June 2008 Volume XXXVII Number 6 The A Publication of the American Translators Association CHRONICLE

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STAR – Your single-source partner for information services & tools June 2008 American Translators Association Volume XXXVII 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590 • Alexandria VA 22314 USA Number 6 Tel: +1-703-683-6100 • Fax: +1-703-683-6122 Contents June 2008 E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.atanet.org A Publication of the American Translators Association 10 Going Green: Translating Environmental Texts By Abigail Dahlberg Environmental translation is a field undergoing significant growth, and offers translators the opportunity to have a direct 10 impact on their surroundings. International Patenting and the Translator: 16 An Essential Partnership By T. Dave Reed A basic review of patents and the patenting process, with an emphasis on things a patent translator should know. 20 Verbing Your Way to a Better Translation By Mike Collins English sometimes seems to be as slippery as an eel when it comes to form and structure. 24 Voice-over Fundamentals By Rocío Txabarriaga and Jacopo Màdaro Moro A primer for those interested in voice-over work. 20 30 The Road toward Collaborative Translation Memories By Yves Champollion A developer of translation memory software takes a closer look at these tools, tracing their development, examining current trends, and proposing exciting strategies for the evolution of future models.

Columns and Departments

6 Our Authors 40 Certification Exam Information 7 From the President 40 New ATA-Certified Members and 8 From the Executive Director Active Membership Review 33 Upcoming Events 41 Success By Association 34 Business Smarts 42 Dictionary Review 35 The Onionskin 44 The Translation Inquirer 36 GeekSpeak 46 Humor and Translation 39 Member News 50 Directory of Language Services

24 3 The ATA Chronicle (ISSN 1078-6457) is published monthly, except bi-monthly in November/December, by the American Translators Association, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, Virginia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The ATA Chronicle, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA. The American Translators Association (ATA) was We Want You! established in 1959 as a not-for-profit professional society to foster and support the professional development of translators and interpreters and to promote the translation and interpreting professions. The subscription rate for a member is $43 (included The ATA Chronicle enthusiastically encourages in the dues payment). The U.S. subscription rate for a nonmember is $65. Subscribers in Canada and members and nonmembers to submit articles of Mexico add $25; all other non-U.S. subscribers add $45. Single copies are available for $7 per issue. interest. For Submission Guidelines, log onto

©2008 American Translators Association www.atanet.org/chronicle. The ATA Chronicle is published 11 times per year, with a combined Reprint Permission: Requests for permission to reprint articles should be sent November/December issue. Submission deadlines are two months to the editor of The ATA Chronicle at [email protected]. prior to publication date.

Editor Jeff Sanfacon [email protected]

Proofreader Sandra Burns Thomson

Design Ellen Banker Amy Peloff

Advertising Matt Hicks McNeill Group Inc. Advertising [email protected] +1-215-321-9662 ext. 19 Directory Fax: +1-215-321-9636 Monterey Institute of Executive Director 9 International Studies Walter Bacak http://translate.miis.edu/ndp [email protected] Membership and acrossSystems National Security Agency General Information 5 www.my-across.net 51 www.nsa.gov/careers Maggie Rowe [email protected] Binghamton University 52 SDL International website: www.atanet.org 23 Translation Research and www.translationzone.com Instruction Program http://trip.binghamton.edu 2 Star Group America, LLC Moving? www.star-group.net Find an error with your address? Send updates to: The ATA Chronicle 225 Reinekers Lane Suite 590 Alexandria, VA 22314 USA Fax +1-703-683-6122 [email protected] 4 The ATA Chronicle June 2008

Our Authors June 2008

Yves Champollion was born in Paris, France. Having started to Jacopo Màdaro Moro is a senior technical and scientific translator produce computer software in the 1980s, he then entered the from English, Spanish, and French into Italian, with over 25 years world of freelance translation before reconciling these two practices of voice-over experience. He specializes in medicine, bioengi- by programming translation tools. He is the developer of Wordfast, neering, and optoelectronics. Contact: [email protected]. a translation memory engine. Contact: [email protected]. T. David Reed recently retired from the Intellectual Property Division at Procter & Gamble, where he managed the international Mike Collins has been active in technical translation for over 20 patent filing and prosecution area. He is currently a consultant for years. He has a master’s degree in Slavic linguistics from the the World Intellectual Property Organization on matters relating to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has studied at the the Patent Cooperation Treaty. He regularly speaks on issues university level in Germany and Yugoslavia. He is currently presi- relating to international patent practice. He is a patent agent, reg- dent of Global Translation Systems, Inc., and president of the istered in both the U.S. and Canada. He has a B.S. in chemical Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters. Contact: engineering from Northwestern University, and completed post-grad- [email protected]. uate studies in chemical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. Contact: [email protected]. Abigail Dahlberg, a native of England, graduated from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, with an M.A. in translation and Rocío Txabarriaga is currently an independent localization interpreting. After moving to Germany’s Black Forest region, she and globalization consultant, as well as a professional translator worked as an in-house translator and copyeditor for a small pub- (ATA-certified, EnglishSpanish) and voice-over talent. She is an lishing house for several years. In 2005, she moved to Kansas City, ongoing contributor to industry standards for the fields of transla- Missouri, and became a freelance GermanEnglish translator spe- tion and localization. She is fluent in five languages, and has over cializing in environmental affairs. She is a member of ATA and the 18 years of experience in all aspects of translation and localiza- Mid-America Chapter of ATA. She is also one of the editors of inter- tion. She is also a Certified Global Business Professional with the aktiv, the newsletter of ATA’s German Language Division. Contact: North American Small Business International Trade Educators. [email protected]. Contact: [email protected]. Attention Exhibitors 49th ConferenceAnnual American Translators Association Orlando, Florida November 5 – 8, 2008

Plan now to exhibit at ATA’s 49th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, November 5-8, 2008. Exhibiting at ATA’s Annual Conference offers the best opportunity to market your products and services face-to-face to more than 1,500 translators and interpreters in one location. Translators and interpreters are consumers of com- puter hardware and software, technical publications and reference books, office products, and much more.

For additional information, please contact Matt Hicks, McNeill Group Inc.; [email protected]; (215) 321-9662, ext. 19; Fax: (215) 321-9636.

6 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 From the President Jiri Stejskal [email protected]

Regulation Vel Non

Is industry regulation a addition, we have our Certification the one and only prerequisite for our good thing or not? In the U.S., trans- Program for translators, with the possi- profession’s rise and glory, but it is vital lating and interpreting are largely bility of developing a similar program to other professions and we should not unregulated activities. The notable for interpreters on the horizon. All of ignore that fact. Consider lawyers and exception is court interpreting, which these serve as regulation, or rather self- physicians, who enjoy considerable usually requires state or federal certi- regulation, of our profession. respect in our society. Theirs are fication. Many practitioners of our profession appreciate this freedom and do not feel any need for regula- tion. However, in the absence of reg- Our profession covers a wide spectrum of practitioners, ulation, anyone can proclaim himself or herself a translator or interpreter, which makes regulatory efforts in the form of applying or set up shop as a language services provider, regardless of their qualifica- standards and requiring certification difficult. tions. If we are to elevate our status, regulation or self-regulation is advis- able because it provides a barrier to entry, which is necessary for attaining Our profession covers a wide spec- highly regulated professions with professional status, respect, and trum of practitioners, which makes reg- stringent requirements for education, recognition in any profession. ulatory efforts in the form of applying ethical behavior, and competence. The third objective stated in our standards and requiring certification dif- Consider accountants whose Certi- bylaws is to “formulate and maintain ficult. For example, it would be foolish fied Public Accountant credential, standards of professional ethics, prac- to insist that Edith Grossman be certi- established in 1917, is today widely tices, and competence.” Our association fied by ATA or another credentialing recognized by the public. is doing reasonably well in this area. We body before being allowed to translate Even though ours is a centuries- do have ATA’s Code of Professional Don Quixote from Spanish into English, old profession, professional organiza- Conduct and Business Practices, which or that she follow the ASTM Standard tions such as ATA were formed only is currently under review by ATA’s Guide for Quality Assurance in after World War II, and, unlike Board. The Code provides basic guide- Translation in her literary translation lawyers, doctors, or accountants, we lines: you shall translate or interpret the work. At the opposite end of the spec- are behind when it comes to stan- original message faithfully, and you trum, in medical and legal settings, dards of professional ethics, prac- shall not accept any assignments for where lives are often on the line, the tices, and competence. It behooves us which you are not fully qualified. We code of ethics, adherence to standards, to get serious about these if we want also have the ASTM Standard Guides and certification or other proof of com- to gain greater respect and recogni- for Quality Assurance in Translation petence are of great importance. tion in society. and for Language Interpretation It is, therefore, not possible to make Services that ATA helped to develop. In a sweeping statement that regulation is

Federal Bureau of Security Fix Scam Investigation/ Brian Krebs on National White Collar Computer Security Alert Crime Center http://blog. The Internet Crime washingtonpost. Complaint Center com/securityfix Websites www.ic3.gov

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 7 From the Executive Director Walter Bacak, CAE [email protected]

Board Meeting Highlights

The American Translators of JTG inc., a localization and con- candidates for the officer positions— Association’s Board of Directors met sulting company based in Vienna, president-elect, secretary, and treas- May 9-10 in San Antonio, Texas. Here Virginia. She currently serves on AFTI’s urer—or just one. The reason for giving are some highlights from the meeting. board of directors. She was the first to the Nominating Committee leeway in sponsor an AFTI award—the JTG the number of candidates is to prevent Honorary Membership: Scholarship in Scientific and Technical forcing the committee to put forward Muriel Jérôme-O'Keeffe Translation or Interpretation—which another candidate just for the sake of it was elected an ATA hon- she and JTG inc. continue to support. when it is apparent that one candidate is orary member. As stated With over 25 years of experience, strong and well qualified. The com- in ATA’s bylaws, “hon- Muriel has worked as an in-house trans- mittee will still put forward a slate of orary membership may lator, an in-house project manager, a preferably two candidates for each be conferred upon indi- full-time independent contractor, and as director position. The changes to the viduals who have distin- a translation instructor. She was a lec- Nominating Committee’s charge take guished themselves in turer at George Mason University and an effect with the 2009 election. The the translation and inter- adjunct professor at the University of charge will be posted online with the pretation professions by a vote of two- Connecticut. A member of ATA since other ATA committees’ charges at thirds of the Board of Directors. The 1984, Muriel is an ATA-certified English www.atanet.org/aboutus/governance_c total number of living honorary mem- into French translator. ommittees.php. bers shall not exceed 15 at any one time, The other honorary members are: and not more than two may be elected in Alison Bertsche, Henry Fischbach, Board Communications: Similar to any one year.” Marilyn Gaddis Rose, Don Gorham, the issue above, the Board, following up Muriel served as ATA president from Peter Krawutschke, Ann Macfarlane, on past discussions, revised its guide- 1997 to 1999. During her ATA presi- Rosemary Malia, Patricia Newman, lines regarding Board communications. dency, she worked with other language Glenn Nordin, and Josephine Thornton. The action sets in place a policy that professionals to develop translation user ensures that each Board member subor- standards under the sponsorship of the 2008-2009 Budget: The Board dinates personal views and interests to American Society of Testing and approved the July 1, 2008-June 30, the greater good of the Association and Materials. She served on ATA’s Board of 2009 working budget. The final version its members. This policy makes a clear Directors from 1993-1999, and as chair of the $2.9-million budget will be distinction between stating personal of ATA’s Ethics Committee. She led the approved at the next Board meeting. views and describing the policies and development and adoption of a formal actions of the Board. ATA Code of Ethics to guide the con- Nominating Committee: Following up duct and performance of professional on past Board discussions regarding The minutes of the meeting will be translators and interpreters in the United various governance issues, the Board posted online at www.atanet.org/mem States. Muriel also served as president of established a policy regarding the bership/minutes.php. Past meeting min- the National Capital Area Chapter of instructions given to the Nominating utes are also posted on the site. The next ATA and as president of the American Committee. The Board approved the Board meeting is set for July 12-13 in Foundation of Translation and Interpre- revised committee “charge” to give the Washington, DC. As always, the tation (AFTI). committee, among other aspects, the meeting is open to all members. Muriel is the founder and president freedom to decide whether to run two

July 26, 2008 August 23, 2008 ATA Translation Tools Seminar ATA Localization Seminar Don’t Miss Boston, Massachusetts Seattle, Washington www.atanet.org/conferencesandseminars/pd.php

8 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Do You Remember? ATA’s 50th Anniversary History Project The year was 1959. The race for space was seriously under way as the Soviet Union’s Luna 3 sent back the first photos of the moon’s dark side and the U.S. announced the selection of its first seven astronauts. The United Nations responded by establishing a committee for the Peaceful Use of Outer Space. And in New York City a small group of translators and interpreters founded the American Translators Association.

Now, almost 50 years later, ATA is putting together a history of member memories and photos as part of a year-long celebration in 2009. Anyone can take part in this trip down memory lane. Just e-mail your “remember when” story or “way back” picture to the ATA History Project.

