There’s a great rundown on the recent Members Day of the Chartered Institute of Linguists here (ran to coincide with International Translators Day). I was due to attend but bowed out due to sniffles, so this report is the next best thing.
Archives for October 2007
24 hour Read-a-thon: progress reports and mini-challenge
Right, today I’m taking part in my first and THE first (hopefully annual!) 24 Hour Read-a-thon. This is being run by the rather amazing Dewey over at the hidden side of a leaf, so click through for all the details on the who, the where, the what and of course, the why (if it isn’t immediately obvious!).
I’m going to shamelessly cog Dewey’s format here: so this will be my Read-a-thon post, which means it will be updated regularly while I’m participating in the event. I’ll post new stuff above old stuff, so people checking back can find it quickly.
If you’ve just stopped by on a bleary Monday morning, then it’ll probably make more sense for you to start at the end of the post, and work your way backwards… Monday’s are confusing enough without trying to figure out what’s been going on chez Sarah since you last checked in.
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19.37 BST / 18.37 GMT:
I’ve just drawn a random name from the participants of this mini-challenge below, and the winner is Eva! She gets a $20 Amazon gift voucher by email. Eva, please email me at sarah at dillonslattery dot com with the address you’d like me to send this to.
Here’s to lots more hours of enjoyable reading in other languages 🙂
‘Til next year, good night and good luck.
13.37 BST / 12.37 GMT:
Good morning/afternoon/evening, busy Readers!! I’ve just had a quick update from Dewey’s page and it looks like several of you are still going strong – WOW! Go get ’em, not long now, you’re nearly there.
I’d hoped to have a chance to run through the blogroll again and visit everyone, but the morning has passed me by much faster than I expected and it’s time for me to head out. So, by my reckoning, there have been 8 participants in my mini-challenge to date. Here’s the run-down in no particular order, with links to their updates:
NL = native language, RL = reading language
- andreea: NL = Romanian, RL = English, The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
- iliana: NL = English, RL = Spanish, La Lllorona from Leyandas Mexicanas
- bonnie jacobs: NL = English, RL = German, Erstes Buch by Berlitz 1967 (sehr gut, Bonnie!)
- becky: NL = English, RL = French, Alice in Wonderland
- athena: NL =English , RL = French, Cyrano de Bergerac (I know the link to this website is http://www.aquatique.net, but I just can’t get onto it, sorry… – UPDATE: GOT IT!)
- bybee: NL = English, RL = Korean, not sure of book title, but it’s by Willie Collins
- eva: NL = English, RL = Russian, a bit of Pushkin, a bit of Akhmatova, then a couple of Chekhov’s short stories.
- joy renee: NL = English, RL = Spanish, Don Quixote.
Let me know in the comments if I’ve forgotten anyone. I’m out this afternoon and am not sure when I’ll be back – I’m guessing I’ll do the draw around 19.00 BST / 18.00 GMT, with Mr D to witness. Sorry to keep you waiting for a few hours after the event has finished, but look at it this way: you’ll finish the Read-a-thon and have a few hours’ sleep, then wake up with not only a warm fuzzy feeling from completing the Read-a-thon and mini-challenges (and, possibly, severe heart burn from all the coffee consumed over the past 24 hours), but one participant will also have an extra nice surprise waiting for them in the form of a $20 Amazon gift voucher 🙂
Well done again to everyone who has participated, and thank you to everyone who has dropped by to leave encouraging messages too. Remember, it’s not too late – you still have until the end of the Read-a-thon to participate!
Happy reading!
23.04 BST / 22.04 GMT:
I’ve just finished working my way through the blogs of all the readers of the Read-a-thon, and feeling suitably ashamed for putting on such a poor show myself in that department. But I’m ready and raring to go for next time! I’m so impressed by the fantastic blogs I’ve come across. I feel like I’ve found some real kindred spirits, and am inspired in many different ways as a result… not only has my reading list grown, but I’ve also got a rake of exciting new plans and projects to mull over! Not bad for an evening of blog hopping. Aside from all that, here’s a summary of what’s struck me over the past couple of hours:
- I need to learn how to touch type. I mean, PROPERLY touch type. My hybrid touch typing/ glancing at the keyboard method is plenty speedy enough in the world of people making a living off the number of words they translate, but if I want to pull my weight in the real world of blogging readaholics, I’ve got to get faster to keep up with the comments, emails and updates!
