Translation Blog: SETranslations

As we are all experiencing the recession, some more than others, the language industry is showing that when there is little work in one area of specialization there is more in others. Take it from this point of view when businesses are growing into new markets they need localization, be it translation of documents, websites, brochures e.t.c. However, when there is a downturn in these types of translation services due to economic crisis, other specialized translation service are needed.

Now unfortunately businesses are closing, going into liquidation needing legal and most often official translations. In a recent survey by global watch tower a translator stated: “The translation market is pretty resilient. When things are good, you translate loan agreements. During downturns, you translate foreclosures.” Give your take!

El número de traductores aumenta cada año y, gracias a las nuevas tecnologías y el proceso de globalización, existe material suficiente para proveer a la mayoría de las agencias de traducción con trabajo de traducción.  El proceso de selección es rígido y estricto. Por otra parte los traductores profesionales envían su CV a revistas, juzgados, agencias turísticas buscando una oportunidad de trabajo. ¿Alguien quiere compartir su experiencia profesional?

Both working in house and/or as a freelance come with there positive and negative job aspects. This post comes as recent search engine queries show “Is a translator a good job?” a frequent ask!  This must mean either translators are doubting their careers or newbies feeling a little unsure in the present climate to enter the industry as a professional.

Is translating a career you would advise or steer clear of if you had your time again (Not saying that anyone is old)?  Give your take on the situation!

Today Secretary of State Hilary Clinton presented to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia a gift to reset the nations past difficulties.  Instead of the intentional word “reset” (”perezagruzka”) the gift was labelled in bold  “peregruzka,” which means “overcharged”. Oooops!

This just proves the importance of professional translations, especially when dealing with delicate international matters.  Luckily, there was no damage done.

As the World has officially entered a global recession, will this or has this already affected the translator community out there?  Are there less businesses needing translation services as a consequence? Are business worried to spend their budget on Foreign speaking Markets?

As a community of translators, each story and experience is welcome.

Teaching a language is far different to teaching  a subject like Chemistry or Maths.  So we all want to know, as a teacher or as a student, what makes a good language teacher?

There has been a lot of development in Asian markets over the past few years.  Everyone has been investing there, and with the recent 2008 Olypics it seems China is the most exciting place to be.  Have a look at this recent finding and think about this from a translators prospective:

Domain buying from http://www.domainesinfo.fr visit for latest results

Will .cn be the new .com?

Many programmes are broadcasted questioning the top five (or top ten) cities in the world every year, however, i´m sure these are biased opinions to promote tourism.  Post what you condisider are your top five cities (if you can with reasons).  If you want to choose just one Country and give a top five, better still. Look forward to your posts!

As SETranslations offers English courses to Professionals and the Public Education Sector throughout Spain our students regularly ask about travelling abroad to perfect their accent and language skills. As we have heard different experiences from various students (good and bad), we would like to ask of any recommendations.

Even the most knowledgeable translators get stuck on certain words during the translation process. The word(s) can linger in the mind and bring the translation to a halt which can be disastrous.

So where can translators go to get help to find out these troublesome words? A dictionary, a certain blog, a forum? Each translator has their resources, some better than others. We need to know the best!