Vol. 54 June, 2005
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When the only constant is change…
Last month shipping and receiving coordinator Vicki was honored for her 15 th anniversary at McElroy. Later this month we will all gather in the lobby to commemorate the 5 year anniversaries of Corrie in business development and Ben in editing, as well as the 10 year anniversaries of Peggy in production and Sharon in bookkeeping. I’ll pay each of them well deserved compliments, we’ll present the anniversary gifts that they have selected, and OF COURSE there will be food involved. These events really fill me up, and I’m not talking just about the food!
A client from Baxter that received the 10 year anniversary gift that we send to clients called to catch up and say “thanks.” I remembered meeting her and her coworkers many years ago, and have enjoyed the working relationship that has developed. As two “relics” we acknowledged that there is something oddly comforting about connecting with colleagues that have stayed in one place.
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Just how literal do you want that translation?
By Dr. Mark Ritter
McElroy Translation is often immersed in the language translation that is generated by patent prosecution and patent litigation. In this article McElroy Chief Editor Dr. Mark Ritter applies his dry wit to the questions of when to provide a “literal” translation.
From time to time translation agencies receive requests for a “literal” translation. This seemingly inoffensive adjective is much like the term “obscene.” No one is quite sure how to define it, but we all know it when we see it. When a literal translation is explicitly specified, an agency specializing in intellectual property translation reacts somewhat like a minister who is asked to preach a religious sermon: “that’s the only kind I know.”
Clearly one thing that “literal” means is “don’t embellish, don’t summarize,” a fundamental principle for IP translators. Sometimes, however, a totally straightforward translation fails to convey the meaning. Consider, for instance, a common disclaimer on the title pages of many German patents: “Die folgenden Angaben sind den vom Anmelder eingereichten Unterlagen entnommen.” [The following information is taken from the documents submitted by the applicant.] When I first encountered this sentence my reaction was: “Where else could it come from—the patent fairy?”
It seemed like just one more piece of meaningless bureaucratese and I went on to the real job. I later observed that this notice appears only on published unexamined applications that have been typeset in the standard eye-destroying minuscule font of the German Patent Office, rather than being published as a photomechanical reproduction of the original typescript submission. Then it made sense—it is a reminder that, although this may look like a granted patent typographically, it has not been edited. A less literal translation such as “The following information is published in the version submitted by the applicant” is equally accurate and more informative.
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“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many things.”
Lewis Carroll: “Through the Looking Glass”
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McElroy Profile –
Customer Service extraordinaire – Carol Moya
McElroy provides dedicated customer service for jobs in progress or completed. You may have already had the chance to “meet” Carol as the pleasant voice on the phone or the helpful respondent to your e-mail. She joined us in April and it already feels like we’ve known her for years.
I was born in Morristown, New Jersey, which is not at all like what most people think of when they think of New Jersey. It is a small town dating to the Revolutionary War era, with pretty old houses and woods.
My family moved to Dallas when I was 12. It was a huge culture shock for me moving from a very small town where I knew all the kids at school and we all got our clothes at Sears. The kids in Dallas shopped at Neiman Marcus, and I was the one with the accent!
I decided to go to the University of Texas primarily because Austin was so much prettier than Dallas and it reminded me of northern NJ. I received a degree in History (concentration in Middle Eastern History) with a minor in French. Then I went back to school to take technical writing courses.
Much of my work experience has been as a technical writer, but I have also worked in software quality assurance, software development, training and sales. I sold ads for an Austin magazine, and I worked in sales in the natural food industry, which was a lot of fun. I worked for a very small, local, natural food manufacturer with a very laid back “Austin” corporate culture. In addition to sales, I did just about anything else that was needed, including making deliveries in a van sans a.c. when necessary. I liked the variety, the eclectic nature of the work, and establishing relationships with new friends/clients all over the country. That is one element of the customer service position at McElroy that is also very appealing.
