A la hora de organizar congresos y eventos multilingües, es vital entender cómo se va a conseguir una comunicación fluida y ágil entre personas que hablan diferentes idiomas. El problema de la incomprensión mutua es tan viejo como la bíblica Torre de Babel, pero su antigüedad no justifica la falta de preparación para superarlo.
Primero. Hay que asegurarse de que toda la documentación esté bien escrita en todos los idiomas del evento. El hecho de no dominar un idioma no puede ser óbice a la hora de asegurar la calidad de las traducciónes. Es lamentable la cantidad de documentos que salen en un inglés macarrónico hoy en día, por culpa de la pereza de determinadas personas a las que no les preocupa ser comprendidas por los extranjeros. Por muy gracioso que resulte leer en un restaurante chino una traducción que incita a la risa, en un congreso serio da lugar a falta de confianza en los organizadores y, por ende, en la seriedad del congreso en sí, lo que no conviene a nadie. Si no hablas el idioma en cuestión, asegúrate de que un nativo lea la traducción antes de darle el visto bueno. Pocos documentos se publican en castellano sin que haya una segunda lectura, y la misma regla sirve para las traducciónes. El traductor traduce, pero un lector tiene que editar la traducción antes de publicarla.
Segundo. Debe pensarse en el tema de la interpretación. Hay diferentes tipos de interpretación y diferentes tipos de intérprete. Desgraciadamente, pocos organizadores tienen tiempo para conocer a todos los intérpretes de su mercado. Y existe un fenómeno que suscita grandes problemas en la contratación a ciegas: Hay intérpretes que se creen muy buenos, pero nunca llegan a serlo, e intérpretes con poca autoestima, que nunca te van a reconocer lo buenos que son. Por eso, la figura del intérprete asesor es tan importante. Este intérprete debe ser una persona de plena confianza, capaz de elegir a los mejores para realizar la interpretación, teniendo en cuenta sus calidades técnicas y humanas, su combinación de idiomas y sus preferencias personales. (Dos intérpretes que se odian pueden echar a perder un congreso, por muy banal que parezca). También tiene que saber aconsejarte sobre otros aspectos relaciónados con la interpretación, como son las cabinas, los técnicos de sonido, las salas, el programa, etc. Hay que encontrar a un intérprete asesor con quien te sientas cómodo, porque la relación va a ser tensa en los momentos de mayor presión, cuando resulta necesario asegurar la flexibilidad para afrontar los cambios de última hora que suelen surgir en cualquier gran evento. Cuanto antes se produzca el contacto con el intérprete asesor, mejor. Así tendrá tiempo para conocer las características concretas del trabajo que tiene que organizar.
Los intérpretes aportan al evento algo más que un mero traslado de significado de un idioma a otro. El organizador tiene que ayudar al intérprete asesor a entender en qué consiste el evento, y aprovechar su experiencia para ofrecer los mejores servicios posibles a los asistentes. Por ejemplo: En una reunión de marketing, priman la calidez de voz y la convicción en la presentación. En una presentación de resultados, priman la rapidez y la precisión. En reuniones técnicas, priman los matices y los detalles, pero a veces también la interacción humana entre personas de diferentes lenguas que tienen que formar un equipo. El intérprete asesor siempre busca el perfil idóneo para aportar los intérpretes más adecuados a cada tipo de reunión.
El intérprete asesor también puede ayudarte a confecciónar el programa de la forma más eficaz para minimizar el trauma de la interpretación. Por muy útiles que sean, los auriculares son molestos y es mejor organizar las naciónalidades de los ponentes de forma tal que haya cambios frecuentes de idiomas y los oyentes puedan escuchar una ponencia a través de la interpretación, seguida por otra en su idioma nativo, para descansar. Y es antieconómico programar una ponencia interpretada por la mañana y otra por la tarde y tener que pagar a los intérpretes para trabajar una jornada completa, cuando se puede englobar a todos los extranjeros en una única sesión. En general, los servicios se tipifican según el siguiente esquema:
Interpretación simultánea
El ponente habla directamente al público a través de un micrófono conectado a los auriculares de los intérpretes situados en una cabina. A la vez que habla, los intérpretes ofrecen una conversión de sus palabras en el idioma diana. Las palabras traducidas pueden estar emitidas dentro de una red cerrada (por ejemplo, dentro de la sala) o de una red abierta (por ejemplo, un webcast). Por las responsabilidades mayores del webcast, los intérpretes suelen cobrar un plus por salir en vivo fuera del lugar de la presentación.
