Is Machine Translation leading to lower translation standards?

Just as calculators have been blamed for children's lack of math skills, could it be that Machine Translation (MT) is to blame for some questionable translation practices? And does MT cause people to have unrealistic expectations for their translation projects?

Before I delve into this controversial matter, I need to point out that I have met some truly dedicated translators while working at Dynamic Language, and this in no way applies to them. Great translators love their craft and find real pride in delivering a project of high quality. Their passion for translation, communication and the language services industry make me proud to come to work every day.

That being said, there are days I wish I never have to re-live at work. We’ve encountered a few instances in the past year of translators using machine translation to translate documents and charging for human translation. While this could be due to my journalistic past, I see this as plagiarism on the part of the translator. So, do we give them the benefit of the doubt and offer another opportunity to work with us, or do we stop using them for all future translation projects?

This controversial topic goes back to our translation ethics blog post, where we talked about staying honest in your work and accepting a project only if you have the time to complete it with quality. I understand the stress that comes with deadlines — I do quality control at the end of the translation process — but a tight deadline and a busy schedule shouldn't cause a translator to employ lower quality practices.

Where is that line crossed, between getting help from machine translation and cheating your way through a translation?

The changing landscape of translation

In a world of easy-to-access Machine Translation and online crowdsourcing efforts, could it be that people now have unrealistic expectations for translation?

Quality human translation takes time. A translator can only work so fast! Many clients are often surprised by the length of time it takes to translate a document and will try to shorten the deadline, but there comes a time when we must step back and ask ourselves a question. How important is quality to our clients?

If quality wasn’t important to them, they would have done Google or Bing translations themselves. They seek out professional translation services because they want the best for their target audience. Language Service Providers (LSPs) and translators must remember the importance of quality for each individual client. We talk about the importance of accuracy in medical and legal translations, but the power of an accurate translation can never be underestimated, regardless of the client or the industry. And if that means being more doubtful of Machine Translation, then so be it!

What are your thoughts?

Beginning a new year at Dynamic Language

It’s the start of a new calendar year, and what has the first week of the year taught us? That we’re just as busy as ever!

It seems like just yesterday that I was putting together my recap of 2010 blog post! But it’s about time that I publish the first blog post of 2012.

While it’s great to look back at a successful year, we’d rather look forward and see how Dynamic Language can continue to improve in the future!

We’re off to a good start, too! We are so proud to have tied for the rank of 34th Largest Minority-Owned Business in Washington state, as part of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists (the 2012 issue was published in Dec. 2011). That’s an achievement we could not have done without the time and dedication of our Dynamic team!

So here’s to a new year, new goals, and to earning a spot on Inc. Magazine's list of 5000 fastest-growing companies for the fifth year in a row! Go get ‘em, team!

Feel a Cold or Flu coming on? Say no to interpreting jobs!

Today I received an email from one of our clients who runs a medical facility, and I thought it was great information that our followers, and the interpreting community at large, should be aware of.

The email consisted of a policy notice for interpreters who work in settings where germs can easily be passed from one person to the next-—most specifically, medical settings.

The policy she mentioned was that during the cold and flu season, we must remain alert of who is sent to medical interpreting assignments. If an interpreter shows any signs of an ailment (rash, sore throat, fever, cough, and/or chills, etc.), he or she must not accept medical interpreting jobs until all symptoms have passed.

I know what you’re thinking: “Easy for you to say; I have to pay my bills!”

While declining interpreting jobs may be difficult in the short run, especially during the holiday season, preventing your cold or flu from spreading to someone with a weakened immune system may save a life. And isn’t that what medical interpreting is all about—-helping doctors and nurses keep people healthy and save lives?

Ethical practices: The importance of honesty and quality in the translation industry

You may remember my blog post on ethical practices in the interpreting field. Well, I promised you that I’d be back with another installment on ethics, so today’s focus will be on translation.

Unlike interpreters, who work side by side with their subjects, translators have a much more behind-the-scenes occupation. But that doesn’t mean they can slack on the moral obligations of their job. The nature of a translator’s work is just as sensitive as an interpreter’s.

The following are ways in which a translator is and must be kept accountable.

Confidentiality agreements: Most translators (and every translator who works with Dynamic Language, in fact) must sign confidentiality agreements before working for a client. On a daily basis, our team handles sensitive content, which could have very serious ramifications if it were to be made public.

Acceptance of projects: Humans can only work so fast. Translators should never accept a project unless they know they will have the time to complete it—within the deadline and with accuracy. Clients deserve better than hurried translations, so projects should never be rushed (unless documents are time-sensitive and the client requests a short turnaround time).

Accuracy: All assignments, no matter the client or industry, should be treated with equal care. We can’t pick and choose which projects are more important than others, because for clients, there is no distinction. Their project is important to them and that’s all that matters.

Additionally, translators, unlike interpreters, have the ability to review their work before it is delivered to the client, since they work with longer deadlines. Translators should be able to proudly stand by their work, knowing it is the best it can be.

Quality checks: To ensure the quality of the translation, many language services providers will include one or more review step(s) in their process. As I’ve read and been taught many times, a translation’s quality is measured against the client’s expectations. When a project is delivered to the client, there should be no question that the documents are of the highest quality. And clients demand high quality as a minimum expectation - they do not expect quality steps to be skipped because of a lack of time.

The points above are just a few best practices in the translation industry. Are you a translator? Tell us what your best practices are!

Easy ways to build strong relationships with clients

Our jobs depend on the happiness and loyalty of our clients. When they become unhappy, the results can be quite detrimental. A few simple steps can help to avoid a fallout between you and your clients.

Follow these tips to help you build stronger relationships with your clients.

Maintain good communication: Keep an open dialogue with clients. Read your emails as soon as possible and answer voice mail in a timely manner. Don’t make your client chase you. They can easily find an alternate service provider or supplier who will respond to them within a reasonable time frame. Go above and beyond to be the one they can rely on.

Take ownership of errors: Complaints and negative client feedback are things we try to avoid at all costs. But if you happen to receive such a follow-up from a client, don’t immediately react defensively. Take the time to investigate the claims, to make sure part of your process hasn’t been compromised. For you top clients, the time spent doing this is far less than the cost of losing those clients because of pride and denial.