Most recently I ran my own business in which I provided business services (sales, office management, computer services, purchasing, bookkeeping, etc.) to artists and small businesses. What an experience! I got to meet and work with many area artists, and I actually got to help them in their studios and learn how they made things. They appreciated the structured systems that I introduced and implemented, while I relished their creativity in return.
In my spare time, I have been president of the Austin Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, worked with a local theatre company, and volunteered at the SARA Animal Sanctuary. And, yes, I came home with a dog on my second day. For several years, I also wrote and published a book called A Guide to Austin Private Schools, which was carried in local bookstores. This was time consuming, but interesting.
I have a wonderful 12-year-old daughter named Anastasia. I am a huge animal lover, and I like to read, cook, kayak, hike, camp, and shop online!
Customer service at McElroy is a pleasure! I love the client interaction, the “detective work” sometimes required, and the constant variety of the job.
From Austin’s own news service http://www.KXAN.com/
Can you believe it?? McElroy professes to translate “All Languages,” but evidently we missed one. No plans to start translating canine any time soon, but K-T-F Corporation has it covered!
SEOUL, South Korea—South Koreans can reach out and touch Fido. Starting today, cell phone operator K-T-F Corporation is offering a canine translation service. Company officials claim users will be able to upload recordings of Rover’s bark and find out what he’s trying to say. The canine communicator will provide users with text messages like, “I am frustrated,” or, “I love you.” K-T-F says the service will also be able to translate basic human speech into doggie sounds. The service will cost about a buck a bark.
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McElroy Translation appreciates the business of the following clients and announces the anniversaries of these client relationships:
10 Years
- Amgen Medical Regulatory Affairs
- Arrow International
- The Culbertson Group
- Dewey Ballantine
- Pepsi Cola International
5 Years
- Baxter Healthcare Corp-Law Dept
- DPT Laboratories
- Epix Medical
- Microsoft Legal Department
- Prologue Research
- Sieberth & Patty
- Venable Baetjer Howard & Civiletti
- Zimmer
- Natures' Wing Fin Design
- American Red Cross
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Portugal
Need a Portuguese translation? McElroy will offer a 10% discount on all orders of Portuguese translations received before June 30, 2005. Click here for details.
The People
Portugal is a self-styled country comprised of generally reserved and understated people. The Portuguese are traditional and conservative. People do not quickly embrace change and innovation. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on people’s lives. The family is the basis of Portuguese life. Life is simple, especially in rural areas. The Portuguese go home after work and entertain on weekends only.
Meeting and Greeting
- Shake hands with everyone present—men, women and children—at a business or social meeting. Shake hands again when leaving.
- When meeting friends, men embrace and pat one another on the back, and women kiss both cheeks.
Body Language
- Portuguese do not use a lot of body gestures. Do not be overly demonstrative with hand gestures or body language.
- Beckon someone with the palm of your hand down and fingers or whole hand waving (as patting someone on the head).
- Never point with your finger.
Corporate Culture
- Portuguese do not take punctuality for business meetings particularly seriously, but expect that you will be on time. Call with an explanation if you are delayed. Be prepared for your Portuguese counterparts to be 15-30 minutes late.
- While many younger managers speak English, it is appreciated if you have correspondence translated into Portuguese.
- Plan on hiring an interpreter for business meetings.
- Meetings are for briefing or discussion. Decisions may take several meetings. Do not expect clear, decisive results. The aim is not to find a common ground, but to strongly express one’s point of view.
- If agreement/support is required at a meeting, you should lobby participants privately beforehand.
Dining and Entertainment
- Food is served family style. The guest of honor serves him/herself first and passes dishes around the table.
- Fish is eaten with a special knife and fork.
- To signify that you would like more food, place your fork diagonal from the left and your knife straight down to form a triangular position. When finished eating, place knife and fork (tines up) side by side on your plate at the 5:25 position.
- It is polite to leave some food on your plate when finished eating.
