Atlas Newsletter – November 2008
Lost in Translation
Sometimes translations can go pear-shaped and this was the case when Swansea council needed the Welsh translation for “No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only”. Welsh road signs are posted in both Welsh and English and they needed the help of a translator. So what went wrong?
The translator was on holiday and his e-mail was set up with an automated reply message reading “I’m not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated.” Swansea council then sent this straight onto the signage company and the result can be seen below. Stories like this demonstrate the importance of consulting experts, such as a translation company like Atlas, for all your translation, proofreading and language needs so as to avoid such embarrassing and costly occurences. In this particular case, a proofreading stage would have picked up this error and Atlas do recommened proofreading for all material destined for publication, be it a book, a road sign or a business card.
It seems that even Beckham may need a helping hand from Atlas.
Now that the former England captain is off to Italy to sign for AC Milan, we thought he might need a couple of phrases in Italian:
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1. 'Where's the nearest Armani shop?'
Dov'e' il negozio di Armani piu' vicino?
2. 'Do you serve pie and mash?'
Servite purè di patate e pasticcio di carne?
Do you dream of becoming a freelance translator?
Earlier this month, Atlas Senior Quality Manager, Anna Davies, travelled to Swansea University, where she held a presentation for students who are currently studying for either a BA or an MA in Translation. The talk was also attended by staff members who are interested in becoming translators once they retire from lecturing. The talk mainly centred on translation companies and what we expect from our freelance translators, as well as what a Project Manager’s job entails. Once again, the talk was a great success.
Anna felt the day went well:
“I think the students got a lot out of it, they were interested to know the 'real' story behind working as a translator and asked many questions. As most of the students were undergraduates, they were interested in learning about how to get into the industry without having any experience. This is one of the most difficult questions I am often asked – it’s so difficult to answer but I hope that I was able to give them some advice about the different ways to get into the industry”.
A day in the life of a translator
We often write about the translation industry from the point of view of the Translation Agency. But this time we thought it would be interesting to explain how things work for the translator. Atlas asked Neil, one of the company’s much-valued freelancers, to describe how a translator’s day unfolds.
“As a freelance translator, I don’t think there is such a thing as a typical working day. I think this is one of the aspects of my job I like the most, as I don’t always know what my schedule is going to be, I have the flexibility to choose the hours I want to work and go on holiday when I want. On a ‘typical’ day, I will have a number of projects from various agencies waiting for me in my inbox. I like working with Atlas because it is important for me to get to know the project managers who are sending me my work. Some agencies I work with seem to assign jobs via a platform, and this lack of contact with agency staff is not something that I enjoy. However, with Atlas, it is normal to receive a call or communicate via email, and I find the Atlas Project Managers have a very friendly and helpful approach, and are always available to talk to if necessary”.
Neil
We hope Neil’s comments have inspired you to join our team. If you are interested, please visit our recruitment page of this website and hopefully you can join us soon.
Meeting the team at the Atlas Open Day
The Atlas team had fun mingling with the company’s translators during the Atlas Open Day, which took place on 5th November. We would like to thank all of those who attended. It was a great opportunity for the Atlas Project Managers to speak to our translators and they were also able to put a face to a name with those they hadn’t met before, as so much communication is via email and phone. There was such a variety of nationalities and languages present, making interesting conversation.
Work placement Vicky, commented on the event:
“The day was of great benefit to us in receiving feedback from our translators as well as useful for them to meet one another and build up new contacts. We look forward to seeing more translators at our next Open Day."
Neil shares his thoughts on the day:
“Last week’s Atlas Open Day was the first event of this kind I have managed to attend. It was great to finally be able to meet the Project Managers whom I have spoken to and emailed on so many occasions, and to meet other freelance translators and interpreters and talk about our experiences of working in the industry and for Atlas. I found it useful to talk with other freelancers about issues we are currently facing, such as the recession. I also found it interesting to talk to people with different languages and working with different areas of specialisation. I only wish that I could have stayed longer and had the time to talk to more people at the event. I look forward to attending another event like this.”
Company Director, Clare Suttie, also came along to say hello with new Atlas Baby, Madeleine, who we were all happy to see. If any of the Open Day attendees would like to tell us their views on the day, please drop an e-mail to Sara on sara @ atlas-translations.co.uk
More comings and goings at Atlas
Atlas would like to wish a very warm welcome to new work placement student Jessica, who recently joined the company for a three-month placement. Jessica graduated from the University of Salford this summer with a BA degree in Modern Languages and Translation and Interpreting Studies. Atlas would also like to say a big THANK YOU! to work placement, Nicola, who has returned home to Italy. Nicola was an asset to the company and says he enjoyed working alongside the Atlas girls! We wish him all the best with his studies and career.
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Atlas Translations Ltd
Anna Davies or Clare Suttie
Phone: +44 (0)20 7240 6666
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