Esta técnica también puede servir para reuniones más interactivas, por ejemplo, Consejos de Administración. Según la tipología de la reunión, si sólo hay dos idiomas se pueden poner cabinas mixtas, en cuyo caso los intérpretes interpretan en ambos sentidos desde y hacia el idioma de la reunión y el idioma diana. Cuando hay más idiomas, se suelen utilizar cabinas puras en las que los intérpretes pueden traducir desde varios idiomas hacia un único idioma (como se hace en la ONU y en la Unión Europea). Ambos tienen sus ventajas y sus inconvenientes. Las cabinas puras requieren más espacio, pero suelen ofrecer mejor calidad, sobre todo en el estilo de expresión de los intérpretes. El intérprete asesor tiene que asegurarse de los conocimientos de los intérpretes y de su verdadero dominio de los idiomas. El organizador tiene derecho a pedir que tan sólo los interpretes nativos traduzcan hacia su idioma nativo, porque en el caso contrario se pierden las ventajas de la “pureza” del idioma. Cuando se hace la interpretación both ways (en ambos sentidos), es inevitable que cada intérprete tenga su preferencia por uno u otro idioma, y si la interpretación es correcta, el cliente no puede quejarse por los acentos o pequeños deslices sintácticos. No obstante, en general, con tiempo suficiente para hacer una contratación eficaz, un buen intérprete asesor va a conseguir los mejores para cada trabajo.
Chuchotage
Es una variante de la simultánea en la que los intérpretes no utilizan cabina, y/o susurran al oído de uno o (como mucho) dos oyentes en el idioma diana, o utilizan un infoport (micrófono con transmisor) para atender a hasta diez personas que están conectadas por auriculares con receptores. Es un estorbo para la reunión. Los intérpretes tienen que estar físicamente presentes y se oye el murmullo constante de su interpretación, pero es eficaz para reuniones pequeñas y no especialmente formales.
Interpretación consecutiva
El ponente habla mientras el intérprete toma notas escritas, para luego leerlas en voz alta en el idioma diana. La consecutiva real conlleva una técnica muy ardua y los intérpretes tienen que ser capaces de reproducir sin perder detalles un discurso de hasta veinte minutos.
Esta técnica se utiliza tanto en ruedas de prensa como en negociaciónes y por teléfono. Hay que tener en cuenta que alarga la reunión más del doble, por lo que no es aconsejable en reuniones muy interactivas; pero en negociaciónes puede ser útil para que el cliente compruebe la exactitud de la interpretación y aproveche para escuchar dos veces lo dicho. Por teléfono, se utiliza a través de las conference call, para llamadas entre personas que no tienen un idioma en común. (Se puede hacer en simultánea también, pero el sonido no suele ser de suficiente calidad, y el orador no tiene la posibilidad de volver a escuchar sus palabras, por si quiere añadir o matizar detalles). Hay muchos intérpretes de simultánea que no hacen interpretación consecutiva. Aunque la gente suele pensar que cualquiera lo puede hacer, en realidad, requiere mucha formación y una personalidad extrovertida.
Interpretación acompañante
Cuando una persona necesita ayuda con el idioma, pero no es una situación formal, se puede contratar a un intérprete acompañante, si no prima la calidad. El intérprete asesor debe saber distinguir entre la interpretación consecutiva, que resulta bastante cara, y la interpretación acompañante, que no necesariamente tiene que costar tanto. Por ejemplo, se pueden encontrar estudiantes bilingües dispuestos a ir con los acompañantes de los congresistas a visitar museos, ir de compras, etc.
