Translation In The Palm Of Your Hand

A new device named an Enabling Language Service Anywhere (ELSA) gives users access to 180 different languages in just one minutes time.  The device was created by Charles Howerton after he struggled to communicate in Spanish with workers at his construction company.

The device is simple to use too with only three buttons and built-in microphones and speakers. 

Thus far, Howerton has noticed the largest use of his invention has been from "first responders - medical, police, fire - they're the one's that communicate the most."  The device has been used in a number of intense situations such as domestic violence instances and the delivering of a baby.

The ELSA currently cost $400 but that has not slowed the growth of the innovative device.  According to RTT Mobile, the company that sells the device, sales have even doubled in some months.

Howerton's next move is an upcoming Kickstarter campaign in which he hopes to raise enough money to fund the next generation of the device that can be used by the general public in addition to first responders.

To read the original article, please visit here.

New Map Of U.S. Reveals Literal Meanings Of Places

Cartographers Stephan Hormes and Silke Peust have created a new interpretation of the United States.  They have taken the traditional names of cities, states and landmarks across the country and replaced them with their literal meanings.

According to an article published by Slate, the majority of the new names are based on on their geographical location, terrain and climate.  For example, Mississippi is the "Land of the Great River" and Oregon is simply "Beatiful Land." 

Some places have more obscure names such as Atlanta being dubbed the "Town by the Mountain of Mountains" or Cincinnati's nickname, "Curleyhead."

Either way, this new look at the traditional map is, if nothing else, interesting.  To explore the website of these creative individuals please visit: http://www.kalimedia.com/Atlas_of_True_Names.html

For the original article, go here: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/map_of_the_week/2013/06/literal_meanings_of_places_in_the_u_s_map.html

World War Z Translation In Turkey Omits Israel

Turkish subtitles for the movie, World War Z have ignored the presence of Israel in the movie.  The Turkish translation simply calls the location, "Middle East" when referring to the country or the city of Jerusalem.

World War Z, based on the novel by Max Brooks, depicts Israel as a safe haven against the madness that has enveloped the rest of the world.  Perhaps this imagery of Israel in a positive light is refuted by those in charge of translating the movie regardless of changing the original story.

The gaff was first noticed by blogger and critic Ali Arkan.  He said all of the scenes of the original movie remain but the historic city of Jerusalem is simply, "Middle East."

Arkan broke the news via twitter shortly after viewing the film.  A contact at Paramount said, "[I am] unable to go on the record to discuss local translations."

For the full story please visit:

http://www.thecommentator.com/article/3819/turkish_film_translation_erases_israel_from_brad_pitt_epic

World Services Discount Throughout June!

Good news everyone!  Simply use the code below that is posted on the flyer during the remainder of this month and receive a 10% discount. 

For those who are near-sighted (code=WSJUN13).

Happy translating!

Chinese Films Lost in Translation

A recent report from the Global Times revealed that, based on research from Beijing Normal University (BNU), movies made in China are not well accepted outside of the country because of poor translation.

Some movie genres such as Kung Fu and comedy have been able to skirt around the issue of poorly written subtitles because of the exaggerated action sequences.  But when looking at the 75 films sold overseas that were filmed and produced in China last year, the misinterpretation of language has attributed for a total income of only 1 billion yuan ($174 million) which is a 50 percent drop from a year ago.

The research utilized a survey with a sample size of 1,117 interviewees from 107 countries and 29.9 percent of those people reported that "poor subtitling" was one of the three major areas that Chinese films need to improve.

The recommendation of the study said, "Foreign interpreters should try to localize the language in the film to align with the audiences' knowledge and habits. Also, there is no need to translate the original text word for word. Complicated references can simply be omitted to ensure the story goes on smoothly."

Future films should consider hiring translators from the specific country they are trying to sell their product to.  And if their target is the United States of America, they should consider World Services (shameless plug)!

For the full story: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/789385.shtml#.UcCIe5yvGOc

BREAKING: Star Wars now available in Navajo

On July 3rd, Star Wars will have a completely new fan base.  The classic film has been translated into Navajo and will be unveiled at the Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona.

Manuelito Wheeler, director of the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, AZ, organized the effort.  Wheeler enlisted the help of five translators to come up with translations for non-traditional words such as "robot."

Wheeler described the intricacies of the language, " It's such a powerful language, that it's very descriptive, very descriptive. If you ask for an object in Navajo you will know you'll be getting a round object, you'll be getting a skinny, soft object, you'll be getting a flat rigid object."

The big cliff hanger for the event is how the famous line, "May the Force be with you" will be translated.  Not wanting to give any spoilers, Wheeler said everyone will just have to wait and see for themselves.

For the full story, please visit: http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/06/12/188676416/Star-Wars-In-Navajo

New Service Will Translate Your Tweets Automatically

The fastest-growing language on the internet, Arabic, is now supported by an automatic translation service that specifically benefits social media.

Qordoba is planning to launch of its new service that will help social media users tweet or post in languages other than their native tongue.  It is predicted that in 2015, Arabic will be the 4th most common language on the Internet trailing behind English, Chinese and Spanish.  The service will be able to utilize the proper dialectic differences and subtle distinctions that would not be accessible through the straightforward automatic translation services currently offered on the Web.

The estimated 22 million Arabic-speaking persons currently on the Internet is only projected to grow and if this new service runs as smoothly as advertised, it could be a great success.

Any help in current translation/interpretation technology is certainly welcome but I have to doubt if it will be able to communicate your message as well as a live, licensed translator/interpreter would (Shameless World Services plug www.worldservicesusa.com).

To read the article in its entirety, please visit http://www.wamda.com/2013/06/qordoba-launches-new-social-media-translation-service

Europe Leads The Way In Accomodation For The Deaf

The European Commission has established a new project in order to improve communication between people who are hard of hearing or deaf and a wide range of European institutions.  The European Parliament has allocated EUR 750,000 for the project. 

As any hard of hearing or deaf person would attest to, arranging for a sign language interpreter can be expensive, time consuming and difficult to coordinate.  Through the database at World Services, we are able to provide these services but only nationwide in the U.S.A.  For Europe to make this significant step toward providing suitable services for the deaf and hard of hearing is admirable.

The project will attempt to produce accommodations for nearly one million deaf or hard of hearing persons of all Member States.

To access the full press release please follow the link:

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-511_en.htm?locale=en

Munenori Kawasaki: In Need Of Our Services

On May 26 of this year, MLB player Munenori Kawasaki became a hero for his team.  After hitting a walk-off double to win the game, he was prompted to give a post game interview.

No one expected this:

 

 Visit http://www.worldservicesusa.com to find out how we could have helped!