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The Story Of Father’s Day
This account of the origins of Father’s Day was drawn from the Newsletter “Positive People Power” published by Jim Gentil every Tuesday, and read in over 30 countries around the world. In its 8th year of publication Jim hopes that it helps others to fulfill their dreams by providing thoughts, ideas, quotes and stories to use as guidelines for achievement. To subscribe contact Mr. Positive Jim@JimGentil.com.
Our world of localization often focused on an awareness of cultural differences. Sometimes it is refreshing to redirect attention to values that are mutually shared. Realizing that a smile is recognized universally is somehow uplifting. And as we recognize Father’s Day in the U.S. I do not doubt that there are fathers in every corner of the globe who know that good parenting is as important as any business deal.
Father’s Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a “father’s day” was first proposed there were no Father’s Day cards!
Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in 1909. Dodd was inspired with the idea of Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon at church. She wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd’s mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane,
Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across America, other people were beginning to celebrate a “father’s day.” In 1926 President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day. It has since been adopted by Canada, Europe and several other countries.
Father’s Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all to be honored on Father’s Day.
FATHERS
You can use most any measure
When you’re speaking of success.
You can measure it in fancy home,
Expensive car or dress.
But the measure of your real success
Is the one you can not spend.
It’s the way your kids describe you
When they’re talking to a friend.
--Martin Buxbaum
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When the only constant is Change
(continued)
Recently I parked in a garage in downtown Austin. I used to park in that garage several days a week while I did a noon exercise class at a gym nearby. Although I had not been there for several years the attendant remembered me. She wondered where I had been and how my children were getting along - we quickly chatted. It made my day to see her familiar face.
Most of us live fast paced lives and it is necessary and productive to embrace change. Maybe that is why surprise constants and instances of stability are so refreshing!
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Just how literal do you want that translation?
(continued)
Sometimes a “literal” translation provides too much information. A conscientious translator may feel bound to translate every word, no matter how peripheral to the basic subject matter. Did the requester really want the phone numbers and addresses of all 14 branch offices of that foreign patent office? On a somewhat higher level, differences in the structure of source and target language may interfere with comprehension if the translator takes a slavishly literal approach. In translations of Japanese patents, for instance, one often encounters phrases such as “the fluid passes through between retaining walls 3 and 4.” Even if there are two prepositions in the original, one will do quite nicely in English. The art of translation is to convey the meaning as precisely as possible without distortion by the grammatical peculiarities of the source language.
Similar problems occur in languages that allow the formation of new compound words almost at will. In an attempt at extra precision, the Japanese or German patent attorney writes, literally, “a windshield wiper motor used to operate a windshield wiper arm supporting a windshield wiper blade for wiping the windshields of motor vehicles.” If “wiper motor” and “wiper arm” are the accepted terms of art in English, there is absolutely no loss of information from adopting these less literal alternatives. A good technical translator will not ignore how the translation reads, but will reluctantly accept something less than beautiful prose if the job requires. This is what I believe customers mean when they ask for a “literal” translation.
With translations as with prayers, it’s always a good thing to think twice about what you wish for. You just might get it.
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Portugal
(continued)
Dining and Entertainment (continued)
- Dinner with business colleagues is a social event. Do not discuss business at dinner unless your host initiates.
- When offered a drink by a business colleague (coffee, soda, alcohol), accept.
- Allow your host to open the door when it is time to leave.
Dress
- Dress is conservative. Women usually wear dresses, and male dressing is based primarily around a jacket and tie.
- There is little difference in dress between work and social life.
- For business, men should wear suits and ties or sports coats and ties. Women should wear dresses, suits or pantsuits.
Gifts
- When invited to someone’s house, always bring a small gift for the hostess. Flowers for the hostess and table wine for the host are recommended gifts. Give expensive chocolate and expensive flowers (not chrysanthemums).
- Gifts are opened immediately upon receiving them.
- A return invitation to the hostess is appreciated.
