Greetings from Denver October 28, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in ATA, Fun stuff.2 comments
Greetings from the 51st ATA Conference in Denver, Colorado (the photo to the left is the view from my hotel room this morning). I am really enjoying meeting so many of you loyal readers face-to-face. I encourage you all to post comments, because sometimes it feels like I am writing into a vacuum. I am so gratified to hear that so many of you enjoy the blog. I know I enjoy writing it. I have started a list about upcoming topics I would like to write about and have also spoken with several people about possibly writing guest posts.
We had our 3rd annual Blogger Lunch today. After an initial bit of confusion locating the restaurant, approximately 20 bloggers and readers ultimately enjoyed a nice meal at PF Chang’s and hopefully enjoyed chatting with those around them. I know I enjoyed chatting with everyone. Some of the bloggers who attended were Tess Whitty (@Tesstranslates) from Swedish Translation Services, Fabio Said (@fidusinterpres) from Fidus Interpres, Abigail Dahlberg (@thegreenerword) from The Greener Word , Michael Wahlster (@Translatethis) from Translate This!, Tom Ellett from The Wor(l)d Weary Translator, and Eve Bodeux (@ebodeux) from Bodeux International and the Speaking of Translation podcast. I hope I haven’t missed anyone. I would like to thank Eve Bodeux for choosing the restaurant and making the reservation.
I would also like to thank all of you readers who joined us today. I hope you enjoyed talking with my fellow bloggers and perhaps were inspired to start your own blog or perhaps offer a guest post every once in a while. The most difficult part of blogging is coming up with new ideas for posts and keeping things fresh. By meeting you face to face I hope everyone walked away from this lunch with a deeper appreciation of the symbiotic partnership between blogger and readers.
Do you enjoy eating cabbages? October 21, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, Translation.8 comments
One of the members of the ATA German Language Division shared an interesting blurb from the October 16-22, 2010 edition of the Feedback section in New Scientist with us, and I thought you might enjoy it as well. Thanks, Cantrell!
DO YOU enjoy eating cabbages? We’re not sure whether the teenager known online as binarypigeon does, but her mother tells us that when she wanted to test the limitations of online automatic translation systems, she typed the phrase “I enjoy eating cabbages” into one. She told it to translate this into Japanese – and then translate the resulting phrase back into English, and then translate that to another language, and then back to English, and so on.
After approximately 20 such translations, binarypigeon’s simple statement had turned into: “Therefore, that is eaten because of possibility of fact of thing of possible possibility, designated that and that of a certain specification regarding that reason being shown it becomes, is inferred or as been, because either one types, whether it has been shown the fact that possibility should do my cabbage to that of the reason of this type, either one should enjoy some dependence of the range hypothesis our appointments which are shown, whether, these of appointment of the appointment which is shown are done.”
In the light of this, Feedback hopes that international bodies like the United Nations will continue to rely on human translators rather than mechanical ones for a while.
Thanks Feedback and thanks binarypigeon! I think this example shows that machine translation still has a long way to go before it will ever be a viable option to replacing a human translator.
Revenge of the Sith… Errr I mean Backstroke of the West July 29, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff.add a comment
One of the folks I follow on Twitter recently posted a link to hilarious screencaps of English subtitles for a Chinese DVD of Revenge of the Sith (Episode III of the Star Wars film series). As the author explains, “a couple of years ago when i was living in shanghai i bought a revenge of the sith dvd off the street. it came with hilariously mangled subtitles that ranged from somewhat close to what the actors were saying to far, far away….” It is a very amusing analysis of failed subtitles. I hope you all enjoy it!
TGIF: The Trouble with Voice Recognition July 16, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, TGIF.2 comments
Fabio at Fidus interpres just posted this video on his blog today. I normally hate to repeat what other translators post, but this is just too hilarious not to post. Plus, I wanted readers who don’t read his blog to see it (and if you aren’t reading his blog, why not??). The trouble with voice recognition software is that it has problems with accents – in this case Scottish. I love a good Scottish accent. I would marry a Scot in a second just for the accent (yes, it is true about Americans being suckers for accents). I have joked with my friends that I would pay a Scot to read the phone book for me. I just love how they sound. This video is hilarious, so I hope you enjoy it.