- Some people have such a talent for writing that it shines through even when they’re recounting the most mundane of things. There are those who come across so, so witty, I wish I could write like them, and those who come across so warm and friendly, I wish I was there with them.
- I normally tend to stick to certain kinds of blogs. I’ve been missing out. I never realised just how expressive and interesting a personal blog could be.
- Why don’t I read more?! MAKE the time, Sarah. No more excuses
- I love how readers have featured food and drink on their blogs during this event, and in such an inviting way. It really brings home just how powerful a medium blogging can be 🙂
Right, that’s it from me for tonight. I’ll check in again in the morning.
20.56 BST / 19.56 GMT:
After a quick bite to eat, I started working through the list of Read-a-thon readers on Dewey‘s blog. Almost 2 hours later and I’m only half way through – some of these blogs are so great I’ve added them to my feedreader for regular perusal. Have a I started reading yet? Er… no, not exactly. (I guess it depends how you define “reading”;) ) Am I bothered? Not at all. This is opening up whole new world of blogging for me, and it’s right up there with the most fun I’ve ever done on a Saturday night with my clothes on.
I’m also thinking I should start a personal blog for insights like this, to spare those poor souls who drop on by for their daily dose of translator-related material 🙂
19.01 BST / 18.01 GMT:
The last hour has been totally hectic, a baptism of fire for my first Read-a-thon, but fun too 🙂 As explained below, my mini-challenge will continue for the rest of the Read-a-thon to encourage as many people as possible to join in, but my posting here won’t be as prolific. I’ll spend a couple more hours checking out everyone else’s blogs and generally enjoying the magic around the event (there’s such a fab “atmosphere” around!) . I’ll read a bit t
oo, but I’ve decided to de-readerify myself – it’s only 7pm on a autumnal Saturday night here in London, but I’m beat… doubt I’ll manage to stay up past 10pm!! Yes, yes, I know, hardly the kind of life one imagines a hip, hop, happening gal like myself to be living, but there you go 🙂
Thanks to everyone to who dropped by over the past hour, and I look forward to seeing who else drops by and signs up for the challenge over the coming hours!
18.39 BST / 17.39 GMT:
There are lots of sources of foreign-language books online, but here are a few that look good to me:
* The electronic text collection here has direct links to collections of poetry, electronic journals, ancient and modern literature (along with several annotated translations from/ into English) for a range of Western European languages (including Irish and Catalan, in addition to the “usual suspects” i.e. French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, etc. etc.) This links to a collection from much wider range of languages again… so there’s something here for you no matter how isoteric your language skills 🙂 If you’ve ever wanted to learn a language or brush up on your rusty Romanian (why not?), now’s your chance – why not start by comparing an English translation with its source?!
* Just in case that’s not enough, there’s a range of additional resources here to start you on your search, from Armenian through Chinese and Islandic to Yiddish.
18.23 BST / 17.23 GMT:
Right, a few tweaks and clarifications to this challenge: (all to help make it more fun!)
* mini-challenge will run from now until the end of the Read-a-thon
* challenge is to find a book and then read it for one hour, anytime during the Read-a-thon.
* draw will take place after the end of Read-a-thon tomorrow (probably around 6pm BST/ 5pm GMT) I’ll post the winner here, and contact them directly for their details of who/where to send the gift voucher.
I think this clears a few thigs up and will also mean that readers joinging late, or taking a break, will still be able to participate int he challenge. Thanks guys!
18.12 BST / 17.12 GMT:
Oh wow, this is fast moving, I can’t believe we’re already over 10 mins into my mini-challenge – thank goodness for tabbed browsing!
