GoiHata Translation Services

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Ambiguity in languages shows how complex verbal communication might be and instead of regarding it as a problem we should perceive it as an element adding value. It occurs when we can understand something in two or more different ways; if it happens in one word is lexical and if it appears in a sentence it is called structural. In the first case, “Note” refers to “a musical note” or to “a short written message”. In the second case, “Steve likes to paint her model standing” (Who is standing? Steve or his model?)
We tend to think that language is a clear way to communicate ideas in a concise manner but when we use the language literally, misunderstandings arise and changes in the meaning occur as well. People can be ambiguous deliberately or not. Ambiguity is in some way a poetic means as human nature tends to find a meaning in every exchange of ideas. A text is given to us and in exchange, we provide our interpretation of it. Our own skills allow us to understand what is presented before us. Most ambiguities are easily solved through our ability to understand them using the context and our experience and knowledge of the world, which by the way, is impossible for a computer as they have comprehensive lists of vocabulary but cannot interpret or translate a meaning just by the reference on the context.
Nevertheless, in Translation we have to handle ambiguity with extreme care as in some cases we must present the information almost literally, i.e., exactly the way it is used and not in the way we interpret it but in other cases we need to be more expressive and less literal in order to be more precise allowing the reader to get the information and understand it.

Paulina Torres De Witt
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Hay una gran similitud entre actuar en un escenario ante el público y trabajar como Intérprete ante una audiencia ya que en ambos casos, tanto el actor como el Intérprete, reciben un mensaje codificado, es decir, cargado de emociones, intenciones y valores el cual ellos deben ante todo entender, descifrar, asimilar y posteriormente transmitir. La relación intrínseca en estos dos procesos es la comunicación. Se ha dicho que el arte de la actuación es uno de los esfuerzos humanos más nobles ya que entraña la observación de otros y el tratar de entenderlos para así poder representarlos.
Obviamente que el conocido pronunciamiento de traduttore tradittore es absurdo pues confunde la traducción con la traición así como la popular aserción de que la actuación es únicamente el convertirse en un farsante. Hay muchísimos traidores y otros tantos mentirosos que andan sueltos por allí y ni son Traductores ni se suben a un escenario! La actuación es personificar e interpretar a otros y la Traducción es la habilidad de moverse de manera grácil y oportuna desde un mundo de ideas a otro.
Traducir es verdaderamente un privilegio. Tener la capacidad y la posibilidad de entender lo que alguien de un país y cultura muy diferente desea comunicar a una tercera persona es formidable. Los Traductores somos el puente, la conexión indispensable que facilita la comunicación entre esas dos personas o entidades.
Tanto los buenos actores como los buenos Intérpretes saben esto: La voz, la entonación, las pausas y el ritmo del parlamento o del discurso son esenciales para poder transmitir el mensaje de manera clara y fidedigna. Y esto aplica también a nosotros los Traductores pues captar el sentido e intención del autor, seleccionar los vocablos apropiados y transmitir las ideas de manera clara es una labor minuciosa que no resulta fácil.

Paulina Torres de Witt
www.goihata.com

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In the recent Olympic Games held in Beijing, China there was an official estimate figure of 10,000 Sports Translators to be needed to inform the whole world about the competition and the Olympics related translation business was expected to reach USD 92.2 billion. Not figures yet about the accuracy of this information but it is most probably right now. Obviously the side business is not included in these figures: Beijing was expecting over 500,000 foreign visitors during the sporting event and hotels, local businesses, police, hospitals, and bus and train services were all looking towards hiring staff or volunteers who spoke foreign languages.
In China there are about 300,000 Professional Translators and Interpreters, one-fourth of whom are in Beijing and most of them specialize in English, French, Russian, Korean and Japanese.

And for the first time in Olympic history a private company was contracted for official translation and interpretation services. With linguistic resources from Peking University, a team of 600 Professional Translators of the company were working round-the-clock during the games.
The Olympics Volunteer Program enrolled over 400,000 English-speaking people to combat the influx of foreigners and interestingly enough about 65 per cent of the recruits are women. Also, there were openings in the tour and travel companies in Beijing to work as guides and Interpreters during the Olympics.