Stay true to company values: It’s sometimes easy to forget about the company mission statement you were first taught when you started working for your company. Every once in a while, refresh your memory by reading through the points your company finds most important. Or, post them around the office to remind both yourself and your coworkers!

Seek feedback: By sending out scheduled surveys, companies can see what their customers enjoy and what areas they should improve in. While these surveys never have a 100 percent reply rate, the sample size is usually large enough to give an accurate representation of the clients’ thoughts and concerns. Done right, you can use these responses to improve your company’s reputation.

And to keep a client happy, it is most important to PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES: Is my email response too harsh? Should I explain our services further? When in doubt, turn the situation around and imagine you are the client. If you must, ask a coworker, who is an uninvolved party in the situation, to give his or her opinion before you send out an important email.

What are ways you keep the relationship strong between you and your clients?

We're starting to feel the holiday spirit...

We are so proud of our staff today! Everyone (along with their family and friends) came together to collect food for Friends of Youth's Thanksgiving Food Basket Program. Thank you to all who participated; we collected nearly 1400 items and more than $200 in gift cards!

Interested in finding out more about this cause? Find out more about Friends of Youth at www.friendsofyouth.org.

One size does NOT fit all when translating for Spanish market

More than 16 percent of the United States population is of Hispanic origin, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The number of people who identify as Hispanic went up from 35.3 to 50.5 million since the last census in the year 2000.

Many companies have capitalized on this already by addressing this growing segment of the population, and evidence suggests that more companies are looking to direct marketing campaigns toward US-based Hispanic audiences.

One of our contractors recently sent us the link to an interview with Aida Levitan, Ph.D., APR., who talked about the importance of marketing specifically to the country’s Hispanic population. Read the full interview.

It’s important to note that the U.S. Census Bureau uses the term “Hispanic” to refer to people from Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South and Central America, or any other Spanish culture. So when we say to advertise to the Hispanic population, we mean to do so after researching just which subculture you are trying to reach.

If translating into Spanish, for example, a company should figure out which region their target market comes from. Vocabulary, idioms and other nuances may be lost on certain cultures, or may even be alienating.

Which companies have gotten it right? Tell us your thoughts in a comment!

How to stay motivated when working from home

I am constantly impressed by freelance translators who work from home daily. With occasional at-home work and a side gig at a non-profit, I have needed to build a system that allows me to work at home more efficiently. But doing so on a daily basis can bring about a number of challenges.

So if you’re considering working from home full time, or even on a part-time basis, here are a few tips to make the experience enjoyable.

Problem #1: I’m home alone and feeling lonely.

Solution: Aside from the usual remedy of turning on the radio, TV or my personal favorite, Pandora, there are a ton of other opportunities for combating the solo blues. The most obvious: make your way over to your favorite coffee shop or restaurant with Wi-Fi. Or find desk space at your local library (if you don’t mind being quiet).

Another option, which has become more widespread in the past few years is coworking, where you can rent desk space along with other people who are looking for a change from the home office.

Seattle and the surrounding area boasts more than a dozen coworking sites (find out more at coworkingseattle.org)! Coworking of course costs money, but it’s pretty equivalent to the amount of coffee and pastries you’ll buy during one month of working at your local coffee shop—or so say the people behind the coworking movement.

Problem #2: I can’t stay focused for long periods of time.

Solution: Take advantage of your surroundings and take a few breaks throughout the day. Being at home, you’ll be able to take care of things the rest of us must do evenings and weekends. So go start a load of laundry, go grocery shopping or meet up with a friend for coffee. As long as you are still putting in the time and effort when you get back to your workstation, taking a few breaks may help to maintain a lower stress level and a higher productivity level.

Problem #3: I procrastinate and can’t motivate myself.

Solution: Some people are better fit for office environments where their peers help to motivate them through projects. But if you have to work from home, here are a few things you can try: (1) Sit down each morning to write out a to-do list, that you can check off as the day progresses; (2) Give yourself a reward for completing a task, such as a walk outdoors, a break to watch your favorite soap opera, etc.; and (3) break up large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

Problem #4: I can’t find a separation between work and personal life.

Solution: When you work in the same place as you eat, sleep and live, lines are bound to become blurred, including the line separating your work life and your personal life. Keep everything separate by:
- Finding an area in your home where you can be the most productive and making sure you find your way there every workday.
- Dressing up. No need to don a suit, but dressing more professionally may get you in a better mindset for the workday ahead. Plus, changing into day clothes may help you avoid the 5 p.m. “I can’t believe I’m still in my PJs!” realization.
- Turning it off. If at all possible, take a step away from your emails and phone. If your job doesn’t require you to be on-call 24 hours a day, select a time every day to sit in silence, without your phone constantly notifying you of emails, messages and updates.

Your turn! What concerns you most when working from home and what distractions must you deal with (children, phone calls, pets, etc.)? Tell us your tips and tricks to make working from home a positive experience.

Image by Sura Nualpradid

Two myths that may be keeping CAT tools from broad use

Taking advantage of the efficiencies that CAT tools provide is not laziness. It’s a best practice.

Translation Memory tools, also called Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, have a host of misconceptions. Two of the main ones that we have encountered at Dynamic in the past year are:

Myth #1: Established translators do not like translation memory—only the younger and less experienced translators use it.

Lucky for us, that is definitely a myth. Most translators see the benefit of such a tool, and have been using CAT tools for 10+ years.

For example, why would a translator search through hundreds—even thousands—of past projects to recall how a certain phrase was translated? Translation memory and glossaries can provide that information within a few clicks.

Myth #2: It’s the same as Machine Translation.

This myth may be why some people are skeptical to adopt TM technology. Using CAT tools does not make translation any less of an art. Translation Memory does not operate in the same way as Machine Translation (e.g. tools such as Google Translate, Babelfish, etc.)!

Translation Memory is only truly helpful if the translator has translated identical or similar content in the past. The translator builds a database of content over time, as well as glossaries of key terms.

In other words, computer-assisted translation programs (such as Wordfast, SDL/Trados and memoQ) don’t do the work for translators. They only ensure that a translator won’t need to translate similar or identical content multiple times.

It’s impossible for someone to remember how they translated every single word in the last five, 10 or 25 years, so why not let a computer help?

Hope for the future
While not all languages are compatible with these tools, programs are evolving steadily and are constantly expanding their language capabilities.