For more information, contact Mary David, member benefits and project development manager, at [email protected]. Going Green: Translating Environmental Texts By Abigail Dahlberg

Translators can make their work easier by specializing in areas they find interesting and are pas- The area of environmental legislation and policy sionate about. Environmental transla- tion adds another dimension to this by is a primary source of work. allowing translators to have a direct impact on their surroundings. The environmental translation market is currently enjoying significant growth, multitude of issues, including, but not the indiscriminate spraying of the pes- spurred by tougher environmental limited to, air pollution, climate ticide DDT, proved to be a turning laws and an increasing awareness of change, emissions, soil conservation, point in awakening America’s envi- the damage caused to our environ- environmental emergencies (floods, ronmental consciousness. Public con- ment by human activity. This article oil spills), environmental policy and cern about the impact of this practice looks at the reasons this sector of the technologies, nature protection, water on human health and the environment translation market is growing so rap- and wastewater treatment, and waste led to the creation of the U.S. idly, and examines the opportunities management. Before looking at the Environmental Protection Agency in and challenges environmental transla- reasons for the recent growth in the 1970, which banned the agricultural tors face. It also provides a list of environmental translation market, it is use of DDT in 1972. The book’s resources that can act as a starting prudent to outline some of the historic legacy was to create a heightened point for those interested in special- events that have raised awareness of awareness of environmental issues izing in environmental issues. environmental conservation issues. and interest in how people affect the In the U.S., the 1962 publication of environment. (Years later, in 2006, Looking Back Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, which former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s The term “environment” covers a looked at the environmental impact of documentary about global warming,

10 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 An Inconvenient Truth, would have a pollutants.) The Kyoto Protocol now A Growing Market similar impact; it has been described covers more than 170 countries globally, Why is the environmental transla- by many as the new Silent Spring.) but only 60% of countries in terms of tion market growing, and is there The international community gradu- reducing global greenhouse gas emis- enough work for translators to make a ally became more aware of environ- sions. As of December 2007, the U.S. living in this field? Unlike finance, mental issues in the 1970s and 1980s. In and Kazakhstan are the only signatory medical, or legal translation, very few 1974, Nobel Prize winner Dr. F. Sherwood Rowland and his colleague Dr. Mario Molina concluded that chloro- fluorocarbons (CFCs) caused damage to With increasing globalization, more large foreign the stratospheric ozone layer. At that time, CFCs were being used in refriger- environmental companies are looking to translate their ators, air conditioners, industrial processes, and as propellants for some websites and press releases into English. aerosol products. In 1985, this research led the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to draft the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the nations not to have ratified the act. translators focus on this fascinating Ozone Layer. This multilateral environ- The Protocol separates countries into field, creating a shortage of qualified mental agreement provided a framework two groups: “Annex I” industrialized translators. Therefore, there is plenty for international efforts to protect the countries, and “non-Annex I” countries, of work for those who choose this ozone layer without including legally which have no greenhouse gas emission specialization. binding reduction goals for the use of reduction obligations, but may partici- One area that is a primary source of CFCs. The Convention served as the pate in the Clean Development work is environmental legislation and precursor to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, an Mechanism (CDM). By 2012, Annex I policy. After adopting international amendment protocol to the United countries must reduce their greenhouse agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol, Nations Framework Convention on gas emissions by a collective average of national governments must subse- Climate Change, a 1992 treaty aimed at 5% below their 1990 levels. CDM quently draft guidelines and legislation reducing greenhouse gases that cause allows Annex I countries to invest in to implement the environmental require- climate change. projects that reduce greenhouse gas ments. In doing so, they may peek over Governments are now working emissions in developing countries as an the fence and see what neighboring together to conserve our environment alternative to undertaking more expen- countries are doing in this regard, thus and clean up the damage that has been sive emission reduction initiatives in creating demand for translation services. caused over the years. Internationally, their own countries. After a relatively Down the chain, local and regional envi- the Kyoto Protocol and its mechanisms slow start, CDM is now gaining ronmental authorities have to take corre- have proven to be a springboard in terms momentum, with more than 2,600 proj- sponding measures as well. In countries of working toward mitigating climate ects currently in the global pipeline, with large immigrant populations or change. Countries that ratify this pro- according to UNEP. As cited in the 2008 more than one official language, all doc- tocol commit to working to reduce their UNEP Yearbook, these projects are esti- uments released to the public need to be emissions of carbon dioxide and five mated to have a total value of over $2.5 translated. A similar situation exists for other greenhouse gases, or to engage in billion (www.unep.org). The demand regional initiatives, such as European emissions trading if they maintain or for translation services that these proj- Union directives, which must be trans- increase emissions of these gases. ects generate should not be underesti- lated into multiple languages. (Emissions trading is an administrative mated. A vast amount of paperwork is In an effort to meet these national approach that is used to control pollution involved in such bilateral or multilateral targets, companies and municipalities by providing economic incentives for projects between industrialized and will have to invest in environmental achieving reductions in the emissions of developing countries. technologies. This is one area where native speakers of U.S. English

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 11 Going Green: Translating Environmental Texts Continued might encounter texts for translation, translators also encounter many of the bins for sorting waste: one each for as European companies, in particular, difficulties facing other niche markets. paper, plastic, metal, glass, biowaste, have gained a great deal of expertise One challenge is that this area produces and residual waste (everything else). In in developing sophisticated technolo- a broad spectrum of literature for trans- an effort to reduce the number of bin gies that could be exported to the U.S. lation, ranging from simple flyers collections, one municipality consid- market. For instance, as the U.S. starts informing homeowners of new waste ered introducing a Zebratonne (literally: to run out of landfill space, local and sorting arrangements to high-register zebra bin), whereby the gray (residual city governments might look to intro- international environmental agree- waste) and yellow (lightweight pack- duce new recycling technologies that ments. Specialized translators not only aging) bins would be merged into a can divert waste away from landfills. need to be able to handle various regis- single bin, creating the image of a With increasing globalization, ters, but also a wide range of text types, zebra-like striped bin. A literal transla- more large foreign environmental including annual reports, press releases, tion would have left an English-lan- companies are also looking to trans- technical descriptions, research reports, guage reader perplexed, so providing a late their websites and press releases and conference presentations. When description of the initiative worked best into English. Within this area, corpo- specializing in a niche area, customers in this scenario. This is the type of rate social responsibility reports are must view you as a one-stop shop for all problem-solving strategy that the envi- now very much in vogue, with count- of their environmental translation ronmental translator must employ often in an environmental policy setting.

Resources One of the main challenges facing When specializing in a niche area, customers must view environmental translators is the shortage of bilingual dictionaries. Few you as a one-stop shop for all of their environmental paper dictionaries are available, and the translation needs. ones that are out there usually date back a good decade and contain obsolete ter- minology. Before purchasing a new paper dictionary, environmental transla- tors should test it out by selecting a term less companies (even those that are needs. Additionally, environmental that is tricky to translate, but not so not in the environmental business per translators face a shortage of profes- obscure that it would not be listed in the se) providing details of their efforts to sional development opportunities. Few dictionary. In German, one term I reduce their environmental impact. presentations are ever held on this topic, search for is Altlastensanierung, which These reports typically contain fig- and continuing education courses on can be translated as “the cleanup of ures about the use of recycled mate- environmental issues are few and far Brownfield sites” in U.S. English, or rials, energy savings, and water usage. between in the U.S. Therefore, the envi- “the remediation of contaminated sites” Many companies also certify their ronmental translator is reliant on self- in British English. If I see anything lit- plants and sites according to interna- study, especially given the fast-paced eral, like “old site sanitation,” this is the tional ISO standards, in particular the nature of this field. first clue that it might not be a stellar ISO 14000 series of environmental Environmental translators also have dictionary. This dearth of bilingual or management standards, which help to deal with their fair share of weird and multilingual resources has led special- organizations minimize how their wonderful terminology. Furthermore, ized translators to consider compiling operations negatively affect the envi- one country may have terminology or and publishing their own dictionaries, ronment. (To learn more, go to concepts that do not yet exist in another although time and financial constraints www.iso.org/iso/management_stan culture. For instance, many western are preventing these projects from dards.htm.) European countries are light years coming to fruition. ahead of the U.S. when it comes to The good news is that a plethora of Challenges waste recycling initiatives. Many offices On the negative side, environmental in Germany have six or more different Continued on p. 14

12 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Online Environmental Resources

The links below are just a sampling of what is out there, including a growing number of reputable online glossaries and dictionaries.

Clean Development Mechanism Journal of Environmental Economics http://cdm.unfccc.int/index.html and Management www.aere.org/journal/index.html Ends Europe Daily The official journal of the Association of Environmental www.endseuropedaily.com/articles/index.cfm and Resource Economics. It publishes theoretical and Europe’s environmental news service. empirical papers devoted to specific natural resources and environmental issues. Environmental Protection Agency Sites (Published by Elsevier, www.elevier.com.) www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms A monolingual glossary of environmental terms. Kyoto Protocol http://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol/items/2830.php www.epa.gov/epahome/whereyoulive.htm A tool to find regional and state environmental agencies. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy http://reep.oxfordjournals.org www.epa.gov/epahome/newslett.htm Also from the Association of Environmental and Resource This site contains various EPA newsletters on Economics, the Review aims to fill the gap between tradi- environmental issues. tional academic journals and the general-interest press by providing a widely accessible yet scholarly source for the www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/ latest thinking on environmental economics and related recycle/ecycling/donate.htm policy. It publishes a range of material, including sym- This page contains information on computer recycling. posia, articles, and regular features. (Published by Elsevier, www.elevier.com.) European Community Biodiversity Clearing House http://biodiversity-chm.eea.europa.eu/nyglossary_coverage United Nations Environment Programme www.unep.org European Environment Agency www.eea.europa.eu/all-terms UNEP Yearbook (United Nations Environment Programme, 2008) European Environment Agency’s General Multilingual www.unep.org/geo/yearbook/yb2008/ Environmental Thesaurus report/UNEP_YearBook2008_Full_EN.pdf www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet United Nations Framework European Pollution Registry Glossary Convention on Climate Change www.eper.ec.europa.eu/eper/glossary.asp http://unfccc.int/2860.php

Google Environmental Glossary Vienna Convention for the Protection www.webref.org/environment/ of the Ozone Layer environment.htm www.unep.org/Ozone/pdfs/ viennaconvention2002.pdf ISO 14000 Series of Environmental Management Standards www.iso.org/iso/management_ standards.htm

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 13 Going Green: Translating Environmental Texts Continued from p. 12 monolingual resources is available. working in Europe, Ends Europe Daily is should also consider subscribing to National Geographic has published a valuable, although expensive, resource newsletters published by environmental numerous insightful books about envi- that covers the latest national environ- associations and nongovernmental organ- ronmental matters. For translators mental policy developments. Translators izations, which are excellent sources for harvesting terminology. Last, but not least, subscriptions to environmental trade journals in source and target lan- guages are a must. (Please see the list of One of the main challenges facing environmental references on page 13 for other sources translators is the shortage of bilingual dictionaries. of information.)

Tips To Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

Minimize your power consumption.

Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs where possible.

Print on both sides of the paper wherever possible.

Always collect your waste paper for recycling.

Use chlorine-free, recycled paper where possible.

Repair your computer to keep it running as long as possible.

Go digital with your documents to reduce paper consumption.

Consider donating your old computer to a school, community center, or nongovernmental organization.

14 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Recommended Reading

Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring (Mariner Rogers, Elizabeth, and Thomas M. Books, 2002). Kostigen. The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet Gore, Al. An Inconvenient Truth: The One Simple Step at a Time (Three Planetary Emergency of Global Rivers Press, 2007). Warming and What We Can Do About It (Rodale Books, 2006). Schwartz, Debra. Writing Green: Advocacy and Investigative Reporting Lomborg, Bj¿rn. The Skeptical about the Environment in the Early 21st Environmentalist: Measuring the Real Century (Loyola College/Apprentice State of the World (Cambridge House, 2006). University Press, 2001).

Reducing Your ¥ Change your light bulbs. Use com- paper mills release toxic chemicals Environmental Footprint pact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs that can pollute water, thereby It would be remiss to conclude this where possible. CFLs use only harming animals and ecosystems. article without including a few tips on one-third of the electricity con- how we, as translators, can do our part sumed by traditional light bulbs, ¥ Repair your computer to keep it to reduce environmental damage. and can last up to 10 times longer. running as long as possible. After removing all data from defunct ¥ Minimize your power consump- ¥ Print on both sides of the paper computers, consider donating them tion. Turn off the lights when you wherever possible. to schools, community centers, or leave a room for more than a few nongovernmental organizations. minutes. Plug your office equip- ¥ Always collect your waste paper Alternatively, many computer ment into a power strip with a for recycling. companies (notably Dell) will take switch, and turn it off when you are back your old computer when you going to be away for a longer ¥ Use chlorine-free, recycled paper buy a new one and recycle it. period of time. where possible. Chlorine bleaching

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 15 International Patenting and the Translator: An Essential Partnership By T. Dave Reed

The preparation, drafting, and filing of a successful patent appli- cation requires the skill, experience, The accuracy and skill of the translator can and knowledge of the patent practi- tioner in combination with the “make or break” a patent application. inventor. As soon as the applicant for a patent decides to seek patents in multiple countries, this working part- nership necessarily expands to include the translator. In the multilin- What is a Patent, Anyway? A patent is also a business tool. Most gual world of international patenting, A patent grants an intellectual enterprises planning to introduce a new the skill, experience, and knowledge property right similar to trademarks invention into commerce will not go to of the translator can be a key factor to and copyrights. It gives a limited the considerable expense involved the success of each patent filing that is exclusive right to the patentee. A without assurance that their new inven- made in a language differing from the patent holder has the right to exclude tion will not be copied by the competi- one used to draft the application. In others from using the invention cov- tion. Holding the exclusive patent right the following paragraphs, we will ered by the patent. An important point on the invention provides this needed look into some of the knowledge a to keep in mind is that a patent does assurance. patent translator should have not grant the right to use the inven- At its base, the patent right is part of regarding patents and the patenting tion, only the right to exclude others an agreement, a bargain between an process. In the absence of a basic from using the invention. A patentee inventor and a country. In return for an understanding of patents and the may not infringe upon the rights of inventor fully disclosing a new invention requirements to obtain a patent, a others in using the patented invention. to the public, thereby advancing science patent application based on a transla- A patent right is limited. Generally, it and the state of the art, the country tion may not be sufficient to obtain expires 20 years from the date the grants the inventor (or a successor in the full patent right the applicant—the patent application was filed. It may title) an exclusive right to use the inven- translator’s ultimate client—is due. also be limited by other laws. tion for a set period of time.

