According to an online dictionary website, it is defined as “a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language”

I believe this is the most fundamental definition we know all along. However, if we ponder further, we will know that translation does not only mean written communication. Translation could also mean bring two different cultures closer to understanding each other.

When we go to a foreign place, where the language or culture is not anything near to our own, we feel uncertain or even fearful of them as we do not understand them. However through a local guide, who acts as a bridge between two cultures, we learn and appreciate them.

One example is in a village located in Papua New Guinea, boys going on to manhood have to go through a “cane-swallowing” ritual, whereby cane as thick as 1cm in diameter is bent and to be swallowed, pushed down the throat, all the way to the pit of the stomach, and pulled out. In this process, they suffer internal bleeding. If it is not successful, they may die.

As people who live in culture and developed cities, we find this very inhumane and wonder why they are crazy enough to even want to go through it. But as we learn from the guide, we realize that this is part of their culture and it is an important chapter of their lives. Only after going through the ritual and the boys “truly become man” and be able to build their own houses and go out of the village to make a living. Only through the bleeding can they “purge out” their mothers’ blood that is within them and be independent. It may seem primitive, but it is their way of living.

Cross culture understanding helps bring everyone closer to each other, hence become One People. In closure, we know that without the correct translation, life-changing ritual such as this will only remain as a hideous scene to us.

Do you think that translators only do document or manual translation?  Well, think again… our job can be fun and challenging at times.

Some of our clients come from the Advertising industry.   Most of the times, they do not want direct translation.  They would prefer copywriting.  This means that our translator would need to write in a creative style and still capture the essence of the whole copy.  Yes, the skill level needed for such job is higher.

Having to say that, if you have great passion for language semantics, I believe it would not be too difficult to translate into a good copy.   Moreover, it would be a great satisfaction to see your translated copy being published for the mass public.  You can also keep the published copy in your portfolio and show to your future clients.  This will definitely raise your profile as a translator.

So, what are the types of translation jobs that you can expect to get from a Advertising agencies?

1.  Above-the-line advertisement.

Above-the-line is the term for mainstream paid advertising.  Such advertisement is to appear in newspapers, magazines, transit ads, outdoor poster etc.

2. Commercials

Script translation for television and radio commercials

3. Sales and Merchandising Promotion

These will include brochures, leaftlets, pamphalets,  posters, signage displays, window banners, floor stickers, shelf stickers etc…all these marketing collaterals would definitely need translation if the client wish to create a greater brand awareness to the public.

If you wish to know more, we welcome you to send your enquiries to us at hr@whizwordz.com.

Some may wonder why native translators are most preferred. Well, not only do they know the culture of their country and hence able to bring out the meaning of the translated text for the people to understand, they also understand the language of what they are translating. Because if they don’t, this is what will most probably happen…

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQt-h753jHI

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8OWvsbIXhM

The message at the end of the commercial leaves its viewers to ponder over the meaning of 不要吵死人, whether it meant “do not disturb the dead (with your ringtones)” or “do not disturb people to their death”

In this context, the commercial brought the idea across with a pun.

Many times as when we say something, what we understand and put across may not be what others understand. That is where copywriting comes in. Copywriting helps to smoothen out the content without losing its original meaning that the writer is trying to put across. Some of us may thing that copywriting is not necessary, then take a look at all the books you see at bookstores – from fiction to biographies to self-help categories. Have you ever wonder what makes Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” a bestseller? This book went through more than eight times of copywriting/editing and proofreading before it was printed!

Somehow, the meaning of the content can be amplified and “beautified” just by putting the right words together, and this is the wonder that copywriters can do.

Here’s another one: what do you understand from 打死老虎 ?

Recently, I received an email  from a friend. It made me even more certain that I should always opt for professional translators who understand the language as well as the culture. Otherwise, misunderstandings may occur…

Next time when you want translate text yourself to another language you are not very strong at, think twice.

Is there any better way than to “Fall into the water carefully?!” The person who can do that would surely have to take some ballet lessons to have swan like grace to fall carefully! sheesh…

Most people are only good in 1 language. With globalisation, and due to a “flat world” nowadays, you would need to bring your message across to not only your neighbours next to you, but also all the way down to the Antartic Polar Bears (i.e. if they can even read!)

And what we are most afraid of is that our message gets misinterpreted along the way. Even passing a message from Person A to Person M gets distorted, what more can go wrong when the message is wrongly translated.

Translation is a skill that not many people have. Although we understand several languages, that doesn’t make us the linguists or the expert in communication! Translation calls for both. And you would definitely want the gist of your message to be brought across the cultures.