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Atlas Newsletter – February 2009

What is Translation Memory?

Translation memories work best on texts that are highly repetitive; since they "remember" previously translated material, translators only have to translate it once and this therefore accelerates the overall translation process especially for large projects.

Translation memories are also helpful for translating incremental changes in a previously translated document, corresponding, for example, to minor changes in a new version of a user manual. As a result, if a translation memory system is used consistently on appropriate texts over a period of time, it can save translators considerable work. And this can also save clients money – so everyone is happy!

Translation memory managers are most suitable for translating technical documentation and documents containing specialised vocabularies. They ensure that the document is completely translated because translation memories do not accept empty target segments.

They ensure that the translated documents are consistent, including common definitions, phrasings and terminology. This is especially important when different translators are working on a single project. Furthermore, they enable translators to translate documents in a wide variety of formats without them having to own the software typically required to process these formats.

Research indicates that many companies producing multilingual documentation are using translation memory systems. In a survey of language professionals in 2006, 82.5 % out of 874 replies confirmed the use of a Translation Memory.

Many people think this means we use a machine to translate, but it’s still a person doing the translation! But the translator is able to store words, phrases and sentences in a database – the Memory – so that they only ever translate that particular word, phrase or sentence once and then it’s in the Memory for ever!

A Translation Memory, or TM, is a type of database that stores segments such as words, phrases and paragraphs that have been previously translated – what an aid to human translators.

Why did the Chinese government create simplified Chinese characters? (answer can be found at the bottom of the newsletter).

Live life in another language!

Dancing is great fun but have you ever thought about the fact that most styles of dancing, from Street dance to Ballet to Samba, all come with moves named in another language? “Brisé,” for example, is a ballet move and not a description of the weather. But have you got the languages skills to enjoy the world of dance? Channel 4 has been exploring the relationship that exists between dance and language. Clara Bajado is the talented dancer who appears in the Channel 4 advertisement ‘Live Life in Another Language’. Born in Paris, she has made a career combining her dance and language skills. In her interview with Channel 4 she was asked how speaking more than one language helped her career.

Clara

“I don’t think that I could have done projects in other countries if I only spoke one language! And even if dance is a language understood by everyone you still need a bit more when you meet people. I’m lucky as my mum used to speak to me in Filipino/French/English, sometimes in the same sentence”.

Ballet is another dance that is influenced by different cultures and languages. Although ballet originates from France, it is actually Russia that produced the most famous ballet shows such as ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘The Nutcracker.’ In the last century it has been a combination of Russian companies and French schools that have helped ballet to become one of the more popular types of dance. During the 1960s and 70s, Rudolf Nureyev, friend of the Rolling Stones also helped to make this happen with his talent and knowledge of the French, Russian and English languages.

Latin dance

Many dances have Spanish and Latin roots, “Salsa” for example, is the Spanish word for “spicy sauce” and it refers to a range of Cuban dances such as Mambo, Danzón and Guaguancó. One form of dance that is the basis of many of these ‘Latin styles’ is the oldest Spanish style known as ‘Flamenco’, which translates as ‘Flamingo’.

Something to make you laugh…

We hope that translation blunders do not occur too often but when they do they can sometimes be quite funny. Here are a few that should make you laugh:

The Kentucky Fried Chicken slogan "Finger-lickin' good" was translated into Chinese as "eat your fingers off".

In Italy, a campaign for ‘Schweppes Tonic Water’ translated the name into ‘Schweppes Toilet Water’.

When Parker Pen marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico, its advertisements were supposed to say "It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you". However, the company mistakenly thought the Spanish word "embarazar" meant embarrass and instead the advertisements said "It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant".

An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market to promote the Pope's visit. Instead of the spelling "I saw the Pope!" in Spanish, the shirts proclaimed, "I saw the Potato!"

In Taiwan, the Pepsi slogan "Come alive with the Pepsi Generation" was translated as "Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead".

A Hungarian was doing a survey for a Christmas party of an international company and needed to find out what people of different cultures wanted to eat for Christmas. The question read, "How would you like to be the Christmas dinner?"

Other News…

The Atlas Team was sad to see work placement Jessica go but wish to congratulate her on her new position as Project Manager.

Answer to February question:

The Chinese government created simplified characters in an attempt to promote literacy.

Thank you for your interest in the Atlas monthly newsletters. We welcome your feedback and ideas for future articles. Enjoy the snow!

We hope this has helped you make up your mind about the Trados beginners’ workshop Atlas is hosting on Wednesday18th February? If you haven’t had a chance to book yet there are still some places left, so please contact Sara on sara @ atlas-translations.co.uk.

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