Insights
Stay on top of useful global communication and business topics with knowledge, data, and insights from the Keylingo team
What We Can Learn from Sapphic Poetry About the Flexibility of Contemporary Translation Services
Often, you find that several different translations of a certain work are considered correct even though they may be quite different. This is true of the Ancient Greek poet Sappho who was known for her love poetry. In one translation, one of her poems goes, “once I look at you for a moment, I can’t/…
The Case of the Feminine Blue Dress: Considering Vocabulary and Grammar in Translation Services
If you’re bilingual, you’ve probably been practicing translation on an informal basis for a while. Maybe you’ve been in social situations where you were surrounded by two people speaking different languages, and you had to make sure they understood each other. Or maybe you went to see a French film with an American friend and…
Understanding vs. Comprehending: Old and New Conventions in Professional Translation
When translating a document, a translator has the option of going with a more literal translation or one that more accurately expresses what a certain person is trying to say. For example, the verb “comprendre” in French can be translated as “to comprehend” which seems more literal because the two words are so close in…
“Savoir-Faire” vs. “Know-How”: How Translation Services Are Affected by Cultural Differences
Anyone who is bilingual knows that translation is a difficult procedure. Not only does grammar vary from language to language, but often, one language may have words which another language doesn’t have. How do you translate phrases such as “je ne sais quoi”? Technically, you would say, “I don’t know what,” but this really doesn’t…
Chaucer’s Intercultural Translations and How Translation Services Can Help make us more Cosmopolitan
Some of the first translations into the English language were done by Chaucer who adapted works written by Giovanni Boccaccio while writing A Knight’s Tale and Troilus and Criseyde. He also started a translation of Roman de la Rose, a French work, and the oevre of Boethius, which was in Latin. Obviously, he was a…
How Studying Plato’s Views on Language Can Aid Translation Services
Languages are so ancient that studying even the oldest texts can help in modern day translation services. The Ancient Greeks, who are known for their contribution to Western civilization first came up with an alphabet by adapting the one used by the Phoenicians, another ancient Semitic civilization. As a result, the works of Homer were…
Mark Twain’s Hilarious Back-Translation and its Significance for Translation Services
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…
To effectively market to Spanish speakers, consider professional Dallas translation services.
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…
Austin translation services can be a capital investment
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…
Why Real Estate Listings Need Professional Translation
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…
Shifting Demographics Mean California Translation Services are More Important than Ever
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…
How a Knowledge of Historical Linguistics and Semiotics Can Aid Translation Services
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: Historical Linguistics: This…