Volume 3 Issue 2 June-August, 1999
Message from the Administrator
Dear Colleagues: encourage each and every one of you to Internationally he has presented, co- It is with great pleasure that this become as active in the division as pos- ordinated, and organized numerous latest issue of Intercambios gives sible. It will take all of us to make our di- seminars and workshops on the Span- me the opportunity to again be in vision what we want it to become. Bring ish language. Since 1990, he has contact with all of you, the members your ideas, your interests, your talent, taught several courses to the staff of of the Spanish Language Division of and your leadership to this newsletter. the Ministry of Public Administration the American Translators Associa- We will need that and much more. in Spain regarding ways to modernize tion. Plans are already underway for the the administrative language they use. This summer our newsletter is ATA Annual Conference in St. Louis. As He has also contributed to the Virtual celebrating its second anniversary. you will see in the preliminary program Center of the Cervantes Institute, and Over the past two years, Intercam- that soon will be arriving in your mailbox, is the author of the Vademécum del bios has continued to provide timely there will be a good number of excellent Español Urgente and co-author of the articles of interest to our profession presentations and workshops related to Manual de Español Urgente of the and has become an important com- Spanish translation at this year’s confer- Agencia EFE in Madrid. He has coor- munication tool and a membership ence. Our thanks to Andre Moskowitz, dinated and compiled several publica- service of excellent quality. Once our Assistant Administrator and Chair of tions for the Agencia EFE on linguis- more, our thanks to Pilar Saslow, our the Division Conference Committee, and tic matters, including El Idioma dedicated editor, and to all our col- to committee member Harvie Jordan, for Español en las Agencias de Prensa leagues who help her put our news- helping coordinate the scheduling of (1990), El Neologismo Necesario letter together. sessions and organizing our social event. (1992), and El Our division has again reached I am also pleased to announce that Idioma Español en el Deporte (1992), new pinnacles with more than 1378 philologist Alberto Gómez Font, director and he is also the founder and mo d- members. My most profound grati- of the Departamento del Español Urgente erator of the discussion forum on the tude and welcome to all of you who of the Agencia EFE in Madrid, Spain, has use of Spanish “Apuntes” at have put your confidence in our accepted our invitation to be the official
IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar of events 2 Searching the Internet 11 Third Forum in Vic, Spain, Hailed a Success 3 The Bottom Line 13 Where do the Missouri and the Mississippi Meet 3 Nosotros: perfil profesional 15 Book Review: Multicultural Spanish Dictionary 4 Numbers: Mix and Match 17 Quality Cannot Be Reviewed Into a Translation 5 ¿Quién o qué es “Emilio”, “E-mail”o “Imeil”? 19 Community translation & interpretation in rural De las letras mayúsculas 21 areas 7 Centro de Información Victoria Ocampo 22 Localización y traducción de software 9 Diez errores típicos en traducción 23
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IIntercambios Calendar of Professional Events Volume 3, No.2 compiled by Daniel MacDougall June-August, 1999 ATA Headquarters 225 Reinekers Lane, Ste. 590 Rogelio Camacho Seminars for Trans- has translated the works of Isabel Allende, Alexandria, VA 22314 lators & Interpreters: Check dates for Carlos Fuentes, and many others into Eng- Phone: 703-683-6100 your city in 1999 in USA, Mexico, and lish. Tel: 305-274-3434, Fax: 305-648-0602, Canada. Seminar topics are: Translating Fax: 703-683-6122 e-mail: [email protected] Crime Scene Investigation Terminology, E-mail: [email protected] Translating Personal Legal Documents, September Website: http://www.atanet.org Translating Contracts for the U.S./ El curso Gestión de terminolgía y traduc- Mexican Market, Criminal Investigation in ción se llevará a cabo en Alumñecar Administrator Mexico City, Criminial Prosecution in (España) entre el 30 de agosto y 3 de sep- Alicia Marshall Mexico City, Crime Scene Investigation tiembre de 1999. Organizado por la Univer- 1550 Asbury Avenue, Protocol in Mexico, and English to Span- sidad de Granada . Para más información Evanston, Il 602 ish Translations for the Private Sector pueden escribir a [email protected]. Phone: 847-869-4889 Tel: 619-420-4200, Fax: 619-420-5200, e- mail: [email protected] URL: www. E-mail AliciaMarshall Entre septiembre y octubre de 1999, el De- rogeliocamacho.com @compuserve.com partamento de Traducción de la Universi- dad Autónoma de Barcelona (Edificio K,
The Southern California School of In- 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Va llés), Assistant Administrator terpretation offers state certifications as Barcelona. Tel: 93 581 27 61/62 Fax: 93 581 Andre Moskowitz a medical, administrative hearings, or 27 62) organizará un Curso de traducción 1040 Evelyn Avenue, Apt. 2 court interpreter. For details: Tel: 562- jurídica al castellano. Para obtener infor- Albany, CA 94706 863-0026 Fax: 310-544-8288 URL: http:// mación detallada, disponen del si-guiente Phone: 510-527-8659 www.interpreting.com . correo electrónico: [email protected] Fax: 510-527-8662 E-mail: [email protected] The University of Charleston, SC offers SpanSIG bimonthly meeting of AATIA both a Graduate Certificate and Master of (Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Arts program in court interpreting. For Newsletter Editor Association) Saturday, September 11, from further information and application forms Pilar Saslow 10AM-12 noon at the Austin History Cen- contact the Graduate School Office via e- ter, Guadalupe & 9th streets, Tel.: 512-441- 289 Meadowlark Drive mail: [email protected] or via telephone: 5582, Fax: 512-441-3983 or e-mail: HarvieJor- Ballston Sp a, NY 12020 843-953-5614 or URL: www.cofc.edu/ [email protected] URL: http://aatia. Phone: 518-884-8072 ~legalint. org/ Fax: 518-884-9507 E-mail: pilarsaslow August @compuserve.com Terminología médica para fines de tra- Special thanks to Theresa López, Carlo Ori- E-mail: [email protected] ducción e interpretación, August 16-20 ana, Harvie Jordan, and Diane Teichman 1999 7PM-9PM Enrollment and fees are for providing information for this column. due by August 13. Location: CESLAA Proofreading Centro de Estudios de Lingüística Apli- The writer of this column has been in- Patricia Jacobs, Cristina Lambert, Di- cada (CESLAA), Matías Romero 102, volved in the translation, teaching, and ana Sherer. Colonia del Valle interpretation of Spanish for more than Ciudad de México, D.F. 03100 twenty years. He resides in South Carolina. Opinions expressed in this Newsletter Tel.: 00-52-5-575-1588 are solely those of their authors. Arti- Fax: 00-52-5-575-1132 cles submitted become the property of E-mail: [email protected] If you would like your events listed in this
IntercambiosIntercambios and are subject to calendar, please forward pertinent infor- Literary Translation Weekend editing. Materials for publication mation to Daniel MacDougall FLATA is sponsoring this event. Friday, [email protected] may be mailed, e-mailed or faxed to August 27 through Sunday, the 29th. Its the editor at the address listed above. main presenter is Margaret Sayers Peden, Suggested length limits: articles 1200 a highly acclaimed U.S. translator. She words, reviews 500 words, letters 300
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Third Forum in Vic,1. Spain, Hailed a Success By Vernon Collins
four to six-member panels of experts on first and only conference that I have The Third Forum on Translation in translation and interpretation and cov- attended where various theoretical Vic, Spain, entitled “Training Trans- ered such topics as didactics, transla- camps in translation studies met and lators and Interpreters: New Direc- tion theory, institutional translating discussed, face to face, their differ- tions for the Millennium,” was held and interpreting, literary translation, ences. The broadest difference exists on May 12-15, 1999 at the Universi- new technology, research methodol- between linguistics and cultural stud- tat de Vic’s School of Translation ogy, and cultural awareness. For this ies. Current translation studies are and Interpreting. Participants in the article I asked some of the expert panel- broadly fragmented into varieties of forum included 20 professors from ists for their insights. Mr. Lawrence linguistics and of cultural studies. This the Universitat de Vic’s Department Venuti, the author of several books on fragmentation was the most urgent is- of Humanities, Translation and translation (most recently The Scan- sue debated at the Vic conference and Documentation, which hosted the dals of Translation: Toward an Ethics it is likely to shape the coming debates event, and 20 guest professors from of Difference, 1998) and currently a in translation studies in the new millen- prestigious universities around the Fulbright lecturer in translation studies nium.” world. Also in attendance were 55 at the Universitat de Vic, was kind According to Mr. Venuti, however, translators and interpreters from the enough to tell me the following: “What the most important result of the United States, England, Hungary, made the Vic conference unique was conference was “…the general sense Finland, Sweden, Italy, Kuwait, not only the format---the idea that par- that the different constituencies in Mexico, Guatemala, and from Span- ticipants were asked to read other par- translation studies could fruitfully dis- ish universities in the Canary Is- ticipants’ papers beforehand in order cuss their differences, even if lands, Vigo, and Madrid. to discuss them at the conference---but the conference produced no clear-cut The plenary sessions were led by mainly the issues raised: this is the compromises or reconciliations. It
Where Do the Missouri and the Mississippi Meet? By Ann G. Macfarlane, ATA Conference Organizer
Where do the Missouri and the Wednesday (there is an extra fee for events in the planning stages. If you Mississippi meet? In St. Louis, of these three-hour, in-depth presenta- are an interpreter, or work in science course, which is where we hope tions). I offer my heartfelt thanks to and technology, or love literature; if many members of the Spanish those of you who are sharing your you are in business for yourself, or if Language Division will meet for expertise with your colleagues by you want to know more about train- our fortieth annual conference making presentations in November. ing and pedagogy, St. Louis will have November 3 to 6, 1999. As confer- Your generosity is very much appre- much to offer. ence organizer, I’ve just put the ciated. The conference will have a number Preliminary Program “to bed,” and Educational sessions are not the of “extra-curricular activities” as well. I can report that we have a very whole of the conference, however. This year we will offer a bowling eve- strong slate of Spanish-language In addition, there will be our custom- ning for those who enjoy the sport, presentations. ary networking opportunities as well as tours of local attractions Thanks to the efforts of Andre through the Job Exchange, open including St. Louis churches, the Moskowitz, chair of the Division throughout the conference; the Net- Cahokia Mounds, and Forest Park, Conference Committee, and the working Reception on Thursday home of the 1904 St. Louis Fair (a indefatigable Alicia Agnese and evening; and the SPD reception, a grand greensward larger than Central Pimpi Coggins, organizers of the big hit in Hilton Head, which will be Park). St. Louis is famous for its music Spanish Forum, we have nineteen repeated again this year. (The first around the world, but its interesting Spanish-language educational two are open to all conference- ethnic neighborhoods are perhaps presentations, a record for the goers, but you will need to sign up less well known. And of course, if ATA. And that’s not even count- for the reception when you register you like games of chance, there is ing four Spanish-specific pre- for the conference). riverboat gambling available on the conference seminars, available on Other divisions also have their aforesaid Mississippi. The Regal
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(continued on page 4) Multicultural Spanish Dictionary (continued from page 3) Schreiber Publishing, 1999
http://www.schreibernet.com should be considered the first in a ISBN: 1-887563-45-8 series of dialogues that are Price: $24.95 necessary to advance translator re- search and training.” Reviewed by Alicia Gordon Teresa Julio, the forum’s general This is a cute little glossary at a reasonable price, purporting to show the diversity coordinator and a faculty member of of Spanish usage across the Spanish-speaking world. I can see it gracing the the Universitat de Vic, echoed Mr. shelves of a Barnes and Noble, but gracing a translator’s shelf? What translator will Venuti’s sentiments: “Personally, I not take them to task for the very example placed on the cover of the book and in think this forum was a success be- the publicity: cause we reached our intended goal of generating debate among the par- Grocery ticipants instead of having them sim- Mexico: Super El Salvador: Pulpería ply read their papers. In fact, the Spain: Supermercado Colombia: Mercado discussions were so spirited that Cuba: Bodega Costa Rica: Compras many of the sessions had to be ex- Puerto Rico: Colmado Venezuela: Abastos tended beyond their regularly sched- Dom. Republic: Víveres Panama: Abarrotería uled two and one-half hours. That Guatemala: Tienda Uruguay: Almacén alone says a great deal about the participants’ interest in the subject My eye jumped to Spain, and granted it’s changed since the 10 years I lived matter. Having the opportunity to there, but I never would have called the corner market a supermercado, nor would hear world-renowned experts on residents today. I might wonder what ultramarinos are, but I won’t find that out in translation and interpretation train- this book. So when it comes down to the crunch, will this glossary be helpful? Or ing could it lead to mistranslation? share their views and insights with The editor seems to have approached this as an anecdotal exercise rather than such openness and energy was truly as a serious research tool, and that’s fine and good, but it brings the book down to exciting.” the level of a mini tour guide. One translator from each country—the book lists 18 The Universitat de Vic’s School of contributors, and claims most are ATA members—is just not enough to provide Translation and Interpreting cur- any depth of coverage or cross-checking for accuracy. An introductory disclaimer rently has 380 students and offers in the glossary stating that it would be impossible to be exhaustive does not help undergraduate, master’s, and doc- the issue. toral degrees in translation and in- While lookup is easy and there are serviceable entries for terms such as “bus,” terpretation, a master’s degree in “car,” “to drive,” “to park,” “refrigerator,” and so on, the terms I’ve dealt with in my conference interpreting, and an in- work (for example, “school dropout”) are nowhere to be found. Others fail to alert tensive course in liaison interpreting. you to the nuances words can have in different parts of the world, like chaqueta or The First Forum in Vic concerned the coger. For those who do drug-related translations, would you think to look under translation of philosophical materi- “marijuana cigarette,” or might you have hoped to find porro under “joint,” and are als; the Second Forum dealt with there not other countries besides Argentina that call the thing a porro? And what the translation of poetry. The Fourth about the habichuelas I used to eat in Spain? It would appear that word isn’t used Forum in Vic, tentatively scheduled in the peninsula. Nor did it have the Mexican name for “aloe vera” that I could have for 2000, will cover the subject of used with my gardeners the other day. In addition, no coverage is given to U.S. translating for the theater. variants of Spanish.
