Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘Languages’ Category

If you were to fly to Europe in expectation of encountering “European culture,” you will find a diverse number of sub-cultures. For European culture is not easy to define. England, for example, has a large number of practising Christians, is an English-speaking democracy, and has fish and chips as its national dish.

Travelling eastward to continental Europe, we find the countries of France, Germany, Luxembourg, Russia, Turkey, Denmark, Italy, etc, all very different in many ways. While much of Europe speaks Indo-European languages, this category can be broken down into scores of related languages, ranging from Russian to Slavic, Italian to French, Germanic to Latin. Europeans speaking these languages do not share a common linguistic understanding.

In terms of government, while the European Union maintains its criterion of member states having to have a democratic government, this is not the case throughout all of Europe. While Western and Central European governments have democracies – such as Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands – this is not the case in Eastern Europe and Balkan countries, including Belarus, Ukraine, and Serbia.

Religion in Europe is also diverse in character. Russia contains a significant number of practising Russian Orthodox faithful; France has a growing number of Muslim adherents, owing to immigration from Islamic countries; Turkey is primarily a Sunni-Muslim country; and countries such as Austria and Poland have large numbers of practising Catholics. Religion in Europe is as diverse as it is throughout the whole of the rest of the world.

Europe’s cuisine, similarly, covers a diverse range of foods. While potatoes, bread, and eggs are staple fare in Russia, the Maltese love patizzi, the Italians eat pasta, the Hungarians eat goulash, and the Bulgarians eat a lot of yoghurt.

South Africa is known as the Rainbow Nation because of the various races living in the country. Most of the population is made up of different ethnic groups living in the urban areas. Having different races has led to the development of various South African cultures and forms of etiquette.

South Africa’s customs and forms of etiquette are divided into three parts: meeting, gift giving, and dining. Meeting covers several greeting styles, depending on the person’s ethnic heritage. South African men tend to shake hands with foreigners while maintaining a smile and eye contact to show courtesy. If a man knows a woman very well, he may kiss her as a replacement for a handshake.

Most South Africans celebrate Christmas and birthdays by giving gifts. When a person turns 21 and 40, it is celebrated by having a large party where a lot of gifts are given. In this event, it is common for friends to share in the purchasing of the gifts to help cut the cost. Flowers, chocolates, and a bottle of South African wine are recommended as gifts if you are invited to a house. Your courtesy will be appreciated if you make an extra effort to wrap the gift nicely.

South Africans are a time-conscious people, so it’s better to arrive on time when you are invited to a house. You should contact the host to determine if you should bring a dish. Most of the people in this country appreciate casual clothing when having dinner with friends.

Visiting South Africa is easy and it’s culture is rich, with many customs and forms of etiquette that can be appreciated by other countries. The diversity of races in the country further developed the culture, making it easier for foreigners to adapt.

Translators are tasked to transfer a language (usually their native tongue) to another language, whilst ensuring that the source language matches the target language as accurately as possible. Translators may use high-quality translation software, the Internet and reference books to assist their work. And as translators, they may work on business reports, legal documents, books, advertisements, games software, educational materials, website content, instruction manuals and DVD or film subtitles.

Translators commonly work freelance, and their work load is often irregular. In addition, some translators fuse the role of translating with other jobs, like proofreading or teaching. Their fees varies from £50 – £120 every 1,000 words, depending on the language and subject being translated.

There are also certain requirements on how one can become a translator, including fluency in their native tongue (written); proficiency in at least a single other language; knowledge in law, healthcare or business; broad knowledge of the countries’ culture where the translator’s language are spoken; IT and research skills; accuracy; and an ability to meet deadlines. The United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), translation agencies, large companies and some government departments also offer full-time jobs to translators.

Holding a degree in translation or languages could be a great advantage for a translator. Some starters even opt to take a degree in a different subject first, and subsequently take a postgraduate translation course. Doing some volunteer translation work is also a good way to attain experience. Employers also often look for translators who are members of at least one professional association, like ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting).

Building relationships through experience and reputation are considered by freelance translators to be a good underpinning. However, in-house translators often change jobs to improve their skills and broaden their responsibilities, as many translation companies are small.

