Musings of a Translation Trainee: The Responsibility of a Translator

BigT news, New, Professional translators16 February, 201615 July, 2021

The responsibility that is taken on by a translator is huge! This is the overwhelming impression that I am left with whenever I stop to think about what it actually means to be a translator, the profession which I have chosen and the role which I am working towards!

The translator’s responsibility

The responsibility that is taken on by a translator is huge! This is the overwhelming impression that I am left with whenever I stop to think about what it actually means to be a translator, the profession which I have chosen and the role which I am working towards! This is both terrifying and incredibly exciting at the same time! We all know that those jobs which hold the most responsibility are also, very often, the most rewarding!

A translator needs knowledge and creativity

The job of translator requires not only skill but also great cultural knowledge, good judgement, and also a generous helping of creative problem solving. Let’s have a little think about just one of the anecdotes which have been recounted to me during my studies, which I have retained and springs to mind when I think of the importance of contextual adaption and a target orientated approach. I was told of the situation where a Jamaican politician said to his French counterpart that an event he had seen in France was as exciting as the best cricket game. Nevertheless, the interpreter facilitating the communication between the two of them decided to translate it as “what I saw here was as exciting as a cycling race”, which undoubtedly speaks more to a French speaker.

Consideration and courage

Whilst, obviously, not all situations call for this kind of alteration to the content, (and caution should always be exercised) I do think that bearing in mind the effect of the text on the target audience is something which cannot be overestimated. I know that we have all witnessed examples of literal translations which have lost the message among the jumble of verbatim words…

Be brave my fellow translators, translate the message of the text and not just the words on the page!

Why Translate into Different European Languages to Enter into the Global Market?

Marketing & Ecommerce, New10 February, 201620 May, 2020

In the global business market, the most important thing to bear in mind is that a wide variety of cultures exist. The borders that separate each culture are very often hard to overcome, and it is here that the native translator comes in.

Different European languages for different markets.

In the global business market, the most important thing to bear in mind is that a wide variety of cultures exist. The borders that separate each culture are very often hard to overcome, and it is here that the native translator comes in. We specify native because no translator, regardless of how good they may be, will ever fully understand the traditions and customs that make up the fabric of a culture that is not their own.

A translator’s objective is to allow a message to be passed from one language to another, between different cultures and different ways of thinking, via a translation which is as close as possible to the customs of a given country. This is also a translator’s task, to pass a message from one side to another, allowing a product which is being launched internationally to cross cultural borders and reach the intended public so that it can be marketed. Without translation into different European languages, everything produced in one market would stay within that market, in a kind of closed circuit, sacrificing the value of the worldwide market and the growth and internationalisation of the business.

European languages and translations to fit your customers’ needs.

As outlined above, translation will make your business grow. In the global market, variety and differences are all around. Culture is defined as the collection of material and intellectual characteristics belonging to a society or cultural group which shares a common set of values, beliefs and traditions. We must make the global market adopt each of these principles, so that every product can reach every market without the need for a lingua franca like English. This is done by carrying out translations in numerous different target European languages according to the chosen markets.

For this reason, texts must be translated into various different European languages, according to the markets that you want to ‘conquer’. It will open up the dissemination of products, for example, much more effectively compared to the results obtained by only translating into one language, even if that language is an international ‘bridging’ language, such as English. Without a doubt, translating into English is fundamental because, as mentioned, it is a language of cultural and business connection. However, translating into the language of the target market you have chosen to expand into, that is the key to success! What better way to reach your customer than through their own language? When translated by professional natives, who capture the essence of what is being communicated, everything you want to say will cross any borders.

Will A Native Professional Translator Ever Rule the World?

Native translators, New10 February, 201613 May, 2020

Or, being more pragmatic, instead of speculating, we could name the main reasons your business needs professional translation services from native translators. Globalisation initiated a brand new era which means that the vast majority of companies have had to cross their national borders and penetrate new foreign markets.