Along with other LSPs (Language Service Providers), we strongly encourage, and often require our translators to make use of computer-assisted tools. It not only ensures the consistency of translations over time, but makes it easier for the contractor, and the reviewer, in the long run.

What would we say to a skeptical translator?
Learning to incorporate these tools into your workflow may seem daunting—that’s true. But the time and energy you will save in the future is definitely worth the time it will take to learn the tool’s basics. And clients will thank you!

Starbucks introduces Braille gift card

Starbucks has raised the bar — and the Braille dots — to benefit its clientele. With the arrival of National Disability Awareness Month (October), the Seattle-born coffee company has unveiled its new fall gift card that features the company’s name in Braille across the top.

This new card will make it easier for Starbucks’ visually impaired customers to find the card in their wallets, without having to make a Braille sticker for the card or remembering which slot they placed it in.

From a business perspective, it was a great strategic move by Starbucks!

What can an established company do apart from opening more stores and offering new retail items? It looks like Starbucks’ answer is “Finding a way to better assist existing and potential customers”.

Good for you, Starbucks! And happy National Coffee Day!

More on this: Braille Banter (Starbucks blog)

Train your ear to understand a foreign language

We’ve talked in the past about how to supplement your language classes at home, taking full advantage of free and easy-to-use resources.

A post on Lifehacker gives you a different way to learn a language on your own: dictation. By listening to a piece of audio in the language of your choice and writing down what you hear, you’ll improve your listening skills — and your ability to communicate with native speakers.

That’s because listening is essential for engaging in conversations with speakers of a foreign language — and with speakers of any language. One-sided conversations are great and all, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t it more entertaining and lively if both people understand the topic and can contribute to it?

Learning to read, write and speak a language is an impressive thing, but if you can’t understand it, what’s the point? Most people don’t spend time and money to learn a new language just for the sake of knowing another language; they want to be able to use the language.

The best way to learn the art of conversing in a new language is obviously to speak with speakers of the language (who are easy to find online now, thanks to sites such as Livemocha), but if you’re still too shy or not quite at the level to have a full-blown conversation, try your hand at this dictation method.

The method can be time-consuming, but for anyone who’s serious about learning a new language, the approach may be worth a shot.

Read the original article here: The Most Effective Method for Learning a Language Alone

Have you used a similar method for learning a language? Which is your favorite at-home language learning technique?

The Seattle Times features 2010 Census data

The Seattle Times has placed all of their census-related stories and features into a nice package for everyone to enjoy. With the release of population, race and age data by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Times has made an interactive map of Washington and four of its counties (King, Snohomish, Pierce and Kitsap).

By hovering over each section of the map, divided into counties and neighborhoods, you’ll be able to see how the number of people, minorities and minors has changed in the last decade.

Although this information is still extremely basic, more information by the Census Bureau will soon give companies a better idea of how to modify their marketing and business practices to reach new market segments.

If you're interested in looking at the census results just for fun, take a look at the interactive map on the Seattle Times CENSUS 2010 page!

Ethical practices: A necessity in the interpretation industry

Translators with the American Translators Association have a code of ethics. Interpreters with Washington state’s Department of Social and Health Services have their own code of ethics.

Do you? The topic of ethics is so complex and subjective; we’ll barely scratch the surface in this blog post, so I’ll focus on ethics in interpretation this time. We'll be back later with another installment on ethics, but I’d love to keep the conversation going until then! So please leave your thoughts and comments below!

Ethics in interpreting
Interpreters, who deal with the spoken word, must think about many factors when determining their work values, since they work so closely with their subject. For example, as easy as it is to form a bond with the client, interpreters must strive to stay objective in their work. Here are a few things interpreters must keep in mind:

Confidentiality:
The language services industry, as a whole, works with extremely sensitive materials. So, it almost goes without saying that interpreters have the same confidentiality rules as translators and others who work for this industry. From medical visits to court appointments to conferences to business meetings, interpreters are trusted with information that is often guarded by layers of confidentiality agreements. In other words, someone's medical condition should never become dinner table conversation.

Objectivity:
With the delicate subject matter interpreters often deal with, it’s important to remain objective. Interpreters should never suggest solutions to their client. For example, during a medical appointment where treatment options are discussed, the interpreter must translate these options to the patient, without showing preference toward one option or suggesting which option the patient should choose. Liability issues arise when an interpreter starts making medical decisions for near strangers!

Acceptance of assignments:
It’s OK to say no. If interpreters are too busy with other assignments, or if they don’t feel completely qualified for a job, saying “no, thank you” is the best way to go. An interpretation assignment should not be taken lightly. People on both sides of the conversation are relying on their interpreter to facilitate contact. If the interpreter is unqualified in the subject matter or too stressed to do a proper job, the resulting conversation could range from ineffective to disastrous.

Completeness:
Interpretation is the transformation of the spoken word from one language to another. Just like translation, the message must not lose its meaning in transition. That’s why interpreters are trained not to omit, change, condense or add content when converting one language into another.

Self-assessment
If you’re an interpreter, or have another job where objectivity is demanded, do you evaluate yourself on a regular basis?

In my opinion, every few months to a year, we all need to take time to reflect on the ways we have incorporated ethics into the workplace. Slow down and remember why you do what you do, and brainstorm any ways in which you could improve yourself and your work.

Here are a few questions you could ask yourself:
- Do I feel content with the projects I’ve completed?
- When, during a past project, could I have been more objective?
- Are there any bad habits I wish I could break?

Let me know what you think! Have you ever followed a code of ethics? Was it regulated by an organization or did it use the honor system to keep you (and others) accountable?

Dynamic Language ranks #4003 on Inc.'s list of 5000 fastest-growing companies

Dynamic Language made Inc. Magazine’s list of 5000 fastest-growing companies for the fourth consecutive year! A big thank you goes out to all of our clients, our contractors and our in-house team, who made it possible for Dynamic to find a place on the list yet again. We ranked a little lower than our 2010 ranking though, with a 2011 ranking of #4003.

However, since we’re a 26-year-old company, making the list was really exciting for us. The language services industry was well represented, with a total of 18 language providers on the list. To compile this year’s list, Inc. compared revenue from 2010 to 2007, so see how much growth each company experienced in the last three years.

There’s tough competition, but with our 3-year growth of 32%, and an employee growth of 8 people, we’re so proud of our #4003 ranking!

See more stats and find links to other companies by visiting the Dynamic Language profile on the Inc. website.

