Posts by brenton

Human beings in general are fallible, something we become more aware of when translating a document.  Different languages have different words for the same thing, or so we think.  The truth is that words indicating the same thing in different languages have slightly different connotations.  No matter how accurate a translation may be, it still has to deal with these minor differences.  The result is that all translations are slightly different from the originals, a fact that is humorously emphasized by the process of back-translation.

In back-translation, a document is translated from one language to another and then back into the original.  Mark Twain did a hilarious back-translation of one of his stories, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” which was translated into French.  One of the reasons why the back-translation sounds so funny is because the original text includes a great deal of colloquial speech.  For example, Mark Twain writes, “he was the curiousest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t he’d change sides.”

In the back-translation, this sentence comes out as, “but of all sides he was the man most fond of to bet which one have seen, betting upon all that which is presented, when he could find an adversary; and when he not of it could not, he passed to the side opposed.”  At times, this back-translation deteriorates into gibberish.  It’s obvious that Twain did this on purpose to make it more hilarious.  He could have smoothed out the parts that made no sense, such as “when he not of it could not” but he chose to translate word by word to emphasize the limitations of translation.

This is a pretty extreme example of the dangers of translation and the things that a translator ought to be wary of.  However, it underlines how a translator has a difficult and delicate job which should not be undertaken lightly.  At Keylingo, our translators are aware of the pitfalls of translation and will do their best to accurately translate your documents into the language of your choice.  

Contact us for translation services that take accuracy and readability into account.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:54:07.654Z):

If you’re doing business in Dallas, you know that being able to effectively market to the large Spanish-speaking community is extremely important. No matter what kind of retail business you run, being able to effectively target this large demographic is the key to staying ahead of the game.

Whether you’re planning to start a new business, or you’re planning to expand your current one, considering Dallas translation servicesshould be on your list of priorities. Here’s why:

Hispanics now make up 43.9% of the Dallas population: Latinos and Hispanics make up the fastest growing segment of the Dallas population. Since 2000, the Hispanic population has grown from 35.6% to its current level of 43.9%. Being able to more effectively market towards this quickly-growing demographic is important.

38.4% of Dallasites speak Spanish at home: Almost the entire Hispanic population speaks Spanish in their home. Of this number, 45% of these households speak English fairly well to fluently, while the remaining 55% do not speak English well. Being able to communicate effectively with such a large market that may not speak English well greatly increases your business’ growth potential.

Dallas ranks among the most popular destinations for Mexican immigrants in the US: Over 26% of the population of Dallas is foreign born, and most of these immigrants are coming from Mexico. Unlike born Hispanic and Latino residents born in the US, Mexican immigrants are much more likely to speak Spanish much more proficiently than English. Between the influx of native-born Spanish speakers and the growth of the local Hispanic population, the number of Spanish speakers in Dallas will continue to rise for the forseeable future.

With so much of your market (and work force) speaking a language other than English, proper and professional translation services can save you a lot of hassle and expand your business’ options.

Contact us today for more information on reliable Dallas translation services.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:54:00.268Z):

If your Hispanic target market is Texas’ capital city, Austin (pop. over 1.25 million), to reach that market you’ll need to employ Austin translation services. The numbers tell the story.  In fact, the Hispanic population in Austin has experienced phenomenal growth in the last 12 years.

Austin Hispanic stats

Consider the following stats from the Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on potential Spanish speaking customers:

• Hispanic population: 657,000+ (about one-third of the total Austin metro area)
• Hispanic Population growth: From 2000 to 2010, the Hispanic population in Austin increased by an astonishing 64%. This amounted to 45% of the total growth for the Austin Metro region.
• Average Hispanic income: From $35,000 to $75,000 per year.
• Hispanic purchasing power: Grew by 54% to a whopping $9.4 billion.
• Hispanic-owned firms (2007): 13.1%.

Ample media outlets

The Austin broadcast area includes four (two broadcast and two cable) Spanish-only television local outlets, two AM and two FM radio stations. Austin is also home to three Spanish-language newspapers, Ahora Si!, El Mundo and La Voz De Austin.)