For a book like this to make sense, it needs to go the extra mile, aiming precisely Vernon Collins is an ATA member for being comprehensive, and indicating nuances in meaning, accepted and unac- and an in-house translator em- cepted usage, slang, and colloquialisms. Otherwise, we’re best off if we try to stick ployed by Rotary International in to as neutral a form of Spanish as possible so we don’t put our foot in our mouth, or Evanston, Illinois to pull out another resource if we need to look up the local name for some nuts and bolts. Imagine your script translation for the next James Bond film in Colombia, lis ting the stuntman as “aquel que realiza los trucos.” I can just see the credits rolling.
After a stint as a sound engineer, commercial producer and artist manager in the entertainment industry, Alicia found her true love translating Spanish and French
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Quality Cannot Be Reviewed Into a Translation By Mercedes M. Pellet
Dr. W. Edwards Deming revolution- right type of dictionaries and refer- the translator, NOT the text -as-approved- ized post-war Japan with the basic ence material. If, for instance, our by-the-marketing-and-legal departments. concepts of the modern quality area of expertise is computer technol- On the other hand, if the text is part of a movement. One of his 14 Points for ogy, we may be able to handle a gen- required legal process, it will be neces- Management summarizes a simple eral medical translation but we might sary to maintain the ambiguities that have concept: “Stop dependence on in- be out of our depth when translating been purposely drafted into the docu- spection to achieve quality. Eliminate a highly technical paper on genetic ment. the need for inspection... by building engineering. I have found that it is The U.S. is an essentially monolingual quality into the product in the first not always wise to take the client’s country that is still trying to identify the place.” word regarding the type of text that place of translation as a business. There- Five years after Dr. Deming’s needs to be translated. There have fore, we in the translation business death, the translation industry is still been many instances where I have should not raise our eyebrows when a trying to determine who has the ulti- been prepared to do a translation of client expresses something that we know mate responsibility for quality. Is it a piece on electronics, only to find to be fallacious. For instance, when I hear the client? The translator? The trans- that the subject is quality or cus- that a document has to be translated into lation company? The independent tomer service. The only electronic Portuguese Spanish, I recognize that I reviewer? The client’s reviewer? To terminology is the one used by the need to be very inquisitive to make sure apply Dr. Deming’s concept to trans- client in the purchase order. that the translation is what the client lation, we have to start with us — as The targets of the source text wants and needs. That is why the ques- translators, we are the ones that must and the translated text may be differ- tion of “Where is the translated text go- build quality into the product in the ent. This difference was brought ing” is important. first place. And the way to do that is home to me many years ago when I by disciplining ourselves to system- translated a training course for Latin Pre-Translation Check atically analyze the source text before American mechanics. The target After these basic questions have been even thinking about translation. audience of the English program answered, I use a simple checklist for consisted of unionized mechanics, each translation to make sure that I follow What Are We Looking For? with an average annual salary of a systematic approach while doing the When reviewing a text that is go- $30,000 and firmly entrenched in the text -specific analysis. ing to be translated, there are four U.S. middle class. However, the tar- Some of these questions have helped basic questions that have to be an- get of the Spanish program may have me to incorporate quality into the basic swered at the beginning: an annual salary ten times lower and translation. I am sure that many of you · What type of text is it? belonged to the lowest economic have similar checklists, either on paper or · Who is the target of the source and social class. The examples used as mental guidelines. As anybody who text and the translated text? in the video would not work, regard- has ever had to correct a bad translation · Why does someone want to pay less of how well I translated them, can attest, Dr. Deming was right: It is a lot to have this text translated? unless they were adapted to a differ- easier — and cheaper — to incorporate · Where is it going? ent target audience. It is not a coincidence that these The “why does someone want to INTERCAMBIOS IS PRINTED AND are the same questions that every pay to get a text translated” is sig- young reporter is taught to ask when nificant to the translator because it MAILED FROM ATA HEADQUAR- covering a story. These are the ques- signals how much flexibility the TERS. THEREFORE, IF YOU HAVE tions that lead to the essential facts, translator has in stretching the text ADDRESS CHANGES CONTACT : which, as translators, can be called to meet the end user, rather than
“positioning facts” because they leaving it up to him or her to figure it serve as preliminary guidelines. out. For instance, if a client wants a 225 Reinekers Lane, Ste. 590 The type of text is important be- corporate English text to be used to Alexandria, VA 22314 cause it determines whether it is go- market a product to France, a highly Phone: 703-683-6100 ing to require special research, accurate translation that sticks to the Fax: 703-683-6122 whether we are going to know how to original like Velcro might be a disas- E-mail: [email protected] handle it, and whether we have the ter and the unhappy client will blame
5 Intercambios (continued on page 6) Message from the Admin- I am sure you will all enjoy it and find continued efforts. it useful now that it is operational. 1. istratror... ( Once Espalista is successfully work- f (continued from page 1) ing, we will devote our energies to JOINf OTHER MEMBERS developing our web page and expect OF THEf SPANISH LAN- More details about the 1999 to have it operational in the course of f Annual Conference, including a the year. Please contact Xosé or Cris- GUAGEf DIVISION VIA brief description of all of the Span- tina if you are interested in helping or l l ESPALISTA ish-related sessions, will be in- if you have any questions or com- l ments or, more importantly, if you cluded in our next newsletter is- ¨ Do lyou have to verify usage of a sue. And while on the subject of wish to volunteer your talents. term?f the Annual Conference, let’s not We certainly look forward to ¨ Do fyou need to know how a forget our great event last year. I your participation and input to make wordf is spelled? encourage each of you to take our division the great professional ¨ Do fyou need to contact other advantage of the educational op- resource we want it to become. colleaguesi who mainly translate portunities offered last year by Englisht & Spanish? Alicia Marshall obtaining a copy of the SPD publi- . cation compiling several of the Spanish-related papers presented All you Ineed is an e-mail account and at Hilton Head. Many copies have willingness to participate. already been sold, and at $10 each ATTENTION So far, wea have 300 suscribers and the it is an excellent buy. Place your m DO NOT MISS THE discussions and questions have been order with ATA Headquarters. SPANISH LANGUAGE very interesting.s ATA Headquarters has ad- u vised us that the division roster DIVISION RECEPTION! To suscriber send the message:
should be in our hands soon after suscribee to: the ATA Membership Directory is Make sure you sign up for the recep- [email protected] distributed. So be patient and tion when you register for the confer- y
watch your mailbox. Regarding ence. Last year the tickets were sold o If you haveu any technical questions, Espalista, we thank Xosé Castro out! contact the list moderator: and Cristina Márquez for their [email protected] i
draws you, too, to the meeting place of Jornadas de traducción e
the two great rivers, the Mississippi interpretación (continued from page 3) and the Missouri. I’d love to meet you
in St. Louis! inglés – español Riverfront, a pleasant establishment Useful sources: offering us a highly favorable room http://stlouis.missouri.org and www. Washington, D.C. rate ($118 plus tax), is just minutes explorestlouis.com. Octubre de 1999 from the river, the Gateway Arch, See also the April 16, 1999 issue of the and the Museum of Westward Ex- New York Times for a lengthy article organizadas por pansion. by R. W. Apple, Jr. (pp. B29 and 38) Recent issues of the ATA and the April 1999 issue of alicia agnese & associates Chronicle have carried more details Gourmet about transportation, history, and for “St Louis: A Dining Guide” (pp. 70- presentadas por amb ience in St. Louis. A few other 79). Traducción Interpretación sources for interesting details about Alicia Agnese Eta Trabing the city and its attractions are given Pimpi Coggins Cristina below. I hope that you will find that Helmerichs the combination of a great set of Si desea más información, diríjase Spanish-language sessions, net- a working with your lively colleagues, and a fascinating historical city
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Community translation and interpretation in rural areas By Katharine Allen This article outlines some of the interpreters to be individuals who nity interpreter can be more complex challenges unique to the rural com- either work for social service agen- and varied. Isolation is usually two- munity interpreter and translator, cies (usually in some primary capaci- fold. First, there are challenges related which I consider myself to be. ty other than as an interpreter) or to the job, either within an agency or While the challenges are many, I work as freelance interpreters hired as a freelancer. Second, there are pro- will focus on the following: isola- by a variety of social service agen- fessional development issues. (While tion and its consequences, ethical cies and other service providers. In much of this discussion may not seem issues, and pay. Discussion is neither case are they “neutral inter- to be strictly relevant to interpretation based on my own experiences and preters,” but rather act as advocates, issues, I feel they are. As a community musings, as well as observations teachers and brokers for their cli- interpreter, almost all facets of your job from several colleagues. Over the ents, helping them to gain access to are connected to the goals of commu- past few years, as I have gained services and to facilitate better com- nicating and advocating for your cli- access to professional organiza- munication and cultural understand- ents.) tions, the breadth and scope of the ing. A community translator plays In rural areas, social service provid- translation and interpretation field the same role, except with the written ers generally are underfunded, under- has become much more clear to me. word. I understand that “community staffed, and have difficulty recruiting Rarely, however, do I see the reali- translator” hasn’t exactly made it qualified personnel. Agencies are ties faced by rural interpreters and into the lexicon of accepted speciali- lucky to have any bilingual staff at all. translators reflected in articles, at zations in the translation field. None- Usually, one person is hired to “serve” seminars and conferences, or in the ethnic minority, often to fulfill state online discussions. I believe the or federal mandates attached to fund- challenges to the rural language In neither case are ing. If you are this lone bilingual em- professional are relevant to the ployee, it is likely that you will experi- field in general and are worthy of they “neutral ence several consequences. To begin discussion. with, regardless of what you were I live in an “extreme rural” interpreters”, but hired to do, you become the Hispanic county in central eastern California, “expert” on staff and are expected to with just over 10,000 people living rather act as cover all the needs of Hispanic clients. in an area three times the size of advocates, teachers Your coworkers assume you have a Rhode Island. Hispanics comprise complete understanding of Hispanic 15 to 20% of the population. They and brokers for culture as well as complete command are a very new, fast-growing mi- of written and spoken Spanish (which, grant community, working in low- of course, is rarely the case). They ex- paid service sector jobs in a tour- pect you to know what the community ism-based economy. I work as a theless, I believe they exist in any thinks about all kinds of issues, and Spanish language freelance com- kind of social service setting, in how they will react to current events, munity interpreter and translator, translating forms, letters, flyers, bro- planned services or the like. Further- hired primarily by the local schools, chures, and newsletters. Top priority more, it is often difficult to get the con- health department, office of educa- is placed on effectively outreaching cept across that the “Hispanic commu- tion, lawyers, early intervention the target population, even if it nity” is not monolithic, but is com- agencies, and medical providers. means significantly altering or add- prised of many groups from differing My professional background is in ing to the original document. For provinces and nationalities and that the social service, mental health, convenience, I will use the term com- there can be a big difference between a and community development are- munity interpreter to apply to both client who comes from a rural, versus nas. I have also lived and worked in interpretation and translation. urban environment. Your agency may Argentina and Chile. I have been Isolation be resistant to the notion that it also involved in the translation and in- Isolation is a major challenge to needs to be educated as to how to terpretation field for more than 10 most service providers in rural areas best serve Hispanic clientele. So even years, yet consider myself a new- and many of the points made here though you are hired to implement cul- comer to the profession. will apply to the non-bilingual work- turally appropriate services, it can be For the sake of clarity in this er as well. However, the conse- difficult to change how services are discussion, I consider community quences of isolation for the commu- provided to make them more accessi-
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(ble.continued from page 8)
(continued on page 10) Pre -translation Check