Sendai's annual festival incorporates Messages for Japan

In April, we told you about Messages for Japan, a website that allows people to write messages in their own language and have them translated into Japanese, all powered by Google Translate.

This website’s success has led to an impressive display in Japan. So, we thought you might like to see what was recently featured on the Google blog about Sendai, one of the hardest hit cities during Japan’s earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

The city hosts an annual festival, to celebrate a Japanese holiday called "Tanabata".

During this celebration, wishes are written on paper strips and hung from bamboo trees. This year, translated notes from Messages for Japan were also hung from these branches, giving words of love and encouragement to the stricken country.

To see photos of Sendai’s Tanabata festival, go to the Messages for Japan photos page.

And if you haven’t already, write a message today!

The much anticipated "Special Surprise"

The Dynamic team was treated to a "special surprise" today! Now we can finish the workday with bellies full of delicious Molly Moon's ice cream! Yum!!

Adults learn languages better than children

It has become common knowledge that children can learn languages more easily than adults; but can they learn them better?

Apparently, no.

Research shows that adults will learn foreign languages better than children, because their ability to understand and apply language rules is more developed than children. Although children may become fluent faster than adults, they aren’t likely to understand why a word is pronounced in a certain way or how to link phrases together.

This theory is great for adults who want to learn a language but are hesitant to spend money on something that isn’t worthwhile. It seems that with discipline and the right learning method, adults can become just as fluent as children.

The added bonus: “Grown-ups” will be better able to explain why a certain rule applies and will be able to use that rule in future conversations.

So if you think you’re past the age of learning a new language, think again. Pick up a book or sign up for a language class today; you might just surprise yourself!

Read original article from New Scientist to see how researchers came to this conclusion: Age no excuse for failing to learn a new language

Washington ranks second in the U.S. for entrepreneurship

According to a recent study by the University of Nebraska (Lincoln), the state of Washington has been ranked second for "entrepreneurial activity” compared to the other 49 states. The number one state was New York.

See how your state ranks here: State Entrepreneurship Index

The index, established by economists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is measured using five different components, which include patents per thousand residents and gross receipts of sole proprietorships and partnerships per capita.

Washington’s ranking is exciting for us to see! Dynamic Language started out as a husband-and-wife team more than 25 years ago and has since grown into one of the top companies in the language services industry.

And the Seattle area is home to a multitude of headquarters from some of the country’s largest companies. It makes you wonder what start-up company will fill the city’s skyline someday. You never know...maybe the next Amazon.com, Starbucks, or Microsoft is being launched in someone’s home office as we speak!

Read the original article from the Puget Sound Business Journal: Washington state No. 2 for entrepreneurs: Study

Translation and Language: Technology Round-up

Stay safe

Google has made its 2-step verification process for all Google accounts available in 40 languages and in more than 150 countries!

The system, which is not mandatory but an opt-in feature, allows Google users to enter an additional verification code after having entered their password. The introduction of this feature in 40 languages shows the importance of foreign languages on the Internet.

With the world’s population increasingly moving toward the web, many large companies are localizing their websites to attract new markets. People are more likely to do business in their own language.

This update to Google’s 2-step verification process will help ensure that people in more than 150 countries will be safe.

Stay organized

Wunderlist, an app to help people manage tasks and lists, is available as a mobile app in 16 languages and as a desktop app in 30 languages.

If you’re using the app on an iPhone, you can send tasks and lists by email, text message and Facebook. That way, you can send the grocery list to a family member or give your colleague the task of planning the company potluck. Refrain from micromanaging your family and friends’ life though; this app could become addicting!

Stay connected

Twitter is officially translated into Dutch and Indonesian, thanks to the crowd-sourced translation efforts begun this year. The addition of those two languages makes the social networking site available in 11 languages now, with more coming as we speak.

Crowd-sourced translation is a process that calls on the public to translate content on a volunteer basis. It has become a popular tool to translate large quantities of text on the web. We’re hoping quality is good, since people involved in this crowd-sourcing effort weren’t limited to certified translators.

Alas, I don’t speak Dutch or Indonesian, so if you speak either of those languages, please go check it out and report back to us! We’d love to know how the translation sounds!

Translation company jargon: Translated!

Walking into a new workplace introduces you to a realm of jargon. No matter our occupation, we all use it. From retail (POS, merchandising, etc.) to photography (CMYK/RGB, aperture, exposure, etc.), there exist thousands of vocabularies veered toward particular careers and hobbies.

While it makes matters easier for those who understand the jargon, the rest of us need subtitles just to keep up.

The language services industry is also guilty of employing a jargon-filled vocabulary. We send docs to translators, ask clients for POs, insert keywords into TMs and send our documents through QC. The sea of acronyms is sprinkled with industry words, all of which are supposed to reduce time when speaking about translation projects.

Whether it makes work conversations shorter and more efficient, I can’t tell, but it does confuse prospective clients and new employees.

So to help you out, here’s a breakdown of translation industry jargon:

Localization (aka L10N) — A step beyond translation, localization ensures that the final document will be understood by a specific group of people, if the client knows the geographic region of the audience. Dynamic Language, for example, will find people native to a specific geographic location if the client has content that will be targeted specifically to people in that region.

Quote — Cost estimate prepared for a client, which requires client approval before translation begins.

Source — The language in which the original content is written.

Target — The language into which the content is translated.

TM — Translation Memory: A database of words, phrases and sentences that have been saved from past translations to make future translation projects both more efficient and to keep terms consistent through multiple projects.

IR — Independent Review: Review of the translation by a native speaker of the target language.

QC — Quality Control: Also called Quality Assurance (QA), this step is taken after translation and/or graphic design to ensure maximum project quality.

DTP — Desktop Publishing (aka Graphic Design or Layout): The creation of documents using computer software, such as Adobe InDesign and Illustrator and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Some translation companies will offer DTP and graphic design services to make the translated document look as close to the original as possible.

Language code — The two-letter abbreviation given to languages (German=DE, French=FR, Italian=IT, etc.). By using these instead of full language names, emails and other communications become shorter and less wordy, especially for projects involving multiple target languages.

Expansion rate — When quoting a project, a project manager will often need to adjust the word count to account for text expansion for languages that typically translate into a higher word count than English.