Right, here are some ideas if you’re looking for online foreign-language material:
Google book search for French-language books, German-language books and Spanish-language books. Not sure how many more of them there are, but I’m sure you could find some for other languages too by experimenting a bit with the URL. Many of these are in Beta still though, so if you do use them I’d be imnterested to hear how you get on! Any other suggestions, post to the comments and let me know!
Remember, the challenge is to read a book in a language that is not your native tongue for [this hour (that includes time to hunt down the material, so don’t worry if you’re not actually reading for the full hour…) – UPDATE: CHALLENGE NOW TO RUN THROUGHOUT THE READ-A-THON! FIND YOUR MATERIAL AND THEN READ FOR A FULL HOUR, PRIZE DRAW WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF THE READ-A-THON]
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18.00 BST/ 17.00 GMT:
… AHA!! Fooled you all, I wasn’t about to start reading at all, I was preparing to announce…
My mini-challenge!
If you would like to participate, stop reading whatever you’re reading at the moment, and start reading a book in another language… Don’t read another language? Well then, be a bit inventive… maybe read a translation? (am open to creative suggestions on this criteria!)
If you are participating, let me know by leaving a comment with your native language, the language of the book you are reading, and the name of the book. I will draw one name from among those who participate at the end of the hour, and send a $20 Amazon voucher their way.
For those of you who may not have suitable books at home, check back in a few minutes and I’ll post a list of online books that might help meet the criteria.
Cheerleaders, can I ask for your help on this one? Please let the Readers you visit know that this mini-challenge is taking place, should they wish to take a break. As Dewey has suggested before, most Readers will probably visit their own comments first so letting them know there will, I think, increase participation. Meanwhile, I’ll circulate around other people’s blogs and see how they’re doing.
Have fun everyone!
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17.46 BST/ 16.46 GMT: OK, it’s almost 3 hours into the event, and I’ve read a grand total of…. [drumroll, please!] 0 words!!! Yes, I know, I know, and I started off so well!! An early morning trip to the library saw me haul a load of books up the High Road, just in time for me to dash out for my early afternoon meeting… which duly ran over! So I’m not long home, but I’m here now and about to get started… wish me luck!
(And a big THANK YOU to all the cheerleaders who’ve already been by with words of encouragement – I could see them coming through on my blackberry while I was out, making me all the more eager to get home!)
More soon…
What I'll be doing this weekend…
Top Ten Misconceptions about Translation and Translators
I’ve just found this great little piece on the website of NOTIS, a chapter of the American Translators Association (ATA). I don’t normally reproduce clips this long in full, but this one is worth it 🙂
Top Ten Misconceptions about Translation and Translators:
by Caitilin Walsh. Reprinted from the August 1994 ATA Chronicle.10. Anybody with two years of high school language (or a foreign-tongued grandmother) can translate.
9. A good translator doesn’t need a dictionary.
8. There’s no difference between translation and interpretation.
7. Translators don’t mind working nights and weekends at no extra charge.
6. Translators don’t need to understand what they’re translating.
5. A good translator doesn’t need proofing or editing.
4. Becoming a translator is an easy way to get rich quick.
3. Translation is just typing in a foreign language.
2. A translator costs $49.95 at Radio Shack and runs on two ‘C’ batteries.And the #1 misconception about translation and translators:
1. That marketing copy that took a team of 20 people two months to put together can be translated overnight by one person and still retain the same impact as the original.
Seems to me the image of translators hasn’t changed much since 1994… but I’d love to be contradicted. Does anyone disagree?
Incidentally, NOTIS has a page full of interesting articles and resources on client education – definitely worth a look.
Confessions of a Translating Treehugger
Apparently, there is only one translation and interpreting company in the world that complies with the ISO 14001 standards for Environmental Management*. The issue of the environment has only recently been briefly addressed on Proz, with Niraja Nanjundan’s article Are You A Green Translator? Does this represent apathy on behalf of the translation industry towards environmental issues? I don’t think so.
As a freelancing homeworker, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of blending my professional and personal lives at every level, and this holds true for my impact on the environment too. Our industry is largely made up of small businesses and sole traders, so my hunch is I’m not the only one punching above my weight on green issues.