Europe is home to a diverse range of countries, cultures, religions, governments, and languages. Spanning east to west from the Ural Mountains bordering Asia to the Atlantic Ocean, and spanning north to south from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, Europe’s 50 sovereign states encompass over 700 million inhabitants whose diversity of cultures is reflected clearly through its diversity of languages.

Rooted in the Proto-Indo-European languages spoken thousands of years ago are the Indo-European languages, accounting for the majority of spoken languages in Europe today. These include the Slavic languages – including Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, and Bulgarian – as well as the Germanic languages – including High German, Swedish, and Danish. Also included as Indo-European languages are the Romance languages – French, Spanish, Italian, Latin, etc. – as well as Greek, Armenian, and Baltic languages.

Historically, Europe has been characterised by six linguas francas, spoken cross-culturally and trans-continentally. These are Classical Greek, Koine Greek, Latin, Spanish, French, and English, the latter being the current international lingua franca. The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages protects Europe’s linguistic diversity.

The European Union, a 500-million-strong secular, economic and political body with 27 member states, has a fairly tolerant linguistic attitude, represented by its rule that every official national language is accepted as an official EU language. While new immigrants in European countries are expected to adopt their host country’s native language, many find themselves maintaining their cultural identity through persistence in speaking their native tongue. With the changing face of Europe’s traditionally Christian population, speaking mainly Indo-European languages, to a growing Muslim population, speaking mainly Arabic languages, effects of this remain to be seen.

Over the years, Germany has experienced growth and development that has led to various economic opportunities. Since the country plays a big part in business and international trade, it has influenced many people around the globe and led non-Germans to learn the German language. This is where the translation companies enter: offering German translation services. Many people seek these services, to communicate with their business partners and have access to German technology.

German translators assist people in becoming familiar with the language and also with German culture. They aim to build a better understanding of both the professional and personal aspects of the country’s life. Some translation companies specialising in the German language operate their services online, where they offer English to German and German to English translations. Their translators, who are professionals with full knowledge of different fields, conduct translations for acquiring information and enhancing communication skills.

Translations in Germany are necessary in the field of medicine and health. Medical experts, with the assistance of language experts, gather vital information related to treatments and medicines. This information is then translated and used by other people around the globe who are involved in the same field.

Promotions, which are necessary for the introduction of a business, are also one of the main targets of German translations. German translators handle such translations as TV commercials and advertisements in books and magazines, which can help expand a certain business.

German translators serve as a bridge that connects different nations. They also helps people in other ways, such as initiating conversations with foreigners, doing research, creating businesses, and much more.

India, which is often called the mystical land of seductive images, is a sub-continent spanning 2000 miles, from Kerala’s tropical rainforests to the mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the north. It comprises one sixth of the world’s population and has a culture that is rich and diverse.

One of the major attractions visited by tourists in India is the Golden Temple in Delhi; nearby sites contain the monuments of Jaipur and Agra, which depict the legacy of Muslim rule over several centuries. India has a history that is intoxicatingly rich and full of wonders, such as the great cities of Kolkata and Mumbai, which are lively and charming. Other historic places include the Varanasi, which is considered a holy city, and the inspiring and sacred Tamil Nadu temples.

Similar to Europe, India also has relaxing beaches for those who prefer luxurious pleasures. Most of these palm-filled beaches are located in Goa and have a unique quality, plus the charm of European beaches.

India is home to strong religious beliefs, with almost 85 percent of its population practising Hinduism and its religious rites. Significant events relating to religion as well as everyday life are commonly woven into a colourful fabric. Other religious rituals include bathing in the Ganges and the festival of Ganesh, an ear-splitting celebration. However, the caste system creates inequalities, especially between the two groups, Jatis and Varna.

The most fascinating part of Indian culture is the combination of the old and the new. The centuries-old history of the country, covering its civilisation up to the British Raj, mingles with the computer age, making the country more complex and diverse.

Religion, literature, architecture, holidays, sports, poetry, dance, visual arts, music, cinema, history and cuisine comprise American culture, a culture that has developed and been marked by an intermingling of two major roots: its indigenous originality and European principles.

America’s ideals, values, beliefs, arts, customs, innovations and traditions have developed through importation (immigration and colonisation), as well as indigenously. Civil liberties, Christianity and democracy are some of the dominant European ideals and ideas that exist in the United States of America, as well as traditional national holidays, military traditions, arts and entertainment innovations, a sense of national pride among Americans and exceptional sports, which have all developed indigenously. These points incorporate both liberal and conservative elements, scientific and military competitiveness, free expression, morality and materialism, and even political structures.