The Olympic Games seem to have rejuvenated one and all as age is no bar in language studies. About 100 citizens, over 50 years of age, were attending classes three times a week to brush up on English etiquette and phrases. The elderly Chinese speak Mandarin and it’s difficult for them to learn a foreign language but younger people have eagerly enrolled in different schools, institutes and universities in China, which in turn are offering courses in over 60 foreign languages.

Paulina Torres de Witt
www.goihata.com

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Los abogados cuentan con un pequeño grupo de Intérpretes, quienes viajan con frecuencia a Guantánamo y que han sido referidos por distintas organizaciones culturales, universidades y colegas. Los Intérpretes dicen que durante las reuniones ellos improvisan con mayor frecuencia que cuando están trabajando en las cortes o en reuniones de negocios en Estados Unidos y admiten que a veces deben modificar lo que los abogados dicen para no ofender la sensibilidad de los detenidos. Un Intérprete árabe (quien no pudo revelar su nombre pues los abogados no han autorizado entrevistas) dijo que allí, a diferencia de otros lugares, él tiene que cambiar el tono de lo que se dice pues la cultura islámica es muy importante en ese lugar. Él refiere que hay veces que el abogado dice algo que es políticamente incorrecto y él tiene que pedirle que se explique de manera más sutil y en otras ocasiones no traduce el comentario y luego le explica al abogado las cosas que no debería mencionar.
Una joven trabajó durante un año pues hablaba pastho de manera fluida y comentó que en ocasiones los abogados preguntan a los detenidos sobre sus esposas e hijas lo cual hace que los prisioneros se sientan incómodos debido a su reserva acerca de las mujeres y sus familias. Eventualmente ella logró ganarse la confianza de los detenidos y les llevaba comida y les enseñaba videos de sus familias y ésta actitud ayudó la labor de los abogados.
Otra Intérprete dice que su función principal es asegurar que los abogados se comuniquen con los detenidos en términos que ellos puedan entender pues la mayoría tiene una educación limitada y no están familiarizados con el sistema legal estadounidense.
Los Intérpretes allí dan lo mejor de sí y además son expertos en Relaciones Públicas y en resolver problemas!

Paulina Torres De Witt
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Leí un reporte en el Washington Post sobre los abogados que requieren intérpretes para poder atender casos de individuos detenidos por supuestas actividades de terrorismo en la sobreprotegida prisión militar de Guantánamo en Cuba. Los abogados necesitan reunirse con sus clientes antes de presentarse ante los jueces lo cual ya en sí es un problema pero éste se agrava debido a la escasez de intérpretes ya que sin un intérprete el encuentro es imposible de llevar a cabo y a varios intérpretes árabes se les canceló la autorización sin ninguna explicación.
Hay alrededor de una docena de intérpretes quienes hablan árabe, pashto, farsi, uigur y ruso, trabajando para más de 400 abogados interpretando no sólo el idioma sino también la cultura lo cual permite que los abogados ganen la confianza de los recelosos detenidos.
Los abogados contratan a los intérpretes quienes deben ser ciudadanos norteamericanos y pasar un riguroso chequeo de seguridad sobre su origen e historial. El gobierno y la milicia ya han denegado a muchos reduciendo así el grupo de talento disponible para ayudar a los abogados de los detenidos.
Los intérpretes pueden cobrar hasta 1400 dólares al día, una tarifa que triplica lo que normalmente cobrarían por un trabajo similar en los Estados Unidos. Debido a esto, los abogados han solicitado al gobierno que se incrementen las horas y días en que pueden hablar con sus clientes en Guantánamo pues actualmente sólo pueden visitar a sus clientes 2 veces diarias durante 3 horas cada vez y en días de trabajo y además que permitan las tele y videoconferencias con los detenidos para evitar visitar la base militar pero el Departamento de Defensa, sin embargo, dice que no tiene planes de cambiar el horario ni los requisitos de seguridad los cuales “son necesarios para proteger la seguridad nacional”.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Knowing the pros about becoming a freelancer now it is the turn for you to consider the cons as well as everything in this world has intrinsic duality.
Uncertainty By far the biggest factor! It would be great to start operations with a client base which could guarantee regular work for you to get the income needed even though you must be prepared for eventual delays on payments. But if you still do not have enough clients as to take the big step and sweat at the thought of leaving the comfort zone of a monthly salary then it would be wise not to venture on your own yet. There is no sense in putting yourself in a situation where stress will make your life miserable, right?
Lack of employment benefits This factor is important to be considered too as there are certain benefits you will lose. For example, you won’t be getting paid while you are on holiday, and so your earnings should compensate. There are also other benefits that you will no longer be entitled to such as health insurance and retirement benefits (although you can learn to organize your finances so that you put aside a percentage to cover these items)
Marketing yourself To get new clients, people need to know about you, and if you are working for yourself then the only way for this to happen is if you promote yourself. You can go from cold-calling and e-mailing, to online and newspaper advertisements, to attending events where you can distribute your business cards. How you accomplish this will be down to you and the industry you work within, but you have to organize yourself to dedicate considerable time to promote your business but don’t let yourself be put off with this, be proactive and creative!