1. Terminology El subjuntivo Are there industry and company porspecific Vicente terms? Verdú Have they been translated be- Enfore? varias oportunidades recientes, leyendo libros o artículos, he tropezado con autores que,Is there como any los existing ecologistas terminology? de la lengua, Can the alertan client sobre provide la creciente it? In what desaparición format? del sub- juntivo. En los diarios, en las conversaciones, en la radio o la televisión, se habla o es- cribe2. English ya sustituyendo Text el subjuntivo por el presente de indicativo o, cuando no, en las frasesIs there de any condicional, text that should empleando not be el translated? subjuntivo Ifen so, lugar how del will pretérito it be handled? imperfecto. Curio- samente,(For example, no es English, sólo un followedfenómeno by español. the target language in parentheses, and then consistentEn francés, use of por italicized ejemplo, English) han dejado de emplearse corrientemente verbos tan evocadores como los que terminan en eussent o assent. Quienes pretenden hablar3. Acronyms francés usándolos, pasan ahora por extravagantes. Pero en italiano sucede prác- tAreicamente there anylo mismo. unexplained Tampoco acronyms? se utilizan cuando se debería expresiones como se io an- dassi.Should Finalmente, they be expanded en cuanto or translated?al inglés, el subjuntivo ha dejado de existir entre los inmi- grantesAre there y losequivalent más jóvenes. acronyms in the target language? A los muchachos españoles que hablan castellano les resulta igualmente difícil, lo que4. T ypese ve, of expresarseText/Tone diciendoof English "estaremos allí cuando ella venga" y dicen: "Estaremos allí cuando Type ella viene". De laTone misma manera, a menudo, no se usa la forma "si me tocara la lotería Informative me compraría un piso",Formal sino "si me tocaba la lotería me compraría un piso". El subjuntivo Literature va hundiéndose Informal como un pez enfermo bajo la superficie del idioma. Pero Instructional ¿tan grave resulta laMotivational pérdida del subjuntivo?, le preguntaron a Umberto Eco para Technicalel libro titulado significativamente Elegant El fin de los tiempos. Y Eco contestó: "Me parece Marketing muy importante el subjuntivo Colloquial porque él es el único que expresa el tiempo de la hipótesis y de lo po sible, de Legalis lo no-tiscreal". El subjuntivo es, en efecto, el tiempo que crea en el habla y la escritura la Humourousescena cóncava de la suposición. Gracias al subjuntivo se añade una trasrealidad como Other el forro de raso a un vestido de noche o, en suma, como la dimensión donde se desdobla el soñado cuerpo del lenguaje. La última novela de Juan José5. Unclear Millás, English/Contextual El orden alfabético Problems, está obsesivamente centrada en el extravío de palabrasThere are y someformas. unclear Y con phrases/sentences la experiencia de suin thelectura source se siente text which el pavor require de la clar mutili- ación. Elfication pavor before a la disgregación translating. suave del cerebro y del espíritu por el continuado desmedro delSome habla. of the source text may need to be modified to adapt it to the target audi- ence.
1.6. Colloquial Expressions There are some colloquial expressions in the source text that will need special handling: either by using a parallel colloquial expression in the target language, by changing the expression to standard language or by explaining what the expression means in the source language. 1. 7. Contact Information Are there any local toll-free numbers and special in-country contact references used? What will be necessary for an international caller/visitor to establish contact?
8. Conversions/Measurements Should all measurements be converted into those used in the target country?
9. Examples Are there examples that contain country-specific names? Can they be trans- lated?
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Localización y traducción de software por Graciela Steinberg
Algunas reflexiones sobre el curso informática comienzn a pensar en la veinte idiomas”. dictado en Buenos Aires durante el comercialización de software y hard- El papel preponderante de la ter- mes de junio de 1999 por las traduc- ware para el usuario final, IBM percibe minología dentro de la localización toras Angela Ciocca, Graciela Gian- la importancia de la traducción en ese de software puede analizarse desde natelli de White y Cristina Márquez proceso y crea el Centro de Traduccio- distintos ángulos: la necesidad de Arroyo nes para América Latina. Este Centro se administrar terminología y lograr que creó sobre la base del Centro de Tra- el equipo de traducción trabaje con Durante la última conferencia en Hil- ducciones de Montreal, Canadá, que ya coherencia por un lado, y la necesi- ton Head, a la cual asistí en represen- en 1980 tenía sistemas de traducción en dad de crear nombres para los tación del Colegio de Traductores de línea y un equipo de traductores que nuevos conceptos por el otro, ya la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (CTPCBA), compartía bases de datos con termi- que la creación de nuevos produc- tuve el placer de conocer a muchos nología por productos entre Francia y tos conlleva la necesidad de generar colegas, entre ellos a Cristina Márquez Canadá”. nombres para denominarlos. Por esta Arroyo. Desde hace unos cuantos Cristina recordaba que la primera razón, actualmente, la figura del ter- años, Cristina trabaja en localización “localización” de un producto IBM fue minólogo está adquiriendo una gran de software. la traducción de los teclados y manua- importancia dentro del equipo de En la Argentina, este tema aparecía les de una serie de máquinas de escribir localización. “Generalmente, esta principalmente en las revistas interna- con memoria fabricadas en Lexington, función la desempeña un represen- cionales que habitualmente recibimos. Kentucky. “Si en ese momento lo llama- tante del cliente, al que los traducto- Pero, en general, era y sigue siendo un mos 'localización' fue porque no pudi- res entregan sus glosarios para con- tema desconocido para la mayoría de mos lograr una traducción única en validar los términos que serán poste- nuestros colegas. En el CTPCBA pen- español que pudiera cubrir las necesida- riormente distribuidos entre todos samos que una de las principales her- des de todos los países de habla his- los integrantes del equipo”. ramientas para conseguir el grado de pana. Se produjeron traducciones reconocimiento profesional que todos 'locales' para España y el resto de Amé- El traductor frente al terminólogo: esperamos es la permanente capaci- rica Latina, respectivamente.” El traductor es un productor de tación profesional. Así fue que, des- En la actualidad, las cosas han cam- texto. Trabaja con conceptos y tér- pués de mucho insistir, tres argentinas biado: en la era del outsourcing, las em- minos (términos que está producien- pioneras en el campo de la locali- presas tercerizan (en Argentina), o ex- do el terminólogo). No obstante, zación, Cristina Márquez Arroyo, Gra- ternalizan (en España) los servicios de necesita comprender la tarea del ter- ciela Giannatelli de White (ambas traducción, y las agencias, que ahora minólogo para tomar decisiones so- desde Estados Unidos) y Angela son “language engineering compa- bre neologismos o distintas formas Ciocca (desde Argentina), antiguas nies”, contratan al traductor-localizador. de expresión. En realidad, muchas compañeras de trabajo en IBM, se En pocas palabras, “la localización veces, el traductor realiza tareas de unieron electrónicamente para diagra- es el proceso de adaptación y traduc- terminólogo. mar el curso que darían en Buenos ción de aplicaciones de software a otro “El terminólogo se inició profe- Aires. Y no tuvo desperdicio. Durante idioma a fin de que resulten adecuadas, sionalmente como traductor y pro- cuatro días nos sumergimos en un desde el punto de vista cultural y duce conceptos. Registra hechos de área que se recorta claramente como lingüístico, para un mercado local es- la 'lengua', pero puede utilizar los una nueva especialización del traduc- pecífico”. actos de la 'palabra' para extraer la tor. Indudablemente, nuestra profe- Detrás de un proyecto de locali- información que necesita documen- sión busca redefinirse dentro de este zación de software generalmente hay tar; aísla los términos del contexto y nuevo escenario globalizado y adap- todo un equipo que involucra no sólo al los asocia a conceptos”. La tarea de tarse a las nuevas necesidades con la traductor, sino a programadores, investigación y compilación de glo- celeridad que hoy requiere el diseñadores, traductores, terminólogos sarios y diccionarios exige una gran tratamiento de la información. La exp e- etc. Nuestras colegas destacaron la im- capacidad de organización y experi- riencia que tienen las tres es muy portancia de las agencias en la organi- encia práctica en consulta de dic- sólida, porque participaron en la zación y administración de este volu- cionarios e identificación de neolo- “cocina” de la localización. Así nos men de proyectos: “la traducción debe gismos. comentaban: “cuando las empresas de hacerse simultáneamente a más de Después de recorrer rápidamente
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Community interpretation... sulate.” You may work for a domestic vio- faced by the community interpreter re- (continued from page 7 lence agency, but clients will come to you lates to the difficulty of continuing pro- with their immigration and legal papers, fessional development. Forming any kind Other consequences of being the only taxes, electric bills, medical woes, and em- of network with other bilingual employees bilingual staff member include being ployment and housing problems, to name doing the same kind of work or with other asked to do time-consuming but a few. In order to gain their trust and freelance translators is extremely problem- written translations of all kinds of agency do the job you were actually hired to do, atic. Training, conferences and seminars documents, without the dictionaries or you can’t just turn them away. Most of all take place at least a five hour’s drive resources necessary to do a good job, your clients come from countries without away from the rural area I live in. In the and without receiving extra pay for speak- social service infrastructure, and their un- winter, mountain passes are closed due to ing two languages (even when this is the familiarity with the U.S. system is a con- snowfall, making the distances even norm at the agency’s urban counter- stant interpretation and teaching chal- greater and the travel more hazardous. So parts). Also, if you happen to be His- lenge. I have become an expert resource even if you are on the mailing list of panic, you face varying degres of overt and referral source, compiling phone num- groups providing training, you can rarely and covert racism, as well as just plain bers of people from all over the state who attend. As an employee, you are forced to cultural ignorance within the agency and might actually be able to provide some “recreate the wheel” when designing are further tokenized for being the only kind of help. service programs, even though you know minority on staff. (The freelance commu- As a freelancer, jack-of-all-trade issues others are doing the same thing els e- nity interpreter faces most of the same affect you somewhat differently. You have where and probably already have a lot of consequences of being the lone staff in- more freedom to meet the needs of your the kinks worked out. terpreter, except they are spread out over clients because you aren’t restricted by As a freelancer, access to professional the various agencies that hire him or her. I any agency mandates. However, people development is very challenging. Where I often find that educating the agency that call on you for all kinds of interpreting and live, there is only one other freelance in- hires me to serve their Hispanic client is a translating, whether or not you are familiar terpreter, and he works mostly for the much bigger challenge than interacting with the subject matter. If I lived in an ur- courts. I am the only licensed translation with the client.) ban area, I would probably refer these business in a two-county area. My only Another result of being the only bilin- calls to someone more qualified. In a rural link to the profession is online and gual staff member is the “jack-of-all- area, there usually isn’t anyone else. The through professional publications, and trades phenomenon.” On your side, you choice for the client becomes either less that access is relatively recent. Four years inevitably end up providing services or than perfect communication or none at all. ago, there was no local Internet provider performing job duties for which you are So I often accept the job, educate myself and access to the World Wide Web was not qualified, and your clients sometimes as best I can, and explain over and over to a dream. Professional development there- suffer because of it. On the client’s side, the person hiring me what my limitations fore becomes a challenge in creativity. you become what my colleagues and I are. Correspondence and e-mail classes are half-jokingly refer to as the “foreign con- The second type of isolation problems usually the only way of furthering trans-
los elementos de búsqueda termi- (pero que también funciona para ual para ingenieros. nológica disponibles, nuestras ahorrar costos) Nuestras colegas no ahorraron ma- El proceso de localización es un ver- terial a la hora de “poner manos a la (continúa en la página 10) dadero desafío. A diferencia de la traduc- obra”: repasamos una gran variedad ción convencional, el traductor se ve de casos, distintos formatos, tipos de Localización y traducción... sumamente limitado por los espacios archivos, sistemas de ayuda y la im- (viene de la página 9) asignados a su trabajo. En el caso del portancia del control de calidad. firmware, que son los mensajes que colegas destacaron la importancia de la aparecen en el panel de control o pantalla Herramientas de traducción educación terminológica del cliente; es de cristal líquido (LCD) de un dispositivo, Los avances tecnológicos no nos decir, cuando se lanza un nuevo pro- el desafío es aún mayor. Como siempre, la dejarán sin trabajo. Por el contrario, ducto, el cliente debe tener en claro la imaginación es nuestra gran aliada. Una deberemos trabajar mucho más, por- existencia e importancia de los distintos vez definidos estos puntos es imp ortan- que ahora se nos exige no sólo mane- tipos de español según el mercado: tísimo saber cuál es el registro de lengua jar con eficiencia las complejidades de · América Latina (Argentina/ que se dará a la traducción; es decir, no la lengua sino también la permanente México) es lo mismo traducir un juego electrónico adaptación a las nuevas herramientas · España para niños que un manual para usuarios tecnológicas. La necesidad de traducir · Neutro, o sea sin sabor regional finales sin experiencia técnica o un man- productos globalizados en poco
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SEARCHING THE INTERNET: "Stumped? The answer may be on the Net...somewhere!"