The Latin American and African-American cultures, which have emerged from ethnic subcultures, are also included. A number of cultural elements (such as popular culture) have spread across the globe through the prevailing mass media. However, some of these cultural elements have remained exclusive to North America. America’s demographic composition isn’t constant; it changes and develops due to an influx of Central Americans, who continue to take shelter in the US, though they often enter illegally. This is because their economic and social conditions are poor at home.

The culture of the United States of America presents several traits that define the US as a whole; these have led to its overall image as one of the most affluent and dominant countries in the world.

Translators play a significant role in connecting people from different countries with different languages. Their purpose is to communicate thoughts and ideas between people speaking different languages. Spanish, which is the official language of both Spain and Mexico, is one of the languages commonly translated.

Translation Today is one of the translation companies offering Spanish translators. Its translators are professionals who are culturally minded and, therefore, can provide excellent service in English to Spanish and Spanish to English translations. These translators also have full knowledge of the cultural and linguistics differences of countries that use the English and Spanish languages, and they understand the significance of the uniqueness of the language in every Spanish-speaking region.

Company translators are knowledgeable in the variations and peculiarities of the Spanish language because there is a distinct difference between regional Spanish, such as spoken in Latin America and Europe. Translation Today ensures that the translations and interpretations in the two languages are accurate and have a high standard, reflecting the cultural differences of each region.

The translation services offered by the company follow the standard for the quality of translation that is stated in the ISO9001 and is recognised by major institutions in the United Kingdom. Their translations include statements of confirmation showing that the translated version is an accurate version of the original. This company possesses different translators, not only for Spanish, but for other languages used all over the world. They serve as a bridge in connecting people from every nation.

Australian culture is essentially the unification of various cultures. It is a country where multiple cultures can be found, forming a comprehensive and liberal society. Australians are mostly of European stock, with a sizeable aboriginal population having its own culture, which includes food, celebrations and customs.

Before Captain James Cook discovered Australia, the Aborigines, or indigenous people of Australia, already inhabited the region. Australian culture commenced with these Aborigines as well as the subsequent incursions of other immigrants from all over the world. Since then, the culture has expanded and become one of the world’s most diverse cultures. The arrival of the English, who claimed Australia for the British Empire, produced Australia’s dominant culture, known as Anglo-Celtic. However, the culture of Australia keeps pace with time and technological advances.

Due to a culture of tolerance and their embracing of variety, Australia has been able to produce an enviable, worldwide prominence. Today, the country is the dwelling place of people who have come from about 200 assorted nations of the world. By promoting the different cultures, contemporary Australian society has emerged. Australia’s culture and society offer all citizens the freedom to express their preferred religion and culture, in keeping with democratic principles. And for the convenience of all of its citizens, Australia adopted English as its official language.

Though the Australian culture began from a rather complex base, the country is presently known to be among the world’s most bountiful nations and it provides an eminently satisfying quality of living.

Translating is generally labelled as the process of reading, understanding, interpreting and reproducing a certain document that originated in one language to another. A skilled translator should possess the ability to translate ideas, style and expressions, not just words. According to C.A Finch, “Translation is like stewed strawberry. It has form, flavour and utility, but it’s not the real thing.”

There are four various steps in translation that form the decoding process: the first step involves reading and comprehension; the second step is semantic analysis; the third step is the morphological and lexical analysis, which handles keywords; and the fourth step is the ontic analysis that deals with cultural aspects.

Being devoted to the original text is the basic responsibility of a translator. Cross-culture differences create a gap between people, and so a translator must know how the original text or message is conveyed in the source language, and how it will be delivered to a foreign reader or customer in the target language. How will the reader understand culture differences will depend on the translator’s experience and skill, thus, it must be accurately done.

Both languages should be mastered by the translator to produce a comprehensible output. It is vital that the translator displays knowledge and experience in the source and target language, and emphatically, to the subject content. In addition, subject theme can be studied, but target language experience requires some time to attain.

“To translate is to say in another language what has been written keeping the semantic and stylistic equivalence,” according to an unknown author. Translators basically play the role of people providing, though not perfect, refined conversion of language to another language.