TGIF: A small rewrite (Shakespeare sketch) July 2, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, TGIF.1 comment so far
Long-time readers know of my love for both Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie. Here is a live Shakespeare sketch called ‘A Small Rewrite’ made for Comic Relief, with Hugh Laurie as Shakespeare and Rowan Atkinson as the editor. It’s a total scream. Enjoy!
TGIF: Ed Rondthaler on the nonsense of English spelling June 25, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, TGIF.1 comment so far
English spelling is a vexing problem for most learners of English. Why does the English language have so many words that are difficult to spell? The main reason is that English has 1,100 different ways to spell its 44 separate sounds, more than any other language. This video, which I discovered thanks to one of the folks I follow on Twitter, features typographist, spelling champion, and chairman of the American Literacy Council Dr. Ed Rondthaler pointing out the nonsense of English spelling. Enjoy!
I’m Comic Sans, Asshole June 18, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff.1 comment so far
I know a lot of people don’t like the Comic Sans font. I myself don’t get all the hate, because I find it to be a pretty legible font. That said, I usually stick with Arial or Times New Roman in my translations because I know a lot of people don’t like crazy fonts. I hope Jost reads this and reposts it to the Toolkit newsletter. Michelle Rafter at WordCount just included it in her recommended reading post, and I have to say it is absolutely brilliant. Here’s what she had to say about it:
McSweeney’s runs a regular column called Short Imagined Monologues where the writer assumes the persona of some real or fictitious character to expound on a particular point. This week’s installment from designer/writer Mike Lacher, will make the font fanatic in you smile. (Warning: language may not be suitable for work.)
So I hope you all enjoy I’m Comic Sans, Asshole as much as I did!
TGIF: How to swear in English June 18, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, TGIF.add a comment
It’s been a while since I’ve had a TGIF video on the blog. I just haven’t found anything worth posting recently. Thanks to Fidus interpres, a German to Portuguese translator based in Rheinbach, Germany, for posting this video originally. As Fabio explains, “It’s an English lesson given by a Korean teacher who initiates students into the ‘metaphysics’ of four-letter words – he even explains graphically what an asshole is. The man is really good! The YouTube video has been translated from Korean into English so that you can enjoy the teacher’s insights – even if the subtitles are too difficult to follow.” Enjoy!
A Modern Language Analyst by Everette E. Jordan May 18, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in ATA, Fun stuff, Translation.3 comments
As most of you regular readers know, I am moving in a few weeks and am purging my belongings. I have almost finished going through 8 years of ATA Chronicles and just found this little gem. For those of you who didn’t get the pleasure to hear him live, Everette E. Jordan was the keynote speaker at the ATA’s 44th Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on November 6, 2003. He was the Director of the National Virtual Translation Center at the time. The NVTC is a federal center that helps translate a backlog of documents for the CIA, FBI, and other government agencies. I have since become disillusioned with the NVTC (and he is no longer the director there), but in my eyes Mr. Jordan was, is and always will be a rock star. He speaks a ton of different languages and is a very poised speaker (not to mention good-looking and a really nice guy who is devoted to his family). I have a framed photo of us from that conference in my office. At the time ATA and the federal government were really working hard to establish a relationship, and the NVTC was trying to recruit linguists for their herculean effort of translating the backlogs of documents.
Anyway, back to Mr. Jordan. He was an outstanding keynote speaker. In fact, I think this is the only keynote speech that has ever been reprinted in the ATA Chronicle. To end his speech, he recited a poem he and a colleague had written styled after the famous Gilbert and Sullivan song, I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General, to describe the job that a government language analyst performs on a daily basis. It brought the crowd to its feet.
I am the very model of a modern language analyst
I scan and translate info that the average person might have missed.
I’m quite adept at understanding language spoken quite absurd
If modesty permits me, I’m a master of the garbled wordI’m very well acquainted, too, with leaders quite political
And deal with situations from the mundane to the critical
I’ve heard the best and all the rest and dabbled in analysis
While trying to avoid the dreaded translator paralysis.I’d like to think my studies have equipped me to work miracles
To tackle concepts ranging from the humorous to lyrical
I’ve met and mastered every grammar point designed to trip me, all
The adjectival short-form passive future participials.It’s safe to say I know my subjects by their name without a doubt
I keep them on a list to say what’s hot, what’s not, what’s in, what’s out
My scientific knowledge must be stunningly meticulous
My slang and techno-jargon, all stupendously ridiculous.For all and any question you encounter in this lurking trade
Consider me a living, breathing, walking, talking, language aid.
