Ccaps Blog

I believe that practice makes perfect and hardly anyone can doubt it. However, practicing without receiving an evaluation of the results achieved will barely take someone that far. It is no use working hard for several hours if we don’t have the slightest idea whether we are in the right path. Therefore, it is always important to receive feedback on the work one is doing, or one could risk finding out that instead of rocking, is actually rolling (down the hill).

Feedback then is always a good thing, right? Indeed it is. If it is positive, hooray! If it is negative, it is even better, although it may not appear to be so. Only then can we fix what is wrong and get back on the right track.

From the point of view of the receiver, not everyone is ready for negative feedback, and these may become defensive, as if it were a major offense. For sure, nobody likes to know that he or she has caused a bad impression as this creates an awkward situation. But if one manages to separate the information being received from the feeling caused, this would allow for an objective analysis of the feedback. By doing so, one could use always it as means for improvement.

From the point of view of the provider, except some specific cases that do not apply here, most people are not pleased about giving negative evaluation and also feel uncomfortable when doing so. For these, it would be a lot better if the evaluation had a wonderful result; a simple “well done” would then do the job.

Everything in life is personal, as two people will always interact. Even so, the next time you receive feedback, whether positive or negative, try to take it as an extra piece of information that may help you improve some area of your life, and nothing else.

People often cannot tell the difference between the two meanings behind the expression “free software”: Not every costless software is free, and not every free software is costless. How come?

Free software is based on four basic principles:

- Freedom to run the program, for each and every purpose
- Freedom to copy and redistribute copies of the program (freely or not)
- Freedom to study the program’s source code and adapt it to one’s needs
- Freedom to improve the software and share the enhancements to the public

That way, it becomes clear that freedom for selling software is allowed.

Comparatively, the idea behind all this is the following: if software is just a set of instructions a certain machine must follow just like a cake recipe, why not share the knowledge involved in the way these machines function, just like we share cake recipes?

Even without realizing it, we all use free software (the Internet, for instance, hosts most of its websites in Linux servers using Apache), which are developed in a collaborative way by people from all over the world using their work and knowledge to create tools that benefit us. By doing so they demonstrate that it is possible that free solutions (and I mean here “free of charge”) are as good as the ones developed by major corporations — or even better than those.

It then becomes clear that freedom is something that is part of our daily lives, although most people do not realize that, and many even criticize or have a certain “fear” when they know that a software program in particular is developed in a collaborative way by volunteers.

João Cabral de Melo Neto, a brilliant Brazilian poet, compared writing with the process of separating black beans. Weird, you could say. Yes maybe, but the comparison couldn’t be more appropriate: when we perform the physical process of separating mixtures known as sieving (my Chemistry lessons in high school weren’t so useless after all) and apply it to the preparation of some delicious “feijoada,” we are actually doing the same thing writers do — picking, separating, selecting elements. The difference is that, while a housewife employs this process to cook a delicious meal, the writer applies it in a rather unusual way: he or she tries to select the best words to put in the paper, so that it is clear what is trying to be said.

This unique metaphor can certainly be used when we talk about translation. Translators and reviewers are also “word pickers” by nature. As a matter of fact, translators act not only as sievers, but also perform the most diverse tasks in their jobs. Translating can be compared to dipping a sponge into water, assembling a puzzle, comparing art pieces, making pizza and acting.

OK, assuming you didn’t go like “Gee, this guy is totally crazy, I’m gonna stop reading this post right now,” and actually is still here with me, how about looking into all of these metaphors?

Dipping a sponge into water – If you’ve ever washed dishes, you will know how a sponge works. You simply dip it into water and it gets heavy, stuffed, full of water. In other words, this simple household supply, which we use on a daily basis, has absorbing capabilities. In translation, we do the same: When we come into contact with the source text for the first time, we must read it through in as attentively as possible to absorb as much as we can from the text. The first vocabulary choices start to take form in our minds, as well as the tone to be used, the style, and so on. It’s like a preparation for the main activity.

Assembling a puzzle – This rather simple activity can be performed as the following: we take a random piece and compare it to other pieces of the puzzle to find the one that best fits. And by doing that with every piece we complete the puzzle. Translating is quite similar. As we form sentences, we keep on looking for the best words that fit into that context. For instance, there are times when the best word to use is “walk”, while there are other times that “tread” or even “stride” will be a better choice.

Comparing art pieces – When the translation of a text is completed, it is extremely important to compare the target with the source. This process is important if we want to remain faithful to the original text. It is when we look for small – or big – flaws, passages that were skipped or even mistranslated. A major and rather detailed comparison, just like the one experts do when trying to separate fake copies from an actual masterpiece.