So I don’t think I really have anything new, exciting or inspiring to offer translators on this. In fact, while I’m sufficiently proud of my green credentials not to feel like I have to list all the wonderful things I do to save the planet, I still possess a suitable degree of embarrassment about the things that I don’t do. So in the spirit of not putting anyone off, I thought I might list some of the quick and easy things I know I should do, but have found difficult to implement for a range of silly and inexcusable reasons. True confessions style – I guess my Irish Catholic upbringing is coming through here 🙂
- Turning off the lights when I leave a room. It’s creepy being home alone in winter. I don’t need every Tom, Dick and Harry in Tooting to know too.
- Using a coffee mug instead of disposable. OK, this applies more to when I was a cubicle dweller. But sometimes, when my collection of mouldy cups had gotten really big and I was gasping for a cup of tea but still couldn’t bring myself to wash up, I’d use a disposable cup instead. (Nowadays I just buy extra mugs and pat myself on the back for saving water.)
- Skipping the foil and plastic wrap. See above – but replace mouldy lunch boxes for cups.
- Leaving a place a little cleaner than when I got there by picking up some rubbish. Ew, no way. I live in London. Most shamefully of all, in my darkest hours I have been known to neatly tuck an empty coffee cup (a disposable one of course) in a corner of the tube. Before you rush to judge me, remember there are no bins on the underground.
- Lowering my thermostat. I really dislike the cold. And don’t tell me to layer up, I’ve heard it from my Dad already.
- Washing my clothes in cold water. It doesn’t work for me. It really doesn’t.
- Using environmentally friendly washing powder. I tried it for a while, and with a range of different products, but finally decided that wearing stained and smelly clothes was doing nothing for my already crumpled freelance image.
- Using bleach-free cleaning products. Yes, I also tried this for a while. I even went down the lemon juice/ white wine vinegar, baking powder and good old elbow grease route for a few especially enthusastic months. But life is too short, and my stained loo and limescale covered shower really started to gross me out after a while. Plus, work started coming in 😉
- Recycling. I’m quite good at this BUT it’s easy as our local council just collects all cans, plastics, clothes, paper and glass in one bag separate to the rest of our waste. Here comes the confesison: I know they just sell this on to other companies to dump in landfill somewhere else, but I still haven’t bothered to make alternative arrangements for my waste collection…
- Switching to a carbon neutral ISP. last time I checked, they weren’t compatible with my Mac (how selfish is that?!) Besides, I’m suspicious about this whole carbon neutral thing.
- Unplugging appliances. I’m just really, really lazy about this. Even though it could save me money.
- Buying less bottled water. I drink a LOT of water, and even though I’ve bought a funky water carrier to fill from my tap at home for when I’m out, I just don’t always feel like carrying it…
- Working out my carbon footprint. I’m convinced quizes like this are rigged to make even the most poverty stricken, non-consumerist, non-electricity using, hermit dwelling hippy look bad, much to the delight of their smug, far-from-perfect programmers. I ran for class president on a passionate and heart-felt “Vote Sarah for a Greener World” campaign when I was 11 years old, I’m well aware of the horrifying, irreversible effects my very existance is having on the planet. (For those of you interested in the political leanings of Irish pre-teenagers in the early 1990s, I should add that I limped in at last place… I could never compete with class cool guy David Wall, who captured hearts and minds with his catchy “vote for Wall, he’s on the ball” rap) [rant over]
So there you go, laid bare yet again. I’m green with plenty of room for improvement, but I’m proud.
By the way, I’ve used the excellent 50 quick and painless ways you can help the environment today post over at Blog Action Day to help me with my confession. Have a look if you’re searching for inspiration.
* they’ve posted waste-reducing tips for other translation companies here, if you’re interested.