So when you need someone to translate what mere mortals might have missed,
Just call on me, the model of a modern language analyst.
If you want to read the entire Keynote Address, you can read it on pages 9-11 of the January 2004 issue of the ATA Chronicle, which can be found on the ATA website. However, you must be an ATA member to access old issues of the Chronicle online.
Subject: Fwd: FW: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work! April 6, 2010
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Business practices, Fun stuff.2 comments
The following e-mail has been making the rounds. Thought I would share it with you all to brighten your day. The e-mail tells you to scroll to the bottom, but I have flipped it here to make it easier to read in blog format. Enjoy!
Subject: Fwd: FW: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Names have been changed, to protect the innocent.
________________________________
From: Joricho Muachos
To: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
Sent: Thu, April 1, 2010 2:52:03 PM
Subject: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Greetings Ms. Linguistic Resources Coordinator,
I hope this email finds you well! I was given your name by a colleague of mine in reference to making myself available to work with Your Company. I’m primarily an English to Portuguese translator but also can do revision and proofreading as well. Can you let me know what we need to have me start working for Your Company?
Regards,
Joricho Muachos
Professional Portuguese Translator
________________________________
From: Joricho Muachos
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 10:09 AM
To: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
Subject: Re: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Hello Ms. Linguistic Resources Coordinator,
Can you please advise on what steps are needed to start work with Your Company. Money has been very scarce lately and my Mule Milosh is almost without feed.
Regards,
Joricho Muachos
Professional Portuguese Translator
________________________________
From: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
To: Joricho Muachos
Sent: Mon, April 5, 2010 10:43:15 AM
Subject: RE: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Hi Joricho,
Thank you for your email. If you would like to be considered for work with our Company, please send me your CV. I will review it and see if you
qualify to undergo our translation testing process.
Best,
Linguistic Resources Coordinator
________________________________
From: Joricho Muachos
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 2:51 PM
To: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
Subject: Re: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Hello Linguistic Resources Coordinator,
Attached is my resume. I would like to breifly summarize it for you.
In my earlier years I spend time as both a Goat Herder and a Mule Whisperer. As unorthodox as this sounds both of these professions are highly regarded in my country. Mule whispering is not a skill but a gift from our lord. It is with this blessing I can speak the thoughts of mules and become their intimate friend. Soon after whispering to many a mules I decided to shift my expertise to Goat Herding. In this job I showed the
goats where to go. If one got sick or was slow I had to beat it death with a rock so not to slow the rest of the herd down.
Thanks,
Joricho
________________________________
From: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
To: Joricho Muachos
Sent: Mon, April 5, 2010 4:04:36 PM
Subject: RE: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Hi Joricho,
Thank you for you CV. You have a lot of very interesting experiences. However, Our Company requires that all of our translators have a university degree. They also must have 5 years of translation experience and provide 2 end-client references. Therefore, you are unfortunately not a candidate for working with us.
Thank you for you time and have a nice day.
Best,
Linguistic Resources Coordinator
________________________________
From: Joricho Muachos
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2010 4:22 PM
To: Linguistic Resources Coordinator
Subject: Re: Experianced Linguist Ready to Work!
Linguistic Resources Coordinator,
This is most dissappointing to hear. Someone told me translation was an easy way to make additional money for my new film “The Quiet Mule who Spoke Loudly one time because he was Naseous that Day”. If this doesn’t pan out its back to Goat Herding. Do you think if I use more business words in my resume like instead of “Telling Goats where to go” to say “Managed a team of 148 Goats” might help some of my future job potential? Can a Mule that I’ve whispered to count as a reference? I know you cannot understand them but I can tell you what they are saying. One of my Mule Whispering clients is the most famous Mule breeder in all of Europe for our lords sake!
I want to move to the united states but the need for Goat Herders and Mule Whisperers is small which worries me. Also my personal Mule will not be able to come because of your laws. I know you see a lot of resumes and anything to help me make mine better would be appreciated! Maybe i can give you a free Mule whispering lesson in return! 🙂
Joricho.
Musings from an overworked translator 