Making pizza – Those who have prepared a home-made pizza will know what I mean: the dough must be put to rest for a few minutes to have the perfect consistency. In translation, the same process applies. When we finish comparing the target with the source text, we should leave it alone. The best thing a translator does is to refrain himself or herself from even looking at it for at least one day, to keep their minds fresh and uncontaminated by the content when performing the last proofing. The translator then will be able to spot mistakes and language problems that were previously overlooked because he or she was more concentrated in the meaning rather than the language.

Acting – The final touch in translation is to become an actor. The translator should do exactly what is done on stage: take up the role of a different person; in this case, the role of the reader. Only by doing that one will be able to decide whether the text translated meets language requirements; whether the structures and vocabulary employed can be understood by any speaker of the target language. Nothing can sound strange or hard on the ears.

Well, I guess this is it. As we saw here, translating is a really complex, time-consuming process. One has to admit, though, that if all of these steps are followed, one will more likely produce translations of a higer quality. We should all remember the hard – and satisfying – work involved when we value the translator’s job and establish clear deadlines.

The world awoke on April 7, 2006 to another myth being torn down. According to a team of researchers responsible for the restoration, authentication and translation of “The Book of Jude,” Jude did not betray Jesus. To be turned in to the authorities and then crucified was actually part of His divine plan.

There is one word mentioned in the global news published on this discovery that will likely pass unnoticed to most people: translation.

A group of ancient language scholars was responsible for translating this written document into a Coptic language. The original translation was performed by an unknown author who translated it into Greek around 180 A.D.

I was thrilled to see my occupation mentioned on the first page. It’s not everyday that people remember us! =)

However, a feeling of apprehension soon overtook me when I began to contemplate the importance of these people’s work and the responsibility it involved. OK, so we are not exactly hired to translate archaeological discoveries that have the power to change the face of history. But come to think of it, we perform some very important work everyday.

Whether it’s an equipment manual or a love letter, the translator will transform the content from a language that the reader does not master (or has absolutely no knowledge of) to another language that the reader is able to understand. The quality of the translator’s work will determine whether or not the user is able to operate the equipment or, in the case of a love letter, it can unite two people or tear them apart forever.

May all translators be conscious of the power they have and the responsibility that comes along with this. May they also use this power in the best possible way…

“Localization Project Manager? Localization company? What the hell is that?” These are the questions I usually hear when people ask me about my job and the place where I work.

I have given up and now cut to the chase: “I am a translation project manager.” It is easier to be understood and the conversation about my job can end right there.

From Wikipedia:
“In computing, internationalization and localization are means of adapting computer software for non-native environments, especially other nations and cultures. Internationalization is the process of ensuring that an application is capable of adapting to local requirements, for instance ensuring that the local writing system can be displayed. Localization is the process of adapting the software to be as familiar as possible to a specific locale, by displaying text in the local language and using local conventions for the display of such things as units of measurement”.

In other words, localization is not the same as translation.

We translate cake recipes, love letters, books, poems etc.

On the other hand, we localize cartoons, movies, computer programs, on-line games, etc. Imagine what all those puns, acronyms and jokes that are typically US-centric would sound like if they were not adapted to our reality? Have you noticed how meaningless and not funny in other languages when they are simply translated, word by word?

And in my job, we localize software programs and everything that goes with them, such as Online Help sections, user guides, end user agreements, collaterals and so on. And I’m not only talking about the need to localize products developed in foreign languages!

This theme was already discussed in LISE Brasil, a conference on Localization and Internationalization of Software for Exportation, which happened for the first time in Florianópolis in 2004. The event was featured in the December issue of the Ccaps Newsletter of that same year.

Have you read the Ccaps Newsletter on Localization?

Brazilian software developers were introduced to the need to professionalize the internationalization and localization of their products. “Brazil is the sixth software market in the world and about 85% of it is produced in the country,” said José Eduardo de Lucca, the event organizer. “Exports are vital for our economy; however, the knowledge of software internationalization and localization is still very incipient in Brazil”.

It’s high time we get localized! And how about asking for a Ccaps quote, huh?

Quick task: Name someone who has NEVER worked with subtitling, is completely clueless about the process involved but loves to criticize subtitles in foreign movies and TV series. Well, I don’t know who came to your mind, but I certainly fit the description… Hahaha!