16 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 It is important to note that the agreement is between an inventor and the country granting the patent. If an A patent does not grant the right to use the applicant desires to secure an exclu- invention, only the right to exclude others from sive patent right in several countries, the applicant must strike the bargain using the invention. with each individual country. Since the applicant must fully disclose the invention to the public to complete the bargain, the invention is placed in the filed. In other words, the invention 5. The invention must be fully dis- public domain. Anyone in a country needs to be an absolute novelty. closed and unambiguously defined. where the exclusive patent right is not Other countries only consider an In order for the patent applicant to secured is free to use the invention invention’s previous exposure any- complete the patent bargain, the without restriction. where in the world by means of invention must be disclosed in the written disclosure to be “novelty application in a manner that is under- What is Required to Get a Patent? destroying.” Public exposure of an standable to those working in the rel- Granting a 20-year exclusive right invention by other means will only evant field, so that they can make is a significant event, and most coun- affect the invention’s novelty if the and use the invention. This is tries set a stringent set of require- exposure was made within the referred to as an enabling disclosure. ments that an invention must meet to country where the patent applica- In addition to the enabling disclo- qualify for a patent. tion has been filed. Many countries sure, the application must unambigu- also have “grace periods,” a set ously define what the patent right 1. The subject matter of the inven- period of time (usually 6 or 12 will cover by giving a precise tion must fall within the country’s months prior to filing) in which an description of the invention. definition of “patentable matter.” invention may be publicly exposed What is patentable varies by without destroying the novelty of What is Required in a country. For example, in some the invention. Patent Application? countries methods of treatment of In general, a patent application for the human body are patentable; in 3. The invention must possess an a novel, non-obvious, and industrially most countries they are not. “inventive step.” The invention applicable invention contains: Methods of doing business and must not be obvious to people of computer software are patentable in ordinary skill in the relevant art. If ¥ An introductory or background some countries, but not in others. the novel features of an invention section describing the field of tech- are trivial or are obvious to people nology covering the invention, the 2. The invention must be new working the area of technology cov- state of the art, and the use of the (novel). As part of the patent “bar- ering the invention, then no real invention or the problem the inven- gain,” a patentable invention must advancement of the state of the art tion solves. advance science, making a contri- exists, and the inventor’s half of the bution to the state of the art. If an patent bargain is not being fulfilled. ¥ A brief summary of the invention. invention was already publicly known, the invention described and 4. The invention must have indus- ¥ A brief description of any draw- defined (claimed) in the applica- trial applicability or utility. In ings included in the application. tion will not advance the state of most countries, a patentable inven- the art and will not qualify for a tion is one that has an application ¥ The full and enabling disclosure of patent. To be novel, many coun- in industry. In the U.S., the law the invention, including examples tries require that an invention not states that an invention must have of use. be available to the public anywhere utility, which is broader than in the world by any means prior to industrial applicability. ¥ One or more claims that precisely the date the patent application is define the invention.

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 17 International Patenting and the Translator: An Essential Partnership Continued

¥ A brief abstract (to aid others in precise definition of the invention forth in the body of the claim, and searching inventions in the art). seeking the patent right. A patent nothing more, will fall within the scope claim is made up of a single sentence. of the claim. In the last example, if the An understanding of patent termi- It can be a very long, even multi-page, stool was claimed as “consisting of” nology and practice is critical for sentence, full of commas, colons, and three legs, the four-, five-, or six- proper translation in two areas of the semicolons, but it will have only one legged stools would not fall under the application: the examples and the full stop. (A claim of more than one scope of the claim. claims. The examples included in a sentence is considered indefinite.) A Since the connotation of the transi- patent application serve two purposes. claim is made up of three parts: tional phrases are not universal, when First, they provide information to help translating claims, it is important to show how the invention is to be made 1. An introductory phrase or preamble. know the accepted open-ended and and used. Second, they provide proof closed-ended transitional phrases in both that the invention works and has 2. The body of the claim. the source language and the target lan- utility. In general, working examples guage and to ensure that the proper detail experiments that have been con- 3. A connecting or transitional phrase. meaning is conveyed in the translation. ducted and the results of those exper- If there is any doubt, a check with the iments. In some instances, however, it The preamble indicates the subject of client will provide the information is not possible to conduct actual the claim (“A widget…”; “A process for needed to make the proper translation. experiments, and the patent drafter making a widget…”; “A method for must resort to using hypothetical or using a widget…”). The body of the What Happens Next? prophetic examples. When it is neces- claim provides the precise definition of When the patent application is sary for some of the examples in an the invention. A literal translation of the completed, it is filed in the patent application to be prophetic, it must be preamble and the body of the claim is office of the countries where a patent clear that the examples are not real. generally required. It is the transitional is desired. Because filing in a broad This is generally done via the tense in phrase that can be problematic. range of countries speaking a variety which the example is written. The connecting or transitional of languages is both expensive and Working (real) examples are written phrase dictates how the parameters in difficult, most patent applicants uti- in the past tense while prophetic exam- the body of the claim relate to what is lize one or more international treaties ples are written in the present or future being claimed. The transitional phase to aid in the process. tense. Misrepresenting a prophetic can be “open-ended” or “closed- The Paris Convention for the example by writing it in the past tense ended.” In most countries, the word Protection of Intellectual Property can (and has) resulted in invalidation “comprising” is the accepted open- allows an applicant to establish a filing of the patent. When translating the ended connector. When an open- date in one member state and maintain examples, it is important that the trans- ended connector is used, any article that first filing date in the other member lation properly reflect the nature of the that possesses all of the features set countries, provided the application is example (working or prophetic). To forth in the body of the claim falls filed in the other countries within 12 complicate this situation, some patent within the scope of the claim regard- months. The filing date of the applica- systems do not accept the inclusion of less of what other features the article tion is critical because determination of hypothetical examples in an applica- may have. If a stool is claimed as the novelty and inventive step of the tion, and in some languages there is no comprising three legs, a stool having invention in all member countries will easy way to distinguish between tenses. three legs would be within the scope be judged as of the first filing date. This When translating a patent application of the claim. A stool with four, five, or system of priority is the reason transla- with present or future tense examples, it six legs would also fall under the tions and filings in most countries have a is important for the translator to check claim because stools with four, five, strict deadline of 12 months after the with the client if the nature of a or six legs have “three legs.” first filing. Missing this date means lost prophetic example cannot be properly The generally accepted close-ended priority and possible loss of novelty, conveyed in the target language. connector is “consisting of.” When a depending on what was made public The claims are a critical portion of closed-ended connector is used, only during the priority year. the application as they set forth the articles possessing the features set Regional patent offices also help.

18 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 For More Information In some areas, countries have banded together and formed regional patent offices. The best known is the European Patent Office Patent Cooperation Treaty European Patent Office, but there are www.epo.org www.wipo.int/pct/en four other regional offices covering parts of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Japanese Patent Office U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and some of the former Soviet www.jpo.go.jp www.uspto.gov republics. An applicant can file in a regional office and seek patent protec- Paris Convention for the Protection World Intellectual Property of Intellectual Property Organization tion in all member states. Since most www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/paris/ www.wipo.int regional office members are also trtdocs_wo020.html members of the Paris Convention, pri- ority to a first filing can be claimed in regional applications. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), a treaty under the Paris guage. Any application filed in a lan- invention and the enabling disclosure Convention, provides an applicant guage differing from the original will that supports the claims. It is critical with the ability to secure a filing date be judged and granted or rejected that terminology be consistent (with priority) in all PCT member based on a translation. In general, in throughout the translation. This may countries (currently 138) and 4 an application directly filed in a be difficult because many patent regional offices by filing a single national or regional office, no correc- drafters like to be their own lexicogra- application in one language, generally tions can be made to the filed text. An phers, inventing words and terms of in the applicant’s home patent office. application filed with mistranslated art to fit the invention. This is accept- Unlike national and regional patent words may prove to be so flawed that able as long as the terms are clearly offices, the PCT does not grant no patent will be allowed—it has hap- defined in the disclosure. Often a patents. It secures a filing date and pened. For applications filed under word will not retain its common provides an applicant with time and the PCT, there may be some relief meaning in a patent application, information to help make decisions on from a mistranslation. The translation making contextual translation more where to seek patents. At 30 months of an application filed under the PCT difficult. This is why it is important from the priority date the “interna- is not due at 12 months from the pri- for the translator to watch out for tional phase” of the PCT ends. An ority filing, but at 30 months (31 in invented words. applicant must then enter the “national some countries). Since the PCT is or regional phase” before the local equivalent to a national filing in all Parting Thoughts offices, and appoint agents and pro- member states, the publication under The translator is a key partner in vide translations where necessary. the PCT is viewed as the controlling the patenting process. The accuracy In all cases, the application will be legal text by most (but not all) coun- and skill of the translator can “make examined in the local language by a tries. A mistranslation can often be or break” a patent application. It is local examiner. Working with the corrected by a reference to the PCT important that anyone translating for a applicant (generally through a local publication. Most PCT countries patent filing be familiar with the local patent agent), the patent examiner will require that the national phase transla- patent process and practice in both the determine if the disclosure is enabling tion of the PCT publication be literal; originating country and the country and if the claimed invention is polishing the text for grammar or for which they are translating. patentable under local law. If it is, a phraseology can come later. (In the Knowing the systems and their idio- patent will be granted by the country. U.S., if a translation is not literal syncrasies will help the translator do when filed, it will be considered the very best job for the client and Issues for Translators insufficient and the application will be maximize the applicant’s chance of The translator plays a key role in held “abandoned.”) obtaining the full scope of patent pro- international patenting. Each applica- When examining an application, tection due. tion must be filed in the local lan- the examiner will look at the claimed

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 19 Verbing Your Way to a Better Translation By Mike Collins

Most of the translators and interpreters I know love language the way other people love chocolate cake. We like the way it sounds and feels, and are delighted when we are in that groove and able to express things just right. On the flip side, who among us has not cringed at the tortured phrasing we often hear in the media and on the street? English sometimes seems to be as slippery as an eel when it comes to form and structure. For us as translators, it is all about precise expression. The success or failure of our work is directly related to how accurately we convey the sense of any source text. Often, however, we can become so focused on the meanings of individual words that we forget to step back and look at sentences as a whole. Less experienced translators may feel uncertain about the degree to which their translation should mirror the source text at the word level. So what does “verbing” have to do with all this? We are all familiar with verbed nouns like “to access,” “to leverage,” and “to interface.” For the purposes of this article, we will use the term “verbing” to refer to the act of changing a noun to a verbal form (gerund, infinitive, participle, etc.) of the same word as a way of improving readability. When done properly, judi- ciously changing nouns to their verbal forms can smooth the wrinkles out of a rough target text. I will present a few techniques here that can be used to improve the read- ability of a translation. These involve identifying certain usage patterns in draft translations, typically the use of action nouns, and recognizing how to

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 “verb” them to achieve a smoother final product. But is this really necessary? Is it For the purposes of this article, we will use the term not enough if the translation contains all the meaning of the source and is “verbing” to refer to the act of changing a noun to a grammatically correct? Not necessarily… verbal form (gerund, infinitive, participle, etc.) of the The goal of translation is to produce a same word as a way of improving readability. text that does not read like a transla- tion—one that conveys the sense of the source without additions or subtractions. Although it is difficult to do, practically speaking, that does not mean we should Japanese interesse no mesmo, segundo os seus settle for the lower rungs on the ladder. The first example comes from a próprios critérios.” Regardless of how faithful the translation text on export regulations translated is to the source at the word level, it from Japanese. The translator ren- Draft: “The evaluation of a résumé should also strive not to distract the dered a portion of the text as follows: consists of the recording of your level reader with stiff or unnatural phrasing. of interest in it, according to your own In other words, it is possible to Source: criteria.” have a translation that is grammati- cally and semantically correct, but The nouns in this example virtually that still fails because it distracts the cry out to be verbed. With a little reader from the message or is so Draft: “…for the purpose of the main- wordsmithing, we obtain: stiffly worded that the reader begins tenance of international peace and to question the text in general. security.” Final: “Evaluating a résumé consists Again, why the focus on verbing? of recording your level of interest in Why not “nouning”? The resulting noun phrase, while it, according to your own criteria.” In my work I have the opportunity semantically and grammatically correct, to read a lot of technical and business is unwieldy. However, verbing one of Notice that eliminating the clunky text in sources other than English. My the nouns yields a much smoother phrasing has also gotten rid of two impression (completely unsupported phrase with no loss of meaning. “of” phrases. These repeated “of” by statistics) is that most languages phrases, so common in Romance lan- tend to be much more nominal than Final: “…for the purpose of main- guages, are much rarer in English. English in their expression in these taining international peace and security.” Leaving them in a target text almost types of texts. That is, they tend to use always marks it as a translation. many more nouns when presenting Not only does this one change pro- Here is another example: their ideas, where native English duce a more readable sentence, but we writers would use verbal constructions. now have the exact phrasing used for Source: “Você não possui atualmente Translations that cleave overly closely this concept in English. The reader is not autorização para a geração de novas to the parts of speech from the source distracted, so the translation succeeds. requisições de vaga.” can result in a target text that feels a little like driving over a rumble strip. Portuguese Draft: “You do not currently have Let us look at a few examples. These This next example comes from a authorization for the creation of new have been culled from editing work text on personnel recruiting that was job requests.” done over the past few years. In some translated from Brazilian Portuguese cases the text has been modified slightly into English. The meaning is clear and correct, to protect confidentiality. The source but the text (three noun phrases in a languages include Japanese, Portuguese, Source: “A avaliação de um currículo row) distracts. Spanish, German, and Russian. consiste na anotação de seu nível de

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 21 Verbing Your Way to a Better Translation Continued

Final 1: “You do not currently have way immediately so all the nouns can XXX de una concesión para la authorization to create new job march by undisturbed. This example operación de una red…” requests.” comes from a list of specifications for a computer system. Draft: “Refers to the services needed Replacing the middle noun phrase to comply with the requirements for with the infinitive here improves the Source: “Se debe contar con proced- coverage established by the ministry readability. If we give it one more imientos de control de cambios de for the granting of a concession for the tweak, the result is precisely what we reglas del firewall.” operation of a network to XXX…” would expect to read on an English- language website:

Final 2: “You are not currently author- ized to create new job requests.” When done properly, judiciously changing nouns to

Again, no meaning is lost, but the their verbal forms can smooth the wrinkles final text now no longer distracts the out of a rough target text. reader.

