GoiHata Translation Services

www.goihata.com
In the recent Olympic Games held in Beijing, China there was an official estimate figure of 10,000 Sports Translators to be needed to inform the whole world about the competition and the Olympics related translation business was expected to reach USD 92.2 billion. Not figures yet about the accuracy of this information but it is most probably right now. Obviously the side business is not included in these figures: Beijing was expecting over 500,000 foreign visitors during the sporting event and hotels, local businesses, police, hospitals, and bus and train services were all looking towards hiring staff or volunteers who spoke foreign languages.
In China there are about 300,000 Professional Translators and Interpreters, one-fourth of whom are in Beijing and most of them specialize in English, French, Russian, Korean and Japanese.

And for the first time in Olympic history a private company was contracted for official translation and interpretation services. With linguistic resources from Peking University, a team of 600 Professional Translators of the company were working round-the-clock during the games.
The Olympics Volunteer Program enrolled over 400,000 English-speaking people to combat the influx of foreigners and interestingly enough about 65 per cent of the recruits are women. Also, there were openings in the tour and travel companies in Beijing to work as guides and Interpreters during the Olympics.

The Olympic Games seem to have rejuvenated one and all as age is no bar in language studies. About 100 citizens, over 50 years of age, were attending classes three times a week to brush up on English etiquette and phrases. The elderly Chinese speak Mandarin and it’s difficult for them to learn a foreign language but younger people have eagerly enrolled in different schools, institutes and universities in China, which in turn are offering courses in over 60 foreign languages.

Paulina Torres de Witt
www.goihata.com

www.goihata.com

“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.

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

www.goihata.com

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!

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

www.goihata.com
Dictionaries tell us that a Freelancer is one who pursues a profession under no long-term contractual commitments to any one employer or company. They are on their own to find work, negotiate the terms and compensation for that work, and deliver the work to the satisfaction of the paying client. Related terms are independent contractor, consultant, and vendor. Most of us in the translation industry enjoy the freedom, independence and absolute command of our business affairs.
It is very important to be true and honest when you play your professional role to stand out from the rest. We must feel and be truly unique and well prepared and on top of it enjoy what we do: that renders great benefits, both professionally and personally. We have qualities or characteristics that distinguish us from our competitors and colleagues and we have very special personal traits that are worth mentioning to boost our reputation in this career.
It is also essential to build online presence and make yourself noticed to reach potential customers requiring your services. You have to be where people can see you so that they become familiar with your name and the way you work. And the very famous “word-of-mouth” marketing, really works: satisfied customers, in a way work as your sales agents, telling partners and aquaintances that your work is excellent value. Thus, you start building a good portfolio as your professional reputation grows.
You must keep up with technology as well; this is a key issue as those who evolve are the ones who survive, especially in this area. Study; keep on learning and researching to be always on top.

Whenever possible try to join a Translator’s Association or Directory in your country or abroad to get exposure and enhance your practice, as you are backed up and get spotlight benefits. Feel confident and pursue your goals of expansion and stability. This is a wonderful profession!

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

- www.goihata.com
I love reading tips that are useful in our work and even though we have seen the following several times already I still continue checking them up to keep the information always fresh so, here I go once again!

- Our final translation should never look like a translation. It should look like it was written by a professional who has a good command of his/her language (excellent grammar and stylistic
- The style of the translation should always correspond to the text. If the text is a newspaper article, then a journalistic style should be used. If the text is a business letter or some marketing material, then the appropriate style should be used.
- The translation, inevitably, should have the right meaning, but should also reflect the tone of the original. Therefore, if the translation is of an angry business letter demanding payment, then the final translation should express the same tone (with appropriate taste of course). It may occur though that certain points cannot be translated well considering the differing customs and cultures of the respective languages as we always strive to focus more on the language being translated into rather than the language being translated from. If you feel some major changes should be made to the text, you should immediately contact your customer or agency.
- Choice of terminology is most important so having good dictionaries is a must. Of course we have access to wonderful computer translation dictionaries but I still keep my “oldies” and they have a prominent place and are highly important in the final phase of revision. But when everything else fails I also try searching the term on Google as it usually clarifies ideas.
Paulina Torres De Witt
- www.goihata.com