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Maybe you are starting in this profession and feel comfortable working in an office as their Translator but believe me sooner than later you are going to feel the need to expand your horizon and consider becoming a freelancer. You have to properly consider several aspects though before deciding whether to take the plunge and go freelance yourself.
Most of the attractive pros of becoming a Freelance Translator are self-evident so let’s consider just a few of them:
Working from home I guess this is the top most feature! No more daily commute to an office, no more traffic jams, no more wasted time, no more stress! The time you save can be used to advance in your current translation task or enjoyed as spare time.
The ability to set your own hours The second top most feature, of course! The ability to choose when to start or stop work is quite appealing but consider this: sometimes you will be required to overlap your hours with those of your clients as you have to be flexible and this means that you will frequently find yourself working overtime, usually more than in the ‘normal’ working world.
The income is all yours Another obvious appeal to freelance work is that the profits that you make are yours to keep. What you earn, you keep it in full except for any required taxes.
More variety and choice in assignments Working on your own means that you can choose over the kind of projects on which your skills are focused – allowing you to develop in areas that you are interested in, and keeping away from tedious jobs you might be assigned to do in a regular job which you would obviously not be able to decline in favor of your personal likes or interests.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

www.goihata.com
En cada profesión es importante estar actualizado pero en la nuestra resulta vital!. Debemos leer constantemente y sobre temas variados: aprovechemos la ventaja que nos ofrece internet para leer cada día periódicos de distintos países y escuchar diversos programas de radio para ampliar el espectro de información que podemos recogemos por doquier. Es necesario estar alertas e informados.
Hay varias cosas que podemos hacer: Una buena idea es mantener listas personalizadas con términos, palabras y frases que atrapan nuestra atención para poder tener acceso a la palabra correcta, nombre preciso o cualquier fecha especial y que creamos que pudiese ser útil en algún momento; leamos artículos y libros relacionados con nuestro trabajo para estar al tanto de los cambios más recientes y/o tendencias; abramos una carpeta en Favoritos del explorador de internet para guardar enlaces que consideremos importantes para consulta así como aprendizaje; adaptémonos a los cambios comprando nuevos equipos y programas para ser más eficientes y productivos; participemos en foros de discusión en la Web; compartamos información con colegas alrededor del mundo.
Siempre estamos contra-reloj, constantemente bajo presión y muy ocupados pero cuando el tiempo no sea un problema, aún a sabiendas de que en la mayor parte de las ocasiones lo es, ofrezcamos nuestros servicios sin cobrar… Recuerden el dicho, mientras más damos, más recibimos! Podemos encontrar fácilmente varias instituciones que están ayudando a la comunidad global de manera desinteresada y podemos ser parte de esa cadena y contribuir con nuestra causa favorita (soy vegetariana y ayudo a informar sobre las ventajas del vegetarianismo, por ejemplo) y al hacerlo, nos mantendremos activos y actualizados y podremos comunicar nuestro conocimiento. Siempre hay algo interesante que compartir con todo el mundo, así que brindemos nuestro apoyo incondicional sin esperar nada a cambio excepto la satisfacción de ayudar a los demás.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Yes! Practice will do the trick! We have ample resources such as dictionaries, books with specialized vocabulary of a particular field (as of medicine or engineering) thesauri, synonyms dictionaries, reference books with detailed terminology, websites, etc., but it is the accumulation of experience in the investigative process, joined to the abilities of expression and comprehension which allow us to work in an organized and methodic manner so that the translated version is as precise as the text on the source language. We are always in search of new information, constantly renovating our knowledge. Of course, to be good in languages is not enough to be a good Translator. It is really important to compose in a clear manner, using the right vocabulary, syntax and style in our mother tongue to be able to offer a reliable translation job besides having the ability to use the latest equipment and word processing software.
To be fascinated with the language is key for a Translator as the more we know, the more we want to learn! Maybe it is natural but I am inclined to think that it develops with our very own need of being efficient. There are Translators who are expert in certain fields and use their command of the language to work in that area. Others love writing and as Translators they get paid for doing so. Some others are intellectually stimulated with the unlimited variety of topics in which to work and greatly enjoy learning along the way (I belong to this group!)
Translators have to find a balance between fidelity in the source text and readability in the target language allowing others to benefit from knowledge by doing our best to be as discreet as possible. If nobody detects our translation efforts… we are doing a great job!
Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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Japoneko Nagareyama herrixen, lorotxo bat galdu zan, “Psittacus erithacus” espeziekue bera, Ingelesez Loro grisa deiketan eidoutzie (Grey Parrot). Yosuke-kun izenakin erantzuten euen, (Euskeraz Joxepi izengo bazan moduen, hau da asko entzuten dan izena Japonen). Loro honek samur berba itten eieuen eta bere izena eta zuzenbidie geratu be iñ barik errepiketan euenez, ba laizter eruen euien bere saintzailliengana.
Gero esan daixiela barriketan itteiek ez dauela balixo!!!

