Posts by Chad Richardson
Translating the Untranslatable: Words with No Direct Equivalent
If you are bilingual, then you know that it’s difficult to translate certain things from one language to another. There are certain words which don’t have any equivalent in other languages; they can be translated but only by using a longer phrase or an entire sentence. And yet, once you use this entire sentence, the other person will be able to understand what you’re saying because they’ve heard of that phenomenon even if they don’t have a word for it.
This is the beauty of humanity—we can all understand each other if we try. And translators can help to create this type of bridge between people speaking different languages and belonging to different cultures. Here are some interesting words which a good translator will be able to get across, even if they don’t have a direct equivalent:
- Kummerspeck (German): You know how you tend to eat more when you’re upset? This is a phenomenon that Americans may only have become aware of more recently, with the advent of psychotherapy. But Germans have been aware of Kummerspeck—the excess weight gained from overeating—for a while now and therefore, they have a word for it.
- Tartle (Scottish): You’re walking with a friend, you meet another and you have an entire conversation with the latter without introducing the first. Why would someone do something so rude? Obviously because you’ve forgotten the name of that first friend! And that panicky feeling you got when you met the second and couldn’t remember their name—that’s tartling!
- Gigil (Filipino): You know how you hated it when people pinched your cheek when you were a kid? Well, now you should know they couldn’t help it because they felt gigil—an irresistible urge to pinch or squeeze something cute!
- Layogenic (Tagalog): You know how you see a beach and a sunset from far away and think it’s really beautiful, only to get up close and find it’s completely littered with trash? That’s what layogenic means—something that looks great from a distance but not so great up close.
- L’esprit de L’Escalier (French): This phrase literally means “stairwell wit” and refers to a sensation that we’ve all experienced. You get into a fight or an argument—or maybe you’re just having an intellectual discussion—but at some point, you get stumped by something the other person says. And then, you think of a great retort just as you’re leaving or when you’re no longer in that situation.
Contact us for a translation that will help you to come up with a meaning for all kinds of words, even those that might seem untranslatable.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:35:02.292Z):
Read MoreThe Challenges Associated with Communication in a Post-Pandemic World
With the advent of the pandemic, countless forms of interaction between individuals, and in fact entire societies, disappeared almost entirely overnight. Normal activities such as face-to-face communication between organizational colleagues, along with direct interaction between staff members and the public were swiftly replaced with physically distant forms of communication, manifesting primarily in the forms of cell phone usage and video conferencing. Reliable and effective channels of communication built over decades, instantly became inadequate for the new ways in which employees were required to conduct the affairs of their organization. In this post, we will outline some of the challenges of communicating in a post-pandemic world, along with some suggestions on how to ensure effective, reliable communication will still remain a cornerstone of a successful organization.
Missing the Old Cues
Whether many realized it or not, up until very recently individuals and groups relied on certain cues such as visual eye contact, body language, and other subtle cues to help them perceive true meaning when communicating with others. Virtually all organizations heavily relied upon face-to-face interaction as a communication channel, both within their organization and with clients and vendors. Many employees spent virtually all of their working hours interacting directly with customers. When it was necessary to communicate with management or other co-workers, their interaction was in the form of face-to-face communication with them as well.
Now many companies have severely restricted or completely eliminated in-person communication, leaving staff members with few alternatives to convey vital work-related material to others. Interaction is limited to phone conversations, or by way of a chat feature or video conferencing app, where subtle communication cues are often overlooked or misconstrued.
The Necessity of Recording
Now more than ever, it’s important for organizations to establish protocols for capturing vital communication within their organization. With face-to-face interaction gone for the foreseeable future, companies must turn to other forms of communication that will support their efforts to produce meaningful work that is reliable and accurate. By establishing protocols on how to use, organize, and store written/visual forms of communication such as emails, shared spreadsheets, documents, photos, screen captures, etc., along with creating auditory records of meetings that now take place either by phone or video conferencing, staff members will have created the necessary resources when additional clarification is needed.
If you would like to know more on how to approach the task of successful communication in a post-pandemic world, please contact us.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:35:25.296Z):
Read MoreHow do you approach Legal Document Translation?
