Ccaps Blog

On September 30, the world celebrates the Translator’s Day. Did you know why they chose this date? St. Jerome is the patron saint of translators and he died on September 30, 420. As he had great knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, Pope Damasus assigned Jerome the task of translating the Bible to Latin. Yet I cannot forget to honor all my colleagues who, coincidentally, have their special date celebrated on September 30 here in Brazil. Cheers to all Secretaries! From me and the Ccaps team.  Our team could never miss these special dates or let them go in vain. See below a picture of our breakfast that we have just taken…  

 

Back row: Cassius, Wandrianne, Vanusa, Adriana, Miguel
Front row: Bruno, Natalia, Danielle
(Fabiano is taking the picture and Cecilia is celebrating in Paris

A long time ago, one of my hobbies was to listen to music and try to understand the lyrics. I would put in a cassette tape (which would never imagine – not even in its worst nightmares – that it would be replaced by a CD) and listen to a song a hundred times until I could figure out each word of the song. At that time, I could never imagine that I would end working with translation; I just enjoyed challenging my hearing skills and solving those “puzzles.” Today, song lyrics were replaced by TV movies with original sound. These however are (un)fortunately subtitled, making it difficult for me to take up the role of Sherlock Holmes. I no longer try to unveil what is being sung; instead, I now turn into a Marshall, checking the translations made by others.

As far as I can see, I am not alone. Just enter the Internet realm (where else?) and you will find thousands of comments coming from the most different sources on mistranslations and dreadful mistakes. Judging by the amount and variety of such comments, I wouldn’t say they were all made by translators, but rather by people who discuss every kind of mistake and what they think is the best solution for each case. There are even replies generating long threads of discussion over a mere conjunction that would have created double meaning in a given language and that would have been lost in translation.

I have no idea how interested in medicine these people are. Personally I feel uneasy around blood and diseases. As to foolishness, I’d rather not say anything. But I will always be outraged to hear the Warner Channel narrator saying that ER’s Dr. Carter is dating a “trabalhadora social” (mistranslation for social worker, creating the name of a job that does not exist).

Sorry, this is only for locals…

If you did not receive the new edition of the Ccaps Newsletter in your inbox, what are you waiting for? Click the image below to read the three very special articles we selected to talk about management: project managent, content management and people management.

Guess who wrote one of them?

“Looks nice! What is it that you’re having?”
“Listen here, trainee. You touch my bowl, internship is over!”

There is one thing in particular that was beneficial after all the changes in the job market: professionals today can work in different fields, while becoming experts in various areas and acquiring knowledge of other activities that revolve around his/her main occupation.

Multifunction professionals can execute several different activities within the company. They are the result of corporate downsizing of the past few years, forcing employees to learn other roles besides their primary ones, or due to a need to expand their knowledge to remain competitive in the market.

I am particularly identified with this ‘label’ because since the beginning of my professional life (I was 15 years old back then) I’ve always enjoyed to venture and learn different things, although in most cases I didn’t even know where to begin. I think it’s great to be able to help in some way, and I also believe we shouldn’t let any learning opportunity escape.

I joined Ccaps in 2000 as Administrative Assistant, then I had the chance of working in the Customer Relations Department and today I work with Sales and Project Coordination. I could say I know a little bit of everything here. I may not be the greatest specialist in these areas, but I do know them quite well and, whenever needed, I can help my colleagues with activities that are not part of my primary position.

Some years ago, the only thing I was able to do was to work as a secretary. Today, thanks to God and to the opportunities received, I am much more knowledgeable. And I drew a lesson from this: only by facing a difficult situation will you be able to learn something, grow professionally and get out of your comfort zone.

Are you up for it?