PO — Purchase Order: Clients often supply a Purchase Order number to keep in the translation company's records for invoicing and reference purposes. This also helps with communication between the client and the translation company, and allows for a consistent reference system that can be used if and when questions are raised in the future.

Dynamic VP graduates from Univ. of Washington’s MBEP program

Rick Antezana, Vice President of Dynamic Language, recently graduated from the University of Washington’s Minority Business Executive Program (MBEP), which took place June 12-17.

UW’s Foster School of Business hosted participants from around the country in its fourth annual MBEP. The program, organized by UW’s Business and Economic Development Center, strives to help minority business leaders stay competitive in their industry.

"Although it was a huge amount of information in a very short amount of time," Rick told me, "I can say that I've already made some changes to our organization based on what I learned, and plan on even more improvements going forward."

Rick's favorite section was the one on Relationship Marketing, taught by professor Rob Palmatier. Some of the concepts mentioned in that section were:

- Customer Loyalty is your best measure for how well you're doing. Loyalty has a huge impact on client Acquisition, Expansion (cross and up-selling) and Retention (churn, defection)

- If you're using price to compete, you've failed as a marketer

- Study your "lost" customers. They have knowledge about you; they know why they chose to go to your competitor. Call them up after they're definitely gone, and ask some questions, "Was it our price? Our customer service? etc."

- Book: Driving Customer Equity: How Customer Lifetime Value is Reshaping Corporate Strategy - Roland T. Rust, Valarie A. Zeithaml, Katherine N. Lemon

Next year’s program is scheduled for June 10-15, 2012. To find out more about the Minority Business Executive Program, visit the program’s webpage on UW’s website.

Check out the BEDC July 2011 Newsletter to see all of the 2011 graduates and to find out more about program.

What to remember when using translation to attract more customers

We’ve said this before: People aren’t likely to buy goods and services in a language they don’t understand.

We’re repeating ourselves because this subject is never closed. There is constant demand for translation services to help companies attract customers. Localization is often used in addition to translation, to make sure products and services appeal to people of different cultural and lingual backgrounds.

While translation is becoming more common in the retail and service industries, other sectors should think about localizing to increase business.

An article by financial writer Jack Hudson explained the need for translation in the financial sector, among other industries.

The article points out that companies trying to appeal to a wide base of customers, both within the country’s borders and overseas, should strongly consider translation. Why would a customer buy from Company X when they could find the same product in their own language at Company Y?

Unfortunately, translation isn’t always an easy endeavor. Project Managers are always available to help with any questions, of course! There’s a lot to think about, including:

What content will you choose to translate?

Who is the audience you are trying to appeal to? Does your audience speak a certain dialect that requires a specific translator?

Why are you using translation? If you understand the meaning behind the translation, it may help to make the translated material as effective as possible.

Where will the translated content be used? Different countries vary in their use of vocabulary, slang and expressions, so make sure the translation company you are working with knows the destination of the translation.

Keep these points in mind the next time you begin a new translation project.

SKCHS honors Dynamic with 2011 Human Services Award

Language Services is an interesting and rewarding field. Despite the fact that every translation project and interpreting appointment follow the same basic steps, the work is continuously changing. You might work on clothing labels one day, medical appointments the next and community social awareness posters the day after that. Throughout, however, we work hard to find ways to stay engaged with our local community and to give back and contribute whenever we can.

We've been happy to work with the King County Sexual Awareness Resource Center in their efforts to reach out to the local Spanish-speaking community. Translations for their special Dando Voz program were done as a pro bono service.

We at Dynamic Language are happy and proud to be chosen as recipient of the 2011 Human Services Award, an award presented by the South King Council of Human Services, that recognizes a business "for their contributions to building socially cohesive and equitable services in South King County."

SKCHS is a local group that has worked for more than 25 years to give the residents of South King County equal access to services, such as housing and health care. South Seattle/King County is such a great multicultural region, but it has suffered from racism and poverty, a trend that SKCHS is fighting strongly against.

Previous recipients of the Human Services Award have been Synergy Construction, The Boeing Company, Comcast, and Cardinal Health to name a few.

We’re honored to have been nominated for the Human Services Award and we are grateful that SKCHS continues to support the community that we work in every day!

An assortment of language-related news from around the web

We've seen some great language-related blog posts around the web lately, so we thought we would share some of them with you. Here are a few that have caught our attention:

Americans planning a trip to the U.K. should probably brush up on their Brit Speak!

In a two-part blog feature, a translator explains What makes a good, successful and happy translator. Her tips are extremely useful!

We use loads of borrowed foreign words in everyday speech. Here are 50 Foreign Words Every American Should Know.

Another take on the discontinuation of the Google API: Slaughtering Machine Translators – Who Is Going To Replace Google?

Trying to choose which language to learn? Take a look at this list of The 10 Most Lucrative Languages to Learn Now.

Follow @DynamicLanguage on Twitter to have access to more language, translation and interpretating news. Thanks for reading!

How animals speak in different countries

In other languages, cows don’t moo, dogs don't say "woof woof" and roosters don't wake you up with a "cock-a-doodle-do"!

When children are taught animal noises at a young age, their language of origin influences how they will imitate animal noises when playing with friends. For example, a chicken says "tock tock" in German and a small bird says "fiyt-fiyt" in Russian.

Quite a few months back, I stumbled upon a Tweet about animal noises in foreign languages. And somehow, the subject came up with a coworker today — hey, it’s Friday! So on that note, I thought I’d share this great guide to foreign animal sounds.

Derek Abbott, a professor for Australia’s University of Adelaide, posted a chart of animal noises, commands and names on the university’s website years ago.

Whether you want a little something to look at on your break, or you've decided to teach your dog commands in another language, this guide is for you!

So for your enjoyment, see what noises animals make and how to speak to your pet in another language: Animals translated

Google translates its web book into 15 languages

Just a week after Google announced it would be withholding access to its Translate API, the company blog announced its HTML5 info book, 20 Things I Learned About Browsers & the Web, is now available in 15 languages!

Bahasa Indonesia
Brazilian Portuguese
Czech
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Polish
Russian
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Spanish
Tagalog

The web book, which was first published online in November 2010, gives basic information on the Internet, apps, plug-ins, IP addresses and a variety of other web-related subjects. The illustrations are hilarious and the writing is well done and very educational!

If you’re curious, click on one of the links above to check it out!