Pero ojo a la hora de meter intérpretes acompañantes en situaciónes desconocidas. No siempre es posible fiarse del cliente que alega que son “conversaciónes que no necesitan interpretación profesional”. A veces tales “conversaciónes” luego resultan ser negociaciónes con muchos matices muy importantes y mucha terminología técnica. O pueden ser procesos de Due Diligence, en los que los auditores entran en una empresa para hablar con los directivos de asuntos que requieren experiencia en la materia.
Conclusión
La comunicación humana puede funciónar bien si los problemas se identifican de antemano y se ponen los medios para superar barreras. En los congresos y demás eventos, las barreras más obvias son los idiomas. Una buena interpretación puede hacer que el evento sea todo un éxito. Una mala interpretación lo puede hundir.
Al igual que en la vida misma, si reflexionamos sobre el tema de antemano y nos hacemos asesorar por personas de suficiente experiencia, podemos conseguir resultados magníficos. A veces una buena interpretación vale más que la versión original
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Spanish translation Differences
Like popular European languages such as Italian and French, Spanish is derived from Latin. However, we must also bear in mind that other languages such as French and Arabic have had a strong influence on the Spanish language. When Spanish explorers "discovered" Latin America, the Spanish language used by the early settlers evolved into a distinctive dialect of Spanish with its own flavour and style. This new dialect of Spanish married the European and South American cultures to become what is generally called South American Spanish. Latin American Spanish is now spoken all over South America in places such as Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador with each country again having it's own specific nuances and dialects.
The differences between Latin American Spanish and European Spanish are in many respects similar to the differences between American and English meaning that Latin American Spanish speakers and European Spanish speakers have no difficulties understanding each other. The major differences between the two spoken dialects are as follows:
Spaniards tend to pronounce the z and the c before i or e like the "th" in "thick," while many Latin Americans pronounce it as the s. Also, some South Americans and in Argentina in particular, often pronounce the ll and y like the "s" in "measure." They also tend to drop s sounds, so está sounds like etá. In parts of South America, the j sounds like the "ch" in "loch" while in others it sounds like the English "h." Finally, the l and the r at the end of a word can sometimes sound alike. All of these pronunciation differences coupled with a slower pace and softer tone when speaking Latin American Spanish enable is to tell very easily where someone is from.
When it comes to South American Spanish translation and Spanish translation the differences are again very subtle and a Spaniard will generally have no problems understanding a South American text but there are some differences on grammar and vocabulary making it more logical to employ a native South American Spanish translator to translate texts specific to a particular South American market.
On grammar, two of the major differences that the Spanish translator will take into consideration are the leísmo of Spain and the use of the pronoun vos in some areas instead of tú. Secondly, vosotros is often used as the plural of tú (the singular familiar "you") in Spain, while in Latin American ustedes is used.
Vocabulary is where the major differences lie and can differ vastly even within South America emphasising again the importance of hiring a translator native to a particular locale or market. As they say there is no substitute for local knowledge.
Here are some of the misunderstandings that can arise from not hiring a native speaking translator to a specific market.
A Spanish translator may translate "to step on" as "pisar" while this maybe understood as "to have sex" in Latin American Spanish. A Spanish translator may translate "car" as "coche" while this maybe understood as "baby stroller" in Latin American Spanish. A "lápiz" is a pencil or crayon everywhere, but a "lapicero" is a pencil holder in some areas, a mechanical pencil in others, and a ball-point pen in others. There are also a number of blatant differences, such as a computer being an "ordenador" in Spain but a "computadora" in Latin America. Even within Latin Spanish we have the example where a Chinese restaurant is called a "chifa" in Peru and Chile but this word is very uncommon in other dialects of South American Spanish.
All in all, when sub-contracting your translation services for Latin Spanish do your research and ensure that your translator is not only a native South American Spanish translator but also native to the particular area/locale for which your text is being translated.
The differences between Latin American Spanish and European Spanish are in many respects similar to the differences between American and English meaning that Latin American Spanish speakers and European Spanish speakers have no difficulties understanding each other. The major differences between the two spoken dialects are as follows:
Spaniards tend to pronounce the z and the c before i or e like the "th" in "thick," while many Latin Americans pronounce it as the s. Also, some South Americans and in Argentina in particular, often pronounce the ll and y like the "s" in "measure." They also tend to drop s sounds, so está sounds like etá. In parts of South America, the j sounds like the "ch" in "loch" while in others it sounds like the English "h." Finally, the l and the r at the end of a word can sometimes sound alike. All of these pronunciation differences coupled with a slower pace and softer tone when speaking Latin American Spanish enable is to tell very easily where someone is from.
