Ccaps Blog

One of humanity’s oldest activities, translation has grown significantly in Brazil over recent years. The growth in international negotiations and the establishment of new cultural exchange experiences due to globalization and the access to the World Wide Web has generated a new interest in understanding foreign languages and, consequently, the translation of documents, Internet websites, media programs and others.

November 12 and 13 marked the 3rd ProZ.com Brazilian Translators’ Conference, held here in Rio de Janeiro. It was a unique weekend for all participants. On the very first day, we had a group dynamics exercise sponsored by GALA (Globalization and Localization Association). Our Director, Fabiano Cid, recently elected a member of the GALA Board, organized the networking session, which not only helped everyone relax more, but primarily, allowed people to get to know each other better for the two days that lay ahead.

For me, the event helped improve my technical knowledge, exchange information and provided lots of networking opportunities. It also gave us the opportunity to see old friends, meet new people or even meet someone we had only known virtually, such as Norma Medina and Anabele Coelho, with whom I had worked but had not had the opportunity to meet personally.

The topics addressed and the presentations made were top-notch, and Ccaps marked its presence in different ways:

Localization – How to Face this Monster – A lecture given by Fabiano that helped clear up myths about the “monster” that this activity represents for some translators. The following is the link to the presentation: http://prezi.com/vxtoeh54wn_w/localizacao-como-enfrentar-esse-monstro/

Machine Translation – Ricardo Souza served as mediator for the round table that included participants Johanna Angulo, João Vicente de Paulo Júnior and Fabiano Cid. We learned that there are many people earning good money through this activity, which seems to grow each day. The idea that most stood out was the possibility of transforming a threat into an opportunity.

Manual on Good Relationships – Wandrianne Dias, Ccaps Project Manager, and Janayna Couto, Ccaps Vendor Manager, were the speakers for this session, which demonstrated how to make the relationship between translators and managers more beneficial. Our girls beamed kindness and showed that it is, in fact, possible to make your manager happy. =)

If you missed this excellent opportunity, I’m sure I’ll see you there next time around!

The other day, I read a commentary from two members of a language study group in Yahoo, where they list the 10 main reasons why a foreigner should learn Portuguese.

I found it very interesting, as we are always paying attention to other languages and cultures, but forget that our own language also has its own value.

The following are the main reasons:

1. Brazil is a fascinating and exotic country with a rich history and incredible people
2. This century, North and South America will become an economic bloc
3. Music: To understand the poetry in the Portuguese lyrics
4. Travels: The majority of Brazilians do not speak English
5. Brazil is the country of the future
6. Because it is exactly what cool people like you should do
7. The sound: Portuguese pronunciation is beautiful
8. So you can impress your friends
9. So you can meet new people
10. Portugal is also not that bad…

I believe you also have other reasons to suggest. I will wait for your participation and comments, ok?

It is quite common to hear project managers use verbs in gerund, like: “we are developing,” “I’m planning,” “the resource is translating,” “the proof reader is finishing,” “I am waiting for the delivery,” etc.

However, we should create the habit of completing the ideas in gerund with dates, times or periods of times. If we apply this tip to the above quoted sentences, they would sound more appropriate: “we are developing the timeline and we will have everything done by the end of the day,” “the resource is translating the file and we will delivery it by the end of the 13th of this month,” “the proof reader is finishing the job and we will deliver it by the end of the day, before 5pm.”

Therefore, you should always try to keep the habit of reporting the activities either to your customer or to your team by giving them a time reference. This management trick gives all those involved with the project (the stakeholders) a sense of work assurance and proves that you are a project manager that cares about dates and deadlines, and consequently, have the project under control.

I have wanted to write something for a long time in regards to the increasing amount of censorship in the world. Censorship in places like China, Russia or the Middle East seem almost unavoidable, but when a country who claims to pride themselves on freedom, like the United States of America, begins to prosecute people because they are exercising their right to freedom of expression, we know that we are dealing with a bigger problem. And I, as an American, am offended and deeply afraid that the foundation on which my country was based is quickly collapsing.

First, I would like to remind President Obama, and other members of the government, of what exactly is stated in our First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

The first Amendment : Religion and Expression

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This means, and has always meant, that I can say and write and express whatever I want. It is my right as an American. If I want to call the president every four letter expletive in existence or perhaps say that I think he is a slimy, no good, corrupt, selfish son of a gun (there might be children reading this), I can. It is my right.

Therefore, it is also the right of Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, to also say or write or express whatever he wants. And of all countries that might be prosecuting him, the United States should not be one of them.

Has my government forgotten the foundation of our country? Or are they scared that just maybe the American people will discover the corruption that is going on behind our backs? Is prosecution for “espionage” admittance that the information is true?

Whatever the answers are to these questions, it should still holds true that Wikileaks and any other media should be allowed to express themselves in whatever way they like. If the information is not correct, the government should not be worried and certainly should not be wasting tax dollars in the justice system to prosecute.

If the U.S. chooses to attack the first amendment, I vote that we also attack the second amendment, which is the right to have a militia and to bear arms. Maybe if we didn’t have so many people running around with guns uselessly killing people, Assange would not have so many things to write about, now would he?

We spend most of our day at our workplace, dealing with our co-workers, clients, suppliers and bosses.

Once in a while, we get caught up in some unexpected out of control situation. Becoming irritated, grumpy and aggressive is not going to make the situation any better. To the contrary, your annoyance is only going to make your co-workers keep a distance from you, and clients report you to your superiors, and they will end up questioning whether you have self-control.

There are several studies about the importance of maintaining a good sense of humor at the workplace. James Lin, a North American psychologist, states that “those who laugh together, work better.” Therefore, the positive energy created by good humor will create a much better workplace environment.

However, a good sense of humor should also be present at the higher levels of the hierarchy, since these individuals are the role models for the work team. If the bosses are introspective, moody or unfriendly, this will reflect on the whole team.

It is known that a sense of humor depends on each person’s personality. However, this can be developed, especially if the work environment is favorable to generating professional satisfaction.

The following are some good attitudes that can help boost your sense of humor:

- Seek happiness
- Do not hide your feelings.
- Act natural, be yourself.
- Make friends and be pro-active and participative.
- Have some tolerance with those who still do not understand your lifestyle.

Tell a joke, have a conversation, talk about something you found interesting. And, most of all, smile! Remember, you should also do all this at home. This way, you’ll always be in good spirits whether at home or at work.