Advice when targeting the Hispanic market

If you’re planning on expanding your business to reach out to Hispanics, here’s some marketing advice. It’s from a recent Houston Chronicle article that we highlighted in a blog last April. It bears repeating:

• Avoid stereotypes. Stereotyping can backfire because it is not only ineffective, but it also can be viewed as insensitive or even racist. Hispanics resent being viewed as different or separate.
• Use language that demonstrates that you understand the local Austin Hispanic culture, which is essentially family oriented.
• Be sensitive to traditionalists. They are the older or are newly relocated, and their primary language is Spanish, and they rely heavily on Spanish media outlets for information and ideas on where to take their business.
• Likewise focus on the later generations of the Hispanic market. View this group as bicultural and plan for both English and Spanish ads in your marketing plans.
• Don’t neglect brand awareness. You will build lasting loyalty if you take the time and extra effort. Focus on community activism and service, and over time you’ll gain fiercely loyal customers.

If you are located in or targeting Austin and plan on reaching out to the growing Hispanic market, contact us. No matter what your translation needs — from a Spanish language website to media copy that matches the local culture — we’ll broadcast your message in high cultural fidelity.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:57.381Z):

If you’re selling your home, or make your living as a real estate agent, you may be wondering why the growing real-estate market seems to be passing you by. You recognized the growing importance of the Internet and automatically put all your home sales online, complete with pictures and glowing descriptive text. Yet, you don’t have as many inquiries or showings as you’d like.

Maybe it’s because all your text is in English. Foreign buyers are becoming a growing force in the U.S. Real estate market. For example, the National Association of Realtor reported that in the 12 months ending March 2013, Chinese buyers accounted for 18 percent of the $68.2 billion dollars spent on homes in the U.S. They typically spent a median $425,000 and almost 70 percent paid cash for their purchases.

Foreign buyers naturally prefer to read listings in their own language. You could use one of those web translation services to convert your housing descriptions. If nothing else, you’ll be providing laughs to the foreign buyers. Don’t believe us? Use these machine services to convert one of you current descriptions to another language. Then convert the translation back to English to see how incomprehensible the text has become.

The only way to appeal to foreign buyers is to have you text transformed by a professional translation service. We are not only aware of the language nuances but are sensitive to other cultures. We can also suggest a layout for your page that takes advantage of international sensitivities, which is critical when dealing with languages that use the non-Roman alphabet, such as Chinese or Arabic.

Contact us today to see how we can help you.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:54.095Z):

California holds the distinction of being one of the most diverse states in the union. Hispanics or Latinos of any ethnicity now make up 37.6% of the population, and Asians have hit 14.9%. To maximize your business’ impact on the market, it’s necessary to connect with a growing diverse consumer base.

Here are some things you need to consider when doing business in the Golden State:

Growing importance of Spanish Hispanics and Latinos currently make up 37.6% of the population. By 2020, they’re projected to make up 40.7% of California’s population. Not only is having reliable Spanish translation necessary for connecting with the Spanish speaking portion of this demographic, but being able to engage in cross-border business can prove to be a very lucrative opportunity.

Chinese growth will have a large impact on business. On top of traditional Asian exporters like Japan and South Korea, the growing Chinese economy means that the possibility of doing business with Chinese companies is much more significant now than ever. Additionally, Chinese tourists will make up the majority of visitors to Los Angeles by 2020. Being able to effectively communicate with and market to these visitors will be key to growing a thriving business.

Immigrant-owned business will be a much larger portion of the market. The number of immigrant-owned businesses is on the rise. Partnering with these businesses will be a large part of B2B relations in the future – especially as a way to increase the target demographic of both parties involved.

Sharing a border with Mexico as well as a maritime border with East Asia means that having reliable California translation services is key to doing business. Contact us today to make sure you’ll be able to work effectively with our new neighbors.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:50.344Z):

The various sub-fields of linguistics can teach a translator a great deal.  Since these fields have developed over time, there is a vast amount of knowledge contained in them, from language comparisons to the study of cultural signs.  Here are two linguistic sub-fields and the way in which they can help translators:

1. Historical Linguistics: This was one of the first fields of linguistics to emerge and was dominant for a long time until it was replaced by synchronic linguistics or the study of language in the moment.  Even though historical linguistics may not be the dominant linguistic approach in the present, it still contains a lot of information that can help translators.