German German is also a very noun-rich language in technical texts. One of the Draft: “There should be included pro- By now, we are getting the hang of beauties of German word order is that cedures for the control of changes to this and have a good idea where to start. it allows the reader to enjoy a great firewall rules.” many nouns while waiting for the Final: “Refers to the services needed verb. Here is a typical example: A number of things jump out at us to meet the coverage requirements in this example: the passive “there established by the ministry for Source: “Alternativ dazu kann der is/should be…” phrase; the attempt to granting XXX a concession to operate Lieferant eine E-Mail-Adresse für die hold to the Spanish word order; and a network…” Übermittlung von Fehlerberichten an the clumsy “of” phrase. The surgery den Lieferanten einrichten.” required to fix it will be a tad more The final wording is seven words invasive this time. shorter than the first draft, and reads Draft: “Alternatively, the Supplier may much more naturally. set up an e-mail address for transmis- Final: “Procedures must be included sion of fault reports to the Supplier.” to control (or monitor) changes to fire- Russian wall rules.” Russian offers similar opportunities: As with our other examples, the eye is drawn to the “of” phrase near Indeed, we could improve the sen- Source: “Wtkm. yfcnjzotuj bccktlj- the end. Converting the “–ion” noun tence even more, but the key here is that dfybz zdkztncz ghjdthrf ,tpjgf- form to a verbal gerund cleans up the the awkward passive voice has been cyjcnb- 'aatrnbdyjcnb b gthtyj- phrasing nicely. eliminated, and what was a thoroughly cbvjcnb [study drug] ghb ghbtvt 2 hfpf distracting sentence is now far less d ltym gj chfdytyb. c gkfwt,j.” Final: “Alternatively, the Supplier likely to lift the eyebrow of the reader. may set up an e-mail address for trans- The next example comes from a Draft: The goal of this study is the mitting fault reports to the Supplier.” list of definitions in a similar contract: verification of the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of [study drug] with Spanish Source: “Designa los servicios nece- administration 2 times per day in com- Unlike our German example, sarios para cumplir con los requerim- parison with placebo.” Spanish sometimes skips right to ientos de cobertura establecidas por el dessert, getting the key verb out of the ministerio para el otorgamiento a Once again, the draft matches the

22 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 source noun for noun. In my opinion, changed to “–ing” verbal construc- terminology has been checked, the the translator even sacrificed a bit of tions or infinitives. omissions repaired, and the other accuracy in an attempt to stay closer to mechanical work done, this final the parts of speech of the original. The ¥ Phrasing (…the catching of the polish can be added to the target text. root of the Russian word “ghbtv” ball catching the ball). Many translators read their work (translated as “administration” in our aloud to themselves to check it. That draft text) means “take.” If we free our- ¥ Multiple uses of “of” (long noun is a good time to catch sentences that selves to verb a few of the nouns here, phrases). could benefit from “verbing.” one of the benefits is that we can also With practice and experience, sea- return the sense of “take” to the transla- ¥ Passive voice (Can it be turned soned translators can do this cleanup tion in connection with the medication. around, would it sound better in on the fly as they are working, spot- active voice?). ting potential verbing candidates and Final: The purpose of this study is to testing them out quickly in their heads verify the safety, efficacy, and tolera- ¥ Front- or back-loaded sentences before they type. bility of [study drug] taken 2 times per (conjugated verb at the beginning Whatever the style or approach, a day compared with placebo.” or end, with lots of noun phrases little verbing can go a long way in in sequence). helping a translator achieve a clearer Conclusions and more natural-sounding translation. From the examples given here, we A word of caution: moderation. Many can identify some patterns that will sentences that use lots of nouns express help us recognize candidates for their ideas perfectly smoothly. “verbing” more quickly. When re- Sometimes the passive is just fine. We reading a translation, look for the fol- are looking specifically for those sen- lowing when you hit a sentence that tences that are drawing attention to them- “just doesn’t sound right”: selves, the ones that distract the reader READY FOR THE because they do not flow naturally. ¥ Action words ending in “–tion,” When editing, I personally find this GLOBAL AGE? “-ment,” which can often be technique is best employed during the Binghamton University offers a final proofreading phase. Once all the PhD in translation studies. s!NINTERDISCIPLINARYDOCTORATE FORCAREERSINTHEPROFESSORATE and wherever an earned DOCTORATEISDESIRABLE Scholarships s%STABLISHEDINBYTHE 4RANSLATION2ESEARCHAND The Agnese Haury Institute for )NSTRUCTION0ROGRAM FOUNDED Available Interpretation is offering five in 1971 $1,000 scholarships toward the &ORINFORMATIONABOUTDEGREE Agnese Haury Institute cost of tuition to this year’s requirements and a listing of program for five ATA mem- for Interpretation FACULTY VISITTHE42)0WEBSITE The University of Arizona bers. To learn more, please http://trip.binghamton.edu contact (520) 621-3615 or Tucson, Arizona http://nci.arizona.edu. July 14-August 1, 2008

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 23 Voice-over Fundamentals

By Rocío Txabarriaga and Jacopo Màdaro Moro

This article is based on a presentation made by the authors earlier this year for the New England Translators Association (www.netaweb.org).

According to Merriam-Webster OnLine, the term voice-over dates back to the late 1940s, and refers to a produc- tion technique where the voice of an unseen speaker is broadcast live or pre- recorded in a variety of media. The voice-over may be spoken by someone who also appears on the screen, or it may be performed by a specialist voice actor. Voice-over is also commonly called “off camera” commentary. Voice- over can also refer to the actual voice actor who performs the recording. The terms voice actor, narrator, voice artist, and announcer are all similarly used. Regardless of the specific terminology used to describe this technique, voice-over is another form of language transfer. Viewers of news programs are familiar with the voice-over of state- ments or responses made by intervi- ewees who do not speak in the language of the viewing audience. Typically, this technique allows the first few words in the original lan- guage to be heard, and then fades them down for re-voicing of a full interpretation by the voice talent. The voice talent is a professional who, through skill and education, has achieved breathing control, proper enunciation and tone, and the ability to convey the right feeling in the con- text of a recording session. All types

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 of voices will do for this type of work. Basses and altos seem to be preferred for training materials, news, and doc- If you hit a rough spot, call for a break, have a umentaries. Tenors and sopranos are usually chosen to voice ads and brief normal conversation, drink a glass of instructional materials. Considering the partial application water, and try again. overlap, it is important to make a distinction between dubbing and voice-over work. The difference is lip-synchronization. Dubbing is a tech- used to designate 30- or 60-second are used by utility companies, large nique that makes the translated dialogue promotional segments between sched- corporations, and in clinical trials. match the lip movements of the actors uled programs on radio and television). on the screen. Both voice-over and dub- Video games: Even if a character in a bing present identical extra-linguistic Television: Voice-over is used in video game just grunts, a voice talent is requirements, expecting close equiva- every newscast, in just about every required to bring it to “virtual life.” Not lence of several markers, including commercial, in sitcoms, and in educa- all games have voice components, but gender, age, and ethnicity. Voice-over tional programming. In short, almost those with educational purposes always works show greater variance from these every television show has a narration do. There is no doubt that doing the ideal equivalences, and parity is not component done by a voice talent. In voice-over for a video game requires always maintained. many cases, when the person on voice characterization (i.e., acting). screen speaks a different language, Applications and the broadcast is live, a voice talent Educational materials: Many learners The range of applications for voice- (frequently a simultaneous interpreter) are auditory, that is, they favor acquiring over work is quite broad. It encom- speaks over the foreign voice. information through their sense of passes film, radio and television hearing. If a voice component is not productions, multimedia presentations, Multimedia: When you visit a incorporated into educational materials, interactive voice response systems museum, chances are you will come those learners are at a disadvantage. (telephone prompts), video games, across an exhibit with a voice compo- Adding voice and sound to interactive educational materials, and audible nent. The visitor usually presses a button materials enriches the user experience messages in public places (e.g., air- and a voice plays in the background. and ensures that learning occurs at ports, train stations, and terminals). Corporate training videos normally have every sensory level. It also renders ver- a voice component to enable learning satility to the materials, sometimes Film: Many films and documentaries across sensory preferences. Multimedia making it possible simply to listen to have no acting. Instead, there is an educational materials always include a them. unseen narrator (e.g., the BBC’s voice component. Planet Earth series, narrated by Audible messages: These messages Sigourney Weaver). Voice-over can Interactive voice response systems are usually playing in a loop at air- also be used as a character device to (IVRs): The very nature of IVRs ports, terminals, and other public present the audible thoughts of a vis- depends on good, clear voices. In this places, often in several languages. In ible character in a film. (For example, type of system, a caller responds to a most cases, they are recorded by pro- the movie The Shawshank set of prompts (spoken by a voice fessional voice talent. Visitors at many Redemption, where the voice of talent) to access a system or a person. museums can also get a guided tour Morgan Freeman’s character narrates Recent developments in the field of using an interactive device that plays a over several scenes.) natural language processing have narration (through headphones). turned IVRs into very effective sys- Audible messages are also used for the Radio: Voice-over is applied to pro- tems for automating services where a visually impaired at ATMs and eleva- motional spots or promos (a spot or a large exchange of information and data tors, for individuals entering a secured promo is an advertising industry term capturing are required. These systems facility as confirmation of their

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 25 Voice-over Fundamentals Continued credentials, and for many “talking” large degree, but a well-hydrated throat Learn to breathe like a singer: The machines. The latter, however, are is the key to minimize clicking when techniques used by singers are sure to instances of screen readers, not voice- recording. be beneficial for voice talents. overs done by humans. Currently, many self-study materials Can you hear yourself inhaling or on singing technique include A Skill Primer exhaling? Breathing control is not breathing techniques. Asking the basic questions listed about holding your breath or inhaling below will help those interested in deeply so that you can speak for a long Observe news anchors from a dif- voice-over work define the areas time without inhaling again. It is about ferent perspective: Study their into- where more practice might be needed taking in the right amount of air for nation and the way they pronounce to improve their overall performance. every segment that you and the client and enunciate. or producer have agreed will be Is every voiced syllable perfectly audible? Enunciation is key for a suc- cessful message, so audibility is crucial. Is every word pronounced with the Do not leave a job feeling like you should have done right stress? Some words have very similar sounds. If these words are not better. The end client might think the same. pronounced correctly, they may sound like something else entirely. Proper pro- nunciation is critical. recorded. This is not just the air that Pay attention to the “feel” of the Is every sentence pronounced with you hold in your lungs, but the kind of voice-overs for television commer- the right tone for the context? If you air that lyric singers, for example, pull cials: Notice how different the voice are reading a warning, a soft, relaxed from their entire abdomen so that their choices and the intonation are for the tone will not engage the target audi- voice can carry through a space and various products. ence. Every context has a particular hold a particular note in tune. tone associated with it. Take an acting class: If you are Do you hear noises such as jewelry jin- serious about becoming a professional Are the sibilants particularly loud in gling, hair rustling, or hands rubbing? voice talent, this will help you stand the target language, sometimes Studio microphones are extremely sensi- out in a sea of voices. sounding like static on a telephone tive and, although most have noise can- line? Muting these “S” sounds is one of cellation features, they pick up noises Listen to others in the field: You can the most difficult skills to acquire, and it such as those listed above from the always learn delivery techniques by takes lots of practice to master the art of person speaking directly into them. To listening to professional voice talent. pronouncing sibilants without residual reduce background noise, wear “quiet” noise. The other extreme should be clothes, do not wear any jewelry, and The Market avoided as well, that is, eschewing and avoid fidgeting (including touching your The U.S. voice-over market can be sounding like you have a speech imped- hair or tapping your fingers). organized in the segments listed below. iment. Balance is key. News organizations: Most are in New Can you hear your tongue clicking Skill Development Tips York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. loudly, like when you take a sip of a Understand phonology and pho- Some local cable stations might have really cold liquid? This is a common netics: For example, knowing how a need for voice-over work. Please occurrence. Your goal is not to elimi- your voice apparatus works and the keep in mind that this work is often nate clicking, as that is impossible, but difference between the voiced and pro bono, but the experience these to minimize it. Current audio recording unvoiced phonemes will help you types of assignments provide is technology helps eliminate clicking to a enunciate correctly. invaluable.

26 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Ad work: Inquiries for this type of Sources for Work work should be directed to ad agencies, talent agencies, and recording studios.

Documentaries: Public television sta- ATA Job Bank Voice Recruiters tions, colleges, and private television www.atanet.org/jobbank www.voicerecruiters.com and radio stations are the most likely sources of work. ProZ Voice-over Directory www.proz.com www.voiceoverdirectory.com Instructional materials: Translation agencies are often in charge of local- Search Voices Voice-over LA izing these materials, and will be the www.searchvoices.com www.volatalent.com source of related voice-over work. They will often need voice talents in their own geographical area. Voice123: The Voice Marketplace Voice-over Miami www.voice123.com www.voiceovermiami.com The full range of options for voice- over work often applies only to work in Voices Voice-over Resource Guide English. In reality, language services www.voices.com www.voiceoverresourceguide.com companies often manage foreign-lan- guage voice-overs, seeking and booking the various talent. Agencies may contact local linguists for the job first (and be willing to train those without voice-over work experience). Jobs are also adver- Voice samples: It is a good idea to have CV: Write a résumé highlighting tised in the usual online boards for lin- quality voice samples of your work in voice-over and dubbing as objec- guists (e.g., www.proz.com). MP3, CD-ROM, or .wav format. Avoid tives/goals, listing singing and acting There are other instances in which cassette tapes and videotapes, as well as courses or classes/experience, mother the companies who manufacture the cell and digital videos. Cell videos offer tongue (if working into foreign lan- materials in need of foreign language low bandwidth/quality, and digital guages), etc. voice-over hire the voice talent directly. recordings are distractive and too costly These companies usually advertise the to produce professionally. Read only Mailing campaign: Send your projects on Internet boards dealing public domain texts or text you can use résumé and voice samples by regular specifically with voice-over or acting with the author’s permission. If you mail or e-mail to the leads. Do not be work, and invite candidates to audition choose a newsprint article, quote the discouraged: five answers in 100 is a for the project. To develop a sense of paper and the journalist. Make sure you very good score, and one solid contact what these sites offer, you could start, conform to international copyright laws. out of 20 responses is a phenomenal for example, with http://voice123.com, result. (You are still unemployed, but http://searchvoices.com, or Job leads: Visit the public library, in business!) http:// voicerecruiters.com. consult the U.S. Yellow Pages, and search the Internet for recording stu- A Voice-over Session: Methodology A Starting Kit dios, public television stations, (voice) Voice-over is done in a variety of The following is a simple list of talent agencies, and translation com- ways and settings, at times using spe- what you will need to get started in panies in your geographical area. You cialized equipment with peculiar this business. should cover as much ground as pos- quirks. Nevertheless, the method- sible in your search for job leads (e.g., ology, basic equipment, and pitfalls East and West Coasts). Your motto seem to be a constant. First, the should be “have voice, will travel.” methodology:

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 27 Voice-over Fundamentals Continued

Record in a controlled environment: ated, a sound test is conducted and the should be done. Textual checking is a Whether recording at a studio or session begins immediately afterward. much more vague domain. It could be recording your first voice-over sample on done by the producer, the project man- a home computer, a recording session Standard Equipment and Tips for Use ager, or, in a multilingual event, a must occur in a controlled environment. Recording booth: Make sure you can fellow talent waiting for his or her The first rule is: NO NOISE. We have see/hear your recording technician/ turn. Professional productions have already mentioned the example of background noise caused by rustling clothes or fidgeting, which should be avoided when recording. Recording from home will obviously not be pos- Even if a character in a video game just grunts, a voice sible if your dog is barking at a passerby. Electronic feedback can also talent is required to bring it to “virtual life.” be a problem while recording if the equipment is not handled correctly.