We could say that there are a few arguments for why a native translator should rule the world…

Or, being more pragmatic, instead of speculating, we could name the main reasons your business needs professional translation services from native professional translators. Globalisation initiated a brand new era which means that the vast majority of companies have had to cross their national borders and penetrate new foreign markets.

Essentially, this means that if you’re looking to seriously bring your business and product before the eyes of consumers in emanating markets, sooner or later, you will need professional translation services!

What should I take into account when looking for a translation service?

One thing you should bear in mind is the importance of an accurate and thorough translation, carried out by a native professional translator, and adequately edited and reviewed by an experienced proofreader. But, how can you be sure that you get a quality finished product every time? If your business communications are being translated into a language you don’t speak, how, you might ask, can I be sure that the service provider is doing an efficient job? The most important contributing element, without a doubt, is to ensure that your chosen language provider works exclusively with native professional translators who are native speakers of the language you wish to translate into. This way you will make sure that you avoid clumsy translations which can cost your company both money and reputation! A native speaker has extensive experience, not only conversing in the language, but of all of the subtle nuances and intricacies of the language: terminology, jargon, style, verbalisation and wording.

How can I make sure I’m getting all this?

Here at BigTranslation, we’re proud to offer language services with native in-house (as well as freelance) experts, who are skilled and reliable, and specialise in numerous different fields.

As with most things, the translation process is not black and white. Just as the life experiences of each native professional translator are completely unique, the translation, language, and writing skills of each native professional translator are all different. Every translation requires a specific, targeted approach with the right professional translator taking the job on, and we make sure that your job is always in capable hands. The authenticity and quality of the work of a native professional translator with knowledge of the subject matter in question is, unquestionably, an asset if your business is ever going to rule the world…

Lithuanian Translation: Style and Formatting Guidelines

New, Professional translators8 February, 201615 July, 2021

BigTranslation is very proud of the high quality of our Lithuanian translations. When carrying out Lithuanian translation on the platform, please follow these guidelines.

Lithuanian Translation

Lithuanian Translation: Style and Formatting Guidelines.

BigTranslation is very proud of the high quality of our Lithuanian translations. When carrying out Lithuanian translation on the platform, please follow these guidelines. They will explain exactly how to format product descriptions correctly, and they also contain valuable general information on our style preferences for any Lithuanian translation undertaken for us.

Style and Formatting Guidelines-LT

Why BigTranslation Adores Style and Formatting Guidelines

We are big fans of style and formatting guidelines and we make them available for all of our team working in every target language. This document is a useful tool, not only our translators, but also for our validators, editors, project managers, etc. We know that you, like us, take content seriously and we believe that this is the optimal way to provide a structure and framework that is easily accessible to everybody and avoid any uncertainties or ambiguities. We find that it is an especially useful tool when working with such a large team, via our platform.

In addition, style and formatting guides are very important for BigTranslation as a professional translation agency. They help us to maintain our credibility and to ensure that we stand out from our competitors, ensuring consistency between translators and individual texts in terms of style and quality.

What’s more, having a style and formatting guide to consult helps to unify all of the content and create a strong and reliable brand for each of our clients. This, in turn helps them to gain the turst of their target market.

As translators, we need to have a keen eye for detail, and a style guide helps to take care of the nitty-gritty grammatical points. It also helps us to have confidence in our choices, aiding us when selecting between more than one correct option and clearing up any uncertainties about the best way to format our work!

Do You Want to Sell Internationally?

Marketing & Ecommerce, New8 February, 201613 May, 2020

Whatever business you are in, from financial services to dropshipping shops, catering to retail, you may well be able to list your services or products in English. But, how about if you had these same services or products listed in Swedish, Polish, Latvian, Russian, Portuguese or Hungarian to name but a few?

Professional translations will allow you to sell internationally.

Whatever business you are in, from financial services to dropshipping shops, catering to retail, you may well be able to list your services or products in English. But, how about if you had these same services or products listed in Swedish, Polish, Latvian, Russian, Portuguese or Hungarian to name but a few?