When it comes to South American Spanish translation and Spanish translation the differences are again very subtle and a Spaniard will generally have no problems understanding a South American text but there are some differences on grammar and vocabulary making it more logical to employ a native South American Spanish translator to translate texts specific to a particular South American market.
On grammar, two of the major differences that the Spanish translator will take into consideration are the leísmo of Spain and the use of the pronoun vos in some areas instead of tú. Secondly, vosotros is often used as the plural of tú (the singular familiar "you") in Spain, while in Latin American ustedes is used.
Vocabulary is where the major differences lie and can differ vastly even within South America emphasising again the importance of hiring a translator native to a particular locale or market. As they say there is no substitute for local knowledge.
Here are some of the misunderstandings that can arise from not hiring a native speaking translator to a specific market.
A Spanish translator may translate "to step on" as "pisar" while this maybe understood as "to have sex" in Latin American Spanish. A Spanish translator may translate "car" as "coche" while this maybe understood as "baby stroller" in Latin American Spanish. A "lápiz" is a pencil or crayon everywhere, but a "lapicero" is a pencil holder in some areas, a mechanical pencil in others, and a ball-point pen in others. There are also a number of blatant differences, such as a computer being an "ordenador" in Spain but a "computadora" in Latin America. Even within Latin Spanish we have the example where a Chinese restaurant is called a "chifa" in Peru and Chile but this word is very uncommon in other dialects of South American Spanish.
All in all, when sub-contracting your translation services for Latin Spanish do your research and ensure that your translator is not only a native South American Spanish translator but also native to the particular area/locale for which your text is being translated.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Translation as a career
There are two main types of translators: translators who work with anything written or published, and interpreters, who listen and translate a voice as it is being spoken. Translators may work on software, internet related materials or a variety of documents, including legal, business-related, technical, or “literary” texts, and is generally paid by the word. Interpreters are normally paid by the hour at business conferences, courts or government proceedings. Simultaneous interpreting is probably the most difficult discipline of translation as the interpreters need to be highly trained and fluent to interpret the voice of the speaker in real time. While translators can find their profession very challenging, it can also be quit tedious churning through word after word of, for example, technical texts. Translators, on the other hand, on the other hand have significant advantages in that they have time to polish their final product revising their translations with dictionaries, glossaries and other reference tools. A variety of working environments exist for translators such as various translation environments for software translation and website translation that include translation memories and glossaries. It can often take significant training for the translator to get fully up to speed with these tools.
Simultaneous interpreters must have very versatile backgrounds. A strong business background may be extremely useful to the simultaneous translator. Many companies offer 60 hours worth of training for these translators once hired. To become a technical translator, applicants must pass an exam and receive special certification. These translators must also posses excellent technical writing skills. Thankfully, many companies offer test preparation classes to ready applicants for the exams. Court translators generally need to be certified by the governments of their countries and need to pass exams for this certification. Other translators work in academic fields either studying or interpreting foreign texts. This is where there is often the most room for creative expression. However, it is also the area most likely to be widely scrutinized.
The route into translation is very structured and predictable, particularly for employment in the United Nations or other government agency. Those seeking the greatest opportunities for employment should be fluent in English and in one of the official languages of the United Nations; French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese. There are, however, numerous job opportunities for those possessing fluency in other languages. Applicants should have a language degree, preferably a B.S., B.A., or Masters. Employers prefer candidates who have exceptional fluency in at least two languages, though; many language combinations can often be off-putting for an employer due to the lack of specialization in a combination they are looking for. This may often also be the case for the field a translator may specialize in. A translator specialized in a particular field and language combination for ten years is often more likely to be chosen over a translator who has several working combinations and fields for the last ten years.
Candidates should be fluent in at least two cultures. Cultural study is an area that potential translators cannot overlook as it is invaluable to understanding the nuances of any work to be translated. However there is no substitute for living in the particular target language country.
