapore calls it “han guo” and another country calls it, maybe, “ke re”. It confuses everyone!
So I thought someone should come up with a list of names whereby the translation is standard for everywhere. Although I understand that sometimes the differences in the naming convention also shows the cultural aspect of different places, it does however, make our job easier as a translator, so that we don’t have to crack our brains to come up with some sound-alike chinese terms. What do you think?
December 19, 2008
Importance of Localisation
You might ask, why is it that we require localisation into the translated script. Can we do without it? For example, would it be alright if a Portugese in Portugal were to translate a script that were to be used in Brazil? The answer is “NO!”
From Wikipedia, we find the difference between just purely translation and translation with localisation included.
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Translation versus localisation
Localization is often treated as a mere “high-tech translation”, but this view does not capture its importance, its complexity or what it encompasses. Though sometimes is somehow difficult to draw the limits between translation and localization, in general localisation addresses significant, non-textual components of products or services. In addition to strict translation (and, therefore, grammar and spelling issues that vary from place to place or form country to country where the same language is spoken), the localisation process might include, among other things, adaptation of graphics, adoption of local currencies, use of proper forms for dates, addresses, and phone numbers, and many other details, including rethinking the physical structure of a product. All these changes plan to avoid local sensitivities and to gain the market by merging into its needs and desires. For example, localisation is due to offer country-specific websites of the same company or different editions of a book depending on the place it is published.
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Sounds a bit too complicated to understand? Simply said, we add the “salt and pepper” of the culture into the translated work so that people in those places where we use the translation for, can understand what the terms mean, and also get the gist of the message.
So it is always very important to get a native translator to do the job for you. Rest assured that we, at WhizWordz, always ensures that.
