Rapport International » bi-lingual

Spanish Possession

Wendy Pease — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Did you know that in English, we use the apostrophe “s” to show ownership or possession. In Spanish, the apostrophe “s” does not exist so instead they use the word “de”, meaning “of” to show possession.
Example:
English: My sister’s son is my nephew.
Spanish: The son of my sister is my nephew.

Souvenir

Wendy Pease — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:05:20 +0000

Did you know that the word souvenir comes from the French word memory? A souvenir is a memento or keepsake a traveler brings home for the memories associated with it. How appropriately named!

From the Hispanic PR Blog…

Wendy Pease — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:03:01 +0000

“If you or your company haven’t thought about how to reach the Latino audience, now is a good time, especially with the release of the Census data in early 2011. According to recent reports, the buying power of Hispanics in the U.S. will reach $1.3 billion by 2014 – or twice as fast as the general market.
An amazing convergence is happening in marketing today: the growth of the U.S. Hispanic population is coinciding with the growth of digital media. In fact, Hispanics worldwide are increasingly using the Internet and social media to not only keep in touch with family and friends but they are also searching for product information, comparing prices, printing coupons, and shopping online.
Is your brand ready?”

Language Training

Wendy Pease — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:23:02 +0000

The government of Canada offers free language training in French and English to all incoming permanent adult residents.

Linguistic Borrowing

Wendy Pease — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:04:17 +0000

Ann-Marie Imbornoni writes in her article “Gung ho, Tycoon, Amuck” about the linguistic borrowing that has occurred over many centuries. Ms. Imbornoni notes that it occurs “whenever English speakers have come into contact with other cultures, whether through conquest and colonization, trade and commerce, immigration, travel, or war. Many of these borrowed words no longer seem foreign, having been completely assimilated into English.”

Cantonese (southern China, Hong Kong)

chop suey – from a word meaning “miscellaneous bits.”
chow – related to chop in chop suey, from a word meaning “food, miscellany.”
kumquat – a small citrus fruit.
typhoon – from the words for “great wind.”
yen – meaning a “yearning” or “strong desire.”

Mandarin (Beijing, China; official national standard)

gung ho – a motto used by the Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society, from words meaning “work together.” It was picked up by U.S. Marines during World War II.

kow-tow – from words meaning “to knock [one's] head.”

English Equivalents?

Wendy Pease — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:59:38 +0000

These words do not have direct equivalents in English. Some of them would definitely be useful for English-speakers, what do you think?
1. Waldeinsamkeit (German): the feeling of being alone in the woods
2. Ilunga (Tshiluba, Congo): a person who is ready to forgive any abuse for the first time, to tolerate it a second time, but never a third time
3. Taarradhin (Arabic): a way of resolving a problem without anyone losing face (not the same as our concept of a compromise – everyone wins)
4. Litost (Czech): a state of torment created by the sudden sight of one’s own misery
5. Esprit de l’escalier (French): a witty remark that occurs to you too late, literally on the way down the stairs…

How to Review a Translation

Wendy Pease — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:14:59 +0000

1. Make sure the reviewer is fully bi-lingual.

Use a reviewer who is truly bi-lingual. Taking Spanish in High School does not make a person qualified to review your translation for accuracy.

2. Make sure the reviewer is familiar with your company and industry.

The reviewer needs to be familiar with standard terminology and jargon in order to provide a precise and accurate review.

3. Track all edits.

Keep track of all changes when editing the original copy to save costs on translation edits.

4. Writing is subjective

Make sure the reviewer is looking for errors, mistakes, accuracy of terminology and quality of meaning. Writing is subjective and so is translation. If the translation is correct, but not the same writing style as the reviewer, do not allow for changes to the wording.

5. Keep the meaning the same.

If you are going to allow the reviewer to change the translation to another meaning which the employee feels is more appropriate, make sure the changes are agreed upon with the translation company and the original translator.

6. Have the original translator review the edits.

The original translator should review and accept the edits. If the translator does not agree to the edits, there should be an explanation.