How can we use the vast but un- longing to an individual (the quality all lower case when entering your wieldy resources the Internet offers varies, so use your judgment) keywords.Another option is the "wild us? What criteria can we translators .se, .fr, .uk, .es, etc. specific country card"(indicated by an * [asterisk] in use with maximum efficiency in order extensions the middle of a word). to find the most relevant, valid, cur- Judge the quality of the language This will yield spelling variants rent and authoritative sites, glossa- used on the page as to grammar, spell- such as those between U.K. and U.S. ries, and terms which are appropriate ing, and use of specialized terminology. English. The asterisk can replace up to the register, languages, fields, Was the page written by a native to five letters and is good way to re- countries, and other specifications speaker of the respective language? place diacriticals, which tend to turn that our work may require? Evaluate the page’s content for its into gibberish over the Internet. On March 27, 1999, Susan Larsson relevance and quality: Does the page The “percent sign” (%) replaces repeated the popular workshop that belong to your client company? Are the one letter only, in Northern Light and she and Manon Bergeron presented links "live"and well maintained? Is it a few other search engines. This op- at the American Translators Associa- current? When was the page last up- tion is good for replacing one ac- tion's conference last November. In dated? Look for citations of references, cented letter in a given word. less than two hours, a room filled bibliographies, and credentials. with translators and interpreters Alta Vista learned from, and occasionally con- Choosing engines The Boolean command "NEAR" tributed to, Ms. Larsson's treasury of Several search engines were dis- means that you are searching for uses tips and tools for searching the Inter- cussed in specific detail. Many of the of your keywords within the same net. Participants also benefitted from options and tools can be used on vari- sentence, and within ten words of handouts giving search-engine ous search engines. each other. You can search by lan- URLs, outlining supplementary To search, for example, Alta Vista , one guage; Alta Vista offers the most ex- points, and giving concrete examples of the best of the search engines, you tensive list of languages. of specific search engines, commands must ask the right question, using one By selecting "Set Preferences," you and procedures.To better ensure that or more of the following: can customize the Alta Vista page a given web page or search has and you can separate pages for differ- yielded valid information, ask your- 1 Boolean logic: "AND" "OR" "AND ent languages or for text only, etc. self certain questions, such as: NOT" (.) “NEAR” (These must ap- Then you can bookmark (save the Does the purpose of the page pear in upper case between your URL of) your customized page in or- match the purpose of the text you are keywords.) der to return directly to the options translating? you have pre-selected. Is the nature of the site research- 2 Symbols: _ - + "[.]"(The hyphen is You can also search for a picture. If oriented, commercial, technical, etc.? equivalent to the Boolean "AND you are looking for a picture of (Try to match your search results to NOT" filter. The quotation marks Shakespeare, try typing in image: the kind of job you are doing.) "lock in" the enclosed words as an Shakespeare Who is the author of the site and entire phrase so that the elements what is that author's agenda?The or words will not be searched for URL (address of the web page) itself separately.) Northern Light will give you some clues when you This is one of Ms. Larsson's favor- look at the extension, such as: 3 Truncation: cutting a word short; ite search engines. It helps break .com commercial (gives you infor- for example, policy>polic>poli down your search results into folders. mation from a company's point of (etc.). (Most search engines will There are also other categories view) allow for this technique.) ("folders") at the left of the screen .edu educational (this extension which mostly correspond to the ex- may be ".ac" if the institution is in the As for case sensitivity, when search- tensions mentioned above U.K.) ing for a proper name, it is better to use (commercial, personal, governmental, .gov governmental capital letters to begin each word educational sites, conferences, etc.) .org organizationalor non-profit (assuming that is the standard spelling On the right of the screen the spe- ~[a proper name]a personal page be- of the name). It is fine otherwise to use cific pages found in your search are
11 Intercambios listed. A power search allows you to can sometimes "hack back" a URL's Los traductores reclaman en specify, among others, the date, field extensions in order to find the home Gijón sus derechos de autor (continued on page 12) page, which may offer a search or por Rafael Quirós index feature. SEARCHING THE INTER- NET... Consider switching to a 33.3 kbps modem, which will noticeably speed Los traductores de libros reclaman sus (continued from page 11) derechos de autor y consideran que la up your search. traducción literaria también es una obra You do not need to confine yourself (title, URL), certain languages, countries, to a single browser. For example, the de arte. El presidente de la Sociedad subject, and news. You can also search Opera browser is good. Mundial de Traductores y director del by industry. centro británico, Peter Bush, espera que Bookmark Management del encuentro que estos especialistas HotBot Bookmarks (URLs saved in a desig- mantienen en el marco del II Salón del HotBot is a good alternative to Alta nated place for future reference) are Libro Iberoamericano de Gijón surja una Vista, depending on your language. In known by different names in different iniciativa que permita reconsiderar las HotBot, you can use Boolean commands browsers; for example, the bookmarks relaciones entre las editoriales y los or symbols, and you can search by date. in Opera are called the "Hotlist." traductores de libros. Maite Solana, There is also a drop-down menu of Start a new folder of bookmarks for directora de la Casa del Traductor de choices for search terms or options. Un- each translation project. In Netscape, España, con sede en Tarazona, cree que like other search engines, HotBot will you can edit and add folders, and you hasta ahora el traductor ha venido usually list the home page as the first can also edit bookmarks. siendo un mero puente entre lenguas, al page in your search results. Bookmark both your queries and your que se le pide que pase desapercibido y Other search tools include Inference finds. a quien se le acusa frecuentemente de FIND ["IF"] Use IF when you don't If you have clients requiring trans- interpretar libremente la obra original, know what you are looking for. IF does lation into British English, you can en el caso de que ésta no obtenga una not allow Boolean or other filters, but it check British English usage with the buena acogida en el mercado. Solana searches the Internet using six different following command: host:uk. To cita al escritor Milan Kundera, quien search engines. The results are grouped check Spanish usage in Mexico, or considera que “los traductores son los by categories. An important conclusion per- haps to see how common a que nos permiten vivir en el espacio is that each search engine is different. term is, try: Don't use just one! host:mx NUEVOS LIBROS
More Tips Meta-Search Engines Comunidades Europeas Here are more tips that Ms. Larsson These allow you to search lots of Libro de estilo interinstitucional shared with the participants. search engines from one location, and (Vademécum del editor) include MetaFind, Dogpile, Beau- Oficina de Publicaciones Oficiales de las To find a glossary in a specific field, try coup, and Mother.com. Comunidades Europeas, Luxemburgo, 1998 the command: +[field]+glossary [or the The mabercom website also has ISBN 92-78-14949-7 equivalent word for "glossary" in your links to various translator tools, such desired language]. Note: without the as Examine Valentín García Yebra plus signs, the above command would (a search tool for old translations), Diccionario de galicismos prosódicos y mean "EITHER [field] OR glossary." glossary management tools, and Alki morfológicos Software proofreading tools for MS Gredos, Madrid, 1999 For a term in a particular language, try: Word. ISBN 84-249-1999-8 +[term]+[language]. Each member of the audience at the presentation summarized above left Rebecca Posner These procedures do not always yield with a full plate of utilitarian devices Las lenguas romances perfect results, so keep asking questions and the challenge of employing them Cátedra, Madrid, 1998 of your search engines until you find profitably. ISBN 84-376-1635-2 what you need. It is important to know how the particular search engine works, Libro de Estilo whether by text, keyword, country, lan- El Informador (Diario independiente) guage, URL, or other search criteria. You Unión Editorial, S.A, de C.V., Guadalajara (México), 1999
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The Bottom Line by Fire Ant and Worker Bee (Chris Durban & Eugene Seidel)
A column with practical tips for already got a preferred field: medical (+ HIV research, etc. etc. practicing translators legal?). But even “medical” is vast. Try Notice names—of companies, to identify some particularly attractive people, products. Q: “translation products” (pharmaceutical Clip relevant articles and set Dear Fire Ant & Worker Bee, inserts? research papers? medical re- them aside. ports for insurance companies?...). After two or three weeks, you I worked in-house at an agency Build up a library of examples from dif- will start to recognize names and for four years but only went free- ferent sources. Study them. Identify issues that are hot. lance (F>E) last spring. what makes them good, then locate [Note: 1 to 3 can be done on the The transition has been difficult. comp anies likely to commission such Web, as one of our correspon- My former employer and I are on work. dents reminds us. Your costs excellent terms, but they don’t do Networking with fellow translators is will be lower. But a newspaper much into-English. I met some a good first step. But if you want to will bring in a more varied haul great translators through them build up a clientele, you must target and let you do your reading and have kept in touch, but these translation buyers, preferably direct away from the screen]. people work in other directions clients. and I’ve had no referrals. I’ve done Here are some suggestions. 4. Short-list the companies that a Glenn’s Guide mailing and have seem to be most active or ag- received many Translator Informa- 1. Set aside 4 or 5 hours a week to gressive in tackling markets tion Sheets to fill in, but not a lot find out who/where your custom- where your language combina- of actual jobs. ers are and what products they are tion is needed. In short, I am beginning to won- buying. der how a fledgling freelancer can 5. Use the Net to obtain informa- get her foot in the door! I know 2. Take out a 3 or 6-month subscrip- tion on them: order annual re- that I am an excellent translator tion to a business daily—even if ports and/or brochures in your (from glowing colleague/ you are not targeting the business language combinations. Study proofreader/agency feedback), but market, your potential clients are. this material. If the bilingual finding clients is turning out to be The business pages of your local documents are well translated, much harder than I had imagined. paper will not do the trick; if you use them to build up subject- I should mention that my pre- work into English, it’s got to be specific glossaries. If they are ferred subject matter is medical, the Wall Street Journal or the Fi- poorly done, you are in luck: and I have also done quite a bit of nancial Times. Remember; your these people need your services. legal translation. Do you have any market is international. Ideally, advice? you will be working for comp anies 6. Establish contact, preferably not outside the US, trying to sell their as a workseeker, but as a lan- Awaiting Big Break products and services to English- guage expert seeking back- speaking buyers. ground information from them— A: the subject-matter specialists. Dear Awaiting, 3. Every day—every single day— The work arrives automatically skim through the paper for 30-45 when they see how informed First the good news: the positive minutes. Note developments in and enthusiastic you are. feedback you have received puts your target markets. Watch for you in a stronger position than big-picture news—an EU deci- Three options come to mind: many fledglings. Without this, we sion; release of an industry report, · The glossary: contact your tar- would have advised you to solicit etc. But don’t neglect the details: get companies. Explain that you or commission a detailed critique of Company A moving into market B, are a translator, currently spe- a few pieces from an agency or fel- Institute C teaming up with Asso- cializing in their field. Mention in low freelance (or subject-matter ciation D, launch of a new drug for passing some international proj- specialist). treating malaria, breakthrough in ect that they’ve got on the boil More good news is that you’ve