Interpreting concerts and music into American Sign Language

Have you ever been at a conference, school event or presentation and found yourself riveted by the American Sign Language interpreter’s intricate hand and arm movements? Imagine seeing a song interpreted into ASL.

You may have seen the ASL interpretation of the National Anthem, but some interpreters have found a way to express other forms of music (including rock music) through gestures and facial expressions.

Public Radio International featured an American Sign Language interpreter who explained what exactly goes into the interpretation of music, from movements of the hands, body and face.

American Sign Language uses intensity of hand movements and various facial expressions to show the mood of the music as well as the excitement of the concert audience.

In a nine-minute radio interview, ASL interpreter Aaron Malgeri explains how he has interpreted concerts for artists such as Bob Dylan and Aerosmith: Public Radio feature.

Google shuts down use of Translate API by developers

We’re constantly talking about all the new iPhone apps with translation capabilities. Many of these have used Google's machine translation technology to give the public access to on-the-go translation. However, the overuse of Google's API has caused the web giant to take steps to limit the public’s free access.

Google Translate’s API (Application Programming Interface) refers to the coding used by app developers to insert the translation software into their products. Without going into detail, this works in much the same way as embedding a video from YouTube into a website.

Google cited “substantial economic burden caused by extensive abuse” as the reason for the API shutdown.

While this will affect mobile apps, users can still receive translations by accessing translate.google.com with their mobile phones. Websites using the API will also be affected, but Google encouraged webmasters to insert the Google Translate Element into their sites. The Translate Element consists of a drop-down menu for language selection.

Editor's note: Just 2 days after this blog post was published, the Google Code Blog removed its post on the deletion of the Translate API -- we deleted the link to lessen any confusion (Google Code Blog main page). However, Google language-related APIs are still deprecated.

Keeping customers happy and earning repeat business

The business section of your local bookstore has dozens, if not hundreds of books to help you with your business, from starting a company to nurturing employee morale. But one of the aspects of a successful business that most people want to know is how to keep customers coming back.

If you don't want to read an entire book on the subject, here's a quick tip that you can use as a starting point. I like to call it the S.A.L.E. method, because its use may make or break your next sale. Take a look:

STAY IN TOUCH. Make yourself available for questions. Check voicemails as soon as you can and pick out a time every day to reply to customers’ questions and comments.

APOLOGIZE. We all hate to be wrong, but in a business-customer relationship the argument will cost you a lot more than admitting your mistake and apologizing. There’s a moment in an argument when one person (or both) realizes he or she is wrong. At that point, it's time to make an important decision: keep fighting or seek resolution/compromise. Strongly consider which would be most beneficial to you in the long run.

LISTEN. Their concerns could stop them from using your services, so listen to any worries they might have and try to soothe any fears. Try not to take their feedback as personal criticism but instead as a series of points you can improve upon for the future!

EDUCATE. Not many people know everything there is to know about every industry. So don’t assume you’re working with an expert in your field. Attempt to make your point without your day-to-day jargon. And explain why things happen. It will make the customer much more knowledgeable and comfortable following through with you.

As a customer, that’s normally how I judge customer service. So if you're working with clients, think of how you would like to be treated and start from there!

What do you judge as an important aspect of customer service? Leave a comment and let me know!

Localization: What the gaming industry should strongly consider

Approximately two-thirds of paying gamers would like to have their games localized. So as a gaming company, wouldn't you seriously consider the benefits of giving potential customers what they prefer?

What better time to discuss software localization than the week of the LOGIN conference in Bellevue, Washington, where Dynamic Language exhibited?

The LOGIN Conference is an annual meeting for people in the gaming industry.

U.S. video game sales rose 20% last month, but is the gaming industry maximizing all their resources to increase global sales?

Software localization involves the translation of software, such as video games, to specific geographical locations, to ensure understanding and usability. It’s important to note that just because a game is popular here in the U.S., it doesn’t mean everyone will fall head over heels for it anywhere else.

Aside from translating the software using colloquialisms and language that appeal to international markets, it may also be a good idea to prepare some marketing materials for your potential customers. But that's a whole different ball game!

Here’s a great article for companies on how to prepare for Software Localization.

TripLingo personalizes language-learning for vacations

Why should you be limited to learning very basic vacation phrases?

Where is the restroom? How can I get to the train station? I would like to order a croissant.

An iPhone app named TripLingo personalizes your language-learning based on what interests you and what you plan to do on your trip. So if you're planning on visiting museums during your vacation, you will learn language veered toward that.

Questions asked before you begin your adventure will help the app figure out what exactly you should be learning, making every learned word relevant to you!

Additionally, you can select what style of speech to learn phrases in:

“…you can learn different variations so you can speak formally, casually, or like one of the cool kids.” -Lifehacker

Give it a go!

Lifehacker article

Avoid disappointment: The key to successful projects

You know what the final product should look like. They know what the final product should look like. So why are some people left unsatisfied when the final stage of a project rolls around?

Most of the time, it’s clear why we’re left unsatisfied. We expect the moon and the stars, but we don’t make that clear from the get-go, leaving us feeling ripped off in the end. But could that be avoided by discussing everything up front?

Whether you’re purchasing custom-made furniture, translation services or a haircut, you never have to be disappointed again! Let’s look at the haircut example; you can apply the following tips to any other project you encounter.

Get the expert’s advice
The hairstylist knows the latest hairstyles, how to cut hair to add volume, and what colors will bring out your skin tone. So sit down and discuss the possibilities before the scissors are even picked up.

Speak up
Don’t be afraid to say what you expect from your hairstyle. Should it be curled, short or colored? If you have any special requests, speak up! Don’t wait until the metaphorical hair is dried and styled…

Ask the “stupid” questions
As the saying goes, “there are no stupid questions”. The expert’s job is to answer your questions and ease your doubts. So if you leave the conversation feeling better educated and less worried, then it’s safe to say none of your questions were “stupid”.

The next time you begin a project or seek out services, remember that the coordinator or project manager is there to help you. Share your expectations of the final product so there are no surprises. A simple five-minute conversation at the start of a project can greatly reduce disappointment at the end of it!

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Seeking spelling errors in public places

Working for a language services provider can bring out your inner language nerd.

As a QA specialist, I find strange joy in correcting spelling and grammar. While a misplaced apostrophe makes my eye twitch, I still love finding examples of typos on public signs. Perhaps it’s because it makes our little mistakes pale in comparison…

What better way to celebrate the beginning of the weekend than to highlight some particularly bad public instances of spelling and grammar errors?



