Translation Tips and Tidbits
- Don’t hesitate to ask your translation provider questions
- Whenever possible it is always best to finalize your original document prior to translation
- Formatting documents in MS Word instead of a design file (Illustrator, InDesign, etc.) can save you time and money
- Offer as much information as you can about how your document(s) will be used after translation is done
- Allow as much time as possible for translations to be completed
- Know that translation professionals will often have questions, this is a good thing!
Gretchen Kyle, July 27th 2010 |
Tags: translation, translation professional, translation provider
Posted in Uncategorized
Have you ever noticed instructions or product labels that are in more than one language? Translation services is how this is accomplished. It is very common to find products which have a label or instructions with multiple languages on it. Our translation company produces many of these types of translations. They range from arts and craft supplies to breast feeding products to pet bedding for our furry, feathered and scaled friends to puppy house-training pads.
Manufactures using these types of labels are often selling their products internationally. Using one multi-language label is more effective in production costs as it omits the need to have multiple labels and packaging types.
Gretchen Kyle, June 14th 2010 |
Tags: professional translation, translation company, Translation Services, translations
Posted in Translation Services
When considering a language translation into Chinese, there are two types of written Chinese, Traditional and Simplified texts. It is important for a translator to know which text is needed prior to translation.
There are many dialects of spoken Chinese; the most common are Cantonese, Mandarin, and Taiwanese. The interesting thing is that all of the spoken languages use the same written la
nguages (Traditional or Simplified).
The written Chinese characters have the same meaning in all of the spoken languages but there are different words to say those meanings in each language. So “apple” might be one written word made up of Chinese character(s) but there is a different spoken “‘word” for each Chinese dialect.
Another interesting way to understand this is this: Say you have two Chinese speakers, one speaks Mandarin and one speaks Cantonese. They cannot understand each other when they speak but they can write down what they are saying and then both understand and communicate in this way.
Gretchen Kyle, May 27th 2010 |
Tags: Chinese, Chinese speakers, language translation, Simplified, Traditional, translation, translator, written Chinese, written languages
Posted in Translation 101
Anyone importing a vehicle into the United States has to have their car titles translated. Professional Translation of these documents from German and Japanese into English has been a popular request. Translation Services like this are essential for state agencies and for the consumer awaiting their prized automobile. We are always ready to do technical document translation work for you. By the way, we certify the accuracy of any legal translation as required by most state and federal entities. Gretchen Kyle will answer any question you might have about this sort of language translation and you can reach her at 360-755-9910, extension 410. 
Gretchen Kyle, May 5th 2010 |
Tags: document translation, language translation, professional translation, translation, Translation Services
Posted in Translation Services
Have you been one of the lucky souls to visit the stunnng new City Center Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada? It is an amazing new complex owned by MGM and visited by people from around the world. For instance, we provided Chinese translation for full-color brochures to be read by speakers of Chinese interested in buying one of the lovely condominiums. Our Professional Translation customer loved our work. Our Translation Agency also provided this 
information for consumers who are native Spanish speakers. The translation was about not just the amenities available but also about the amazing architects who were chosen to design this 100% green resort, the first of its kind in Las Vegas!
Jaye Stover, April 29th 2010 |
Tags: Chinese translation, professional translation, Spanish, translation, translation agency
Posted in Translation Services
We’ve recently completed several projects for clients reaching out to Canadian French speakers and readers. The translator we partner with works with another partnering certified translator to produce a smooth, idiomatic document worthy of your writing efforts in the original English. May we help you with a document intended for French-speaking Canada? Translation Services are for you, not an unknown corporation. We are 50 minutes from the Canadian Border and in an international community, going back and forth. French translation is a real pleasure.
In Canadian waters
Jaye Stover, April 29th 2010 |
Tags: French Translation, Translation Services, translator
Posted in Translation Services
I’m handing out bookmarks with a translation of global trade terms, like quota, embargo and subsidy to 6th graders! Yes, I’m spending 45 minutes a week in an elementary classroom talking about translation as one aspect of doing business as an importer or exporter. Professional translation is a tiny and essential element in the grand scheme of getting out in the global marketplace and I’m excited to share this fact with a classroom of nearly 50% bilingual kids. I am volunteering through an organization called Junior Achievement and this is my first time. Language Translation isn’t talked about in the World Trade Organization intro section, but I’m pointing out how language keeps the whole system oiled.The kids are sponges and hungry for content!
Jaye Stover, April 21st 2010 |
Tags: language translation, professional translation, translation
Posted in Translation Services
The Language Exchange Inc. Original Logo!
We’ve been sending out wonderful interpreters for 24 years now. We have worked with ace translators who we know well for two decades, since 1986. We have been incorporated in the state of Washington and work nationwide and internationally. We don’t teach languages, we specialize in document translation and oral interpreting. Newer companies may have our name, but no one has our experience, kindness and network of professionals! We are a translation company that puts people first. We are people who have worked together for a long time and know what we’re doing. That makes a big difference to a person needing a translation – we’re personal!
Jaye Stover, April 19th 2010 |
Tags: document translation, translation, translation company
Posted in Our Company
The Language Exchange Team
Translation is the written language from and into foreign languages. It is very common for people to get translating mixed up with interpreting. Translation is the written form and interpreting is the oral form. It is also common for people to think that anyone who can interpret can translate and vice versa. This is not the case.
Translation is its own profession, separate from interpreting. The reason for this is simple, can you think of anyone in your life that speaks perfect English and yet can’t read and write equally well? In addition to understanding both languages a translator must also be familiar with common terminology, punctuation, spelling, syntax (the arrangement of and relationships among words, phrases, and clauses forming sentences), abbreviations, slang, etc.
Syntax is a reason why computer translation doesn’t work. Because computers translate literally, word-for-word. Rather than translation of the underlying meaning segments. Colloquial expressions, such as “You’re on fire!” – meaning “You’re doing great!” – are also missed in computer translation.
Literal translation does not capture meaning given by word order (syntax). Nor does literal translation give the flow of colloquial expressions and emphasis found by a reader of the text whose native language is that of the text.
admin, April 19th 2010 |
Tags: interpreting, translating, translation
Posted in Translation 101