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(shows you’ve done your homework). Q: house and start building up a sta- You are working Thebin work (who just commissioned keeps rolling that in and ble of contacts! Make sure that I can'tpoor keep tran up!slation, There anyway?). are only so everybody profits from the refer- (continued on page 14) manyAnd hours—this in isa day.important It seems — like ral. Your clients will appreciate a wasteactually to let phone all thos them.e potential your advice when you refer them The Bottom Line... earnings fall by the wayside. to another good translator instead (continued from page 13) Good luck! of simply turning down work. You SwampedFA&WB in Sweden can ask your colleague for a com- on a glossary. You have questions on mission of, say, 15% (a common three or four terms. Could one of their A: practice in the PR profession). Or engineers/researchers help? Dear Swamped, barter your recommendation for a You can do this by e-mail, but deposit in the "favor bank", to be phoning is more effective. Experts love Yours is an enviable dilemma. For- withdrawn when you need it. If to explain things; chances are, they will tunately, there are many different you want to simply "park" the be flattered by your request and genu- strategies for coping with growth. client with your colleague temp o- inely helpful. rarily, be upfront and But do not wear out your welcome. Ask 1.Defer it if you can... clear about that; in this case, the about three or four terms —no more. Thank the caller for the inquiry and colleague is doing you a favor so Offer to send your contacts a copy of say, regretfully, that you would do not expect a commission. your glossary as thanks for their assis- love to take on the assignment... if 3. Cash in on the bonanza. tance. If the opportunity comes up, they can extend the deadline. This When you ask the boss for a raise visit their lab/plant/office. does three things: (1) it signals to and are turned down, it's tough. · Attend a trade fair or two in your spe- the client that you are in demand, On the other hand, being in busi- cialism, and hit the booths with your confirming their choice of you as a ness for yourself means that you glossary project or simply to collect preferred supplier; (2) you come get as many chances to do this — bilingual documentation. Any of these across as a woman of her word, and also try out different strate- contacts may develop into work; even someone who would rather turn gies—as there are clients. It's Eco- if they don’t, you will learn a lot. down lucrative business than risk nomics 101, folks: the best—some · The free trial offer. Locate a poorly- delivering late and wreaking havoc say the only—time to up your translated document in your field and on a client's deadlines; (3) you rates is when you are so busy, retranslate a chunk of it. Poor foreign- never know: a couple of in-house you are turning down work. language websites are obvious candi- phone calls later, your client con- Curiously (or perhaps not), dates. Send your translation + photo- tact may be back in touch to tell many translators are squeamish copy of original text + photocopy of you that as it turns out, the dead- about plunging in and charging first translation to the company. Your line can be pushed back after all! what the market will bear. They cover letter should be short but pleas- 2....Refer it if you can't. claim that their clients will resent ant—a sentence or two indicating that Be prepared to make referrals to this and retaliate by not giving you know their industry, that you ap- able colleagues. Yes, we have all them business in leaner times preciate the outstanding quality of their met the colleague from hell who when the client no longer needs products/services, that you think the turned out to be a venomous them so badly. We beg to dis- text they’ve got does not do justice to snake, badmouthing you to the agree. For one thing, when the these products/services, that you think client and trying to steal your busi- cyclical downturn comes there will your text is more suitable. Do not ha- ness. May she roast on a spit over be less work anyway. You think rangue them about their original bad an open fire for many millenniae. clients will keep you busy then text. Learn from this mistake and next out of gratitude for your mo desty? Suggest that they show both versions time pay attention to your gut in- Moreover, charging not one to a language-sensitive mother-tongue stinct. This penny less than what the market partner for an opinion. And end with a is another reason why you should will bear is the very essence of sentence like “I will take the liberty of go often to translator meetings and free enterprise, and as buyers of phoning you next week to discuss this keep in touch with the expat com- products and services we face it further.” munity in your town. What is the every day. Provided that you can Send your letter to the chairman of the ratio of translators you personally supply the quality to back up your company (w/copy to head of communi- meet to translators who you can high fee, you would be an idiot to cations). If you target the head of com- safely refer your customers to? surrender your chance to turn the munications alone, it may well go in the About 50 to 1, so get out of the principle to your advantage.
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NOSOTROS: PERFIL La Agencia Efe y Alberto Gómez Font PROFESIONAL por Xosé Castro Roig
¿Qué es el Departamento de Español de la Agencia EFE? ¿Habrá algún día un manual de estilo Es una oficina que se encarga de la común para toda la prensa hispano- vigilancia del buen uso del español hablante? en las noticias de la agencia y de re- Estoy casi seguro de que sí lo habrá, y sponder las consultas que sobre ese de que yo lo veré. El proyecto ya está mis mo uso le llegan a través del en marcha; se llama Proyecto Zacate- teléfono, el fax, el correo ordinario y cas y lo presentamos en esa ciudad el correo electrónico o emilio. mexicana, en el Congreso Internacional «El español y los medios de comuni- ¿Cuándo empezaste a trabajar en el cación» celebrado en 1997, el peri- DEU y cuál es tu cometido? odista de El País Álex Grijelmo y yo, Comencé a trabajar el mismo día que como responsables de los libros de se fundó el departamento, en el mes estilo de nuestros dos medios de co- de octubre de 1988. Mi cometido, al municación, y con el patrocinio del igual que el del resto del equipo de Instituto Cervantes y de la Asociación filólogos, consiste, esencialmente, en de Academias de la Lengua Española. revisar las noticias de EFE, detectar Y la cosa va caminando: ya hemos los errores y elaborar informes con recogido más de 70 manuales de estilo comentarios y explicaciones sobre y tenemos más de 40 medios de comu- dichos errores. También nos ocu- nicación adheridos al proyecto. Los pamos de resolver las dudas que nos materiales ya están en período de digi- plantean sobre el uso del español, talización, y espero que muy pronto tanto los periodistas de la casa como comencemos a ver los primeros resul- los usuarios particulares de nuestro tados. servicio. ¿Se redacta y traduce bien en los me- ¿Cuáles creen que han sido los may- dios de comunicación de habla his- ores logros del departamento? pana? Convencer a los periodistas de la Sí. Lo habitual es que se haga bastante Agencia EFE de la importancia que bien. El problema se plantea cuando tiene que una noticia esté bien hecha, alguien, dentro de esos medios de co- no sólo desde el punto de vista peri- municación, lo hace mal, pues su error, odístico o informativo, sino también su mal uso del español, se difunde a desde el punto de vista del buen uso través de su periódico, su canal de del español. televisión o su emisora de radio, y llega a mucha gente, gente que muchas Casi todos los manuales de estilo de veces no tiene la suficiente formación la prensa hispanohablante han to- y toma como modelo de lenguaje mado como referencia el Manual de «bueno», modelo de prestigio, el que español urgente de la Agencia EFE. lee u oye en los medios de comuni- ¿Por qué tiene tanto éxito vuestro cación. libro? Puede explicarse en cuatro palabras: ¿Cuáles son los principales errores porque es el mejor. Y lo digo en serio, de redacción con que se encuentra el evitando cualquier atisbo de falsa DEU? modestia. Los dos mejores libros de En la redacción no aparecen dema- ese tipo son el nuestro y el Libro de siados errores, excepto algunas locu- estilo del diario El País, que también ciones preposicionales ajenas al son los dos más antiguos. español, y algunos tiempos verbales
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Nosotros: Perfil Profesional... Alberto Gómez Font Ejemplo de consulta a EFE (viene de la página 15)
Trabaja como corrector de estilo en el De- Hay grandes aportaciones árabes en partamento de Español Urgente de la kosovar: la agricultura, en la arquitectura y en Agencia EFE (Madrid) desde su fun- la gastronomía. Muchos mudéjares dación, en 1980. Con las noticias sobre la guerra de (musulmanes españoles conversos Yugoslavia ha aparecido un gentilicio al cristianismo) viajaron a América Coordinador y ponente en el seminario sin tradición en español: el de Kósovo en los primeros años posteriores al internacional El idioma español en las (para este topónimo preferimos la forma Descubrimiento y allí se instalaron agencias de prensa (Madrid l989). Organi- acentuada a la no acentuada 'Kosovo'), para seguir ejerciendo sus oficios zador, coordinador y moderador del semi- y parece ser que lo hemos tomado di- artesanos. Más tarde, a principios de nario El neologismo necesario (San Mil- rectamente de la lengua hablada en esa este siglo, hubo una gran emigración lán de la Cogolla, 1991). Organizador, co- región, que es el albanés, sin plantear- árabe hacia América, el «mahyar». ordinador y moderador del congreso El nos la posibilidad de formarlo a partir de Miles de árabes de lo que aún era el idioma español en el deporte (Logroño, formas de derivación más propias del Imperio Otomano (de ahí que los 1992). Director de los talleres de comuni- español. El gentilicio en cuestión es llamen turcos), de Siria, Líbano, Pal- cación en el II Coloquio de Lingüística: kosovar, y desde su aparición en los estina… llegaron a América y se in- Lenguaje y comunicación (Caracas, 1994). medios de comunicación no han cesado stalaron allí para siempre, y ahora Organizador y coordinador del seminario de llegar consultas al Departamento de vemos cómo los presidentes de Ar- El idioma español ante el nuevo milenio Español Urgente en las que se nos so- gentina y Ecuador son de origen (San Millán de la Cogolla, 1996). Coordi- licita que expliquemos si esa es la forma árabe. nador y profesor del seminario Correción correcta de llamar a los habitantes de de textos periodísticos (Salamanca, 1996). Kósovo. La mayoría de los remitentes Tú asistirás al próximo congreso de Coordinador y ponente en el seminario El de esas consultas aducen que habría la ATA que se celebrará en una ciu- español y las nuevas tecnologías (San sido mucho más correcto decir kosovés, dad gobernada por españoles du- Millán de la Cogolla, 1997). Profesor en los kosovense, kosoveño, o cualquier otra rante cuarenta años. ¿Será en Saint cursos de modernización del lenguaje ad- forma más habitual en los gentilicios en Louis, Missouri o en San Luis, ministrativo organizados por el Ministerio español, y tienen toda la razón, pero ha Misuri? de las Administraciones Públicas. sido tal la difusión del término albanés ¡Caramba con la preguntita! en los medios de comunicación his- Bueno… en fin… este… verás… es Autor de los Vademécum de español ur- panohablantes que ya no estamos a que yo… ¿Y si se enfadan los de San gente I y II (Madrid, Fundación EFE, 1992, tiempo de ponerle coto, ya no podemos Luis? Para mí eso es San Luis, en el 1995) y del Vademécum de español ur- dar marcha atrás, y lo único que pode- estado de Misuri, aunque estoy dis- gente III (en prensa). Coautor de todas las mos recomendar es que no se den por puesto a transigir en el nombre del ediciones del Manual de español urgente malas las formas antes señaladas, es estado… de la Agencia EFE (Madrid, Ediciones Cát- decir, que si alguien opta por usar koso- edra). Coordinador y compilador de textos vense en lugar de kosovar no se le cor- Además de lingüista, eres un bar- en las publicaciones de la Agencia EFE rija, pues estará usando una forma cor- man vocacional. ¿Qué cóctel sobre cuestiones lingüísticas: El idioma recta en español. De todas formas esa idearías para un traductor? español en las agencias de prensa terminación en ar no es del todo ajena a No hay que inventarlo, pues ya ex- (Madrid, EFE y Fundación Germán San- los gentilicios en nuestra lengua, pues iste uno, el rey de los cócteles, el dry chez Ruipérez, 1990); El neologismo nece- tenemos balear, peninsular, magiar, po- martini, cuyo nombre es intraducible, sario (Madrid, EFE y Comunidad lar, insular, malabar? pues no es lo mismo un dry martini Autónoma de La Rioja, 1992), y El idioma que un Martini dry… ahí queda eso. español en el deporte (Logroño, EFE y Comunidad Autónoma de la Rioja, 1992). Coautor de la colección de fichas Informe sobre el lenguaje (ABRA Comunicación, Madrid 1992–1995).
