Archive for July, 2008

Actualizarse

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

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En cada profesión es importante estar actualizado pero en la nuestra resulta vital!. Debemos leer constantemente y sobre temas variados: aprovechemos la ventaja que nos ofrece internet para leer cada día periódicos de distintos países y escuchar diversos programas de radio para ampliar el espectro de información que podemos recogemos por doquier. Es necesario estar alertas e informados.
Hay varias cosas que podemos hacer: Una buena idea es mantener listas personalizadas con términos, palabras y frases que atrapan nuestra atención para poder tener acceso a la palabra correcta, nombre preciso o cualquier fecha especial y que creamos que pudiese ser útil en algún momento; leamos artículos y libros relacionados con nuestro trabajo para estar al tanto de los cambios más recientes y/o tendencias; abramos una carpeta en Favoritos del explorador de internet para guardar enlaces que consideremos importantes para consulta así como aprendizaje; adaptémonos a los cambios comprando nuevos equipos y programas para ser más eficientes y productivos; participemos en foros de discusión en la Web; compartamos información con colegas alrededor del mundo.
Siempre estamos contra-reloj, constantemente bajo presión y muy ocupados pero cuando el tiempo no sea un problema, aún a sabiendas de que en la mayor parte de las ocasiones lo es, ofrezcamos nuestros servicios sin cobrar… Recuerden el dicho, mientras más damos, más recibimos! Podemos encontrar fácilmente varias instituciones que están ayudando a la comunidad global de manera desinteresada y podemos ser parte de esa cadena y contribuir con nuestra causa favorita (soy vegetariana y ayudo a informar sobre las ventajas del vegetarianismo, por ejemplo) y al hacerlo, nos mantendremos activos y actualizados y podremos comunicar nuestro conocimiento. Siempre hay algo interesante que compartir con todo el mundo, así que brindemos nuestro apoyo incondicional sin esperar nada a cambio excepto la satisfacción de ayudar a los demás.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Can we improve?

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

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Yes! Practice will do the trick! We have ample resources such as dictionaries, books with specialized vocabulary of a particular field (as of medicine or engineering) thesauri, synonyms dictionaries, reference books with detailed terminology, websites, etc., but it is the accumulation of experience in the investigative process, joined to the abilities of expression and comprehension which allow us to work in an organized and methodic manner so that the translated version is as precise as the text on the source language. We are always in search of new information, constantly renovating our knowledge. Of course, to be good in languages is not enough to be a good Translator. It is really important to compose in a clear manner, using the right vocabulary, syntax and style in our mother tongue to be able to offer a reliable translation job besides having the ability to use the latest equipment and word processing software.
To be fascinated with the language is key for a Translator as the more we know, the more we want to learn! Maybe it is natural but I am inclined to think that it develops with our very own need of being efficient. There are Translators who are expert in certain fields and use their command of the language to work in that area. Others love writing and as Translators they get paid for doing so. Some others are intellectually stimulated with the unlimited variety of topics in which to work and greatly enjoy learning along the way (I belong to this group!)
Translators have to find a balance between fidelity in the source text and readability in the target language allowing others to benefit from knowledge by doing our best to be as discreet as possible. If nobody detects our translation efforts… we are doing a great job!
Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Loro Berritsue

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

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Japoneko Nagareyama herrixen, lorotxo bat galdu zan, “Psittacus erithacus” espeziekue bera, Ingelesez Loro grisa deiketan eidoutzie (Grey Parrot). Yosuke-kun izenakin erantzuten euen, (Euskeraz Joxepi izengo bazan moduen, hau da asko entzuten dan izena Japonen). Loro honek samur berba itten eieuen eta bere izena eta zuzenbidie geratu be iñ barik errepiketan euenez, ba laizter eruen euien bere saintzailliengana.
Gero esan daixiela barriketan itteiek ez dauela balixo!!!