A translator could well be your most important ally! Why, you may ask? Because a translator will introduce you to a world of possibilities and help to ensure the future growth of your business! Is this something that you have taken into consideration? The time is right, the time is now, and expanding internationally means that you can develop your business in new ways, with a new approach! This, right here, is the beauty of the web, it allows businesses to constantly widen their scope, whilst continually learning and developing, and always with the potential to sell more products! The challenge of an ambitious entrepreneur is a daily tumultuous voyage and the current opportunities expand and sell internationally are part of this fantastic venture!

Remove your linguistic barriers, prepare for the future and boost your sales!

Website translation – an indispensable tool for selling globally.

Website translation is a valuable asset for any business, whatever your trade, because if the number of visitors to your website increases, this correlates directly to your revenue. Invariably, you will always be looking to increase user engagement on your website, whether you make money through sales or ads. So, please take note: a professional translation agency capable of offering a complete range of language translation services can help you and your business immeasurably.

Contact BigTranslation now!

What Makes BigTranslation Different? A Translation Agency Revolution.

BigT news, New4 February, 201613 May, 2020

For some time now, online translation agencies have proliferated considerably. However, it is worth considering whether all of these agencies dispose of the right linguistic services to carry out high-quality translations.

BigTranslation is a modern, professional translation agency which stands out from the rest.

For some time now, online translation agencies have proliferated considerably. However, it is worth considering whether all of these agencies dispose of the right linguistic services to carry out high-quality translations and offer their clients an optimum service.

When we created BigTranslation, our priority was to have the very best team of professional native translators from different countries around the world. Our website and platform were created with the aim of recruiting the best professionals in the translation business, who are also skilled proofreaders and editors. The search was arduous, but we know that we have the most talented linguists working in our team.

What sets us apart from other translation agencies?

The first element that gives us the edge is that we are capable of translating from and into 24 different European languages, something which allows you to attract new clients from a large part of the world. Another point which differentiates us from the rest is our website translation service and multilingual SEO option. Given that the majority of our clients have a website through which they make their company known, we believed it fitting to train our team so that, as well as translating websites, they are able to provide them with the elements which will ensure that they are well positioned in search engines.

Native professional translators and high-quality guaranteed.

Each one of our translators is a native speaker of the language they translate into, and all of them specialise in a certain branch of knowledge or sector, meaning that they can carry out translations of different kinds (e-commerce, journalism, literature, etc.). From the start, BigTranslation has been committed to the team of personnel which shape it, as it is this team which make us strong and earn us the recognition of our clients. Thanks to our sales team and all of the people which have worked on this project, our translation agency has broken away from the typical kind of services that, until now, have been available on the web. Our reliability, the quality of our translation and proofreading, our punctuality and, above all, our professionalism and commitment to the projects we carry out, have all made BigTranslation a trusted online translation agency, a team of translators that you can put your faith in.

Rugilė from Lithuania: Working in Translation

BigT news, New, Our partners4 February, 201613 May, 2020

This week, our intern Marie, the most recent addition to our in-house team, interviewed one of our senior Lithuanian translators, Rugilė. This is a little post put together by Marie using Rugilė‘s answers to her questions.

Rugilė works with BigTranslation as part of the excellent Lithuanian translation team!

Rugilė, tell us a little about yourself.

I am Lithuanian but I have lived in Spain for just over 15 years. For the last 10 years, I have always had language-related jobs. I studied Translation and Interpreting at university and, since graduating, I have worked exclusively in translation.

What languages do you speak, and how do you maintain your proficiency?

At the University of Vilnius, I had the chance to study English and Spanish as primary languages. Currently, my working languages are: Lithuanian, Spanish, English and Russian. For me, translation is a tool which bridges the gap between people that speak different languages. It is indispensable for international communication.

Was being a translator your dream job when you were little?