Why Blog Action Day isn't just a pointless virtual gimmick
When I first read about Blog Action Day a couple of months back, I thought, “what better way to start off the week than with a warm fuzzy feeling from a spell on my soapbox (conveniently located by my unsustainably produced desk by my energy sucking computer) to blog about changing the world?!” Blog Action Day tomorrow is when millions of voices all over the world will unite to talk about one thing, but within the usual style and theme of their blogs. This year, the theme is the environment. Noble but yes, you could say I was wary of the idea.
I mean, I’m all for printing on both sides of my paper and hey, I even use energy-saving light bulbs. But I felt a not-entirely-irrational stab of annoyance at the thought of millions of bloggers carbon-footprinting it around with a glow of self-righteous indignation at the state of the world today. This is not because I feel powerless or believe that one person can’t make a difference when it comes to important issues (Margaret Mead’s quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” is one of my favourites). I just wasn’t convinced that blogging was where we needed to be channelling our collective energy. Surely there’s not a person left in the blogosphere who isn’t aware of the environmental issues we face? Hasn’t the yet time come for ACTION?!
But yet [sigh], here I am, about to go green for Blog Action Day. So why the change of heart?
The main reason is lack of a better idea, if I’m honest 😉 Because whatever your view on virtual communications and online networking tools, there’s no denying the might of blogs. As of 7.23pm today, Technorati is tracking about 108.7 million blogs and with more than 175,000 added daily, that figure is only going up. More than 14,000 blogs have committed to posting on this year’s Blog Action Day. A small percentage, perhaps: but still a lot of words, no matter how you look at it.
I’ve also been thinking a lot about the impact of the virtual world on the “real” world lately. I like Tiffany Monhollon’s post about how the more wired we get, the more value we place on communication and action in more “traditional” forms. The impact of this year’s Blog Action Day is already evident in the political arena with Stavros Dimas, the European Union’s Environmental Commissioner, already lending strong support on his own blog and in traditional media too. Who’s to say that won’t translate into something even bigger and better?
But my cynicism really started to thaw when I realised how many bloggers were putting time and energy into thinking about how best to address this issue well in advance of tomorrow. I was impressed by their honesty in explaining their thoughts around the day. Best of all, not everyone was attempting to speak from an “expert” point of view.
So this is bigger than just me, yet without me, it wouldn’t be the same. That’s not being bigheaded, it’s true. Initiatives like that mean something to me. Finally, I figured that even if millions of posts on the environment had no effect whatsoever on blog readers, the time and energy put into crafting all these posts would have to prompt some bit of actionable change in the behaviour of us bloggers.
So why not?
Spit happens sometimes
GREAT post by Kristen Fischer over at Freelance Switch addressing something no freelance translator really likes to own up to… making mistakes and more importantly, dealing with clients who drop you as a result. (Incidently, I have a feeling that this may not be such an issue for our inhouse brethren, given that extra layer of comfort between client and translator i.e. employer, but I’d be happy to be proved wrong on this…)
I especially like the acknowledgement that, regardless of ability and talent, real life is not always ideal and clients *do* have a role to play in ensuring their freelancers produce the best possible job.
…I’ve also noticed that on my big projects when I’m working with a client who gives me ample time to complete a project, and comes in with a positive vibe, there are no typos. Not so for this other client. Because of all the work they slam on me and the tight deadlines—coupled with a bad attitude—mistakes happen…
Aaaah yes. I’m afraid I too have learnt the hard way that I am only human and that clients can’t have it all. Have a look at the post and the comments that follow – I reckon they contain valuable advice for freelance translators at all stages of their career.
Angelina Jolie in the Mystery of the Missing Apostrophe
The publishers of a new book called From Our Lips to your Ears are looking for true personal anecdotes reflecting the everyday life of interpreters, with the aim of giving the general public a better idea of how interpreters touch people’s lives. The deadline for submission is the 3 December.
I like their guidelines for writing – it sounds like the kind of book I’d really like to read. They say:
Ideally, your story should accomplish one or more of the following things:
- Enable the reader to imagine the scene vividly
- Engage one or more of the five senses
- Evoke emotions
- Help the reader feel more connected to others
Their promotional tour currently only involves the US, but it would be great to have some perspectives from this side of the pond too. So, what do you say, interpreters? Sounds like a great chance to come out from behind the booth/ speaker.