Does anyone else get the urge to pick up a red pen and start marking up this sign?

Here’s one that’s hard to miss:



And a few more:





And now it’s time for a nice, relaxing weekend! I have to let my eye stop twitching…

If you can handle seeing more spelling and grammar errors, you can click on any of the images above to go to their original sites.

You may also want to put The Great Typo Hunt on your reading list. It’s a book that documents the adventures of two men who traveled around the country, fixing spelling and grammar errors on public signs, running into trouble with the law along the way. Check out their blog, too!

Enjoy your weekend!

Nonprofit organizations could benefit from language services

Here at Dynamic Language, we’re looking forward to the Washington State Nonprofit Conference on May 6 in downtown Bellevue!

We’ll be exhibiting at the conference to educate and demonstrate the importance of translation in nonprofit work, but for those who can’t attend or are simply curious, here’s a little on the subject.

While it may be difficult for some nonprofits to invest in translation and interpretation services, it’s important to note why using a language services provider may be a good long-term investment.

Most nonprofit organizations strive to help the greater good, but by keeping all communications in English only, organizations may be excluding a large part of their target audience. The 2000 U.S. Census shows that 14% of the Washington population speaks a language other than English at home (we’re still waiting on the 2010 results, which will most likely show an increase in this number).

Additionally, we saw last summer that the South Seattle 98118 zip code is the most diverse in the country according to past Census results.

With this diversity comes many languages, and it’s been shown that people are much more responsive to content written in their own language. So we believe that the return on investment is there when nonprofit organizations use translation and interpretation to reach a greater portion of the community.

All we can do is appreciate the results that so many of these organizations achieve for our communities and hope that everyone will someday benefit from the kind work of these nonprofits.

Conference website: http://npconference.org/

Extract and translate scanned PDFs in Wordfast Anywhere

The ability to use translation memories through the Internet has made translation more accessible than ever. Translators are no longer required to purchase software to aid them in translation and translation consistency.

Wordfast Anywhere is an online-based translation memory tool that can be used anywhere you can find Internet access.

You may already use Wordfast Anywhere for translation assignments when you are traveling or on the go. But now, a new feature by the translation memory giant gives users the ability to convert and translate scanned PDFs in one stop.

Simply upload your scanned document into Wordfast Anywhere, and then wait as the system runs it through character recognition and formats it for translation.

My one doubt was about the security of confidential documents, since that is so common in the translation industry. Well, according to Wordfast, “Anywhere” is safe and secure to use on any file, even the strictly confidential ones.

Test it now: Try Wordfast Anywhere

Exploring the bilingualism spectrum

According to a recent poll, 45.6 percent of translators say they’re not bilingual. The translation networking site ProZ.com asked whether or not people considered themselves bilingual. Out of 1705 people who voted (as of April 25), only 38.7 percent considered themselves bilingual, a surprising number for the translation industry. And 13.5 percent voted “I’m trilingual actually”.

So are people not giving themselves enough credit or could it be that we apply the term too loosely?

Some of the translators who responded to this poll commented that they were fluent in two languages, but not bilingual. “Bilingual” is defined in the dictionary as the use of two languages with near to equal proficiency, and I’d wager to say that most people, if asked, would consider translators bilingual.

In my opinion, you are bilingual if you can go about your typical day in another language. I went to secondary school and college in English and therefore possess more advanced vocabulary in that language, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t live and work in French if needed.

Being bilingual or trilingual, or multilingual for that matter, isn’t about measuring up to some yard stick. If you were plopped down in the middle of a foreign country and you could converse easily with the locals, then consider yourself bilingual!

But again, that’s just my opinion. How do you view the bilingualism spectrum? Do you think translators are too modest about their language skills?

Visit the ProZ.com poll.

Can your company go paperless?

While going 100% paperless may not be realistic yet, we at Dynamic Language do our best to go in that direction every day. In honor of Earth Day, I thought I’d share some of the ways that we've found to be less wasteful at work:

Reduce paper by making use of Track Changes and Comments whenever possible. If you often print out documents to write notes in the margins, consider instead using the advanced editing/reviewing features of Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Adobe Acrobat.

Also, instead of printing copies of your presentation materials, make an electronic version available to attendees both before and after your presentation. And make use of projectors whenever possible!

If you must print, reuse paper until it is no longer usable. I have a stack of paper next to my printer that has been printed on one side only. When I need to print documents for in-house use, I grab from that stack, printing half as much paper as I otherwise would.

Make use of computer upgrades to revamp your way of working. For our line of work, where we compare content side-by-side on a constant basis, we've found that having either one huge monitor, or a dual-monitor setup has greatly eliminated our need to print documents. Supporting this hardware can require powerful computers and video processors, but the result is great for conservation, and productivity!

Drink from a mug or a reusable bottle if your job entails being at or around a desk for eight hours a day. The same concept can also be applied to your daily caffeine fix: If you stop at a coffee shop every morning, skip the paper cup (and sleeve) and bring your own tumbler for the barista to fill. You'll usually save money on each purchase, too! Starbucks reduces your bill by $.10 if you bring your personal cup.

What are ways you reduce waste in your office or home office?

Send translated messages to the people of Japan, for free!

More than a month has passed since the 9.0 earthquake that shook Japan on March 11. The subsequent tsunami showed us our vulnerability as humans, and gave those of us in the Pacific Northwest a wake-up call. Nevertheless, this disaster has shown us the strength of a nation and its allies.

There are numerous ways to get involved and donate to disaster recovery efforts in the stricken country. You may already have taken part in one of more of those opportunities. But have you thought about sending your well wishes to the Japanese people — in their language? For free?

A site called Messages for Japan translates your messages into Japanese using Google Translate technology, allowing you to send your thoughts and words of encouragement in Japanese; the original message can be in any language supported by Google’s machine translation.

Thousands of messages have been sent already!

Messages For Japan also provides ways to donate to Japan through six organizations! So take a look today and let us know what you think!

How to tap into untouched foreign markets

What could be stopping companies from exporting their products? In an article on How to Get Your Small Business into the Export Game, the statistics show that more U.S. businesses could afford to dip into the global marketplace. While "95 percent of the world's customers live outside the U.S.," only 1 percent of American companies export their goods and services!