Have I always dreamt of being a translator? In all honesty, I can’t say that I discovered my vocation as a child, but my interest in languages did start at a young age. That interest grew and took shape as I travelled to different places over the years, discovering different worlds and different peoples. As well as a translator, I also work as an intercultural mediator and I believe that these two professions are those which best define me professionally.

How did you become a BigTranslator?

I work as a translator and proofreader for BigTranslation. Sometimes life presents you with unexpected proposals and exciting opportunities, and that was the case with BigTranslation. One day I got a call from the team, saying that they were interested in my profile and here I am, forming part of this great and diverse team. This is a young, dynamic and enthusiastic company. Each translator, proofreader, coordinator, etc. has high standards and, together, the team works hard to always ensure that they offer the very best services to their clients. This is a translation agency which not only has the experience, energy and dynamism to adapt to the demands of the market, but also an able IT team working alongside them to make sure that all of the tools, processes and services run smoothly and efficiently.

What are your top tips for translators who are just starting out?

I believe that a good translator has the courage to move away from a text’s words when necessary in order to transmit its message. They skilfully manage the text in such a way that its message and purpose remain unchanged and the message is transmitted to the recipient in the most understandable way possible. Honestly, I can’t imagine a world without translators – translation is an ever more sought after profession, thanks to the rise in globalisation and the expansion of technology. Nowadays, all new technologies and research need to be communicated to the largest number of users as possible and, as such, translation will always be vital.

Want to become a BigTranslator?

Join now!

7 Curious Facts About the Native Professional Translator

Native translators, Translation services1 February, 201613 May, 2020

The mind of a Bigtranslator is an intricate maze, but it is an organised maze, and the intricacies of this mental labyrinth allow the native translator to hit on the central nerve and true meaning of a text to be translated.

The internal workings of the professional native translator’s mind are a thing of wonder…

The mind of a BigTranslator is an intricate maze, but it is an organised maze, and the intricacies of this mental labyrinth allow the native professional translator to hit on the central nerve and true meaning of a text to be translated. The mental switch made by a native professional translator is something incredible, like the work of the synapses, passing small electrical impulses from one to the other. Translation, in the mind of a native translator, is exactly like this: an electrical storm.

Among the interesting facts that, perhaps, you didn’t know about native translators:

1. A translator never stops translating. Their brain is in translation mode continuously. A translator translates EVERYTHING around them, everything they hear in another language, they translate. A continual ‘hearing-mental translation-understanding-reworking-final translation’ circuit without an off switch.

2. A native professional translator counts in their own language, regardless of where they are in the world. Counting literally anything usually takes place in their native language. 1,2,3…

3. The organisation of their life plans is done strictly an ‘according to future translations’ basis.

4. A native professional translator can find the right nuance for every word or cultural expression, so that the message is passed from one language to another without losing ‘too much’ of its true meaning.

5. Each piece of information that a translator’s brain processes is dissected piece by piece. No part of the information is left un-interpreted in the translator’s mind. And if they don’t understand the exact meaning of something, their mind stays there and thinks it over, and thinks some more, and thinks a little bit more still until, suddenly, ‘eureka’! That perfect translation makes its light bulb appearance.

6. A native professional translator feels the weight of the cultural importance that goes hand in hand with being an important representative of their language on their shoulders. Translation is treated with the utmost respect.

7. Finally, something you’d never believe… The native professional translator lives on coffee! Native translators barely sleep when they are busy with their translation projects and they become a kind of nocturnal species, which manages to stay awake solely by the power of that modern nectar known as coffee!

Translation: a demanding profession

Moving on from this last humorous note, one thing that we are sure will indeed make your hairs stand on end, is the dedication and sense of vocation of the native professional translator. They demand a lot from their mind, and invest a lot of their time in their work. When you entrust your project to a native professional translator, you can be sure that whatever quality you demand from their work, they will demand double from themselves.