Have a properly prepared script: Improvisation may be adequate in cer- coach. Find a good position for the real booth support. They require tain settings, for instance, when it reading stand, stool, and yourself. The another talent with a similar language occurs in a recording session, because recording sessions can last a few hours, specialty, background, etc., who can a director is present and has authorized so you might as well be comfortable. check diction and enunciation. it. In most instances, however, a script is necessary and must be followed. Microphone: During the voice level A fat glass of cold water: Be pre- When scripts are long, they must be test, make sure you are not adapting to pared. Voice-over is thirsty work. divided into workable segments, and a the microphone. Save your neck and put time cue should precede each seg- the microphone in a position that is com- Pitfalls ment. When there are multiple voice pletely comfortable. Ergonomics first! Whatever can go wrong will go talents in the same recording session, wrong, especially in three areas: com- all participants must be clearly marked Earphones: You are supposed to hear munication, timing, and recording. on the script so that each person voices! Make sure they do not bleed knows with certainty when it is his or into the microphone. Normally, the Communication: The text presents its her time to speak. original voice is piped through one own obstacles, mainly: channel/ear, and your own through the ¥ Pronunciation (e.g., Is it pronounced Logistics: A voice talent must be other. Be careful when putting on your Apalæcian or Apalâcian?). punctual. Studio time is booked for a earphones and be ready to remove them ¥ Alliteration (e.g., “I bought a box specific schedule and the norm is to fast in case of deafening feedback. of biscuits, a box of mixed biscuits, hold back-to-back sessions. It is also a and a biscuit mixer.”). costly service. Every minute lost from Video monitors (optional): Video ¥ Translation errors from mild to cat- the original schedule of a session monitors can be useful in providing astrophically offensive. because a voice talent is late costs visual clues (e.g., a timer at the bottom ¥ Run-on passages, which are diffi- money, and may mean that a makeup of the screen) that allow you to fine- cult to read in any language session will need to be scheduled. tune your starting points. Conversely, because they cause the speaker to Clients will not appreciate this. not everyone can integrate two sound pause in inappropriate places. tracks and two visual inputs (text and Practice: The script must be fully read monitor) on different visual planes. Timing: Normally, if it is not timed and practiced ahead of time. Preparation properly, the translation is too long when time is not part of a scheduled session. Booth supervision: The recording speaking into a foreign language, or too At the studio, once the voice talents and technician is in charge of timing, and short when speaking into English. In all other participants are properly situ- if she or he asks for a retake, a retake these cases, only two options are avail-

28 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 able, and sometimes both are insuffi- cient. In fact, it is possible to speed up/slow down your speech, or Want to Learn More? trim/expand the text. The choice depends on the assertiveness of the talent/pro- Links to the Voice-over Experience ducer and the seriousness of the timing gap. In the best-case scenario, the voice talent is also the translator, which means “Interview with Freelance Audiovisual Translator Anna Matamala.” that the timing has already been taken Journal of Specialised Translation (September 25, 2004), into account. This also means that the www.jostrans.org/issue04/art_matamala.php. talent has greater control over the final script when it comes time to do the voice-over. At the opposite end of the Kenyon, Heather. “Getting that First Voice-over Role.” spectrum, there will be situations where Animation World Magazine (September 1999), a talking head (the person speaking to the www.awn.com/mag/issue4.06/4.06pages/kenyon/voicesurvey.php3. camera) strings together a long sentence on the screen while the voice-over offers a simple “Yes.”

Recording: The problems encoun- tered during recording include but are not limited to: saying “AAAAAH Tampax.” It Do not overact. Unless you are dub- ¥ Poor breathing. sounded as though she was dying of bing or doing voice characterization, ¥ Slurred enunciation, especially at anaphylactic shock. Sales suffered and all you need to do is to convey the the end of long sentences. so did Brenda’s advertising career.) feeling of the message by reading the ¥ Uneven tempo. If the talking head is Count to five, take a full breath, and script as if it meant something to you. vivacious and bubbly, the voice-over start on cue. talent should not sound like he or she Aim for clarity and proper tempo. is reading an accountant’s obituary. Do not get flustered. If you hit a Even when others check what you do, ¥ Missed passages. To skip a line is rough spot, call for a break, have a check your own work and be brutally not acceptable, no matter where brief normal conversation, drink a critical. It is better if it comes from and in which language. glass of water, and try again. What you you than the final audience. ¥ Volume levels. Especially during cannot afford to do is act like a prima retakes and in between scenes, it is donna with a short fuse. Retake what- A Final Warning important to maintain an even ever needs to be re-recorded, and To hear your own recording is a volume level. Discrepancies can be when mistakes are made or one of the paramount component of voice-over digitally corrected up to a point, participants is not satisfied with the quality control. You know best your but it is a matter of professional quality of a sound byte, remember that own phrasing, pacing, parsing, and pride (and cost control) to keep the communication must be clear. The projecting. If you sound hollow, tenta- takes to a minimum. point in the script where a repeat is tive, or out of breath to your own ears, needed must be well indicated. Many consider whether that passage con- A Few Reminders studios have the capability to replay a forms with minimum standards and Control your breathing! If you do segment immediately after it is ask the opinion of others. Do not leave not fill your lungs with air before you recorded. You should check with the a job feeling like you should have start, you will produce the Brenda studio production team to see if there done better. The end client might Vaccaro effect. (Some 20 years ago, in is time to replay segments, since this is think the same. a nationally televised ad, Brenda a very useful way to spot problems. started with a deep aspirating groan,

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 29 The Road toward Collaborative Translation Memories By Yves Champollion

Looking back at the earliest translation memory (TM) tools from the The highly repetitive nature of some technical texts late 1980s, it is evident that our expecta- tions of TM software have evolved a great and manuals meant that early translation deal as these commercially available products have become more advanced. memory tools, although crude, were useful The first tentative efforts to create sup- porting software tools for translators saw in certain translation domains. memory systems that stored completely aligned source and target sentences in extensive databases, from which they could be recalled only when a complete (and hence translation costs) was not fully no trouble managing these significant (or perfect) match was discovered. The realized at that time. However, the bene- text units. problem with this approach was that there fits of increased consistency in phrasing As readers, we would be outraged if was no guarantee that the new source-lan- and terminology were clearly evident, it were suggested that all texts were not guage sentence was from the same con- and the development of TM tools was “written,” but merely constructed by text as the original database sentence. regarded as a worthwhile pursuit. ordering set units and pre-packaged Such tools naturally did little to automate First-generation TM tools were most blocks of meaning around to create an some of the processes we now take for useful in translation domains where the end product. This completely negates granted in our TM weaponry, as the trans- occurrence of perfect matches was the idea of an original author whose lator still had to spend time reviewing all common, such as technical documents. word choices and painstakingly crafted the matches for relevance and accuracy in Unlike more creative texts, technical sentences best convey his or her mes- the context of the translated document. documents are often comprised of a sage. The advent of TMs essentially had Although cheaper than outright transla- series of exact component phrases and the same effect on the work of the trans- tion, this review still carried a cost. terms (“units”) that are usually repeated lator. Where once the translator’s voca- Therefore, the goal of reducing overhead throughout the text. Early TM tools had tion was considered akin to that of a

30 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 wordsmith—carefully re-crafting the message of a text in his or her chosen language based on linguistic knowledge By incorporating stylistic elements and offering and academic prowess—the automated processes of TM tools seemed to increased flexibility, it is evident that translation devalue that role. The elegant art of the memory tools are now much more intelligent translator was somewhat reduced to the role of a typist, chained to a computer than their predecessors. and paid by the mile for simply reassembling pre-translated text. This perception was due in part to a lack of sophistication in the tools them- tion of creative texts, where the likeli- The highly complex linguistic algo- selves. Even TM tools that did start to hood of exact text repetition was dimin- rithms offer the best possible semantic support fuzzy, or nonexact, matches (ini- ished. This was an area in which TMs match, rather than the simple statistical tial examples include IBM’s Translation had previously only been of limited matches of yesteryear. This represents a Manager and early versions of Trados) value. With these new match functions, key step in the quest for a linguistic tool were merely set up to offer purely statis- translators were again empowered to that offers the level of flexibility tical matches in unwieldy blocks, and make creative choices based on the more required to handle a wide range of texts. there was little option but to reuse these detailed data at their disposal. Previous By incorporating stylistic elements blindly as they were presented. Thus, translations could be reviewed along and offering increased flexibility, it is multiple-clause sentences proved too with an assessment of their suitability evident that TMs are now much more complex and awkward for TMs to deal for the source text, and then be edited intelligent than their predecessors. with efficiently, resulting in inconsisten- according to the new context. In this Yet, it is important for us to examine cies in segmentation. Phrases were way, TMs began to approach the more where this development is leading. chopped and glued back together flexible model that was required in order without any option of including a “feel” for them to fulfill the translation support The Future: Assets for All? for the overall meaning of a text. The role. Improved consistency was assured, Now that TM tools incorporate a tools did not present the translator with but this improved flexibility meant that wide range of functions to support trans- various alternatives based on context. the tools were less dogmatic than pre- lators, it seems natural that future devel- vious versions. As a result, the role of the opments should focus on the shared use The Present: “Smarter” TMs translator was revalued. of these TM assets. Currently, even It was the lack of satisfaction with Today, translators are offered even though an individual translator is likely this statistical methodology that drove more flexibility in their TM arsenal. to build up hundreds of thousands of the development of the more advanced Second-generation TM engines incorpo- words of TM each year, the actual mem- TM tools we see today. Powered by rate a host of features that go much fur- ories themselves are typically seen as the robust algorithms, programs became ther toward accommodating contextual property of the client for whom the more intelligent and acquired the ability influences. The most significant of these project is being carried out. The buyers to distinguish inexact or fuzzy matches, is that modern TMs now accept multiple are the initiators of the source text, and as well as the ability to grade the level of translations of the same source. For so intellectual property rights are exer- suitability of the match for the translated reoccurring source text, current software cised over the TM that is generated. The text on a continuous scale from 0 to offers up various options that relate to buyer is purchasing a translation, but 100%. Tools now include a linguistic the original, with the preferred transla- also a host of TM assets for use on other analysis engine, use chunk technology tion prioritized based on an automated projects. The current attitude toward TM to break down segments into intelligent assessment of the context. The program files is one of property and ownership, terminological groups, and automati- effectively “reads” each segment in con- but the Internet’s tendency toward cally generate specific glossaries. While text in the same way a translator would, knowledge sharing modes may be benefiting translators as a whole, the thereby helping to solve previous issues changing that approach. advantages of this development were related to segmentation, which, in turn, Server-side TMs are already perhaps most keenly felt in the transla- results in a more pleasing final product. gaining popularity with large

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 31 The Road toward Collaborative Translation Memories Continued corporations that seek to improve con- wide range of global and international far has stemmed from governmental sistency in enterprise-wide localiza- bodies? If the United Nations, World institutions such as the European tion initiatives. Such platforms allow Bank, World Trade Organization, and Union. It is worth noting that there is multiple translators or teams of trans- others were to engage in the same likely to be a certain amount of oppo- lators to share their TM assets with practice of releasing approved terms sition to this free-for-all methodology key client-side stakeholders in real- into the public domain, we would see in the private sphere. For instance, it time, thus producing a continuously the creation of a huge online termi- is hard to imagine Microsoft suddenly updated set of terminology and nology repository that is both open deciding that all terminology relating phrasing that aligns with a company’s and collaborative. If continued over to its software applications—which brand voice. All translators can then the coming years, this practice could has been painstakingly researched, ensure that the stock verbiage they use help foster more streamlined commu- established, and refined over time in is drawn from a central TM repository nication between worldwide organiza- multiple languages—should be that has been established and refined tions, and we could even see this released into the public domain. by other translators on the team and extend to the private sphere. Global corporate identities are largely approved by the relevant client con- My own interest in this area led to drawn from approved multilingual tacts. Here we hit on a key point for the development of the Very Large content, and are not intended to be future TM models—collaboration. Translation Memory (VLTM) project, simply “harvested” at the touch of a Wiki-based knowledge sharing and which proposed an initial method for button. That being said, certain for- peer-to-peer networking tools repre- making blocks of TM assets available ward-thinking corporations may see sent important and exciting develop- for free to online communities. the advantage of providing termi- ments that now form an integral part Subsequent research leans toward the nology for all to use as part of a cor- of much Internet-based research. The creation of a Web-based tool that can porate citizenship initiative. Microsoft ability to network with others in an generate valuable TM assets automat- remains a pertinent case study here, as open environment and work together ically. As TM assets are heading sharing terminology would be partic- toward an end goal of improvement toward an open model, the function- ularly applicable for firms that are and refinement has shaped many ality of such a tool would need to innovators in highly technical or spe- Web-based activities. What could this reflect this. The next significant phase cialized industries. tendency toward collaboration mean in the evolution of TM will see tools As examined over the course of for the translation industry? that can seek out multilingual web- this article, it is evident that the role of Few translators would deny the sites in any domain chosen by the translators is reflected to a certain value and increasing importance of user. The tools will be able to harvest extent by the tools they choose to use free-for-all repositories such as the content from any of these sites, thus to complete projects. Though early Europa terminology portal. Unlimited generating more TM options for the tools were seen as reducing the value access to many thousands of terms user. An online “TM harvesting” tool of human input, these proposed col- and phrases, which have been stan- of this kind could potentially revolu- laborative models perform precisely dardized and approved across 23 offi- tionize the way translators approach the opposite function. Collaborative cial languages, means that any team translation projects. efforts mean that all are contributing conducting a translation project for Working within this model, TM to a communal intellectual database, the European Union has a head start in assets would no longer be thought of which does not comprise “property” its efforts to maintain consistency as items to be hoarded, bought, sold, as such. In this atmosphere, the value across geographically diverse loca- and traded, but more as public com- of individual translators can be seen tions. Such developments constitute a modities to be shared and refined over as collective, as they are truly part of boon to both clients and translators time. The overall attitude would a united global community that is seeking consistent texts in legal or switch from exclusive to inclusive, committed to furthering cross-cultural technical domains, as well as a firm and all participants would be working communications worldwide. and consistent corporate voice. to free up TM content and contribute The European Union stands out as to a shared intellectual heritage. Of a key example, but what if this prac- course, it is no coincidence that the tice were to become standard across a majority of terminology released so

32 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Visit the ATA Calendar Online www.atanet.org/calendar/ Upcoming Events for a more comprehensive look at upcoming events.

