Vol.
68 August, 2006 |
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“Literal” vs. “Exact” translations
In June ASTM
International released the long awaited Standard Guide for
Quality in Translation. It is a unique quality standard in that it
is tailored specifically to the translation and localization
industry. McElroy Translation finds that this standard was
worth the time in development. It is comprehensive and well
conceived. Beyond defining important industry terminology,
it provides clear guidance to clients, translation agencies and
individual translators on how each can optimize translation quality
with their processes and inputs.
I notice, however, that one term we hear regularly
from clients was not defined. We are regularly asked to provide
“literal” translations. In his article this month Chief Editor Dr.
Mark Ritter suggests that based on our experience and industry
knowledge we listen not to what our clients say when they make this
request, but to what they intend. Dr. Ritter examines the
differences between a “literal” and an “exact” translation. The
article is fascinating whether or not yours is a world of “literal”
translations. You'll see “exactly” what I mean!
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Just how literal do you want that translation?
Dr. Mark Ritter – Chief Editor
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 (IP) translation reacts somewhat like a minister who is
asked to preach a religious sermon: “that’s the only kind I
know.” So what do clients mean when they ask for a literal
translation?
Clearly one thing that “literal” means is “don’t embellish, don’t
summarize,” a fundamental principle for IP translators. Translating
everything in the source text, even at the risk of redundancy, is
part of our standard instructions for translators. Before a
translation reaches our client, we further check translations twice
for completeness as part of our standard quality assurance
process.
Sometimes “translating everything” provides too much information,
however. 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 fourteen branch offices of that foreign patent office? The
translator or editor may decide to eliminate those details and
provide the reader with a parenthetical indication of the content:
“[phone numbers and addresses of branch offices].” Read more... |
“
Summer's lease hath all too short a
date.
- William Shakespeare
”
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Nancy Kirby – Translator Coordinator
Even though I am new to the translation industry, after 3
months I already feel quite at home, and I’m not quite sure
why. Maybe it’s because I have the pleasure of working with
the nuts (no pun intended) and bolts of the business…the
translators. Having worked with contractors and subcontractors
in the aerospace and high-tech industries, McElroy’s
translators are uniquely qualified. I am very impressed by the
depth and breadth of our translators’ knowledge base. Combine
their knowledge base with their high personal standards and
time and time again, they deliver a true quality product.
Did I mention that I like the sense of mutual respect and
cooperation that exists between McElroy’s translators and the
Translation Coordination Department?
I guess this is the part where I tell you more about
myself. A couple of years ago, someone asked me what my
personal philosophy for living was. Well, I didn’t have a
formalized personal philosophy, but I do now. I believe in
working hard, playing hard, and eating GREAT food! It’s a
juggling act to balance all three of those elements, but I am
definitely happiest when I am doing all three, at their best.
When I play, I like to do almost any outdoor activity that
you can name. After not being much of a biker for the last 10
years, I recently bought a new bike and mastering the 21 gears
has been a bit of a personal embarrassment for me. That is
until I adopted my current strategy of only using 8 gears! I
love to hike and adventures abound when I do. A few years ago,
I earned the nickname of Runs With Bears from my
in-laws because of a close encounter with Mama Bear and her
cubs. Then there was the time a bald eagle almost dropped a
walleye on me. I love being outdoors, but I’m not sure if the
outdoors loves me!
This brings me to the last part of my personal philosophy,
eating GREAT food. I have a long standing love affair with
food. Other kids watched Sesame Street; I watched Julia Child.
I cooked professionally for a few years including a brief
stint as a personal chef. I zealously develop new recipes, and
I am writing a cookbook. Undoubtedly, my favorite cooking job
was for a local non-profit that provides transitional housing
for people living with HIV/AIDS. I have never cooked for a
more warm or appreciative audience.
Chow, Ciao or Tchau for now!
McElroy Translation appreciates the business of the
following clients and announces the anniversaries of these
client relationships:
15 Years
10 Years
- H.B. Fuller Company
- Patterson & Sheridan, LLP - Houston
- USG Corporation
5 Years
- Brouse McDowell
- Flahive, Odgen & Latson
- Hughes Luce LLP
- Squire, Sanders & Dempsey
- Hendricks & Lewis
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Austria
The People
Austrians are proud of their contributions to world
civilization. They see themselves as modern, liberal and
cultured. Austrians have a great love for the outdoors (i.e.,
walking, skiing, climbing, etc.). Although predominantly
Catholic (89%), traditional family values have been weakened
by modern life and government legislation. The rate of women
working outside the home is one of the highest in the
industrialized world.
Meeting and Greeting
- Shake hands with everyone present—men, women and
children—at a business or social meeting; shake hands with
women before men. Women should offer their hand first. Shake
hands again when leaving.
- Viennese men may kiss the hand of a woman. Accept this
tradition graciously. A foreign man should not kiss the hand
of an Austrian woman, since it is not expected and may come
as a shock.
Names and Titles
- Titles are very important. Use last names and
appropriate titles until specifically invited by your
Austrian host or colleagues to use their first names.
- Herr/Frau + professional title + surname are
used when initially addressing someone. Example: Herr
Doctor Bauer. Frau + professional title + surname are
also used when addressing the wife of a professional.
Example: Frau Doctor Bauer. All women over 18 are
Frau, even if they are not married.
- After you initially meet someone, you can drop his/her
surname and address the person using Herr/Frau +
professional title alone. Example: Herr Doctor or Frau
Doctor.