Importance of Legal Document Translation
Legal Document translation is often the difference between the successful or unsuccessful representation of a client. In different areas of law, a wide range of documents need to be translated daily. Deeds, Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testament, Death Certificates and Contract of Sale are all examples of just a few important legal documents translated in any given law practice.
Legal Document Translation Process
Freelance translators should not be trusted to translate legal documents. There is a complicated process that takes place after the initial translation is completed. Remember, these documents need to stand up in a court of law and under strict scrutiny. All documents must be proofread, checked for a second time, and then accepted before they can be utilized.
Legal System Differences
Hire a translation company that knows the local customs in laws applicable to the document and where it will be used. For example, a Chinese death certificate used to Probate an Estate in a state in the United States should be translated for use in that state’s Surrogate court and not by a Chinese translator in Beijing.
Certified Legal Document Translation
Hire a legal document translation service that can certify their work. They will have a sworn translator able to swear to the accuracy of their translation that will go a long way when a court or legal entity is analyzing the documents themselves.
Translating documents for purposes of use in a court of law or the legal system should be approached seriously and handled strictly by professionals. These documents need to stand the test of time and require authenticity. Invest in and make use of professional companies that have well-known reputations for handling such matters since the difference between the successful representation of a client in this regard and not is the content of the translation and its accuracy.
If you are looking for a reliable company that offers legal translation services, please contact us today.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:35:53.258Z):
Read MoreDon’t Let Humorous Marketing Get Lost in Translation
Everyone can think of a commercial or advertisement that has made them laugh or smile. Humor, especially shared humor can make us feel like we’re enjoying something together, and that warm feeling can carry over into good thoughts about the associated products. But what happens when the joke gets lost in translation? At best, it can result in confusion and a missed opportunity, at worst, negative associations and even distrust or disliking a product or company. Professional translation services can help you avoid such pitfalls.
Difficulties of Translating Marketing Humor
In so many cases, what’s funny changes from culture to culture, so advertising that relies on that cultural knowledge will usually fall flat in translation. Even more difficult to deal with is humor that relies on wordplay, since the words must obviously change between languages. Using a computer translator won’t help, because it will almost always provide a literal translation, utterly lacking in the humor of the original. This is especially true for wordplay like puns where the play on words is what makes it fun and memorable. Adding in cultural sensitivity and an awareness of what’s generally considered funny is necessary to translate humor successfully.
How Professional Translation Can Help
Professional translators can examine the end result of the advertisement and work backwards to create an appropriate equivalent rather than attempting an exact translation. They pay attention to the nuances and subtleties of the languages so the meaning and intent of the message is carried through. Translation for marketing, among other areas, is more than just getting the words right. Marketing copy needs to carry the feel of the original and evoke the same response in multiple languages and across cultures.
If you’re looking for assistance in translating your marketing materials, we can help. Contact us today to see how we can work together.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:36:14.758Z):
Read MoreWhen expanding into foreign markets, make sure your message resonates with customers
As e-commerce continues to boom in a globe impacted by COVID-19, it is an excellent time for businesses to expand into new markets by selling their products and services to foreign markets. Launching into new markets involves localizing and contextualizing the marketing and advertising language with the target audience.
Tech companies have realized the power of language and translation services in new and emerging sectors, and are rolling out solutions for atomized translation. The global machine translation market is expected to grow 19% through 2024. Yet, the role of professional translation with a human touch will remain essential to ensure the consistency and emotive aspects of messaging.
Acquiring new customers is not just about spending large amounts on marketing and advertising, but also involves careful contextualization and localization of translation to the target audience. Language is critical in connecting emotionally to customers, moving them to click on an advert or taking the next step to becoming an official customer. Getting the right message largely depends on human ingenuity and a real understanding of words customers will respond to.
Here are a few tips for businesses to consider when preparing translated marketing and advertising text:
1.) Word-for-word translation on Google Translate does not work. It can lead to failure of the message to translate or, in some cases, cause offence. Sometimes certain words do not exist in languages.