- Gifts are normally not exchanged at business meetings, but small gifts may be appropriate at the successful conclusion of negotiations.
- It is more common to send small Christmas gifts to customers. Give pens, crystal, ashtrays, diaries or any gift which might be related to the business itself.
Helpful Hints
- Portugal is not part of Spain, and the people are not Spanish, nor are they in any way similar to the Spanish in culture. They do not speak Spanish or Brazilian.
- Keep a relaxed attitude about time.
Especially for Women
- Foreign business women are treated fairly and with respect.
- Traditionally, conservative attitudes have prevailed towards women, but there is a strong movement towards Portuguese women being involved in business.
- Going to a bar alone is frowned upon. It may call unwelcome attention.
- It is better for a foreign woman to invite a Portuguese man to a business lunch rather than dinner. If you invite a man to dinner, it is better to ask if he would like to bring his wife.
- The charm of Portuguese men will not allow a woman to pay for a lunch or dinner. It is acceptable to try.
-- Excerpted from the “Put Your Best Foot Forward” series by Mary Murray Bosrock. These publications are available for the U.S., Asia, Mexico/Canada, Russia, Europe and South America.
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Not visiting Portugal? Find the profiled country you need in an archived issue
of Ebuzz.
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“PC” abroad
(continued)
Discrimination, however, is evident in many ways, black leaders say. Afro-Brazilians live on average 5.3 years less than white Brazilians and are more likely to be poor, sick, uneducated, and unemployed. Those who do have jobs earn only 46 percent of what whites earn, according to a government study released in 2000.
But perhaps the clearest example is found in conversations, says Douglas Souza, assistant secretary for the government’s Promotion of Racial Equality Policies. “Racism in Brazil exists though hidden interpersonal relationships,” Mr. Souza says. “There are no racist laws, but there is a culture of racism and the instruments of that racism here are words."
In the US, minorities have waged lengthy battles to take control of the language used to describe them. Indigenous groups have rejected the term “Indians.” “African-American” has replaced negro and colored. Even some disabled people find the term “handicapped” offensive. But the black lobby in Brazil, where 45 percent of Brazilians call themselves black or dark-skinned, does not have the political clout to dictate what words are unacceptable.
Even if it did, the vagaries of the Portuguese language (and Spanish in Hispanic America) complicate the process. The impact of sensitive words can be reduced by using the diminutive forms of nouns. By adding “-inho” for the masculine or “-inha” for feminine softens a word and gives it an affectionate, less-threatening feel.
“The word neguinha, for example. There’s nothing more racist, even if it is used in a supposedly affectionate way,” says Mr. Stephens. “You can use euphemisms, but it means the same thing.”
The government document contains many such euphemisms, along with warnings that some people may find them offensive. At least 17 of the 96 terms refer to race, ethnicity, or creed. However, those serious warnings were missed in the firestorm over the inclusion of many other seemingly innocuous words. Drunks should not be called drunks because even alcoholics deserve respect, the document says. Old people should be called elderly because being called old has negative connotations. And the document even counseled people to take care when using the word clown in case professional funnymen get offended.
Bestselling author João Ubaldo Ribieiro ignited the situation earlier this month when he criticized the text as an “authoritarian, delirious and stupid” example of political correctness. Perly Cipriano, the government official who oversaw the document’s publication, says the intention was not to prohibit words or phrases, and that there would be no condemnation and no penalty.
However, the outcry was so loud that officials quickly halted distribution of the document. The human rights secretary said the government would convene a seminar on the subject next month at which experts and representatives of minority groups will discuss how to address the issue in the future.
Black leaders say that the government’s quick capitulation will serve only to maintain the status quo. A subject that should be debated seriously is once again being buried, they say. “People tried to disqualify [the document] because it touches on words that are racist and that are used as a matter of course,” says Ivanir dos Santos, one of Rio’s most outspoken black leaders. “One of the principal characteristics of Brazilian racism is that we don’t talk about it. Withdrawing it is a mistake.”
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