Hill honen 6-xen gertatu zan hori, etxe bizitza baten sarrerako erromara gaiñien euen, eta bertako poliziak arrapau iñauen lorotxuoi (Honeik be ezin bakien itxi kanpuen lasai dabillena!!!)
Lehenengotan Loruoi ixilik, tutik be ez euen esaten, baiñe ikusitte poliziak helburu onekin ebitzela, hasi zan lasaiketan eta “atzaldeon” (konichiwa) bateaz jo ta txokaute itxi zittuen munizipalak. Lehen poliziak ziela esan dot, baiñe “lokalak” zienez uste dot munizipalak izengo ziela. Bestela “porloskojones” esangutzen loruek atzalde on.
Gero barriz geixau animau eta kantuen hasi zan “Hatopopo” (Hau da Japonen umiek, usuei eta kale txorixei jaten emunez batera, kantetan dauen abestixe. Eskolan ume danak ikesten daue hau.

Abestixe akabautakuen, bere zuzenbidie, zenbaki eta guzti esan euen. Honi esker munizipalak bere etxeraino eruen euen. Hau Ekainien 19-xen izen zan.
Oiñ, Lorue bere eguneroko lanetara bueltaute dau, eta bera arduraketan da Nakamura familixa guztie igetzarketan, “Altza, altza, ordue da eta”
ETA GERO ESANGO DAUE JAPONESA GATXA DALA? Ez euskaldun batentzako!!

Shinichi Teramoto
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Back when I was a kid I wanted to be an Interpreter. The career was extremely alluring to me but when I learnt that I couldn’t be more that five words behind the speaker I panicked… But loving languages I chose to become a Translator instead. Yes, sure, we should pursue our dreams but at the same time we have to be realistic and admit we cannot force nature… If it is not in us and we get anxious about not being able to excel then it is wise to modify our dreams and learn something else with the same passion we felt for our original dream.

We, Translators, work with written materials in one language and rewrite them in another language. Interpreters deal with the spoken language, they listen words in one language and repeat the same message in another language. They are engaged in real-time interpretation, which is used for conventions, meetings, speeches, etc. There is a common tendency to think Translators interpret, or that Interpreters translate. In fact, the two are very separate jobs requiring different talents: A Translator must be able to write well and be able to express words, phrases, allusions and other nuances between languages on paper (or computers if you want). We have the luxury of time, resources, reference material and the freedom to take a break when needed. Compared to Interpreters, our pressures are relatively limited. An Interpreter, on the other hand, has to be able to translate spoken words in two directions. They do this using no resources or reference material except their knowledge and expertise. An Interpreter is required to find linguistic solutions to problems right there, on the spot. The pressure hence can be quite intense whether they deal with consecutive or simultaneous interpreting, both difficult. I deeply admire them! May God bless Interpreters!
Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