Moderador del foro de debate sobre el uso del español Apuntes (goya.eunet.es/ listserv)
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Numbers: Mix and Match By Charles “Mike” Stacy
The European languages have three that prices and figures tend to be comma in others, so we find both ways to write higher numbers: words, given entirely in numerals in advertis- 1'000,000.00 and 1'000.000,00. Note that numerals and a mix of words and nu- ing, scientific and technical writing, the millions separator in Spanish is merals. An example is ten million, tables and charts (and a currency neither a period nor a comma, but '! 10,000,000 and 10 million. symbol or abbreviation is also used, In the unlikely event that anyone is Rules govern which option may be as applicable). Examples include still reading this article after that last used in a given context, and as might $10.00 in English, DM 59,- in Ge r- paragraph, we shall nevertheless pro- be expected, different languages have man, 100,- F in French and Pts3.100 ceed to the main focus: the phenome- different rules. The easiest and per- in Spanish (Spain). Even amounts non of using both numerals and words haps most universal rule (for Euro- may be indicated by a hyphen in for a large number. This combination is pean languages) is that indefinite ex- some languages (as in DM 59,- and frequently seen to describe amounts of pressions, like hundreds of millions 100,- F above), but are either written money. I refer to such expressions (all and tens of thousands, are written out in full ($10.00 in English) or taken from on-line newspapers) as $2 entirely in words. This rule also has a dropped altogether in others billion, 2 milliards de francs, 2 Mil- universal corollary: Exact amounts, (Pts3.100). On top of all this, some liarden Mark, 2 bilhões de contos, R especially if uneven, are written en- languages use a comma for the deci- $2 bilhões, and 2 mil millones de pe- tirely in numerals: $2,133,644.78. mal, while others use a period. Some sos. To give the erstwhile reader a In most languages, amounts are countries even manage to have it fighting chance of understanding all written in words only when beginning both ways. In bilingual Canadian these examples, amounts given in dol- the sentence (Ten dollars was too price lists, I have seen $10,95 in lars are in English, francs are in French, much to pay for that). In Ge rman, French and $10.95 in English. Marks are in German, contos (a conto however, a sentence like 110 Staaten In international contexts, certain is 1,000 escudos) and R$ are in Euro- haben den Vertrag unterschrieben currency symbols may be clarified. It pean and Brazilian Portuguese, respec- (The treaty was signed by 110 na- is common to find US $10 for Ameri- tively, and pesos are in Spanish. tions) is fine. Given the awkwardness can currency, for example, in many It is interesting to note that Ameri- of One hundred ten countries…, the languages (but 10,- $ US in French). can English uses million and billion in English counterpart usually rear- In Mexico, which uses $ for the peso, the singular (10 million, 3 billion), ranges the word order to avoid begin- prices are often marked bilingually as whereas all the other languages use ning the sentence with a number. $12 US Cy. (for United States cur- the plural. Spanish literally says thou- There are a handful of other mis- rency) and $12 m.n. (for moneda na- sand millions for billion, and this is matches between languages. In the cional). I have also seen the form $12 occasionally seen in European Portu- case of exchange rates, R$1,85/US$1 dlls. It is odd that the abbreviation guese (as well as bilhões), but not in Portuguese becomes R$1.85 to the dlls. (which would seem to be based commonly in Brazil, which consistently dollar in English. Similarly, when an on the English form of the word rather uses bilhões. Finally, in addition to 2 employer contributes R$0,25 real por than the Spanish spelling, dólar) is mil millones de pesos, Spanish also cada R$1 contribuído pelo empre- used in Mexico, but not in the US. has the variants 2.000 (or 2,000) mil- gado, the proper English translation At any rate, the choice of the pe- lones. is R$0.25 for every real contributed riod or the comma for the decimal So far, so good. Now suppose the by the employee. drives the choice of higher separa- amount becomes slightly more precise, In legal and commercial contexts, tors. English, for instance, uses a pe- say, $2.2 million, 2,2 millions de numerals and words may appear side riod for the decimal, so the higher francs, 2,2 Millionen Mark, R$2,2 by side. Examples include within separator is a comma, as seen in milhões and 2.2 or 2,2 millones de thirty (30) days and ten thousand 1,000,000.00. In French, on the other pesos. Once again, Spanish and Portu- dollars ($10,000.00). People who hand, the decimal is a comma, so the guese have the variant 2 milhões 200 have far too much time on their hands higher separator is a period: mil and 2 millones 200 mil. This four- argue about whether words or figures 1.000.000,00. German and Russian part sequence of numeral/word/ should come first. In my experience, also use a comma for the decimal, but numeral/word is unknown in English, words are more likely to come first in their higher separator is a space: 1 000 French and German. all languages, but it is also common 000,00. In order to be as difficult as If the amount becomes even more to find figures first. possible, the decimal in Spanish is a precise, English may write $1.25, $1.5 Another universal rule of context is period in some countries and a or $1.75 million. So may Spanish and
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Numbers: Mix & Match... for example, may put down 50 K (continued from page 17) under the heading Desired Salary. (continued on page 18) Want ads often use K for 1,000, Portuguese, but figures like 2.315 mil- Peru and U.S. Spanish use a period for too. Perhaps it comes from the lones were also seen. This would be un- the decimal. It is not unusual to find a Greek jikr. In the oilfield, M is used usual in English. Clarín, an Argentine mix of both systems in the Central for thousands and MM is used for newspaper, even gave a figure of 3.100 American countries, even in the same millions: 5 M BOPD (5,000 barrels millones. English would only write 3.1 newspaper article. It should be pointed of oil per day) and 55 MM SCF (55 billion, never 3.100 billion. out that the use of both numbers and million standard cubic feet [of natu- At this point, English, French and Ge r- words (as in 3 millones 800 mil) side- ral gas]). man give up the good fight. Below a mil- steps the issue altogether and is thus lion, no further numeral/word combina- ideal for translations into “universal Spanish.” tions could be found. All examples were LOOKING FOR A In the case of numbers smaller than 1, numerals only, such as 200,000 jobs, ROOMMATE FOR THE the norm is 0.54 and its decimal equiva- 350.000 immigrés and 100 000 Unter- ANNUAL CONFERENCE lent in all five languages. A zero before schriften (words added to identify the the decimal is optional (but preferred) in language). Spanish and Portuguese also Yvonne Brown is looking to English, and mandatory in the other checked in with 130.000 unidades and share a room in St. Louis with a four languages. However, there are a 116.000 exemplares, respectively. female colleague. Please contact number of idiomatic instances in Eng- But Spanish and Portuguese, scarcely her directly to make arrange- lish where a zero is rarely, if ever, writ- pausing for breath, marched on with 80 ments: ten: .81" of rain, .38 pistol. mil peruanos, 120 mil pessoas and even English stands alone in the use of 4,1 mil operários. A Guatemalan news- 38 Wendell St, phrases like half of 1 percent and three paper offered 7 mil 38 vehículos. Rensselaer, NY 12144 tenths of a percentage point. The only For those still in despair over the Phone: 518-434-2080 common usage in the other languages is Spanish decimal, it may be helpful to 0,5 por ciento, 0,3 pour cent, 0,5 Pro- note that Spain, Cuba and the Spanish- Non-smoker. zent, etc. speaking South American countries Languages: Spanish>English In slang and certain specialized areas, (except Peru) follow the continental Arrival: November 2, 1999 European style, using a comma. Mexico, it is possible to find comb inations of numerals with letters. A job applicant,
(continued on page 18) them in their queries. Turn down earned it through hard work, and it won't
assignments if the client is unwilling to last forever. The time to earn beyond The Bottom Line... pay as much. your immediate needs—so that you can (continued from page 14) 5. Share the wealth. invest in your business and save for Translators balk at the idea of hiring 4. Farm out work. retirement—is now. salaried workers. They cite the unpre- Assign work to colleagues with spare dictable nature of the business, the capacity. But beware of the pitfalls: FA & WB difficulty of reconciling the individual- there is no swifter way to ruin your istic nature of translation with an office reputation than to deliver somebody Fire Ant and Worker Bee are Chris Dur- setting, and fear of losing clients to ban and Eugene Seidel, who live and else's sub-standard output under your defecting staff. good name. And make sure that you work in Paris and Frankfurt, respectively. Although these are valid concerns, Both enjoy making a beeline for the pot price the work high enough. You need these are not insurmountable difficul- to budget not only for what your con- of honey that rewards hard workers. ties. Consider the benefits: Drop them a line at ChrisDur- tractors charge you, but also for the time you spend scheduling and track- [email protected] and esei- -Year-round availability of your office [email protected]. ing assignments and performing quality even when you go on vacation control: you must review the translation - Ability to control outcomes, since This column is published periodically line by line and word by word to bring you and your staff can work practically it up to your accustomed quality. In in The Translation Journal, an elec- shoulder-to-shoulder tronic newsletter for translators and addition to dealing with your client, - Intellectual stimulation from a col- you interpreters. Visit them at: http://www. laborative environment accurapid.com/journal/ need to communicate well with your - Preserves your bonds with the hu- colleagues and be ready to support man community and helps to keep you
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¿Quién o qué es “Emilio”, “E-mail”o “Imeil”? por Emilio Bernal Labrada de la Academia Norteamericana de la Lengua Española
cilla, lógica, fácil de recordar, creada con lo nuestro, debemos rechazar Bueno, señores, grave problema saludable respeto a la fonética y la or- las voces exógenas-- sobre todo si nos ha creado el avance tecnológi- tografía castellanas, y que además ofre- son tan ajenas a nuetros cánones y co cuando ya no se puede hablar ciera la posibilidad de formar derivados, modo de expresión-- a menos que español sin intercalar voces ingle- permitir la pluralización, etc.? Segura- sean absolutamente indispensables. sas a diestra y siniestra. Nos mente piensan ustedes, con toda razón, ¿Por referimos a términos como "e- que se trata de un sueño, de una aspira- qué?, dirán ustedes. Pues por la sen- mail", "web", "CD" (iniciales que ción imposible, de una meta ilusoria e cilla razón de que toda instancia para colmo pronuncian en inglés: inalcanzable. de suplantar con voz ajena una de las "cidí"), "cliquear", y tantas otras Pues aunque no lo crean, semejante nuestras equivale a debilitar el que ya ni llevar la cuenta es posi- término ya se ha ideado (aunque no idioma, a restarle fuerzas, a convali- ble. me atribuyo el honor de su paternidad), darle una deficiencia, en una palabra, Concentrémonos en este artículo y lo único que tenemos que hacer a subvertirlo. Por no decir que tam- en el que parece tener el don de la es usarlo. ¿Qué les parece? La voz bién demuestra en quien la emplea ubicuidad, pues cada día son más y reúne todas las condiciones una marcada deficiencia de conoci- más los que entran en la red enumeradas y más. Se trata, sencilla- mientos, un descuido, una falta informática mundial e intercambian mente, de "correl" (corr(e) -- de de respeto a su idioma... ¡o acaso las mensajes electrónicos a razón de "correo"-- + el de "electrónico"). Tiene tres cosas a la vez! millones por minuto. Claro, darle esta voz la gran virtud de permitir la for- Claro es que en muchos casos no se nombre a esos mensajes --y sus mación de derivados, cosa que no ha creado o difundido la voz actividades conexas-- ha sido el puede decirse de "emilio" ni, cierta- castellana que suplante a la usurpa- primer tropiezo. Lo calificamos así, mente, de "e-mail". Por ejemplo: dora, por lo que hay que dispensar a de "tropiezo", por decir algo, ya "correleo", "correlear", "correléame", quienes incurran en el fallo. Bueno, que pensándolo bien no ha habido "correlearse", etc. Y además se presta en lo adelante, esa disculpa queda "tropiezo" ninguno, pues los usu- fácilmente a