July 17-20, 2008 September 11-13, 2008 October 23-25, 2008 ATA Translation Company Division British Association for Applied Linguistics American Medical Writers Association 9th Annual Mid-Year Conference 41st BAAL Annual Conference 68th Annual Conference: Setting the Pace Englewood, CO Swansea University Louisville, KY www.ata-divisions.org/TCD Swansea, England www.amwa.org www.baal.org.uk/confs.htm July 26, 2008 October 29-31, 2008 ATA Translation Tools Seminar September 12-14, 2008 Languages and the Media Boston, MA Tennessee Association of Professional 7th International Conference and www.atanet.org/conferencesand Interpreters and Translators Exhibition seminars/pd.php 2008 Conference Berlin, Germany Nashville, TN www.languages-media.com/index.php August 4-7, 2008 www.tapit.org International Federation of Translators November 5-8, 2008 18th FIT World Congress September 27-28, 2008 American Translators Association Shanghai, China Atlanta Association of Interpreters 49th Annual Conference www.fit-ift.org and Translators Orlando, FL 2nd Annual Conference www.atanet.org/conf/2008 August 17-29, 2008 “International Year of Languages” 24th Cambridge Conference Atlanta, GA November 21-23, 2008 Simultaneous Interpretation Course www.aait.org/events.htm American Council on the Teaching of Cambridge, United Kingdom Foreign Languages www.cciconline.net October 10-12, 2008 2008 Convention and International Medical World Languages Expo August 23, 2008 Interpreters Association Orlando, FL ATA Localization Seminar 2008 International Conference on www.actfl.org Seattle, WA Medical Interpreting www.atanet.org/conferencesand Boston, MA November 29-30, 2008 seminars/pd.php www.mmia.org/conferences/default.asp Organización Mexicana de Traductores XII International Congress of Translation August 24-28, 2008 October 13-15, 2008 and Interpretation International Association of Global and Localization Association San Jerónimo 2008 Applied Linguistics 12th Localization World Conference Guadalajara, Mexico 15th AILA World Congress Madison, WI www.omt.org.mx/general.htm Essen, Germany www.localizationworld.com www.aila2008.org December 27-30, 2008 October 15-18, 2008 Modern Language Association September 11-13, 2008 American Literary Translators Association 124th Annual Convention Mediterranean Editors and 31st Annual Conference San Francisco, CA Translators Meeting Minneapolis, MN www.mla.org “Communication Support Across www.literarytranslators.org the Disciplines” University of Split Split, Croatia www.metmeetings.org/?section= metm08_program

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 33 Comments? ATA members can discuss business issues Business Smarts online at the following Yahoo! group: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/ group/ata_business_practices. You will need to register with Yahoo! (at no charge) if you have not already done so, and provide your Rejecting Contract Clauses full name and ATA member number in order to join the group.

Keeping track of contracts is an impor- Does that mean I may have a group on auditing a freelance translator, your tant part of managing a small business. of auditors invade the privacy of my approval of the clause leaves the door Freelance contractors should always cramped home office, without prior open for a possible invasion of your read the fine print of cooperation notice if I am unlucky? How would I privacy and the possible breach of agreements sent by agencies and other protect the confidentiality of other confidentiality agreements you have organizations, and never accept them client documents in such a case? with other clients. without a thorough review. Which of my “business practices” Given the fact that you do not want would the auditors look at? Although to sign the agreement in its current Dear Business Smarts, I like working for this company, I am form, but are interested in continuing A translation agency that sends me so upset about this requirement to your working relationship with the large quantities of regular work recently accommodate potential audits that I company, you have several choices. asked me to sign a new independent am contemplating not signing this One course of action would be to contractor agreement. In addition to the agreement. Will I be denied further communicate with the project man- customary clauses concerning confiden- work assignments if I do not sign the ager who sent you the agreement, tiality, not contacting the agency’s agreement? with a copy to his or her supervisor. clients directly, and the ownership of NO AUDITS in Texas Explain politely that you cannot materials to be translated, the agreement accept this specific clause and ask contained the following rather con- Dear NO AUDITS, what the company policy will be with fusing clause toward the end: You are very wise to read the con- regard to future assignments if you do tent of any such agreement carefully not sign the agreement. Be sure to “The Company reserves the right, before signing. The clause in question print and save any responses you in its sole discretion, to conduct most likely refers to dealings with receive. As an alternative, you can also audits of Contractor’s facilities, much larger business entities than clearly delete any clauses you find business practices, and any other yours, for example, other agencies unacceptable, and mark the deleted matters reasonably relating to the specializing in certain language sections with your initials. Write a performance of Contractor’s serv- groups or fields. Audits have become brief and courteous explanation on a ices hereunder. Contractor acknow- much more common in the corporate separate sheet, including your signa- ledges that the Company’s right to world, and are used to document com- ture and the date, and ask that a conduct such audits is a condition pliance with the requirements of a counter-signed copy of the agreement of Contractor’s engagement here- variety of quality and accounting stan- be returned to you for your records. It under, and Contractor agrees to dards. Nevertheless, the agreement would certainly not be inappropriate to cooperate fully in such audits. was sent to you as the sole proprietor follow up on this request if no Although the Company, where of a small business, and your signature response is forthcoming. A third practicable, will endeavor to pro- would indicate that you agree, at least alternative may be simply to ignore vide advance notice to Contractor in theory, to have such investigations the agreement and continue to accept of its intent to conduct an audit, the performed at your business premises. assignments from the company, parties agree that the Company While it seems highly unlikely that although this would provide the least may conduct an unannounced any company would spend resources amount of contractual protection. audit.”

The information in this column was compiled by members of ATA’s Business Practices Education Committee for the benefit of ATA members. This column is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or other business advice. Each individual or company should make its own independent business decisions and consult its own legal, financial, or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of ATA or its Board of Directors. Send your questions about the business of translation and interpretation to The ATA Chronicle—BPEC Q&A; 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314 USA; Fax: +1-703- 683-6122; E-mail: [email protected]. Questions must be accompanied by a complete name and address, but will be published anonymously or pseudonymously upon request.

34 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 The Onionskin offers a behind-the-scenes look at transla- The Onionskin Chris Durban tions in the public domain—kudos for best practice and [email protected] advice for perpetrators who could surely do better. Comments and leads for future columns are welcome (please include full contact details). All at Sea in the Baltic Contact: [email protected].

Foreign direct investment (FDI) sional linguists. Its well-educated, As the lights came up, Mr. Celms is a fiercely competitive field, with outward-looking workforce is a defi- reassured those present. He was per- countries, regions, and even cities nite plus. And with Chinese exports to fectly aware that the French was deeply going all out to attract cross-border western markets soaring, it has an ace flawed, he said, and rated the captions inflows of dollars, yen, and euros. It’s in the hole: capital Riga is the ter- “mediocre at best.” He pointed out, too, not just the money, it’s the jobs. minus of a train line running all the that the time codes were poorly calcu- But in the final analysis, what way from Vladivostok. Its port thus lated: the text sped by too fast for most makes a Japanese carmaker plunk for puts container-loads of Chinese goods viewers—perhaps all for the best, given northern France instead of Poland, or within easy reach of European mar- the circumstances. a German research and development kets via Baltic shipping routes. No unit go for Bangalore rather than wonder LIAA’s website is in four lan- The F-word: Frustration Birmingham? guages—Latvian, Russian, Chinese, The clip was produced by a profes- Cheap labor is often less important and English (and excellent English at sional translation agency that obvi- than skilled labor. Strategic location that). ously had no genuine competence in and infrastructure for transporting But the multilingual Mr. Celms’ French, he explained. Shoddy transla- goods and people can be critical. And point in addressing the assembled lin- tion? Absolutely. “But it is also a without a stable political environ- guists was also to remind them of his classic example of poor communica- ment, forget it. reliance on their skills. When irre- tion between the sales force—me and But language plays a role, too— sponsible, unaware, and unskilled my assistant here in Paris—and our not just the distinct appeal of a multi- translation vendors get involved in a marketing team in Riga. I did not even lingual workforce once you get there, promotional endeavor, the egg lands know it was in the pipeline until the but also a convincing pitch in the lan- up on his face—the man in the field. CD arrived,” Mr. Celms explained. guage of the foreign investors being After a brief introduction, he While not a native French speaker, he wooed. showed the largely French audience a speculated that the result could easily Enter regional development spe- video clip highlighting the many have been better if he had attempted a cialists like Harold Celms, who heads advantages of setting up in Latvia. A rough draft himself, and brought in a the representative office of the succession of images flashed past, with French reviser to work from that. Investment and Development Agency bucolic landscapes steeped in tradition Client frustration indeed. of Latvia (LIAA) in France. His job? moving swiftly on to ultra-modern pro- His advice to translators: “If you Promote this tiny Baltic nation (popu- duction plants and research labs, with receive an order like this, find out who lation 2.3 million) to French investors close-ups of friendly, bright-eyed the end user is and insist on being put of all sizes, as the place to do busi- workers, all to a rousing musical in touch with him or her. If you are not ness. LIAA representatives are at accompaniment. aware of their requirements, there is work in many foreign capitals, drum- But then French-language captions really no point. And always translate ming up interest at trade fairs, invest- summarizing key data scrolled across into your native language. ” ment conferences, and more. the screen, and the squirming began. A useful reminder for translators For there were mistakes (style! that if you are not part of the solution, Riga: Be There or Be Square grammar! spelling!) in virtually every you may be part of the problem. Latvia’s official language is phrase. Intakes of breath gave way to Latvian, but Russian, English, and audible gasps and muttering. Did this German are also widely spoken, Mr. poor man not realize how awful his Celms told a recent meeting of profes- party piece was?

July 26, 2008 August 23, 2008 Don’t Miss ATA Translation Tools Seminar ATA Localization Seminar For more information, visit Boston, Massachusetts Seattle, Washington www.atanet.org/calendar www.atanet.org/conferencesandseminars/pd.php www.atanet.org/conferencesandseminars/pd.php

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 35 GeekSpeak Jost Zetzsche The GeekSpeak column has two goals: to inform the community jzetzsche@ about technological advances and at the same time encourage internationalwriters.com the use and appreciation of technology among translation pro- fessionals. Jost also publishes a free technical newsletter for translators (www.internationalwriters.com/toolkit). Captain Sutter’s Story

