I have just finished reading “The Fifth Mountain” by Paulo Coelho.  For those who do not know him yet, he is the same author who wrote the international bestseller “The Alchemist”.  This book “The Alchemist”  has been translated into over 60 different types of languages and has sold over 75 millions copies!

As I am reading “The Fifth Mountain”, I found that it is immensely intriguing and it keeps me reading on to find out what will happen to the main character, Elijah.  It is a story about a person finding his own courage and commitment to his higher purpose.  All of us have our higher purpose when we are born, but many of us choose to ignore or defy that purpose.

Well for me, this book brings a great sense of inspiration to me.  I will follow my instinct and achieve my higher purpose in life – to serve mankind through better communication and education.

Because Paulo is a Brazillian writer, so I assume that the book is written in Portugese and translated into English and other languages.  Kudos to the translators who did a marvellous job.  The whole book is very well written and the principles behind it are timeless.  I believe the team of translators and editors have spent lots and lots of time doing research, translating, proofreading, re-editing and proofreading the content before it is good enough to be published.  The team effort and synergy is enormous.

I guess the translators and editors have a great responsibility to the author and the readers.  The writing style and flow must be consistent  without losing any flavour as compared to the original copy.

We are in the midst of doing a book translation.  Hence, we can share their feelings and responsibilities.  We will definitely keep you update on our new book launch.

For those who would like to have a read of the reviews or to get the book, here’s it:

Many people may get confuse over the difference between copywriting and translation. They are sets of very different specialised skills. Where copywriting is using words to sell or promote a person, business, opinion or idea, translation is to interpret the meaning of a text and communicate that in a different language.

Although clients may seek not to have the text in a direct translation form (which is supposed to be so, given that structures of sentences formed in different languages varies), translators do not regurgitate directly what is being given and spit out in the exact same way as it was in the source language. The translator should take into account the localisation required. The flow of the sentences translated within that paragraph should flow in its target language, and not force it to flow like the source texts.

We should not equate translators to copywriters. Copywriters are creative people responsible for an advertisement’s verbal or textual content, and they are in charge of bringing out the vibrancy of the copy that will sway the audience.

So do put this in mind when you are looking for that copywriter or translator to do your job. Know what you want, so that the people serving you can give you their best.

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.

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 ?