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冬も夏も温暖で季節が日本ほどはっきりしていないバスク。春とはいえ羽織るものが欠かせない５月。６月に真夏を思わせる気温になるかと思えば、２５度を超えない日が続く夏。もちろん海岸部と内陸部では大きな違いがありますが、３５度を超える夏の日もあれば氷点下５度以上の冬の日もあります。下のグラフはGoiHataがあるArrasateの２００６年の平均気温です。海辺ほど温暖ではないもののアラバ県ほど内陸でもないバスクの平均的な気温と言えるでしょう。
もともとバスク語には明らかな春夏秋冬を表す言葉がありません。直訳すれば新しい夏(udaberria)または初夏(udalehena)、夏(uda)、夏の終わり(udazkena)、そして冬(negua)というのがそれぞれの四季を表すことばです。基本的には夏(UDA)と冬(NEGUA)。グラフで見れば四季の変化が見られますが、これはあくまでも平均。昔のバスク人は雨や北風の影響でさまざまに変化する春と秋を違う表現で表したのですね。

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We should always aim at rendering the best of our ability so, it is good idea to make sure that we are delivering a good translation. What are the actual criteria to use in order to decide that one translation is good and another is not or that one translation is “better” than another?
We should check the following points first:
Precision: The translation should be accurate, it should represent the text. It should be complete without omissions and correct so that it communicates the same sense, style and genre of the original.

Suitability: Ask yourself if the translation fulfils the purpose for which it was required. You should know to whom it is intended to, who is likely to use the text and how will it be used, e.g., is it about instructions to operate a machine? To re-launch a product? Knowing this will help you to put together a translation that is best suited to its purpose.
Knowledge of area and grammar proficiency: These two are linked. We should have experience on the topic or business area we are working with and the ability to produce a coherent translation aided by a good grasp of grammar.
Filtering: You should avoid filtering the message to match your own perspective. You are transmitting a message not expressing your likes and dislikes. If you do not agree or share the ideas of the original it would be hard for you to be objective so it is advisable to decline the job and pass the work to another Translator.
We know instinctively when we have done a good piece of work although there is still a need for objective criteria to be arrived at. In the meantime, a Translator who observes the above mentioned points will not be far away from excellence.

Paulina Torres De Witt
www.goihata.com

www.goihata.com

“Would you like to install the new and upgraded Google Toolbar on your browser?” said a message on my computer screen as I was surfing the web a couple of days ago. So out of curiosity, I clicked on a link that prompted me to install it and a few moments later my browser went through a complete transformation. It looked quite appealing, I must confess, and for any avid web surfer such as myself, it seemed pretty useful at first. It actually gave me the impression of a completely enhanced and revamped browser.

For those who haven’t tried it yet or haven’t even heard of it before, this utility includes a variety of new features which are apparently designed to give users access to additional tools right from the browser: from highly effective pop-up blockers, to a spell-checker, to even a button that takes you directly to the Google News page. Everything seems to be just a click away.

But the pretty picture that Google product managers Avni and Aseem try to paint is far from perfect – at least as far as I’m concerned. The problem is that one of these features included in this so-called improved browser, is a page translation tool. This function, as you can imagine, does not take into account any human being in the translation process. It is powered by SYSTRAN, an online software program, which is basically dictionary-based machine translation, sometimes referred to by the abbreviation MT, which performs simple substitution of words in one language for words in another. A fully-automatic translation solely based on dictionary entries.

So please let me rage against this machine since I cannot conceive the idea that a computer program – no matter how “improved” it may be – can accurately decode the meaning of a text or produce a natural translation. Relying exclusively on a software program like this ignores the simple fact that communication in human language is context-embedded. Therefore, I don’t mind if this new Google Toolbar promises the moon. As long as Avni, Aseem and co. can do without “real” translators, I can do without their “personalized and enhanced browser”. I can still surf the web with my old browser as I used to. Is there anything wrong with that?
Clarisa Attademo
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GoiHata S.L. nazioarte-esparruko enpresa izanik, bere jarduera nagusiak Itzulpengintza eta Interpretaritza, eta Japonia buruzko aholkularitza dira.
Joango gara guru bloga osatzen, albiste eta gertaera desberdinekin
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