I just love to watch the US sitcom Friends, and even bought all the DVDs of the series. I can never forget an episode about “Paul, the wine guy,” someone Monica was going out with. After hearing the expression “Paul, the wine guy” over and over, Phoebe comes up with “Does that mean that he sells it, drinks it, or complains a lot?” You’re probably wondering about the translation, right? Here you go: “Isso significa que ele vende, bebe ou reclama demais?” Obviously, this kind of play on words (wine X whine) is completely lost in Portuguese; and no matter how awful I found the translation to be, I still could not think of a better one.

I know some people who have experience in subtitling and I am quite aware of how tough it is to juggle with time management, character limitation, synchronization and the jokes that only work in English! Especially when it comes to US sitcoms…

The November/07 issue of Info magazine published an article that I was expecting to read some day, because I believe these people weren’t the first and won’t be the last to choose the alternative above.

The article said that the Dutch Government invited a group of Israeli hackers to visit Holland, and this invitation was made through a letter, written in Dutch. Although the hackers didn’t speak Dutch, they were able to understand the whole thing. The problem was when they decided to write the reply in the same language. The hackers wrote a text in English and used the Babelfish website to obtain a Dutch version of the writing. In the automatic system, some words were changed and sentences such as “we’ll be glad if we happen to visit your country” were translated as “we’ll be glad to get to know your mother”. According to Jerusalem Post, the mistake happened because the expression “if” in Hebrew is written like “ha’im,” which is very similar to the word “ha’ima,” for “mother”.

When the letter was received, the Dutch threatened to cancel the invitation and said they were very disappointed at the behavior of the hackers. After a new contact made between members of the two countries’ foreign services, they managed to fix the misunderstanding.

I hope this serves as an example. If you need to translate a text, avoid to use such alternative, for what seems to be a cheap solution, may cost more than you expected.

If your professional life were a plate of bacon and eggs, would you be the chicken or the pig? In other words, are you really committed to your professional success or merely involved in it?

The chicken is only involved in the production process: waking up every day, eating whatever is offered, laying eggs with complete serenity and then sleeping at night. The chicken knows that in the following day there will be a new portion of food and everything will be the same so that it can continuously contribute for one to eat their bacon and eggs.

What about the pig? Unfortunately, to have bacon one cannot ask the pig to be merely involved in the process. It needs to be committed to it, for its life hangs in the balance. Therefore, while the chicken is only involved in the process, the pig is thoroughly committed to it. This is the main difference between being involved and being committed: how much are you willing to invest in what you are currently doing?

In your professional life, you are never asked to literally sacrifice your life. This is history now! Nevertheless, you can be sure that the market wants and needs professionals who are indeed willing to commit to their work and professional development. The market increasingly looks for highly productive individuals who have good knowledge of the industry and are aware of the real value of their contribution for the success of the company for which they will be working.

Every day is a good day to make yourself more committed to your goals, whether in your personal or professional life. If you are already committed to these goals, be sure that it has been noted and appreciated. Otherwise, try to think of things that will call the attention to you and make them part of your everyday life as a professional. Here are some ideas:

1. Focus on your job as much as you can. If you need to produce a lot in little time, try to get escape from all sources of distraction. If you focus on what you are doing, you will definitely do it faster and better, giving you more time to dedicate to other things.
2. Have a critical view. It is extremely important that you learn how to ‘see’ instead of just ‘looking’ at things. Try to understand what is going on and always be suspicious of anything that is not exactly as you would like it to be.
3. Mind the detail. Always! But do not become obsessed with it. A detail-oriented attitude can play a major role in having your work noticed.
4. Be responsible and serious about your work.
5. Always think about how much you are contributing for the company’s development. This doesn’t mean just carrying out your tasks, but thinking beyond. Do more and better whenever possible.
6. Make good use of every opportunity to learn something new or to experiment different situations. Speeches, workgroups, networking — the sky is the limit. Always think that these activities can make a difference between your being chosen or not.
7. If the company is doing well, great! Keep on giving everything you can and grow along with it. If not, work harder. With everyone’s help, it’s much easier to reverse the situation. And you can be sure that it is in difficult times that you will find the best solutions.

Anything else that could make a difference? You can add anything to this list. But don’t forget to add it to your own list; this is the most important of all.

This year, Localization World, one of the largest localization events of the world, will happen in Berlin in June. The event is organized by MultiLingual magazine and the Localization Institute and features the most important players of our market.

More information can be found at http://www.localizationworld.com but unfortunately the call for papers has already been closed. However, you can still sign up to be notified about when they will open for registration. Keep yourself posted.