la pluralización --"correles"- como lo que es, ¡pues ahí tienen la arios del sistema sencillamente -, sin tener que darle más voz que les hacía falta! echaron mano del término inglés, ¡y vueltas. En fin, que sus posibilidades Cabe señalar que la infiltración y ya! son prácticamente ilimitadas. ulterior desnaturalización de la Algunos, como en España, han Pese a que acaba de nacer, es como lengua es un proceso que, como la tenido el ingenio de castellanizar la una voz española de las más castizas gota de agua, va desgastando la pie- palabra con la voz "emilio" ("te en su ortografía, prosodia, morfología y dra de los más densos cimientos mando un emilio", dicen). Desde fuerza expresiva. Y que no se diga, por hasta ablandarlos y vencerlos. Y ese luego que es mejor que "e-mail" o favor, que nadie va a reconocer lo que es un proceso que a todos nos in- su versión fonética española, que es un "correl". "Como es instantáneo, cumbe atajar --y revertir--, no sea que sería "imeil". Esta última, claro, Juan me envió un correl sobre el tema; algún día todos nos entendamos en sería irreconocible para los an- entonces Ana; poco después, me em- "spanglish". glófilos y otros con la venda del pezaron a llegar en tropel." ¿Quién va inglés ante los ojos, aparte de ser a decir que, puesto en su contexto, no un esperpento que no tiene el está más claro que el agua destilada? Mark your calendars! menor viso de voz castellana --una (En los inicios del servicio postal, se ATA’s 40th barbaridad sin redención posible--, empezó a usar para designar la misiva así que queda automáticamente escrita en papel, la voz "carta", pese a Annual Conference descartada. que ya tenía múltiples acepciones; St. Louis, Missouri Otra posibilidad sería "correl", en cambio, no tiene esa des- November 3-6, 1999 "electrocorreo", pero es voz un ventaja.) poco larga y no es fácil sacarle deri- De ahí que instemos a nuestros lec- vados. tores a usarla, pues así es como se Pero, ¿que les parecería una voz imponen las voces en cualquier idioma: que combine los dos elementos usándolas. Y relegando al olvido (correo+ electrónico), que sea sen- las extrañas. Digamos que por respeto a ¿Qué les parece si al respecto nos
19 Intercambios lation skills in an academic way. court interpreter when the judge asks pervisors should be aware of them. We Buying dictionaries and books is you if you know anyone involved in have all felt frustrated by the double done completely the trial (which would usually exclude standard that seems to be applied to the (continued on page 20) you from the proceedings), and in- Hispanic community. What’s definitely Community Interpretation deed, the defendant is your wife’s not okay for the Anglo community be- (continued from page 10) cousin and the suspect is your neigh- comes okay for Hispanic clients out of bor? What do you say to the district ignorance about the culture and for ex- through the Internet or catalogues, attorney’s office when they want you pediency’s sake. We have all felt the with no chance for actually perusing to participate in preliminary interviews isolation of not having a broader net- a book before purchase. Improving with the suspect and then you are ex- work of colleagues who are facing simi- interpretation skills is even more pected to be this person’s “neutral” lar issues with whom we can problem- problematic, as the Internet does not court interpreter several weeks later? solve. lend itself to the verbal training What do you do when the interview is needed. Finally, and perhaps most with the victim of domestic violence? Pay difficult, is the challenge of obtain- The counselor recently had a case Pay is a big issue. Most agencies or ing the non-language technical skills where the sibling of one of her clients individuals are completely ignorant of necessary for translators.There are came in requesting service. Normally, the skill level involved in a quality no local classes on terminology the sibling would be assigned to a dif- translation and of going rates in urban management, the latest machine ferent therapist to prevent conflict-of- areas. I estimate that I charge from one- translation or localization software, interest and confidentiality problems. third to one-half of what others charge or on the endless ways to save and How do you provide services in this for similar work elsewhere, and clients send e-mail files. Everything is self- case, when there is only one bilingual usually find it to be expensive. (Of taught through manuals and guess- counselor? Another chronic problem course, since public discussion of rates work. for the interpreter is having to play is taboo, even this is hard to figure out.) secretary and billing officer for clients It is difficult to find that fine line be- Ethical Issues because only she can communicate tween what the market will bear (doing Ethics for the community inter- with them, even when this can muddy the necessary client education as to preter differ in many ways from the the therapeutic relationship. why what I’m asking for is a bargain) rest of the translation and interpreta- Finally, this counselor gave as an and asking for enough to make it worth- tion field, and are actually more example how she is often asked to in- while. As mentioned above, for the closely related to social service eth- terpret for the clinic’s psychiatrist community interpreter working in an ics issues. The thorniest issues when he treats Hispanic clients. How agency, the chances of actually getting faced by rural interpreters are con- do you deal with the fact that the client paid extra for being bilingual (a common cerns regarding conflict-of-interest almost always forms a therapeutic practice elsewhere) are slim. and dual relationships. They are un- bond with the interpreter and not the avoidable in rural areas and present psychiatrist in these situations? This Concluding Remarks unique challenges to all service pro- particular issue also plagues the free- The issues raised here represent only viders. What do you do when your lance community interpreter. Even some of those faced by rural community client owns the only bakery and you though I am hired solely as an inter- interpreters. Having eavesdropped on need a birthday cake or you sit on preter by agencies to work with their the translation profession through pub- the same board of directors with case coordinators, I inevitably end up lications and online mail lists for the him? Standard ethics dictate that becoming the client’s primary connec- past three years, I think these issues are you don’t hire someone you are see- tion and perform many case manage- relevant to the broader field for the fol- ing as a client or otherwise engage ment duties for which I was not hired. lowing reasons: in dual relationships. When I work with lawyers, the same When you are the only bilingual thing happens. The clients bond to me 1. Raising the quality and standards service provider in an agency these and come to me for legal advice when I of translation and interpretation issues are even more difficult. Two am in no position to give it. (T&I) has been identified as a ma- community interpreters in my area, The rural community interpreter usu- jor goal for the profession. For the only court interpreter and the ally has to sort out these issues on his community interpreting in general, only bilingual mental health coun- or her own. My colleagues and I often and especially for those working in selor in the county, posed some of have had to educate our clients and rural areas, access to resources, the following conflict of interest is- supervisors about conflicts of interest educa- sues: What do you do as the only and set firm limits, even when the su- tion and information is limited. Of- ten, the only bilingual people avail-
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De las letras mayúsculas Este texto fue tomado del "Esbozo..." de la Real Academia Española, que es poseedora los dere- chos de autor a) En lo manuscrito no suelen es- vulgar sentencia: El papa, el rey y el tilde si la acentuación ortográfica lo cribirse con letras mayúsculas duque están sujetos a morir, como lo exige, a fin de evitar errores de pro- palabras o frases enteras. está el pordiosero. nunciación o confusiones en la in- 4.° Los tratamientos, y especialmente terpretación de vocablos. Este man- b) En las portadas de los libros impre- si están en abreviatura, como Sr. D. tenimiento es especialmente necesa- sos, en los títulos de sus divisiones y (señor don), U. o V. (usted), V. S. rio en las portadas de libros, nom- en las inscripciones monumentales, lo (usía), etc. Usted, cuando se escribe bres geográficos, listas de nombres más común es usar de solas mayús- con todas sus letras, no debe llevar propios, etc. culas, todas, generalmente, de igual mayúscula; también domina el uso de 11.° Suele emplearse mayúscula a tamaño. Los nombres propios, títulos minúscula con señor y don en igual principio de cada verso, de donde de obras, dicciones y aun cláusulas caso. las letras de esta forma tomaron el que se quiera hacer resaltar, pueden 5.° Ciertos nombres colectivos, en nombre de versales. En la poesía escribirse con todas sus letras casos como estos: El Reino represen- moderna es frecuente encabezar los mayúsculas; pero en cualquier voz en tó a S. M. contra tales desórdenes, el versos con minúscula. que se haya de emplear letra mayús- Clero lo habia hecho antes. 12.° La numeración romana se es- cula con una o con diferentes minús- 6.° Los sustantivos y adjetivos que cribe hoy con letras mayúsculas, y culas, aquella ha de ser la inicial o compongan el nombre de una institu- se emplea para significar el número, primera de la dicción. ción, de un cuerpo o establecimiento: con que se distinguen personas del el Supremo Tribunal de Justicia; el mismo nombre, como Pío V, c) Se escribirán con letra inicial Museo de Bellas Artes; el Colegio Fernando III, el número de cada si- mayúscula: Naval; la Real Academia de la Histo- glo, como el actual, el XX de la era ria. cristiana; también es frecuente para 1.° La primera palabra de un escrito y 7.° Los nombres y adjetivos que en- indicar el número de un tomo, libro, la que vaya después de punto. traren en el título de cualquier obra: parte, canto, capítulo, título, ley, 2.° Todo nombre propio; v. gr.: Dios, Tratado de Esgrima; Ortografía Cas- clase y otras divisiones, y el de las Jehová, Jesús, Luzbel, Platón, Pedro, tellana; Historia de los Vándalos, etc. páginas en los prólogos y principios María, Alvarez, Pantoja, Apolo, No se observa esta regla de un volumen. Calíope, Amadís de Gaula; Europa, cuando el título es largo; v. gr.: Del 13.° Cuando hubiere de escribirse España, Castilla, Toledo, Madrid, rey abajo, ninguno, y labrador más con mayúscula la letra inicial de voz Carabanchel, La Zarzuela; Cáucaso, honrado, García del Castañar. que empiece con Ch o Ll, solo se Himalaya, Adriálico, Tajo, Aganipe; 8.° En las leyes, decretos y documen- formarán de carácter mayúscula la C Bucéfalo, Babieca, Rocinante. tos oficiales suelen escribirse con y la L, que son primera parte de es- 3.° Los atributos divinos, como Cri- mayúscula todas las palabras que tas letras compuestas o dobles. Es- ador y Redentor; los títulos y nom- expresan poder público, dignidad u cribiremos, pues, Chinchilla y Chim- bres de dignidade, como Sumo Pon- cargo importante, como Rey, Príncipe, borazo, Llerena y Llorente y de nin- tífice, Duque de Osuna, Marqués de República, Regente,Trono, Corona, Villena; los nombres y apodos con Monarquia, Estado, Gobierno, Minis- NEW CHAPTER AND que se designa a determinadas perso- tro, Senador, Diputado, Autoridad, DIVISION RELATIONS nas, como el Gran Capitán, Alfonso el Justicia, Magistrado, Juez, Ge neral, MANAGER AT ATA Sabio, García el Trémulo,y particular- Jefe, Gobernador, Alcalde, Director, mente los dictados generales de jerar- Consiliario, Secretario, etc. quía o cargo importante cuando 9.° Cuando no encabecen párrafo o Christie Matlock from Savannah, Geor- equivalgan a nombres propios. Así, escrito, o no formen parte de un títu- gia, was recently hired to serve primar- en las respectivas historias de Paulo lo, se recomienda escribir con minús- ily as the contact person for ATA V, Felipe III y don Pedro Téllez Girón, cula inicial los nombres de los dias de chapters, local groups and divisions. v. gr., se escribirán con mayúscula el la semana, de los meses, de las Ms. Matlock holds a Bachelor of Sci- Papa, el Rey y el Duque cuantas ve- estaciones del año y de las notas mu- ence degree in Journalism. She can be ces fueren nombrados en esta forma sicales. reached at 703-683-6100x3011 or e-mail: aquellos personajes; pero se deberá 10.° Se recomienda que cuando se [email protected] usar de minúscula, por ejemplo, en la utilicen mayúsculas, se mantenga la