The article goes on to state some ways for businesses to begin exporting, ranging from working out shipping costs to finding trusted ties in other countries.

Now you may call us biased, but we would like to add to the list the necessity of employing a localization and language services company to translate and prepare your documents and product labels for your target market. From marketing materials to business licenses, making sure everyone can understand you is essential to succeeding in the global market.

Just because many people around the globe have learned English to communicate in the business world, that doesn't mean your job is done. Put the same effort they've put in and meet them halfway by reaching them in their preferred language, instead of letting them come to you!

Interested in learning more about international business? Read another post from the Dynamic blog on how to Learn good international business etiquette.

Thanks for reading!

eReader could replace vacation phrasebooks

Print books are slowly being replaced by eReaders, evidenced by failing bookstores and winning electronic reader sales. What does that mean for the phrasebooks we often purchase when we go on vacation in a foreign country?

Well, thanks to a web app called “Kindlefish", developed by SeattleFlyerGuy, Kindle users are now capable of using Google Translation on their travels.

Amazon’s Kindle saw 48 percent of eReader sales in 2010, making it the prime candidate for this app.

If you want to try it out, simply go to http://kindlefish.t15.org on your Kindle and start translating. As always, it should be said that machine translation is not always accurate, but it should help you order your next meal or find a place to stay when overseas.


Photo by SeattleFlyerGuy

Dynamic Language expands Employee Wellness Program

Dynamic has taken another step toward improving the health and morale of employees. We won’t be giving up our monthly birthday cake any time soon, but our new “Wellness Program” will help us keep people healthier and happier!

What exactly is the Dynamic Language Employee Wellness Program?

Aside from standard office environment fare in our kitchen/break room, such as coffee and ozonated filtered water, Dynamic also provides healthy snacks such as yogurt, string cheese, oatmeal and fresh fruit. Also, Dynamic has just entered into an agreement with LA Fitness, allowing all staff members and their family members, plus clients and contractors, to obtain gym memberships on a discounted monthly basis, with no initiation fee. If you're interested in learning more about this discount for clients and contractors, contact us today!

Management believes that “happy employees mean happy customers”. And staying healthy through diet and exercise is a proven way of increasing well-being and happiness.

To all employers out there: when looking to improve customer service, why not improve the work environment and morale of your employees by keeping everyone healthy? As someone who is benefiting from the Dynamic Wellness Program, I highly recommend it!

Another occupation encourages language-learning

Some careers need people to know more than one language--translators and interpreters for example. But most companies don’t require it; knowledge of a second or third language is simply a small advantage in the workforce.

As you may have seen, we recently wrote about firefighters learning Spanish to further help the community and about companies giving their employees access to Livemocha, an online language-learning system.

And it looks like employee language-learning is becoming a common theme.

Another example of that theme comes from across the pond. The U.K.’s De Montfort University added a sign language course to its midwifery curriculum to teach its students how to communicate with deaf women.

BBC Article: Leicester university trains midwives in sign language

What are your thoughts? Should language-learning in business be encouraged--and funded?

Making sure your translation is really a "translation"

The definition of an English to Spanish translation states that “an English document will be converted into a Spanish document". But for a translation to truly be a translation, both of the documents must convey the same message.

Anything less than that is a loose translation, and that is rarely acceptable to clients.

Losing the meaning of the original document is an avoidable mistake, a mistake translators (and interpreters) spend years learning how to avoid.

Now since this is a blog post and not a class syllabus, here are some quick tips for making sure the meaning of a document stays intact:

1. Align the document into a two-column format (i.e. English on the left, Spanish on the right). Seeing the original and the translated words side by side like this may help you catch inconsistencies in the translation.

2. Take a step back from your work. Whether you give yourself two hours or two days, take some time away from your translation, then return to proofread it. You’ll have a more critical eye the second time around!

3. Be aware of what you’re translating. If the subject of the document is complex, take some time to learn about it. Even though you may specialize in that particular industry, it’s OK to need additional research.

Marketing materials are examples of documents that require heavy proofreading. During production, they encounter rigorous brainstorming to come up with the perfect message to express. Studies and focus groups are used to make sure the message resonates with target markets. With so much time and effort put into marketing materials, it only makes sense that companies expect translators to be true to the message.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, I’ve seen documents where retaining the meaning can actually mean life or death. In those cases, I like to lean on the side of “life”. But that’s just my opinion…

Guide to tipping workers around the world

Whether you're traveling overseas, across the border or just down the road, do you know how much you should tip people in the service industry? We found a handy map on the Mint.com blog that shows tipping policies in numerous countries around the world.

Mint, which allows users to keep track of all their finances in one place, not only provided a map of world tipping policies, but it included a section on how to tip various service industry employees in the U.S.

For example, how much should you tip a coatroom attendant versus a taxi driver? The graphic on the right shows you how!

Mint blog: Typing Etiquette Around the World

What's new: a recap of language-based iPhone apps

iPhone app developers are on a roll! It seems we’re introduced to a new translation app every week, and the month of February was no different.

Featured on TiPB ("The #1 iPhone, iPad and iPod touch blog"), SpeechTrans is a $20 app that is advertised as the key to "facebook chatting" with someone who speaks a different language. Currently, the app offers speech recognition in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian and German.

The makers of the app say SpeechTrans has 99% voice recognition accuracy!

And now, let’s look at a recap of the iPhone apps and software we’ve featured on the blog in past months:

Feb. 10, 2011- Google Translate app officially debuts on iPhone 4
Although the mobile version of Google Translate was already on the iPhone, the introduction of the app allowed people to view translations in full screen mode and to use voice translation in select languages.

Dec. 23, 2010- 2010 Recap: 12 months of language-related news
Under the month of December, you’ll notice “Word Lens,” the iPhone app that allows you to translate signs in seconds. Simply hold the phone up to the sign and the translation replaces the original text on your screen. You've got to see this!

Nov. 2, 2010- Wordfast now supports iPhone, other mobile devices
For translators, being mobile is often essential. So the ability to bring the Wordfast translation memory software with you is very exciting.

May 6, 2010- iPhone App Turns Phone into Double-ended Language Translator
This app places a double-ended keyboard on your screen, allowing two people to communicate in person using machine translation. Although not completely accurate, it's a great way to understand the gist of what someone is saying.

Is there a language app you’ve tried that you’d like to rave about! Let us know!