2.) Have a view of dialectal differences as well as differences in measurements, currencies, the order of numbers and dates, and other local factors that should be kept in mind when drafting messaging.
3.) Different languages have different character spaces, so double check when uploading a translation to ensure it fits within your desired word or space count.
4.) Don’t forget to translate keywords that customers would search.
5.) If creating advertisements or campaigns, create separate campaigns to view the CTR for the localized language.
Contact us for help in perfecting your advertising and messaging for your audiences. We will ensure the tone resonates as intended with the customer.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:36:21.362Z):
Read More3 Ways Communication Has Changed in a Post-Pandemic World
The pandemic has changed almost every aspect of our lives, and the way we communicate is no exception. In order to successfully navigate a post-pandemic world, taking these changes into consideration is important if we want to communicate as well as we can. Here are a few of the biggest shifts we’ve seen:
1. Re-watching and Rereading Are Becoming Essential
Being able to have a record is one of the keys to communication during these times. Not everyone can attend online meetings at the same time, and not everyone can process online information at the same rate and with the same level of comprehension. Therefore, written and spoken recordings are necessary to ensure that everyone is on the same page. When they can access information repeatedly, people can take all the time they need in order to absorb and process.
2. Flexibility is Key
We must learn to take changes as they come. Nowadays, communications can be interrupted in any number of ways: a document hasn’t gone through, a voice message won’t load, or a webcam won’t turn on. To communicate effectively, we must be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and accept that people have different resources at their disposal.
3. Our Messages Must Be Clear and Precise
These days, misinformation is everywhere. In order to combat this issue, we must be as clear and precise as possible. We need to find the correct words to express ourselves, and we also need to be certain of what we say. This is certainly not easy, but it is doable as long as we have the right people around to articulate our messages.
We at Keylingo know all about clarity and precision, and we’re here to make sure that your message comes across as effectively as possible. Let us know if you need language support for your video multilingual subtitles, voice over, technical manuals, marketing brochures or other collateral. Contact us to learn more about our translation services.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:36:25.602Z):
Read MoreTop 5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Business Translation Company
Over half of the almost eight billion residents on Earth are internet users, according to Statista. E-commerce is a powerful business model for companies that want to establish an online presence and expand their digital footprint. Today, global brands operate in a culturally diverse arena, which makes multilingualism an invaluable resource.
Essentially, it helps global ventures overcome language barriers and effectively communicate in a regionally, culturally appropriate manner. With the incredible emphasis placed on quality and accuracy, many international enterprises outsource their linguistic work to translation specialist companies. So why should businesses consider hiring a translation partner?
1. Get Culturally Accurate Translations in Localization Services
Translating content into multiple languages and preserving authentic cultural interpretations is a complex process. However, professional translation companies do it all the time, which makes them an invaluable asset in global business dealings. These experts are keen on colors, design, local culture, language, images, and customs that appeal to specific audiences. Additionally, these companies assign articulate native speakers who know the cultural behavior, grammar, dialectical nuances, jargon, and language to use.
2. Specialization
Another value businesses that work a professional translation partner get is specialization. All the translators at these companies are well-versed specialists who can contribute value to the project they’re doing. These experts maintain a high level of accuracy, quality, and deliver translations within record time.
3. High-Volume Translation Deliverable
Translation companies command a sizable labor force that can handle bulk projects without sacrificing quality, speed, and accuracy. They can also assign multiple speakers depending on the language requirements. These platforms also utilize powerful translation tools to increase output consistently within the agreed deadline.
4. Complex Language Intelligence
Some languages have an intricate dialog that often requires expertise, in-depth knowledge, and hands-on experience to produce accurate translations. Translation specialist companies use advanced native speakers who can interpret local and cultural influences in languages correctly.
5. Promote Business Expansion
If a business is considering expansion into foreign markets, having a dedicated translation partner will ensure a seamless transition. Translation providers that have advanced-level localization intelligence can help guide the process and position brands for international success. These professionals can also leverage their expertise to help ventures formulate winning marketing strategies.
