The Ever-Changing World of Translation
After been in the piles of work for some time, we need to stop ourselves for a break, to take a look at the world around us. Because amidst the busy-ness, time never does stop for anyone. So when we stopped to look around, things have already changed so much that one may not be able to recognise or follow up. Same goes for the world of translation… 5 years ago when you want to look for these companies to assist you in translation, you can only find a few under yellow pages. However now if you were to look into yellow pages again, you will find more of such providers, big or small. Does...
read moreTranslators Wanted at LinkedIn. The Pay? $0 an Hour.
This headline was written by ANDREW ADAM NEWMAN on June 28, 2009 for the New York Times at: Translators Wanted at LinkedIn. The Pay? $0 an Hour. It says this: “About half of the 42 million members of LinkedIn, the online professional networking Web site, are outside the United States, and to further expand internationally, the company hopes to be translated into more than its current four languages — English, Spanish, French and German. But when LinkedIn asked thousands of its translator members to complete a survey this month that asked whether they would consider volunteering to...
read moreMy Admiration For Linguists
In the Singapore context, anyone can be a linguist! We are a bunch who can speak English (being our first language), Mandrin, Malay, and for some of us who have been living with grandparents since young, can maybe speak languages like Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, etc. This is not so much of a difficult feat, since we grow up in this environment. I used to joke with some clients who asked me whether I do any translation. I said “Yes of course. So if you need to interpret anything in Hokkien or Teochew, please look for me!” And usually, I get laughs. Because simply, there’s...
read moreHonesty is the Best Policy
I wake early this morning to go for jogging. A habit that is long forgotten but I pick it again to keep myself fit and healthy. And perhaps, to jump start my “engine” for a wonderful day ahead! Usually, I would play a motivation cd in my little “cargo van” to perk myself up mentally…if the physical exercise did not work on me. Today, I am listening to Joe Girard. In case, you are wondering who is Joe Girard. He is the world’s Greatest Salesman. During his 15 year selling career, he had sold 13,001 new cars and trucks, and all at retail. This...
read moreInterpretation is Not an Easy Job
I have tried interpretation myself, be it simultaneous or consecutive. It feels as if you are a split person, having the left side working quite differently from the right side of your brains! The ears would listen in 1 language, and the mouth would reproduce the words in another language, almost at the same time. A good interpretor does not allow for a lag in the speech. He or she will start almost at the same time as the speaker. It is as if the interpretor is the speaker! It takes a lot of knowledge on the topic as well as understandingof the speaker. If the interpretor has worked with the...
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