Hill honen 6-xen gertatu zan hori, etxe bizitza baten sarrerako erromara gaiñien euen, eta bertako poliziak arrapau iñauen lorotxuoi (Honeik be ezin bakien itxi kanpuen lasai dabillena!!!)
Lehenengotan Loruoi ixilik, tutik be ez euen esaten, baiñe ikusitte poliziak helburu onekin ebitzela, hasi zan lasaiketan eta “atzaldeon” (konichiwa) bateaz jo ta txokaute itxi zittuen munizipalak. Lehen poliziak ziela esan dot, baiñe “lokalak” zienez uste dot munizipalak izengo ziela. Bestela “porloskojones” esangutzen loruek atzalde on.
Gero barriz geixau animau eta kantuen hasi zan “Hatopopo” (Hau da Japonen umiek, usuei eta kale txorixei jaten emunez batera, kantetan dauen abestixe. Eskolan ume danak ikesten daue hau.

Japoniera itzultzailea

Abestixe akabautakuen, bere zuzenbidie, zenbaki eta guzti esan euen. Honi esker munizipalak bere etxeraino eruen euen. Hau Ekainien 19-xen izen zan.
Oiñ, Lorue bere eguneroko lanetara bueltaute dau, eta bera arduraketan da Nakamura familixa guztie igetzarketan, “Altza, altza, ordue da eta”
ETA GERO ESANGO DAUE JAPONESA GATXA DALA? Ez euskaldun batentzako!!

Shinichi Teramoto
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Interpreters

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

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Back when I was a kid I wanted to be an Interpreter. The career was extremely alluring to me but when I learnt that I couldn’t be more that five words behind the speaker I panicked… But loving languages I chose to become a Translator instead. Yes, sure, we should pursue our dreams but at the same time we have to be realistic and admit we cannot force nature… If it is not in us and we get anxious about not being able to excel then it is wise to modify our dreams and learn something else with the same passion we felt for our original dream.
Translation of Spanish, English, Japanese, Basque

We, Translators, work with written materials in one language and rewrite them in another language. Interpreters deal with the spoken language, they listen words in one language and repeat the same message in another language. They are engaged in real-time interpretation, which is used for conventions, meetings, speeches, etc. There is a common tendency to think Translators interpret, or that Interpreters translate. In fact, the two are very separate jobs requiring different talents: A Translator must be able to write well and be able to express words, phrases, allusions and other nuances between languages on paper (or computers if you want). We have the luxury of time, resources, reference material and the freedom to take a break when needed. Compared to Interpreters, our pressures are relatively limited. An Interpreter, on the other hand, has to be able to translate spoken words in two directions. They do this using no resources or reference material except their knowledge and expertise. An Interpreter is required to find linguistic solutions to problems right there, on the spot. The pressure hence can be quite intense whether they deal with consecutive or simultaneous interpreting, both difficult. I deeply admire them! May God bless Interpreters!
Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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バスクの四季

Monday, July 14th, 2008

-GoiHata.com
冬も夏も温暖で季節が日本ほどはっきりしていないバスク。春とはいえ羽織るものが欠かせない５月。６月に真夏を思わせる気温になるかと思えば、２５度を超えない日が続く夏。もちろん海岸部と内陸部では大きな違いがありますが、３５度を超える夏の日もあれば氷点下５度以上の冬の日もあります。下のグラフはGoiHataがあるArrasateの２００６年の平均気温です。海辺ほど温暖ではないもののアラバ県ほど内陸でもないバスクの平均的な気温と言えるでしょう。
もともとバスク語には明らかな春夏秋冬を表す言葉がありません。直訳すれば新しい夏(udaberria)または初夏(udalehena)、夏(uda)、夏の終わり(udazkena)、そして冬(negua)というのがそれぞれの四季を表すことばです。基本的には夏(UDA)と冬(NEGUA)。グラフで見れば四季の変化が見られますが、これはあくまでも平均。昔のバスク人は雨や北風の影響でさまざまに変化する春と秋を違う表現で表したのですね。
Temperatura 2006
-GoiHata.com

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Checking translations

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

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We should always aim at rendering the best of our ability so, it is good idea to make sure that we are delivering a good translation. What are the actual criteria to use in order to decide that one translation is good and another is not or that one translation is “better” than another?
We should check the following points first:
Precision: The translation should be accurate, it should represent the text. It should be complete without omissions and correct so that it communicates the same sense, style and genre of the original.
Proofread a translation, proofreading Spanish, proofreading Japanese, English, Basque