“I was sitting one afternoon, scended to pick it up, and to my aston- ¥ TM authoring: Veteran readers (...) just after my siesta, (...) when I ishment found that it was a thin scale know that this refers to using the was interrupted by Mr. Marshall (...) of what appears to be pure gold,” bilingual (or polylingual) TM as a bursting hurriedly into the room. From (quoted in: www.sfmuseum.net/ resource for the monolingual cre- the unusual agitation in his manner I hist2/gold2.html). ation of new text. And why not use imagined that something serious had the content that we have assembled occurred, and, as we involuntarily do Yes, John Sutter’s 1854 recollection in TMs to author new texts in the in this part of the world, I at once of the discovery of gold that started the source language? Imagine how glanced to see if my rifle was in its California Gold Rush is a long quote. many potential matches there would proper place. (...) When he had recov- And, no, its relationship to the be if you based a new text on an ered himself a little, he told me that, GeekSpeak column may not be imme- (old) TM. Or imagine the strength- however great my surprise might be at diately apparent. But I was thrilled ening of your position if you could his unexpected reappearance, it would when I found it because it illustrates so offer your clients not only transla- be much greater when I heard the well what I want to communicate. tion but also authoring—or at least intelligence he had come to bring me. When Sutter and James Marshall training for their own authors. ‘Intelligence,’ he added, ‘which if built their sawmill, they never even properly profited by, would put both of dreamed about finding gold, let alone ¥ Term extraction: Despite Sue- us in possession of unheard-of- changing the course of history for Ellen Wright’s and others’ notable wealth—millions and millions of dol- their part of the world. But that is efforts, terminology work remains lars, in fact.’ (...) When I heard that I what happened. News traveled fast. the stepchild of translation. The thought something had touched The influx of fortune seekers was so databases that could hold our most Marshall’s brain, when suddenly all massive that eventually there was no intelligent data (terminology data- my misgivings were put at an end to place left for Marshall and Sutter, and bases) are often neglected or not by his flinging on the table a handful they both died in poverty. used at all, even though they are a of scales of pure virgin gold. I was Well, I would like to avoid their basic part of every TEnT. The main fairly thunderstruck and asked him to fate, but I am here (once again) to reason is that it is hard work to explain what all this meant (...). Early announce that, very much like Sutter build them up. It is not like feeding in the morning (...), Mr. Marshall was and Marshall, we are also sitting on a TM that grows as you translate; walking along the left Bank of the great treasures, treasures that so far instead, you more or less have to stream when he perceived something have yielded only a fraction of the manually enter the data. This is which he at first took for a piece of riches they might contain. where term extraction comes into opal, a dark transparent stone, very Of course, I am talking about play. Rather than manually sending common here—glittering on one of translation memories (TMs). Most of term pairs one by one, you can use the spots laid bare by the suddenly us use tools—I like to call them readily available tools to extract crumbling away of the bank. He paid TEnTs (translation environment terminology data intelligently from not attention to this, but while he was tools)—that allow us to build up TMs your existing TMs. All you have to giving directions to the workmen, as we translate. We use them to do is say yea or nay to the proposed having observed several similar glit- leverage their gradually built-up con- term pairs. tering fragments, his curiosity was so tent for fuzzy and perfect matches, far excited, that he stooped down and and some of us also perform termi- ¥ Shared memories: This is the least picked one of them up. ‘Do you know,’ nology searches in them (“concor- mature, but potentially the biggest said Mr. Marshall to me, ‘I positively dance searches”). of all the missed nuggets. I predict debated within myself two or three And yet there is so much more that that 10 years down the road we will times whether I should take the trouble we could do. look back on the way we did trans- to bend my back to pick up one of the Here are the most obvious uses. lation in the last decade of the 20th pieces and had decided on not doing You have probably heard about these, century and the first decade of the so when farther on, another glittering but I am betting many of you have not 21st century and shudder. Just as morsel caught my eye—the largest of taken the trouble to bend down and we cringe today when we look the pieces now before you. I conde- pick up these nuggets. back on the pre-PC days when

36 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 there just was not enough Wite-Out found ways to truly share data. And Happily, unlike Sutter and Marshall, to correct all the errors we made on just as there are already tools for we do not have to fear being pushed the typewriter, we will be horrified TM authoring and term extraction out by someone else. In fact, it is just someday soon by the thought that (that we tend to ignore), there are the opposite: the more nuggets we we all used to waste so much time already plenty of approaches and share, the more we get. building up our little personal TMs tools for data sharing. Happy panning! that we benefited from a little. Ten years down the road we will have

It’s time to start planning for the 49th ConferenceAnnual American Translators Association Orlando, Florida November 5 – 8, 2008

For more information, see page 49. Visit www.atanet.org/conf/2008 for all the latest details

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 37 What’s YourSpecialty?

Specialization is the key to success! Today’s clients demand language professionals experienced in the terminology of their business. More than ever, these serious shoppers use the specialty search in ATA’s online Directory of Translation and Interpreting Services to find the services that match their needs.

Get found on the Web—make sure your specialty is listed in the ATA Directory. Go to www.atanet.org and click on “ATA Directory Specialty Update” to view the current list and submit any unlisted specialties.

And don’t forget to use these specialties in your Directory listing. To update or add to your listing, click on “Add/Modify Your Online ATA Directory Listing.”

If you have not taken advantage of this member service, visit ATA’s website now to set up your professional services profile. The listing is free as a benefit of your ATA membership, but you must complete the online questionnaire to be included in the Directory.

Go to www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories today!

Highlights: ¥ Thursday evening reception and banquet. ¥ Two days (Friday and Saturday) of educational sessions tailored to the needs and concerns of translation company ATA Translation owners and managers. ¥ Topics will focus on industry trends, workflow tools, Company Division project management, sales, marketing, behavioral interviewing, and more. ¥ Plenty of time and opportunity for networking, networking, and more networking! 9th Annual Conference ¥ Optional Friday or Saturday evening activity in Denver (www.denver.org). ¥ Sunday morning buffet breakfast. July 17-20, 2008 Advertising, exhibit, and sponsorship opportunities available. Stay tuned to www.ata-divisions.org/TCD for more information! The Inverness Hotel and Kim Vitray Conference Center TCD Administrator [email protected] 512-472-6753

Englewood, Colorado Ellen Boyar Beatriz Bonnet TCD Assistant Administrator Local Conference Organizer [email protected] [email protected] 215-386-0100 ext. 1331 303-779-1288

38 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Send your news to Jeff Sanfacon at [email protected] or American Translators Association, 225 Member News Reinekers Lane, Suite 590, Alexandria, VA 22314.

¥ Nataly E. Kelly has joined Common ¥ McNeil Multilingual has changed its ¥ Irina Yashkova was interviewed by Sense Advisory, Inc. as a senior ana- name to Translations International, the Moscow Times on her work in lyst in charge of the firm’s research Inc. (www.TIINC.com). support of NASA in Moscow in a on interpreting services. story entitled “NASA Interpreter’s Job Has Her Seeing Stars.”

Don’t get hung out to dry Tips for cleaning up your online profile

A listing in ATA’s online Directory of Translation and Interpreting Services or the Directory of Language Services Companies can be one of your most valuable member benefits. With more than two-million plus hits in 2007, consumers and businesses have clearly learned to look at ATA’s directories first when shopping for professional translation and interpreting services.

Six Tips to Help You Make Contact

1. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

2. Update your contact information, especially your e-mail address and phone numbers.

3. Use the “Additional Information” field, noting education and career experiences, unusual specialties, and any dialects you can handle. By using a “keyword” search, clients can find your services based on a set of very specific skills and experience.

4. List your areas of specialization.

5. Review your listing monthly to experiment with different wording or add new information that may set you apart from others.

6. List non-English-to-non-English language combinations, such as Portuguese into Spanish and French into Italian.

Make those updates online at www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories/update_profile.php.

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 39 ATA Certification Exam Information All candidates applying for ATA certification must Upcoming Exams provide proof that they meet the certification program eligibility requirements. Please direct all inquiries regarding general certification information to ATA California Georgia Michigan Headquarters at +1-703-683-6100. Registration for San Diego Atlanta Novi all certification exams should be made through ATA September 6, 2008 September 27, 2008 August 9, 2008 Headquarters. All sittings have a maximum capacity Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: and admission is based on the order in which August 22, 2008 September 12, 2008 July 25, 2008 registrations are received. Forms are available from ATA’s website or from Headquarters. Colorado Massachusetts Tennessee Denver Somerville Nashville October 4, 2008 September 14, 2008 September 14, 2008 Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: September 19, 2008 August 29, 2008 September 5, 2008

Florida New Mexico Washington Orlando Albuquerque Seattle November 8, 2008 July 26, 2008 August 24, 2008 Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: Registration Deadline: October 24, 2008 July 11, 2008 August 8, 2008

New Certified Members Congratulations The following people have successfully passed ATA’s certification exam:

English into Spanish German into English Japanese into English Spanish into English Armando Ezquerra Hasbun Trisha A. Kovacic-Young Daryl A. Shadrick David C. McPherson Philadelphia, PA Vienna, Austria Bloomington, IN Clearwater, FL

Arnold W. Winter Media, PA

Active and Corresponding Membership Review Congratulations The Membership Review Committee is pleased to grant active or corresponding status to:

Active Corresponding Anu K. Carroll Birgit Richter New York, NY Berlin, Germany

Marie-Laure Vernier Oliva, Spain

40 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 Success by Association British Association for Applied Linguistics

• Established: 1967 • Contact: British Association for Applied • Website: Linguistics Founded in 1967, the British Quick www.baal.org.uk P.O. Box 6688 Association for Applied Linguistics • E-mail: London SE15 3WB England [email protected] (BAAL) is a professional association Tel: (011) 845-456-8208 or based in the U.K. that provides a Facts (011) 207-639-0090 forum for anyone interested in lan- Fax: (011) 207-635-6014 guage and the applications of linguis- tics. BAAL is not an exclusively academic organization, and welcomes members from all areas. to national and international meetings Upcoming Events BAAL is involved in: of interest to its members. September 11-13, 2008 ¥ Defending applied linguistics as an 41st BAAL Annual Conference academic subject area. Benefits "Taking the Measure of Applied ¥ Raising awareness of linguistic ¥ An annual conference, with dis- Linguistics" issues that affect citizens as cus- counts for members. Swansea University tomers of governmental services. ¥ Negotiated discounts on various Swansea, Wales, U.K. ¥ Promoting the importance of linguis- books and journals. www.baal.swan.ac.uk tics in all aspects of everyday life. ¥ Various supporting grants to advance BAAL has representatives on many awareness of applied linguistics. Additional Information academic and governmental bodies, ¥ A program of seminars throughout For complete information on what and the association is consulted regu- the year. BAAL has to offer, please visit larly on linguistic issues. BAAL organ- ¥ Special interest groups in a range of www.baal.org.uk. izes scientific meetings and publishes a subjects related to applied linguistics. newsletter and conference proceed- ¥ An online newsletter, BAALNews. ings. BAAL also sends representatives

ATA’s chapters and its affiliates, along with other groups, serve translators and interpreters, providing them with industry information, net- working opportunities, and support services. This column is designed to serve as a quick resource highlighting the valuable contributions these organizations are making to the profession.

S. Edmund Berger Prize in Deadline: September 18, 2008 Excellence in Scientific and Technical Translation Please send nominations to: ATA and the American Foundation for Translation and Interpretation (AFTI) invite nominations for American Foundation for Translation and the annual S. Edmund Berger Prize. Interpretation, Inc. The $1,000 prize is offered to recognize excellence in scientific and technical translation by an ATA member. Columbia Plaza, Suite 101 350 E Michigan Avenue Nominations Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Individual translators or translation companies wishing to nominate a translator for this award may obtain a Phone: (269) 383-6893 nomination form from the AFTI website (www.afti.org) or from AFTI. Fax: (269) 387-6333 E-mail: [email protected] Nominations will be judged by a three-member national jury. The recipient of the award will be announced www.afti.org/award_Berger_Nomination_For during ATA’s 49th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida (November 5-8, 2008). m_2008.pdf

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 41 Compiled by Dictionary Review Peter A. Gergay [email protected]

VocabuLando: Vocabulário Described as a “practical fluency, and accuracy in a way that will Prático Inglês-Português English-to-Portuguese vocabulary,” help the translator create a text that Isa Mara Lando’s new VocabuLando reads like the original. Author: (Disal Editora, 2006) is a very handy Lando has introduced many Isa Mara Lando tool for professional translators, jour- improvements since the first edition, nalists, and those learning English. starting with the cover and graphic Publisher: Throughout a lifetime devoted to design. Inside the dictionary, we find Disal Editora the study and teaching of English as a entries in blue, proposed translations in www.disaleditora.com.br second language, Lando developed a bold, and examples in italics, all in long and successful career as a lan- easy-to-read fonts. These design inno- Publication date: guage professional, having started as vations make it easier for users to find 2006 an English teacher before moving on what they are looking for, thus cutting to work as a translator, textbook down on the time required for searches. Number of pages: writer, and editorial assistant for a The dictionary is a carefully chosen 567 prestigious Brazilian publishing compilation of terms from a variety of house. She has translated more than contexts, and entries are illustrated ISBN: 80 books (among other works), with a broad set of examples con- 85-89533-51-4 including such award-winning taining in-depth analysis. Since the authors as Salman Rushdie, Yukio 1999 edition, 735 new terms have been Price: Mishima, and Bernard Malamud, and included beyond the additions made to $42.68 plays such as Tony Kushner’s Angels the existing entries. Terms are current, in America. Combining her experi- and most can be found in use in major Available from: ence in all of these fields and her per- newspapers and magazines. The Disal Editora sonal notes, she created the first number of examples has expanded www.disaleditora.com.br edition of VocabuLando (the title from 3,000 in the first edition to more being a blend of her name and the than 7,000 in this new volume. Livraria Cultura word “vocabulary”). The dictionary From collective words such as www.livrariacultura.com was first published independently in “pool” and “board,” which are often 1999, with a distribution of only 50 left untranslated, through the mis- Amazon copies. It was quickly recognized as leading translations (or lack thereof) of www.amazon.com an invaluable contribution to words such as “approach,” “agenda,” Brazilian translators, who work in a “profile,” “built-in,” “issue,” “state-of- Reviewed by: language with few bilingual refer- the-art,” “device,” “industry,” “bottom Ilka M. O. Santi ences. The dictionary was subse- line,” “benchmark,” “facility,” and quently re-edited by different “blueprint,” the dictionary encom- publishing houses, including SBS and passes jargon from such fields as Disal Editora, in 2000 and 2006. finance, business, information tech- nology, and politics, just to mention a Content few. For example, you will find tricky Comprising more than 2,000 words terms such as “bull market” and its on 567 richly elaborated pages, and opposite, “bear market,” along with targeted mainly to a Brazilian audi- “bully pulpit,” “hidden agenda,” ence, VocabuLando focuses on transla- “jump-start,” and “establishment.” tion difficulties, including tricky words Lando also provides us with a wide and misleading Anglicisms. There are range of translations, including best- innumerable suggestions in a single in-class Brazilian Portuguese options. entry that reveal the forgotten mean- For example, the entry for the term ings words can carry, which serves to “insight” contains four different major preserve the target language’s richness, meanings (descoberta, perspicácia,