Historical linguists studied language families and demonstrated how several languages were descended from the same root, knowledge which is invaluable to a translator.  Knowing that two languages had the same root keeps the translator on the lookout for similarities in meaning and grammar.  However, it’s also possible that two languages which seem similar on the surface may have different roots, and knowing this will warn the translator not to take the meanings of words for granted even if they sound similar.

2. Semiotics: Semiotics is a fascinating field popularized by thinkers such as Saussure, Derrida and Foucault.  It is basically the study of meaning—not just the meanings of words but also the meanings of other cultural signs and symbols.

It is interesting how words with certain meanings can come to mean something totally different over time because of cultural influences.  Take, for example, the word “novel” which initially only referred to something new.  However, given that novels, as we now know them i.e., long pieces of fiction, were a novel idea when they were first introduced, they were referred to over and over as “novel” until the adjective became a noun.  Now, the plots of the novels you find on the market may strike you as pretty tired and old, but they’re still called “novels”!

Translators can benefit from staying on the pulse of languages and noting how changes in meaning take place over time.  This helps in producing an accurate translation where the meanings of words have been precisely conveyed.

Knowing the historical basis of a language and studying the changing meanings of words are both invaluable talents in a translator and can aid greatly in producing accurate translations.  The fluidity of meaning in human discourse can be both, its strongest and its weakest point.  It leads to great variety and diversity between and even within cultures.  But it can also trip you up if you’re not careful.  Contact us for translation services that keep in mind the similarities and differences between languages and the meanings of words.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:44.421Z):

Localization describes the process of translating material to a foreign language. Localized documents must be clear, comprehensible and culturally appropriate for the audience of the target language. Almost any professional translation company can perform such translations adequately or they would be out of business.

Website translations differ from printed localization because rather than targeting human readers, they must suit search engines and the way in which they organize information. This process is called search engine optimization, or SEO. Translators must be aware of keywords, anchor texts, titles, tags and other SEO elements that such engines depend on to rank the importance of a site. They must localize such elements so that when a foreign-language searcher types a relevant phrase into the engine, your website appears first in the list of matches. Naturally, their efforts must also make the website translation appealing for its human readership. Visitors must find your site engaging to read and useful if you want them to stay.

When you submit your site to website translation services, make sure to explain the keywords and audience that you’re going after. Show them competing websites through search engines. In addition, ask them what search engines they’re going to target. If your main audience consists of foreign-language speakers in the United States, Mexico, or Germany. then Google remains the search engine of choice. Other countries rely on different search sites. In Japan, Yahoo is more popular. In Russia, Yandex is number one and in China, most searchers rely on Baidu.

At Keylingo, we can translate your website so it meets both human needs and search engine parameters in the country of your choice. Contact us if you want to know if we can help you.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:38.505Z):

According to the World Tourism Organization’s data, international tourists infused an estimated $1.3 trillion into the global economy last year. Of those, many were Chinese tourists visiting the United States. They presently represent a lucrative market that many tourism related businesses are hoping to tap into. So lucrative in fact, that the Georgia Department of Economic Development and others have a history of making concerted efforts to reach them. However, capitalizing on the current market trend does not come without challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles that must be overcome is the language barrier. Understandably, it impacts every aspect of a hospitality firm’s marketing efforts as well as the delivery of onsite services. Therefore, travel related businesses looking to capitalize on the market trend should consider hiring professional translation companies that offer substantial depth and breadth of services. They can help to reduce the likelihood that a sale will be lost due to language barrier issues or cultural misunderstandings.

For example, let’s assume that a travel company wants to market a U.S. based tour to Chinese students living abroad. A professional translation services firm can help by creating tour brochures, tour contract forms, promotional videos, websites and catalog materials in flawless Chinese. They may also help translate the materials needed to create a booking portal, enhance social media campaigns, build brand awareness, launch cooperative marketing initiatives and provide supplemental tour information to the travel company’s clients

Examples of supplemental tour information that could be translated into Chinese include:

• Insider information about area attractions (i.e. best time of day to visit or best place to buy souvenirs)
• Directions, special deals and menus provided by area restaurants (i.e. co-op marketing partners)
• Audio walking tours and voiceovers for guided motorcoach tours
• Travel budget planners and currency converters

In addition to providing marketing materials, professional translation services may also help travel related businesses deliver onsite services. This may be accomplished by having one of the firm’s professionals provide translation services directly to the Chinese tourists. In some instances, the translators may also be able to assist the travel company’s staff carry out corporate training initiatives.