21 Intercambios tiempo y a bajo costo ha creado able have little or no formal language La Biblioteca Nacional en nuevas herramientas informáticas training, they don’t always identify Buenos Aires abre las puer- para la traducción. De esta forma, se themselves as translators and interpret- (continúa en la página 22) ers, and they are often unaware of pro- tas del Centro de Informa- Localización y traducción... fessional standards. It is my impression ción y Documentación sobre (viene de la página 10) that even though community interpreta- Traducción y Term inología tion en Lengua Española puede conservar la coherencia en la (continued on page 22) traducción de determinadas cadenas has been given a name and definition "Victoria Ocampo". de textos. Se traduce una sola vez, y by the T&I field, most community inter- NUEVOS LIBROS obviamente el programa se encarga preters are not integrated into the trans- El Centro Victoria Ocampo se con- de repetir esta traducción a lo largo lation profession through membership Comunidadesforma en el marco Europeas del Acuerdo fir- del texto, pero también se cobra una in the ATA or through publications. Libromado conde estilo la Unesco interinstitucional que donó a la sola vez. Nuestras colegas hicieron Outreach to this group is needed. (VademécumBiblioteca Nacional del edit elor) banco de una demostración práctica del uso Oficinadatos y lade biblioteca Publicaciones del Servicio Oficiales de Trados (Workbench), XL8 y 2. The T&I profession is engaged in sig- deIberoamericano las Comunidades de Informació Europeas,n Lu x- otros programas desarrollados por nificant debate about ethical and liabil- emburgo,para la Traducción 1998 (SIIT). los clientes para atender a necesida- ity issues, client education, and pay ISBNUna de 92 las-78 misiones-14949-7 de la Bi- des específicas. scales. The community interpreter blioteca Nacional es ser reservorio Fueron cuatro días de solidari- needs to be brought into these discus- Valentínde lo publicado García Yebra en nuestro país dad e intercambio. Solidaridad por- sions, especially since they face some Diccionariocon el fin de deconservarlo galicismos y prosódponerloi- que las tres pusieron a disposición of the most intractable ethical issues in cosa disposición y morfológicos de los lectores, ese de toda la audiencia no sólo sus the field and are potentially open to se- Gredos,fondo bibliográfico Madrid, 1999 documenta, conocimientos sino todo el material rious liability issues. ISBNademás, 84 -múltiples249-1999- 8situaci ones de la fruto de la investigación y experien- lengua de nuestro país. Es por eso cia. 3. The T&I profession wants to raise the Rebeccaque el Centro Posner Victoria Ocampo La localización es una especia- level of professionalism practiced by its Lasbrin darálenguas servicios romances de in formación y lización. No todos podemos tener la members. One area of focus is how to Cátedra,documentación Madrid, de 1998 interés para la posibilidad de conocerla desde el improve the skill level of newcomers. ISBNtraducción, 84-376 la-1635 interpretación-2 y la nacimiento como nuestras tres cole- Newcomers working in rural areas espe- terminología teniendo como eje a la gas. Pero tuvimos la suerte de cono- cially need support to professionalize, Librolengua de española. Estilo El Centro Victoria cerlas a ellas, que con gran capaci- due to geographic isolation and the lack ElOcampo Informador se abre (Diario para serindepend un lugari- dad y profesionalismo comenzaron a of local resources. The rural interpreter ente)de encuentro, de trabajo, de estu- marcar el camino hacia la formación could be significantly helped by: estab- Unióndio y de Editorial, intercambio S.A, dede C.V.,infor mGua-a- del traductor-localizador. Muchas lishing some kind of mentor program; dalajaración para (México), el desarrollo 1999 de gracias a las tres. promoting the growth of T&I, offering profesionales, docentes y estu- language and computer software train- diantes. ing courses online; providing scholar- Graciela Streinberg , traductora ships to attend conferences, training La Biblioteca Nacional desea co- seminars and classes; and encouraging laborar con todas las instituciones networking between interpreters and relacionads con la traducción, la IMPORTANT translators living in rural areas. terminología, y la lengua española de nuestro país con el fin de fa- THE DEADLINE FOR As a rural community interpreter and transla- vorecer el desarrollo de las áreas tor, I have been helped immeasurably by SUBMISSIONS FOR mencionadas. joining professional organizations and edu- THE NEXT ISSUE IS cating myself about professional issues Agüero 2502 - (1425) Capital Fed- SEPTEMBER 15, 1999. through publications and online mail lists. I eral appreciate having found a forum to share Argentina some of my experiences. I hope this article PLEASE CONTACT: Teléfono: (54 11)4807-4126 sparks further exploration and debate about Fax: (54 11)4806-4723 [email protected] issues facing community interpretation in email: [email protected]. general, and the rural T&I professional in ar particular.
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Diez Errores Típicos en Traducción por Xosé Castro Roig
Con este título quería incluir una que recorté1. hace poco de un diario ticiparon; Le gustan los animales e sumaria lista de errores con los que español: «Buscamos traductores y incluso las plantas. El adverbio in- tropezamos traductores y revisores editores (sic) con dominio de inglés clusive tiene un significado claro y con frecuencia: y/o francés». Con independencia del único: 'incluyendo el último objeto barbarismo —más grave por tratarse nombrado': Debe elegir un número Oír y escuchar. Cada vez se usa de una agencia de traducciones— de del 1 al 9, ambos inclusive; Desde la más el segundo verbo con el sen- llamar editores a los revisores, es ob- época de Felipe III a Carlos III inclu- tido del primero. Como dice el vio que sobra esa anglicada conjun- sive. Incluido es el participio del lexicógrafo Martínez de Sousa, para ción y/o (and/or), que debería ser una verbo incluir y significa 'algo que está oír sólo es necesario tener oídos simple «o». La connotación de la contenido dentro de otra cosa'. Usos sanos, pero para escuchar, debe cópula española «o» no tiene un incorrectos: prestarse atención, debe «querer carácter tan excluyente como la in- Inclusive mi padre me lo advirtió. oírse». García Yebra lo resuelve al glesa «or», es decir: si se escribe Hay que tirarlos todos, inclusive el recordar una anécdota que le «inglés o francés» no quedan exclui- blanco. sucedió mientras daba una confer- dos de la selección los candidatos encia: «En cierto momento, se le- que sepan ambos idiomas, muy al Múltiple/s. Adjetivo abundante en vantó una señora que estaba al contrario, serán más que bienvenidos, traducciones técnicas del inglés que fondo del aula y dijo "Señor Ga rcía, supongo. está desplazando a adjetivos aquí atrás no se le escucha".» Ga r- españoles como varios, diversos, cía respondió: «Si han venido a la Es por ello/esto que… Por qué será muchos, etc. Su empleo no es er- conferencia es porque me es- que… Me he acordado de estos dos róneo, pero lo cierto es que en cuchan, lo que ocurre es que no me circunloquios que se encuentran a español no tenemos por qué restrin- oyen». Estos son unos ejemplos de veces en las traducciones porque girnos a este único término. Es normal mal uso extraídos de la prensa estoy escuchando la canción ver este tipo de frases en manuales de española de esta semana: «Eliminación de los feos» del Gran informática: Puede imprimir múltiples Se escucharon unos disparos. Combo de Puerto Rico, cuyo estribillo copias; El programa acepta múlti- Podían escucharse voces supues- reza: «¿Y por qué será que los elimi- ples formatos, etc. ¿Alguno de ust- tamente fantasmales. nan?». Pues esta fabulosa canción se edes que está leyendo esto suele de- ahorraría un par acordes si dijera «¿Y cirle, por ejemplo, a un compañero de El tema de siempre. Un viejo cono- por qué los eliminan?». Lo mismo le oficina: «imprímeme múltiples co- cido de todos. La palabra tema se pasa a una canción del dúo Donato y pias»? ha convertido en una muletilla que Stefano en la que dicen «Es por eso sustituye, en función del contexto, que estando contigo, me siento como Además, cuando múltiple se con- a estas palabras: problema, asunto, en verano»; con un «Por eso cuando vierte en un elemento compositivo, es cuestión, duda, razón, esquema, estoy contigo…» bastaba. En el Cono decir, en el sufijo multi-, debe formar proposición, etc.: Sur (especialmente Argentina) es muy una palabra en singular con su corre- Los ministros tratarán el tema del habitual ver y oír construcciones spondiente plural: multimillonario/s, paro (problema) como «Ya lo llamé a tu hermano», multinacional/es. Formas incorrectas: Ése es el tema: votar o no votar donde el acusativo de pronombre *programa multiusos. También el tér- (dilema, disyuntiva, cuestión) personal es redundante. mino multilingüe (que no es incor- Hay que recordar, además, que cu- recto) ha desplazado, por influencia ando la palabra tema va en feme- Incluso, inclusive e incluido. Un error del inglés, al más castizo plurilingüe. nino, como en el refrán Cada loco abundante en el lenguaje hablado. con su tema, sólo puede referirse a Los dos primeros son adverbios y Honesto, honrado y sincero. Los que una obstinación o manía por algo. proceden del latino inclusus, pero traducimos material destinado a tele- El término tópico es un anglicismo actualmente no significan lo mismo. El visión y teatro lo vemos muy a innecesario. término incluso significa 'con inclu- menudo: *Creo honestamente que no sión, inclusivamente', cuando actúa es para ti; *Seré honesta contigo: lo El y/o. El lío, diría yo, haciendo un como adverbio, y 'hasta', 'aun' cuando detesto; *Es una mujer honesta; juego de palabras. No es raro leer actúa como preposición o conjun- siempre dice lo que piensa. En primer en la prensa anuncios como éste ción: Incluso los hombres par- lugar, veamos qué dice el diccionario:
23 Eficaz, eficiente y efectivo. El adjetivo (continúa en la página 24) empezamos a correlear ustedes y Como puede comprobarse, las definiciones effective es otro cognado, que no significa de honrado y honradez coinciden con las efectivo, sino eficaz o eficiente. Em- yo? de los términos ingleses honest y honesty. pleamos eficaz, generalmente, para cosas DiezMi dirección Errores "correlera", Típicos por ... cierto, es: [email protected]. Espero Nuestros términos honesto y honestidad, y seres inanimados, y eficiente para seres (viene de la página 23) en cambio, se corresponden con modest y animados, dado que la eficiencia es una con todo interés sus comentarios. modesty (que tiene otras acepciones). virtud o facultad más propia de seres vi- HONESTO, TA. (Del lat. vos. honestus.) 1. adj. Decente o Pasarse de la raya… inglesa. Este es uno Opcional y optativo. Los traductores de decoroso. | 2. Recatado, pu- de los errores que encuentro con mayor computación o informática, principal- doroso. | 3. Razonable, justo. | 4. frecuencia en traducciones de inglés a mente, hemos desplazado el castizo opta- Probo, recto, honrado. | 5. Véase español. Cierto uso de la raya inglesa no tivo con el menos correcto opcional, aun- estado honesto. existe como tal en español y dado que es que no son términos sinónimos. Opcional
una estructura foránea debe traducirse debiera ser a optativo lo que educacional El cognado inglés honest nos engaña siempre por el equivalente que proceda: es a educativo. Curiosamente, como con frecuencia. Poco tiene que ver ser paréntesis, punto, coma, dos puntos o ocurre en tantas otras situaciones del sincero con ser decente o, por lo me- punto y coma. Ejemplos: MaxiPlus — the idioma, en distintos sectores se expresan nos, ser sincero no es inherente a ser real winner (MaxiPlus: el verdadero ga- de distinta manera conceptos que son decente. Generalmente, los adjetivos nador). En los manuales técnicos también idénticas: así, mi hermano ha elegido dos sincero, franco, llano, directo o ex- suele aparecer en títulos y párrafos en los asignaturas optativas (optional subjects), plícito pueden servirnos para traducir que se dan instrucciones o describen ele- pero la definición de pantalla en Win- este adjetivo: Para serte sincero…; Te mentos: dows es opcional. seré franco…; Francamente, no sé qué decir, etc. Respecto a otros con- Print dialog box - Select the op- ¿Quiero que me soporten o que me ayu- textos, es mejor ver qué dice el dic- tions you want... (Cuadro de den? cionario: diálogo Imprimir. Elija las opciones Como en el ejemplo anterior, los traducto-
que desee...) res somos responsables de calcar expre- HONRADO, DA. (Del lat. honora- siones completamente innecesarias para tus.) 1. p. p. de honrar. | 2. adj. MaxiPlus — Advantages nuestro idioma y que, en ocasiones, Que procede con honradez. | & Disadvantages (Ventajas e in- quieren decir algo muy distinto. Así, si mi 3. Ejecutado honrosamente. | 4. convenientes de MaxiPlus; televisor se estropea, llamaré al Servicio fig. Véase barba honrada. MaxiPlus: ventajas e inconvenien- de asistencia técnica, pero si se estropea
tes) mi Windows 98, tendré que llamar al de- HONRADEZ. (De honrado.) 1. f. partamento de Soporte técnico de Micro- Rectitud de ánimo, integridad en el obrar.
Intercambios The Newsletter of the Spanish Language Divi- sion of the American Translators Association c/o Pilar Saslow 289 Meadowlark Drive,
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