Body Language
- Austrians are reserved and formal. Kissing, hugging,
touching and physical closeness in public are not common.
- Eye contact is very important to Austrians.
Corporate Culture
- Austrians take punctuality for business meetings very
seriously and expect that you will do likewise; call with an
explanation if you are delayed. Never cancel an appointment
at the last minute.
- Light conversation usually precedes business.
- Rank and title are very important in business. Power is
held by a small number of people at the top.
- The business community is very political. Everyone is
careful about what they say to or about anyone else.
- Business is conducted at a slow pace. Be patient.
Dining and Entertainment
- Austrians insist on punctuality for social occasions.
- The host gives the first toast, then the honored guest
returns the toast later in the meal. Maintaining eye contact
during a toast is very important.
- Never cut a dumpling. Instead, hold the dumpling with
your knife and break it apart with your fork.
- When finished eating, place your knife and fork side by
side on your plate at the 5:25 position. An open knife and
fork on your plate means you would like more food or that
you are not yet finished eating. Do not leave any food on
your plate at a dinner party.
- The person who extends the invitation pays the bill in a
restaurant. Austrians will not appreciate a struggle over
the bill. Reciprocate with a lunch or dinner invitation
before you leave the country.
- Do not discuss business during a meal unless your host
initiates the conversation.
Dress
- Austrians take pride in dressing well, regardless of
where they are going or what position they hold. Avoid
wearing shorts in the city, especially when shopping.
Read more...
Where have you been?
By Roxanne Holland
Last month, we profiled Korea, and our friend Roxanne
Holland wrote in to share with us some additional information
on Korea—she is originally from here in Austin, and has lived
in Korea for seventeen years. We want to know if your
encounters with new cultures were similar to our “Best foot
forward series,” or if they weren’t. Simply write Shelly and
share your experience of traveling and/or doing business in
another country, and let her know whether or not she can print
your name, company, or both. Thank you!
An-yang-ha-sey-o From Korea
My husband and I moved to Seoul Korea right after
the ‘88 Summer Olympics! We planned to stay for a year and
look at us now!
The country of Korea is a peninsula located between
mainland China and the Japan Islands. Historically, various
factions and countries have invaded Korea. The Korean War from
June 25, 1950 to the signed armistice day of July 17, 1953 was
the last historic conflict. Korea was split into two separate
countries. (North Korea is a closed Communist society and
South Korea is an open democracy.) The combined territories of
South and North Korea are similar in size to Britain.
The United States is South Korea’s largest trading partner,
accounting for about 20% of South Korea’s total trade; South
Korea ranks sixth among US trading partners. Read more...
Updating the dictionary
Excellent translators must engage in continual
education in order to master their craft. Language evolves
continually as new words are developed to keep pace with
cultural developments, technical advances and slang that
crosses the border into accepted terminology.
From
Inttranews:
Florida, USA (Sun Sentinel): Merriam-Webster has just
revealed its list of 100 new words that will be added to the
dictionary this fall. Among those words are unibrow (eyebrows
growing together) and manga (Japanese comic-books). The
dictionary celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
For more
information, click here.
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McElroy’s Vision Statement
Setting the industry
standard in customer satisfaction
McElroy’s Mission Statement
McElroy Translation
provides translation and localization services in all languages to
business and government clientele enhancing their ability to compete
in global markets.
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What Can McElroy’s Customer Service Department
Do for You?
By Carol Moya, Customer Service Coordinator
McElroy’s Customer Service Department is your primary contact for
any questions you have while your translation is in process, or
after it has been delivered to you. Requests to Customer Service
fall into following three main categories.
Checking the Status of Your Translation
You are always welcome to call or email Customer Service for
status checks at:
1-800-531-9977, ext. 122 or customerservice
@mcelroytranslation.com
You can also check the status of your in-process translation by
using the link in the auto-reply email you received when your
translation was logged into our system. If you did not receive this
email, Customer Service can send you the link.
Making Changes to Your Translation While It’s in Process
You can contact Customer Service to request changes to your
translation while it is in process; however, changes may impact the
cost or the delivery schedule. Some of the most frequently requested
changes Customer Service can help with are:
- Change in requested delivery date
- Changes made to your original document after it was submitted
for translation
- Changes to the deliverable file type or delivery method of the
translation
- Related documents that need to be added to an in-process
translation
Answering Questions After Your Translation Has Been
Delivered
Customer Service is also available to answer any questions you
may have after your translation is delivered to you. Some clients
have their translation reviewed by a colleague who is fluent in the
target language and who lives in the target language locale (in a
branch office for example). Sometimes the reviewer has suggestions
or questions about the translation. In cases like this, please
contact Customer Service, and we will work with you to promptly
resolve any questions you have. If you know in advance that a review
will be scheduled, work with your account representative who can
help coordinate the review schedule and provide guidelines for
review procedures. Depending on the project, the review may be most
efficiently accomplished before custom formatting is completed.
Of signs and symbols
From
Inttranews:
Texas, USA (AAS): Just who picked the “!” to be an exclamation
point, “@” for the at sign, “#” as the number sign and “$” for
dollars? Each was formed long before these signs were substituted
for expletives. Some of the histories of these signs and symbols are
a bit murky. But even anecdotal origins are interesting. Many come
from other languages. For the most part, the histories of these
symbols are tales of Latin words abbreviated and manipulated into
symbols.
For
more information, click here.
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Read Dr. Ritter's presentation on
translation memory.