During the first year of employment an average of only five percent of translators leaves the field. This incredibly low drop-out rate is due largely to the fact that translators often sign two-year contracts with their employers. Otherwise, the effort exerted in obtaining the job is often enough incentive to remain. Finally, there are few surprises in a career in translation, as the applicant is well prepared for this position from his experience in school, the tests and interviews, and the training programs for new interpreters.
Simultaneous interpreters must have very versatile backgrounds. A strong business background may be extremely useful to the simultaneous translator. Many companies offer 60 hours worth of training for these translators once hired. To become a technical translator, applicants must pass an exam and receive special certification. These translators must also posses excellent technical writing skills. Thankfully, many companies offer test preparation classes to ready applicants for the exams. Court translators generally need to be certified by the governments of their countries and need to pass exams for this certification. Other translators work in academic fields either studying or interpreting foreign texts. This is where there is often the most room for creative expression. However, it is also the area most likely to be widely scrutinized.
The route into translation is very structured and predictable, particularly for employment in the United Nations or other government agency. Those seeking the greatest opportunities for employment should be fluent in English and in one of the official languages of the United Nations; French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Chinese. There are, however, numerous job opportunities for those possessing fluency in other languages. Applicants should have a language degree, preferably a B.S., B.A., or Masters. Employers prefer candidates who have exceptional fluency in at least two languages, though; many language combinations can often be off-putting for an employer due to the lack of specialization in a combination they are looking for. This may often also be the case for the field a translator may specialize in. A translator specialized in a particular field and language combination for ten years is often more likely to be chosen over a translator who has several working combinations and fields for the last ten years.
Candidates should be fluent in at least two cultures. Cultural study is an area that potential translators cannot overlook as it is invaluable to understanding the nuances of any work to be translated. However there is no substitute for living in the particular target language country.
During the first year of employment an average of only five percent of translators leaves the field. This incredibly low drop-out rate is due largely to the fact that translators often sign two-year contracts with their employers. Otherwise, the effort exerted in obtaining the job is often enough incentive to remain. Finally, there are few surprises in a career in translation, as the applicant is well prepared for this position from his experience in school, the tests and interviews, and the training programs for new interpreters.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Free Blog Translation Widget
One Stop Shop Translations has recently launched it's sister site http://www.translatemefree.com. The website website has gone live offering a customizable translation widget in over 30 languages. There are three different designs of the widget and 15 languages available on the website. Tailored design of the widget and addition and deletion of languages are available free upon request.
Translatemefree CEO, Mark Kieran says "this translation widget is an ideal way for those without a budget to translate their website or blog into various languages. It is also unique in that translatemefree offer tailored designs upon request so that the design fits seamlessly into your website design. While the widget translations are only 60-70% accurate the general gist of a text can be understood".
In addition to the free website translation widget the site offers a human edited directory. The directory contains all the latest links for the translation industry professional.
Translatemefree CEO, Mark Kieran says "this translation widget is an ideal way for those without a budget to translate their website or blog into various languages. It is also unique in that translatemefree offer tailored designs upon request so that the design fits seamlessly into your website design. While the widget translations are only 60-70% accurate the general gist of a text can be understood".
In addition to the free website translation widget the site offers a human edited directory. The directory contains all the latest links for the translation industry professional.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Hiring Translation Services and Due Diligence
As a translation services manager on the client side you are probably aware of the many questions you should ask when hiring translation services companies. Your department is centralized with linguists and project managers specialized in the area. But often, especially in many smaller companies, employees are tasked with sub-contracting large translations under the assumption that their task should be simple thus ignoring due diligence and causing mayhem.
Typical problems often ignored include differing file formats requiring different engineering tasks and ensuing costs. On the linguistic side there are many considerations to be taken into account to ensure quality such as the volume and deadline, the translation agency quality procedures and the flavor of the language into which the document is being translated.
The following is a series of questions and answers to consider when outsourcing your translation services needs:
1. What is the source language and target of the document? One must bear in mind that certain language combinations are harder to come by than others which has a bearing on availability and cost. Translating from English to French is a much easier outsourcing process than from Zulu to French.