If you are looking for translation services to help your business grow, don’t hesitate to contact us.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:36:38.965Z):
Read More3 Things to Look For When Hiring a Technical Manual Translation Service
Technical manual translation requires a different set of skills that not all translators possess. High accuracy and knowledge of the terminology used in the field are required to ensure the translated version contains the same ideas found in the original document. Since these technical documents are often used in machinery, automobile and electronic device operation, having the right language helps us avoid misunderstandings and incorrect instructions that could end up costing dearly. Here are things to look out for when hiring a technical manual translation service.
Check the Translator’s Experience
One way to make sure you pick the right person for the job is to look at their past projects. Find projects that have similar aspects to the one you are working on and pay attention to the kind of language they use when translating technical content while remembering some industry-specific terminology may require the use of a glossary.
Start Small
Before committing to a long-term project with a translating service, consider giving them a trial assignment to see how things go. This works quite well for companies you first work with to understand not only the quality of their work, also their processes and timelines. Most professional services will have no problem with this, as it gives them a chance to establish a long-term working relationship with you.
Knowledge in the Subject Matter
Technical translation is not just about knowing the destination language well enough. Even native speakers have trouble speaking technical terms if they are not in the field. That’s why it’s important to check the translator’s credentials to make sure they have knowledge in your project field.
Hiring technical manual translators with the right skills is critical to your project success. Let us know what questions you have and we’ll help guide you through the process.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:36:49.935Z):
Read MoreThe Importance of Translation During These Challenging Times
When the world is going through challenging times, translation becomes even more important than before. This is because everyone around the world is facing the same type of situation. Many people are on lockdown and cannot leave their homes. So they continue working and running their businesses from home. At the same time, experts, doctors and researchers are trying to find a solution to the pandemic facing the world, and it’s necessary for them to be able to communicate with each other. Here are some ways in which translation can help us during challenging times:
- Sharing Scientific Research: When doctors and researchers around the world are conducting research on trying to find a solution, they need to be able to share their findings with each other. When someone does come up with a potential solution, they will need to be able to share the information with people in other countries and translation plays a key role in the communications.
- Sharing Preventive Measures: Some countries have been affected more by the pandemic than others. Fortunately, however, we are learning as we go, and by this point, people have realized that physical distancing is the most important thing. In order to share what we learn about preventing this illness with other countries, translation becomes necessary. Translators work in the background and are one of many unsung heroes during these challenging times.
- Running Businesses: Even as doctors and researchers are trying to figure out a solution to what’s going on in the world today, businesses are adapting to operate as normal as possible. New policies and procedures are being put in place to keep workers safe, many of which speak different languages. This means translators are busy working on translations to help businesses communicate across all areas of their operations quickly and effectively.
Contact us to learn more about how translation can help us during these challenging times.
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:37:01.022Z):
Read MoreKeylingo’s Response To COVID-19
The world is facing an unprecedented crisis and with it comes the need to communicate information quickly, effectively and truthfully. Your employees, your customers, and your supply chain urgently need access to accurate information in a native language they understand to make well-informed decisions.
Keylingo is fully operational and ready to do our part in response to this international medical emergency. Along with our eco-system, we have developed a COVID-19-specific hygiene and remote working policy in late February in response to the advance of what at that time was an epidemic and what is now a pandemic.
We
are supporting our staff with medical/parental leave, when necessary, and will
continue to do so as COVID-19 evolves.
And our staff are supporting us, and you, with their unwavering and ongoing commitment to sustainable, high quality service.
We are aware that a high number of translation requests are now coming in at odd hours and/or during the weekend.
We are here to assist people access health-related information:
We are continuing to provide services around the clock. No matter what your time zone or turnaround requirements, we are here to serve.
We are accepting new projects even after hours and on weekends at no additional charge.
We are building a multilingual database of common COVID-19 key terminology that we will share for free. Contact us for additional details.
Right now we are processing high volumes of COVID-19 related materials and notifications into multiple languages.
Together
we can beat COVID-19.
Keep Well and Stay Safe!
Contact us to learn more about how we can support your urgent translation needs
AI Search Summary (Updated: 2026-04-02T15:37:19.256Z):
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