Would you like more details about how professional translation services may help travel businesses succeed? Contact us via the Keylingo Translations’ website.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:35.086Z):

In translation services, it’s necessary to be aware of the study of linguistics which describes and explains the nature of human languages.  Linguistics studies many things, including what the various languages in the world have in common as well as the many ways in which they differ.  Linguistics also covers dialects and discourse and can be studied using both, formal and functional approaches.

Universality vs. Variation

Some linguists prefer to sift through languages to figure out how they are similar.  Such linguists are looking for that common root which binds human beings together, since we are said to differ from animals in our use of complicated language systems.  However, other linguists are more interested in diversity, in the ways in which people can take a language and make it their own.  This is what usually results in the development of a creole, where two languages meet and are organically combined to create something new.

It’s important for a translator to keep both, universality and variation, in mind.  You can’t assume that all languages are the same, but neither can you assume that they’re completely different.  The human being is a complex animal, and one must keep in mind that it’s always possible to be surprised.

Functional vs. Formal Approaches

When it comes to linguistics, there are those who take a functional approach by theorizing that language came to be in order to facilitate communication and cooperation between human beings.  This might seem like the obvious reason for the development of language, but there are those who believe that language merely reflects the way a human being thinks, that it came to exist as an outward expression of an inner trait.  The functional approach is more in line with cultural studies while the formal approach is more in line with biological evolution.

Obviously, both nature and nurture are important when it comes to the study of language, and, for a good translator, it’s necessary to take them both into account.  Language may reflect how people think, but it also reflects their cultural influences.

Dialects and Discourse

A dialect is a variation of a language which has not yet been given the full status of a language.  Discourse, however, refers to the usage of words in a particular way among certain groups of people who still speak the common language.  For example, people who belong to the medical fraternity use medical language which is considered part of the medical discourse.  The same goes with lawyers.

Dialects and discourses may be hard to translate, given that they aren’t all that widespread, and a translator needs to keep in mind that s/he may have to do some extra research to translate such language variations correctly.

Overall, it can be said that the study of linguistics is immensely helpful to a translator as it points out the areas where s/he must be careful and pay extra attention.  At the same time, it can also help the translator by introducing various approaches to understanding language.  Contact us to fulfill all your translation needs, and rest assured that our translators will give each document the attention it deserves.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:31.563Z):

Depending on the complexity and subject matter of your writing, converting it into a foreign language can take time, even when you use professional translation services. To make the process more efficient and ultimately save money, prepare your document for translation with these tips.

Stick to concise sentences that avoid dependent clauses. Simpler writing prevents confusion in figuring out what you want to say. Avoid idiomatic expressions and slang unless you want the interpreter to use a language-appropriate equivalent that may not convey your precise thoughts.

Add plenty of white space if your document must follow a particular layout. Foreign-language translations can increase the size of English-language text by up to a third, depending on the target language. Having more white space gives a place for the additional characters to expand into. Keep in mind that foreign countries may use page sizes, such as A4, that are smaller than the American letter size.

Minimize the use of columns or narrow sidebars. Some languages, such as German, have words that are almost as long as complete English sentences. Narrow columns can force such a word to break across several lines making it incomprehensible.

Watch out for culturally inappropriate pictures. A picnic scene showing a young lady in shorts maybe be offensive in cultures where women normally cover up all their limbs. Have several alternatives available especially if your document is destined for multiple audiences and languages.

Provide source files to make editing easier. For example, rather than giving a picture of a budget chart, submit the Excel file used to create the chart. Otherwise, the translator may have to recreate the image, which increases time and cost, and can introduce errors.

For more tips on how to prepare your documents or information on translation services, contact us.

AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T14:53:27.789Z):