2. What is the flavor of the target language? For instance a French translator from Paris translating into Algerian French can lead to a lot of quality issues.
3. What is the reason for the translation? For instance in the case of a legal translation, does the translation need to be sworn or certified.
4. What is the standard required for the translation? Will it be published and be the corporate face of the company or is it just for internal purposes only?
5. Is there a particular style of the translation? For instance does it have to adhere to an in-house style guide? Are there particular terms for the translation to adhere to? Perhaps the layout has to adhere to a particular in-house style?
6. What is the field of translation? Is it a legal, business or medical translation? In this case ensure the translator has the relevant experience translating in this particular field, ask the agency for a translator profile.
7. Check and see if you can provide the translation services company reference material such as previous translations, glossaries etc.
8. What format is the document in? Depending on the format there maybe additional engineering costs for the target language. Do you have the capacity to do these tasks in-house or is it more cost beneficial and realistic to outsource these tasks? Ask for a quote and ensure that you understand the additional engineering costs that are involved and decide from there. If you have done your homework in advance you will often get a feel for the level of professionalism and expertise that the client has.
9. Be aware of the translation metrics involved in translation and it’s engineering tasks. If your deadline is too soon you may have to realize that this will have an effect on quality and consistency
10. Will you have to send updates of the files after the agency has started translating? Has there been a system devised to cope with these updates between you and the client. Are you prepared for an elevated translation quote due to the updates and advised your boss?
11. Do you require Translation Memory technology to be used by the vendor? Are their Translation memory rates as competitive as other vendors? Shop around and get other translation quotes.
12. It often helps to proofread the source text before being sent to translation. This avoids updates and poorly written texts which lead to poor translations
13. Is copyright to be retained or transferred?
14. What are the payment terms?
15. Is there a set of business terms and conditions?
Typical problems often ignored include differing file formats requiring different engineering tasks and ensuing costs. On the linguistic side there are many considerations to be taken into account to ensure quality such as the volume and deadline, the translation agency quality procedures and the flavor of the language into which the document is being translated.
The following is a series of questions and answers to consider when outsourcing your translation services needs:
1. What is the source language and target of the document? One must bear in mind that certain language combinations are harder to come by than others which has a bearing on availability and cost. Translating from English to French is a much easier outsourcing process than from Zulu to French.
2. What is the flavor of the target language? For instance a French translator from Paris translating into Algerian French can lead to a lot of quality issues.
3. What is the reason for the translation? For instance in the case of a legal translation, does the translation need to be sworn or certified.
4. What is the standard required for the translation? Will it be published and be the corporate face of the company or is it just for internal purposes only?
5. Is there a particular style of the translation? For instance does it have to adhere to an in-house style guide? Are there particular terms for the translation to adhere to? Perhaps the layout has to adhere to a particular in-house style?
6. What is the field of translation? Is it a legal, business or medical translation? In this case ensure the translator has the relevant experience translating in this particular field, ask the agency for a translator profile.
7. Check and see if you can provide the translation services company reference material such as previous translations, glossaries etc.
8. What format is the document in? Depending on the format there maybe additional engineering costs for the target language. Do you have the capacity to do these tasks in-house or is it more cost beneficial and realistic to outsource these tasks? Ask for a quote and ensure that you understand the additional engineering costs that are involved and decide from there. If you have done your homework in advance you will often get a feel for the level of professionalism and expertise that the client has.
9. Be aware of the translation metrics involved in translation and it’s engineering tasks. If your deadline is too soon you may have to realize that this will have an effect on quality and consistency
10. Will you have to send updates of the files after the agency has started translating? Has there been a system devised to cope with these updates between you and the client. Are you prepared for an elevated translation quote due to the updates and advised your boss?
11. Do you require Translation Memory technology to be used by the vendor? Are their Translation memory rates as competitive as other vendors? Shop around and get other translation quotes.
12. It often helps to proofread the source text before being sent to translation. This avoids updates and poorly written texts which lead to poor translations
13. Is copyright to be retained or transferred?
14. What are the payment terms?
15. Is there a set of business terms and conditions?
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