42 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 informações úteis, and reflexões) and boomer,” her suggestions include tions into English sound like the orig- 45 secondary entries that vary cinqüentão, sessentão, and da geração inal texts. Of course, this is a minor according to the context, targeted reg- pós-guerra; for catch-22 (referring to critique, considering the extent of her ister, and media. From the informal John Heller’s novel Catch-22), beco research efforts and the dictionary’s context to the specialized meanings sem saída, situação kafkiana; and for main target audience. From my own she provides, Lando presents the Ivy League (in reference to presti- experience, we can “mine” many reader with plenty of ideas, giving us gious American schools), de elite and terms by treating this work not as a the opportunity to brush up our English de primeira linha. dictionary, but as a book to be read and refresh our own understanding and The dictionary’s cross-referenced from beginning to end. There is usage of Brazilian Portuguese. structure is also a plus. It brings together always something curious to learn. VocabuLando includes tips on how synonyms and their various levels of Forthcoming this summer is the some terms should not be translated, meanings according to the register. author’s VocabuLando Workbook— and signals the false friends, pitfalls, Taking “dusk” and “evening” as a Exercícios de Tradução Inglês- and other mistakes that might trap us simple example, Lando proposes 15 Português—Português-Inglês. This when transposing texts from English options, including boca da noite, cair da new work will contain practical exer- into Portuguese. Lando’s many years of tarde, noite, noitinha, and entardecer. cises focusing on 70 false cognates and experience as an English as a second Last but not least, I cannot end this other tricky words selected from language teacher comes through to review without mentioning adjectives VocabuLando and addressed to transla- readers, as she previews mistakes and (perhaps because they are my tion students and anyone interested in presents alternatives to the targeted favorite). There are dozens of options translation. With a variety of translation meaning. In particular, she tells the for all tastes and nuances, with recom- exercises to/from English, this new pub- reader to watch out when using substi- mendations of usage, examples of reg- lication will certainly fill a void in an tutes in Portuguese, since it is easy to isters, and cross-referenced synonyms area that lacks specific references for render the contrary of what is being and antonyms. Some good examples translation classes. We eagerly await said. For example, hydrogen can be sub- include “fast,” “effective,” “smooth,” news of this new publication from Isa stituted for oil, so you should write O “elusive,” “comfortable,” and “fine.” Mara Lando. In the meantime, we hidrogênio pode substituir o petróleo, Lando supplies the reader with adjec- need to ask her publisher to make a not ser substituído pelo petróleo. She tives both old and new, thereby pre- version of her VocabuLando available also points out linguistic uses in serving usage while collecting new on CD. Those wishing to view a Portuguese that can result in a very terms to capture the dynamics of the sample from VocabuLando can go to formal idiomatic construction where language successfully. www.vocabulando.com. none is intended. For example, in her comments on quão (how), Lando Overall Evaluation explains that sentences such as “They The study of corpora is a prom- Ilka M. O. Santi has 12 years of experience mentioned how grateful they were” ising area in translation studies today. working as a full-time freelance are better translated as Disseram que Lando’s work has a place among the EnglishPortuguese technical translator in São estão muito gratos/expressaram sua important publication milestones for Paulo, Brazil. An ATA-certified (English gratidão, thus avoiding the very formal translation studies that explore the Portuguese) translator since 2002, she and literal version, Mencionaram quão Portuguese language, its richness, and specializes in information technology, chemistry, gratos estavam. diversity of meaning. (One such work business, and medical texts. Contact: In addition to idioms, false friends, is the old Guia Prático de Tradução [email protected] or [email protected]. and adverbs, many of which are easily Inglesa, by Agenor Soares dos Santos, mistranslated, historical and cultural for which a new edition is also avail- references also have a place in able.) The only detail that could Lando’s dictionary. These entries improve the user’s experience when July 26, 2008 include brief, but no less didactic, mining for new terms or updated ATA Translation Tools Seminar explanations, as well as suggestions expressions would be to include a Boston, Massachusetts for more precise and less verbose remissive index. This initiative would www.atanet.org/conferencesandseminars/pd.php solutions. For example: for “baby crown Lando’s efforts to help transla-

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 43 The Translation Inquirer John Decker [email protected]

Patents make up a big part of storehouse of things secret and not so the workload for some of us in this pro- secret. It is called Iron Mountain, and Abbreviations fession. Now it can be told where the you can find out more about it on the used with this column precious hardcopy originals of those Internet than its owners probably want patents end up—certainly the U.S. you to know. Security is tight, so going D-Dutch G-German ones, and probably many of the non- there and telling them you are an avid E-English I-Italian American ones as well. A mammoth translator of patents will not get you [E]-English Po-Polish former limestone mine in Butler inside. In fact, just going there is a acceptable as an Pt-Portuguese County, Pennsylvania (probably the challenge; probably most residents of answer, the R-Russian most earthquake-free region in the Butler County do not know where the original query did Ro-Romanian U.S.) has been turned into a vast somber-looking gated entrance is. not involve English Sp-Spanish F-French Sw-Swedish

New Queries (E-Sp 6-08/5) In information tech- (Pt-E 6-08/9) In the world of pub- (E-Po 6-08/1) No context is provided, nology, what is a dropbox? Is it some- lishing, this ProZer needed to distin- but maybe none is needed for the term thing trademarked? A frequent user of guish between two types of polymicrobial disease. Who wants to ProZ found the term to be the stum- perforation in the Portuguese text. His attempt the Polish? bling block in the following sentence: problem sentence was: Estampas de “We will only allow you to connect to selos com impressão combinada offset (E-Ro 6-08/2) The conditions for a the dropbox from these IP addresses.” e calcografia com operações de pharmaceutical trial included a phase acabamento como semi-corte e ser- called triple-dummy, and that caused (F-E 6-08/6) As part of a résumé, the rilha. Is this anything like die-cut? problems for a member of ProZ trying phrase objectif de carrière appeared, to find good Romanian for the mate- messing up the attempts of a Lantra-L (Sp-E 6-08/10) Chascarillo is a verb- rial. What is this concept, and what is user to make quick work of the job. like slangy word that was used by a a good equivalent? What is it? native Spanish speaker with bad grammar. The speaker is male, and he (E-Sp 6-08/3) A ProZ user needed to (G-E 6-08/7) This one is unique. Can a is talking to two other males about know what a toggling machine is in a borrowed word be used incorrectly? Of women. In response to another’s state- tannery. The source sentence was: course it can. But in this case, related ment that he is single, the man replies: “The new house will house a new tog- to tourism, what is being referred to? Necesitamos muy Buena para que gling machine and a new show room.” The original was: Noch wei§ man pueda chascarillo. Can anyone, male The Translation Inquirer thought that nicht, wo man diese Naturnähe or female, elucidate? tanneries were incredibly smelly genie§en soll, seinen persönlichen places where a show room would be Lieblingsplatz für den Sundowner (Sp-E 6-08/11) Is plurinacionalidad a unlikely, but evidently not. findet. Is it some sort of cocktail? neologism? In any case, it made life difficult for a ProZer, and the context (E-Sp 6-08/4) Source heads, as in (I-F [E] 6-08/8) One adjective, godi- given does not help much: El otro some sort of unspecified radiation bile, caused this query by a ProZer tema discutido el lunes fue la plurina- source, caused problems for this ProZ working on a project involving wines. cionalidad. Who knows, this word member. He found this in English: The original phrase was: Tutti i degus- possibly could have seen the light of “Any work on or around the source tatori sono rimasti strabiliati dalla day for the first time in 2008. It has heads must be carried out in accor- longevità di questo vino che era never appeared before in this column. dance with Local Legal Regulations.” sempre piacevolmente godibile sia For a correct answer, does it matter olfattivamente che gustativamente. (Sp-E 6-08/12) There is already some what kind of radiation is emitted? English is acceptable. English in this medical query, so per-

44 The ATA Chronicle June 2008 haps that can grease the skids. The (F-E 4-08/5) (pupitrage d’un logiciel ou (R-E 4-08/11) (cdtnrf): For Gabe context phrase was: …secuencias spin- d’un progiciel): Here, says Anne Bohy, Bokor, this is synonymous with echo potenciada en T1 en planos axial pupitrage is an old word that described hfpdthnrf, which is the evolvent of a y sagital. Ese “potenciada” puede ser the work of a computer operator at a curve. weighted: “spin-echo T1 weighted time when computers could not run sequence.” A reply existed when I unattended. In the context of software, (Sw-E 3-08/11) (sakta men säkert picked this, but the replying ProZ party she says, it means simply monitoring kördes i botten): Peter Christensen is was relatively unsure of her answer. the performance of the software. tempted to translate this literally as “was slowly but surely run into the ground.” It Replies to Old Queries (G-E 3-08/4) (PTHSP): Ursula Baker might be better to say “was slowly but (E-D 4-08/1) (downregulation): Homa found this to be an English abbreviation surely depleted,” because köra i botten Assar used his training as a molecular for Pre-Tender Health and Safety Plan, means “to drain of its resources.” biologist to steer us in the proper direc- a British product. Kim Martin Metzger tion on this. Downregulation means expanded the reply by providing “level Well, there are numerous people to that a gene decreases its production of of difficulty in accordance with the be thanked for the responses, and I am a certain protein, while inhibition is a PTHSP,” and “probability in accor- grateful as always. There is still a need complete cessation of the production dance with the PTHSP.” to put out a request again for technical of the protein. Wikipedia states that help from somebody out there who can downregulation is the process by (I-E 4-08/8) (solo nel 1940 la Banda guide me in the task of incorporating which a cell decreases the number of a riesce a riprendersi la scena musi- Japanese, Korean, or Chinese charac- cellular component, such as RNA cale): Mark Herman’s and Ronnie ters into this column. Is that somebody (ribonucleic acid) or protein, in Apter’s take is that around 1940 there you, perhaps? response to an external variable. An may have been a revival of the practice increase of the component is called, of allowing la Banda, the local munic- This column is solely intended as a means of facilitating a quite naturally, upregulation. ipal band, to play onstage during an general discussion regarding terminology choices. For feed- operatic performance. The practice back regarding pressing terminology questions, please try (E-F 3-08/1) (cusp of a tooth): goes back to the 19th century, when one of these online forums: Lantra-L (www.geocities.com/ athens/7110/lantra.htm), ProZ.com (www.proz.com), or Bougouma Fall provides the first composers like Giuseppe Verdi Translators Café (http://translatorscafe.com). response from anywhere in Senegal to inserted a piece into their operas that this column by stating that Termium la Banda could play onstage. The Address your queries and responses to The Translation provided this answer: la cuspide d’une practice permitted advance publicity Inquirer, 112 Ardmoor Avenue, Danville, Pennsylvania dent, deriving from the Latin cuspis. and increased attendance at the per- 17821, or fax them to (570) 275-1477. E-mail address: This is simply a notably pointed or formances. [email protected]. Please make your submissions by the rounded eminence on or near the mas- Jacopo Madaro` Moro renders the first of each month to be included in the next issue. ticating surface of a tooth. Idem pro- phrase this way: Only in 1940 the Generous assistance from Per Dohler, proofreader, is grate- vided this answer: la cuspide: saillie band recaptures the limelight or fully acknowledged. conique sur la face occlusale des reconquers its musical primacy or molaires et des prémolaires et sur la becomes musically dominant again. face incisive des canines. The critical verb is the reflexive form of riprendere, meaning “to take back (E-Sp 3-08/2) (legal entitlement): This, something for oneself.” For information says Alene Saap, is simply derecho legal. To give the entire sentence, she (Po-E 4-08/9) (pozataryfowe): Ziggy about proposes: Los agricultures se benefi- Sapieja says that in the context of trans- ATA’s 49th Annual cian mayoramente de las cubiertas portation, shipping, and customs, Conference, individuales de riesgo subsidiadas por pozataryfowe means “beyond the rate.” please see el gobierno y tienen derecho legal a To give the entire context, it is: page 49. pagos relacionados a perdidas. “Limitations beyond the rates in turnover between the union and third countries.”

The ATA Chronicle June 2008 45 Herman is a librettist and translator. Submit items for future columns via e-mail to [email protected] or via snail Humor Mark Herman mail to Mark Herman, 1409 E Gaylord Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI [email protected] 48858-3626. Discussions of the translation of humor and and Translation examples thereof are preferred, but humorous anecdotes about translators, translations, and mistranslations are also welcome. Those Who Can… Include copyright information and permission if relevant.

I believe it was George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Here are excerpts from Denham’s poem of praise: who said that those who can, do, and those who cannot, teach. And there are also those who said and say that those Such is our Pride, our Folly, or our Fate, who cannot write, translate. One such person was Sir John That few but such as cannot write, Translate. Denham (1615-1669), the subject of an article in But what in them is want of Art, or voice, Translation—Theory and Practice: A Historical Reader, In thee is either Modesty or Choice. edited by Daniel Weissbort and Astradur Eysteinsson Whiles this great piece [i.e, Il Pastor Fido], restor’d by (Oxford, England and New York: Oxford University Press, thee doth stand 2006). According to the article, Denham was a “courtier, Free from the blemish of an Artless hand…. wit, and poet,” and more than half of his poetical output Nor ought a Genius less than his that writ, consisted of translations. Attempt Translation; for transplanted wit, But why would someone who was a translator himself All the defects of air and soil doth share, disparage translators? The answer is not Freudian self- And colder brains like colder Climates are: loathing. Rather, it is apparent upon a careful reading of In vain they toil, since nothing can beget Denham’s words that he was not disparaging all translators, A vital spirit, but a vital heat. just those (all too many, alas!) who cannot write. Because That servile path thou nobly dost decline those who cannot write cannot translate either. In fact, one Of tracing word by word, and line by line. of Denham’s poems, excerpted below, was written just to Those are the labour’d births of slavish brains, praise a fellow translator and his translation. Not the effects of Poetry, but pains; The object of Denham’s praise was Sir Richard Fanshaw Cheap vulgar arts, whose narrowness affords (1608-1666), whose “vital heat,” i.e., inspiration akin to No flight for thoughts, but poorly stick at words. that possessed by original writers, imbued Fanshaw’s 1648 A new and nobler way thou dost pursue translation of Il Pastor Fido / The Faithful Shepherd with a To make Translations and Translators too…. “vital spirit.” Interestingly, Denham also approved of Wisely restoring whatsoever grace Fanshaw’s not following the “servile path” of overly literal It [the translation] lost by change of Times, or Tongues, translation. Il Pastor Fido itself is a famous Italian play or Place…. from 1590 by Giovanni Battista Guarini (1538-1612), highly popular during the 17th century and translated into many languages. It was turned into an opera by George Frideric Handel in 1712.

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