Suitability: Ask yourself if the translation fulfils the purpose for which it was required. You should know to whom it is intended to, who is likely to use the text and how will it be used, e.g., is it about instructions to operate a machine? To re-launch a product? Knowing this will help you to put together a translation that is best suited to its purpose.
Knowledge of area and grammar proficiency: These two are linked. We should have experience on the topic or business area we are working with and the ability to produce a coherent translation aided by a good grasp of grammar.
Filtering: You should avoid filtering the message to match your own perspective. You are transmitting a message not expressing your likes and dislikes. If you do not agree or share the ideas of the original it would be hard for you to be objective so it is advisable to decline the job and pass the work to another Translator.
We know instinctively when we have done a good piece of work although there is still a need for objective criteria to be arrived at. In the meantime, a Translator who observes the above mentioned points will not be far away from excellence.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Rage against the machine

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

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“Would you like to install the new and upgraded Google Toolbar on your browser?” said a message on my computer screen as I was surfing the web a couple of days ago. So out of curiosity, I clicked on a link that prompted me to install it and a few moments later my browser went through a complete transformation. It looked quite appealing, I must confess, and for any avid web surfer such as myself, it seemed pretty useful at first. It actually gave me the impression of a completely enhanced and revamped browser.

For those who haven’t tried it yet or haven’t even heard of it before, this utility includes a variety of new features which are apparently designed to give users access to additional tools right from the browser: from highly effective pop-up blockers, to a spell-checker, to even a button that takes you directly to the Google News page. Everything seems to be just a click away.
Upset.Japanese.translator
But the pretty picture that Google product managers Avni and Aseem try to paint is far from perfect – at least as far as I’m concerned. The problem is that one of these features included in this so-called improved browser, is a page translation tool. This function, as you can imagine, does not take into account any human being in the translation process. It is powered by SYSTRAN, an online software program, which is basically dictionary-based machine translation, sometimes referred to by the abbreviation MT, which performs simple substitution of words in one language for words in another. A fully-automatic translation solely based on dictionary entries.

So please let me rage against this machine since I cannot conceive the idea that a computer program – no matter how “improved” it may be – can accurately decode the meaning of a text or produce a natural translation. Relying exclusively on a software program like this ignores the simple fact that communication in human language is context-embedded. Therefore, I don’t mind if this new Google Toolbar promises the moon. As long as Avni, Aseem and co. can do without “real” translators, I can do without their “personalized and enhanced browser”. I can still surf the web with my old browser as I used to. Is there anything wrong with that?
Clarisa Attademo
www.goihata.com

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Gure Zerbitzuak

Monday, July 7th, 2008

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GoiHata S.L. nazioarte-esparruko enpresa izanik, bere jarduera nagusiak Itzulpengintza eta Interpretaritza, eta Japonia buruzko aholkularitza dira.
Joango gara guru bloga osatzen, albiste eta gertaera desberdinekin
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Being Positive

Friday, July 4th, 2008

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Every one of us can take advantage of positive thinking to improve different aspects in our life including, of course, our approach to work. Even when we find ourselves immersed in the frenzy of a stressful situation as, say, when we have a deadline for a translation job and we feel it more and more difficult to produce the results on time, we can help ourselves by changing the mental attitude by admitting into the mind thoughts and words that are conductive to development, expansion and success. This mind-set gives favorable results. A positive mind anticipates joy and a thriving outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.
Not everyone understands or accepts as true the importance of positive thinking. Some consider the subject gibberish, and others laugh at people who believe and accept it. How many people do you know, who think about what the power of positive thinking means? I earnestly wish that you are surrounded by positive – and not negative – thinkers as it is definitely contagious!
Possitive.Translations
It is a matter of attitude. Obviously, confidence in your abilities based on the proper qualifications for the job is the platform where we have to build our career but we have to approach things in a different way, in a positive way, to guarantee our success. By being positive we become more alert and it shows externally: we turn out to be faster as our body language shows the way we feel inside.
Get rid of negative thoughts, words and attitude. Pay no attention to what others might say or think about you, if they notice that you are changing the way you think. Visualize only favorable situations. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. Develop concentration, will power, and self-discipline.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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