As a professional translation company, we spend much of our time focused on foreign languages, especially languages that come up frequently for legal translations and patent translations. But every so often we turn our attention to our native English. We are constantly surprised by how diverse the English language is, and how much of the English vocabulary is derived from foreign words. According to one survey, only one-third of English words come from Old English. 41% come from French and Old Norman, and at least 15% comes from Latin. Another 10% come from a mix of other languages.
There are plenty of English words whose foreign origin is quite obvious. We can guess where chauffeur, angst, and desperado come from (French, German, and Spanish). But many words that sound like “classic” English also have a foreign origin, and the origin is not necessarily European or even Indo-European–you have probably used a few words today that come from languages that many of us have never heard of. Here are a few examples:
ALA
Look out for Morningside to hit Boston in May. Morningside will be attending the ALA (Association of Legal Administrators) Annual Conference & Exposition from May 3 – 6 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. We will be exhibiting for the legal management professionals in attendance. It will be Morningside’s first time exhibiting at ALA. Please visit us at Booth 631 and drop in your card for a chance to win a FREE IPOD TOUCH!
We found an interesting topic worth weighing in on. Should the translation of literature be considered an art form?
Translation and Localization. You have probably heard these terms used before in various contexts and wondered if they mean the same thing. In many cases the answer is yes. But there are also important ways in which translation and localization differ.
Translation is the process of converting written text or spoken words into another language. The completed translation should be the most accurate rendition possible of the source material—a “mirror-image” of the material that has been translated, except in a different language. This does not mean literal, word-for-word translation. (That’s what Google Translate and BabelFish are for!) An accurate translation requires changes in word order and sentence structure, and choosing the most appropriate word in the target language when there is more than one option, as there often is.
In localization, translation is just the beginning. Materials are not only translated into a foreign language but also adapted to fit a foreign culture. Translation deals primarily with texts and words; localization deals not only with words but also with graphics, proper forms for dates, adoption of local currencies, and even rethinking the size or physical structure of a product so it better suits the target audience. Localization requires recognizing local sensitivities and using translators and consultants who know the local culture and the local market. Even the best translator with a firm grasp of linguistic nuance in the target language is not necessarily equipped with the knowledge to localize product labels or safety instructions for a foreign country.
Materials that usually require not only translation but also localization include: videos, commercials, software, websites, employee manuals, and marketing materials.
Morningside’s experienced project managers and localization consultants are always available to answer any questions about localizing your product.
Talk about a niche translation service. Today Translations, a British translation company will “certify” unusual baby names for ambitious couples who want exotic names for their children. For about $1,700, the company’s translators will perform a name translation audit, providing parents-to-be with the meaning of their child’s chosen name in over 100 languages.
Suri Cruise, the daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, became the poster child for name picks with unintended meanings. In 2006, the couple said that they chose the name in part because Suri means “princess” in Hebrew, but this was disputed. In other languages, Suri’s meaning proved less flattering. In Japanese, Suri means “pickpocket.” In French it means “turned sour,” and in an Indian dialect it means “pointy nose.” Perhaps a less than ideal name then for the daughter of international stars who frequently travel the globe.
Today Translations’ new service would prevent celebrity couples and regular folk from picking names with negative associations in foreign languages. This may seem trivial, but in our increasingly globalized world, your child may thank you down the road if they end up living in Europe or doing a semester abroad. As Jurga Zilinskiene, the company’s chief executive said, “at the end of the day, it’s something a person has to live with for the rest of their lives.”
Morningside does not yet offer a baby names translation service, but if any of our clients are debating baby names at home and would like an outside opinion, feel free to try a few out on us. We promise to give each name a thumbs up or thumbs down vote, and we are glad to offer this service absolutely free.