Of course, I’d really love to see a similar collection of stories by translators. Or even better, a movie. No matter what you thought of The Interpreter, there’s no doubt that Nicole Kidman has done wonders for the profession in the glamour stakes.
I’m sure us translators could club something together to rival it. I can see it now: the obvious star would be Scarlett Johannsson (channelling glamour, a strong air of intelligence, and an artsy almost bookish air). My outside-the-box vote would go to Angelina Jolie (channelling a strong interest in current affairs, a career/family juggler, a go-it-alone type). Now for the difficult part – a nail-biting plot… hmmm… 🙂
All About International Translation Day
30 September is the day translators, interpreters and language professionals around the world show solidarity and promote their profession.
Here is my rundown of interesting facts about International Translation Day (ITD).
International Translation Day
International Translation Day has been promoted since 1991 by the International Federation of Translators.
The federation chooses a different theme each year, and uses it as a springboard to lobby for recognition of the profession internationally.
Past themes are as follows:
- 1991: No official theme
- 1992: Translation – the vital link
- 1993: Translation: a pervasive presence
- 1994: The many facets of translation
- 1995: Translation, a key to development
- 1996: Translators and Copyright
- 1997: Translating in the Right Direction
- 1998: Good Translation Practices
- 1999: Translation – Transition
- 2000: Technology serving the needs of translation
- 2001: Translation and ethics
- 2002: Translators as agents of social change
- 2003: Translators’ rights
- 2004: Translation, underpinning multilingualism and cultural diversity
- 2005: Translation and Human Rights
- 2006: Many Languages – One Profession
- 2007: Don’t shoot the messenger!
- 2008: Terminology – Words matter
- 2009: Working Together
- 2010: Translation Quality for a Variety of Languages
- 2011: Translation: Bridging Cultures
- 2012: Translation as Intercultural Communication
According to the South African Translators’ Institute. (Link correct as of September 2012)
Elsewhere around the world, translation organisations usually organise a range of training and networking events at national and local level.
The day coincides with St Jerome’s Day, who is recognised by the Catholic Church as the patron saint of translators, scholars and editors, as well as libraries and librarians. (Sounds like a portfolio careerist to me.)
Here’s a little about St Jerome:
St Jerome
St Jerome is known for translating the Bible from Aramaic and Hebrew into Latin.
You can find a good rundown of his life in the church and an interesting consideration of the translation challenges he faced here.
It certainly sounds like St Jerome was not a typical shy and retiring translator.
He was known for his ferocious temper and vitriolic pen, and for being an unoriginal thinker (ouch).
There is even some debate about the degree to which he translated the Bible himself.
His trusty research assistants and benefactors, the mother-daughter team St Paula and Eustochium, have been credited with doing much of the work.
In a very Da Vinci Code kind-of twist, there exist some fascinating claims that their names were removed from the annals of history because they were female.
That’s not to say St Jerome’s life was all work and no play.
He was, according to Butler’s Lives of the Saints, “no admirer of moderation, whether in virtue or against evil.”
He even gets a mention in the film Ghostbusters:
Dr. Peter Venkman: Have you, or any member of your family, ever been diagnosed schizophrenic . . . mentally incompetent?
Alice the Librarian: My uncle thought he was St. Jerome.
Dr. Peter Venkman: I’d call that a big yes.
There are plenty of pictures batting about too, if you fancy wallpapering your workspace or photoshopping up a card or two (paying due attention to copyright, of course [ahem]).
ITD, St Jerome and Kumarajiva
Finally, many translators seem to confuse International Translation Day and St Jerome’s Day, but of course, the whole point of an international day is to open celebrations to all faiths and creeds around the world.
In that vein, Kumarajiva also warrants a mention. A Buddhist scholar and translator, he’s not a saint (for obvious reasons) and has no day to call his own, but is still someone many translators identify strongly with.
Regardless of who you are or where you are from, Happy International Translation Day!
Originally posted in September 2007. Last updated September 2012.