Rugilė from Lithuania: Lithuanian Translations

BigT news, New, Our partners1 February, 201613 May, 2020

This week, our intern Marie, the most recent addition to our in-house team, interviewed one of our senior Lithuanian translators, Rugilė. Below is a little post put together by Marie using Rugilė‘s answers to her questions.

Rugilė is one of our English to Lithuanian translators…

You provide Lithuanian translations, but where abouts are you based?

I am Lithuanian but I have lived in Spain for almost 15 years. For the last 10 of these, I have always had jobs related to the use of different languages. I have a degree in Translation and Interpreting and, since finishing my degree, I have worked on numerous different Lithuanian translations.

What languages do you use in your translation work, and how do you maintain your proficiency?

I studied at the University of Vilnius & University of Jaume I in Castellon, I had the opportunity to study Spanish and English language. Currently, my working languages are: Lithuanian, Russian, Spanish and English. For me, translation is a bridge that unites people that speak different languages and an indispensable tool for communication.

Was being a translator your dream job when you were little?

I can’t say that I discovered my vocation as a child, but my interest in languages did take shape over the years from my travels and my discovery of different worlds and the people that inhabit them. As well as a translator, I am also an intercultural mediator and I believe that these two professions are those which best define me professionally.

How did you become one of BigTranslations native translatiors providing Lithuanian translations?

I work at BigTranslation as a translator and proofreader. Sometimes life brings you unexpected surprises and exciting proposals, and that was the case with BigTranslation. One day I received a call and here I am, forming part of an extraordinary team. This is a young, dynamic team, with lots of enthusiasm, and which always ensures that all of its services are of the highest quality. I believe that the core pillars of this translation agency are its ability to adapt to the demands of the market and its strong technological foundation.

What are your top tips for professional translators who are just starting out?

I would say that a good translator is not afraid to move away from a text’s words in order to transmit its message. They manage them in such a way that the message and the purpose of the text are unaltered and the message is transmitted to the recipient in the most understandable way possible. Truthfully, I can’t imagine a world without translators even less, as Lithuanian translations is becoming a highly sought after profession, thanks to the rise in globalisation and the growth of technology. All new technologies and research need to be communicated to the greatest number of users as possible and, as such, Lithuanian translations will always need to be present.

Want to become a BigTranslator?

Join now

Croatian Translation: Style and Formatting Guidelines

Native translators, New19 January, 201613 May, 2020

BigTranslation is very proud of the high quality of our Croatian translations. When carrying out Croatian translation on the platform, please follow these guidelines.

Croatian Translation

Croatian Translation: Style and Formatting Guidelines.

BigTranslation is very proud of the high quality of our Croatian translations. When carrying out Croatian translation on the platform, please follow these guidelines. They will explain how to format product descriptions correctly, and they also contain useful general information on our style preferences for any Croatian translation undertaken for us.

Style and Formatting Guidelines-HR

What’s all the fuss about style and formatting guidelines?

Here at BigTranslation, we are huge fans of style and formatting guidelines, and so we make them available for all of our team working in all of our target languages. This document is a great tool, not only our translators, but also for our validators, editors, project managers, the whole team. We know that you, like us, take content very seriously and we believe that this is the optimal way to provide a structure and framework that is easily accessible to everybody and avoid any uncertainties or ambiguities. We find that it is an especially useful tool when working with such a large team, via our platform.

Additionally, style and formatting guides are very important for BigTranslation itself as a translation agency. They help us to maintain our credibility and to ensure that we stand out from our competitors. This is because they ensure consistency between translators and between individual texts in terms of both style and quality.

Moreover, having a style and formatting guide on hand to consult helps to unify all of the content and create a strong and reliable brand for each of our clients. This, in turn helps them to gain their target market’s trust.

As translators and editors, we need a keen eye for detail, and a style guide helps to take care of the nitty-gritty points. It also helps us to have confidence in our selections, aiding us when choosing between more than one correct option, and clearing up any uncertainties about the best way to format work!