Thursday

Critics: German Classic too Slow to Translate to English

According to the New Zealand Herald, a book that has become a bestseller was almost lost to English speakers after it was originally turned down for translation.
Hans Fallada's Alone in Berlin, which has been renamed Every Man Dies Alone in America, was originally published in Germany in 1947. A year later, it was reviewed by a British publisher, who turned down the offer to translate it into English. It was again rejected for translation in 1996.
It was not until 2009 that Fallada's masterpiece was translated into English by Penguin.
In its first 13 months of sales, Penguin sold 300,000 copies of the translation in Europe, with sales in the US topping 200,000. Alone in Berlin is now Penguin's bestselling classic, out-selling books by Jane Austen, George Orwell and Emily Dickens.

In a book review by the New York Times, writer Liesl Schillinger complained only that the book had not been translated sooner.

"A signal literary event of 2009 has occurred, but if publishers had been more vigilant, it could have been a signal literary event in any of the last 60 years," she said.
Individuals who are interested in books written in foreign languages may want to research translation software tools.

American Publishers Reveal New Bible Translations

As many Christians settle into the Lenten season, American publishers have released two new translations of the Bible, the Washington Post reports.
The new translations include the New American Bible - the Catholic version - and the New International Version - the Evangelical version - and are the first translations of the Bible in over 40 years.

According to Fox, The New American Bible, Revised Edition is an easier read for modern Christians, as outdated terminology in the Old Testament has been removed. For example, words such as "booty," "despoilers" and "holocaust" have been replaced with more modern terms such as "plunder," "robbers" and "burnt offerings."

The Washington Post reported that the new Bible edition also includes controversial changes, such as the removal of gender-neutral language that was added to a half-released 2005 version. In response to complaints from religious conservatives, words such as "human beings in our image" have been changed back to "mankind."
Despite an economic downturn, publishing company Zondervan spokesman Brian Burch said he predicts sales will be high.
"We have seen little movement in Bible sales between recessions and good times," he said.
Individuals who work with texts that are not in their native language may want to consider using translation software tools.

Wednesday

Translators May Save Individuals Embarrassment in Stressful Exchanges

During the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj was asked how she overcame any mistakes in her life. She replied, in English, that there was "nothing major, major - I mean problem - that I've done in my life," according to the Deseret News.
She was likely penalized for her choice of words and sentence construction, and ended up finishing as fourth runner-up in the competition. Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz mused that Raj was most likely "thinking in Tagalog," in which a phrase like "major, major" makes sense, the news source reports.
In contrast, winner Jimena Navarrete of Mexico decided to use an interpreter for her answers. English is not her native language. According to the paper, the professional translator may have helped protect Miss Navarrete from any miscommunication.
Understandably, missteps can occur while making a live speech in one's non-native language before millions of television viewers. Even in less public transactions, such a private business conference, language limits may be detrimental. Navarrete's choice highlights the usefulness of an automated or human translator.
In these situations, simultaneous interpreters (SI) are often used to translate, in real-time, the two languages being spoken. SIs, who are often called upon at multinational conferences, must demonstrate complete mastery of both languages, according to the website of the American Bureau of Professional Translators

In Business, a Professional Translation Device may be Preferable to Beginner Language Skills

Playing down one's linguistic skills - no matter one's facility - may prove beneficial in certain business communications, according to the Deseret News. Certain cultures value modesty. Also, some professionals may frown upon a beginner's stumbling attempts at their native language.
For instance, American business professionals may want to decide against communicating in beginner's Japanese with their clients. Such attempts may risk one's looking less than capable, particularly if he or she is not fluent or in grasp of the nuances of the language, according to the news source.
An automated translator or online translation tool would be handy in such a situation, as it could facilitate easy communication between parties. English-speaking professionals can shield themselves from linguistic missteps, the Deseret News adds.
However, not all cultures perceive beginning speakers as incompetent. They may even appreciate the attempt of an English-speaker who tries out non-fluent language skills.
Language errors can be incredibly costly to a company. In his book Blunders in International Business, David A. Ricks notes that translation mistakes are some of the most common in professional communication. Ignorance of multiple meanings of a word, for instance, can potentially lead to gaffes, insults and broken deals.