Translation Theory for Newbies

   

This post deals with the question of Translation Theory's relevance to the professional practice of translation. Most of the practicing translators would think that it is not very important, especially the ad hoc translators and interpreters. Yet, I disagree with them on this point. It is true that practice makes perfect, however I believe that the new translators won't have time to make all the errors of their predecessors and colleagues or just of the fellow translators and interpreters in order to learn. Knowledge of translation theories is a must, it saves time and helps in achieving high-quality translations which fit for the purpose of the projects. 

        Here is a thread which might be enlightening to newbies. Professor As-Safi from Petra University surveyed most of the theories and provided an interesting account which might guide your search in this area. He pointed out that they were developed in four periods. The main theories are as follows:

- Philological Theories

- Philosophical Theories

- Linguistic Theories

- Functional Theories

- Text-type Theory

- Translational Action Theory

- Skopos Theory

- Socio-linguistic Theories

- Interpretative Theory

- Systems Theories

- Polysystem Theory

- Manipulation Theory

- Aesthetic Communication Theory

- Relevance Theory

              He also calls for a Comprehensive, Applicable Theory.
              What do you think?

What are the advantages of CAT tools?

       The term Computer-assisted Translation (CAT) does not refer to Machine translation (MT) of texts which is provided for free by many engines and websites such as Google translate, Reverso and Bing. CAT refers rather to the human translation which is facilitated by desktop computers and the software installed on them. These software are called CAT tools. They have many features which cannot be ensured by a human being, so the translator uses them as tools to improve his performance and to increase his daily output. Indeed, CAT tools have many advantages when working on big projects, especially technical ones, because they will not help much in literary or creative translation.

 

               

         So, one may cite that:

1. CAT tools help the translator keep track of his previous work by creating Translation Memories "TMs" which enable him to save time when translating recurrent expressions or similar ones.

2. CAT tools enable him to keep Term Bases "TBs" which enable him to be consistent in all the translated documents, i.e. using the same terminology along the project.

3. The translator can even use the client's TMs and TBs when required, consequently this will save him a great deal of research.

4. CAT tools enable the translator to have a machine translation from his workbench. All he has to do is to set his preferences when creating the translation project.
5. The translator can align his previously translated documents

6. They enable the translator to work on all types of formats and to save the translated documents in multiple formats.

7. Some CAT tools have servers which allow the translators to work on projects in teams.

8. Wordfast anywhere, for example, allows the translators to access the user-friendly environment wherever they might be and to share their TMs free of charge.

N.B: You can download free trial versions of these software and some of them are open-source.

More posts on CAT can be found here.

2013 Translation prize

The Egyptian National Center for Translation has published a new call for participation in the fifth session of Rifa'aa Tahtaoui's Translation Prize. In addition, there is a second prize for young translators. More details can be found on its website.

External link: http://www.nct.gov.eg/ar/NewsDetail.aspx?news_id=48

Visual Localization tools for newbies

   

 

The most common localization tools are:

• Alchemy Catalyst

http://www.alchemysoftware.com/

• SDL Passolo:

http://www.sdl.com/products/sdl-passolo/

• Lingobit Localizer Standard: 

http://www.lingobit.com/products/compare.html

• Sisulizer Translator:

http://www.sisulizer.com/localization/steps/localization-step-2-translate-text.shtml

• Multilizer Pro for Translators: 

http://www2.multilizer.com/

Localization tools for newbies

         As far as language industry is concerned, there are different types of localization. Simple definitions of these types are as follows:

• Language localization, the process of translating a product into different languages or adapting a product for a specific country or region.
• Internationalization and localization, the adaptation of computer software for non-native environments, especially other nations and cultures (Webtranslateit)
• Game localization, refers to the preparation of video games for other locales.

• Dub localization, the adaptation of a movie or television series for another audience.

                                                                       (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Localization)

        We may also talk about Website localization or internationalization which refer to the translation of the website content either into a local language or into an international one. The main tools which may help achieve this purpose online are (GlobalizeIt, Bablic).

       The videos that I have chosen for you are a comparison between two Localization tools, Catalyst and SDL Passolo. See how each tool localizes the application "notepad.exe" and a ".resx" file.

Link: Catalyst, SDL Passolo, 

          You may also want to check: Translation Exchange, Pairaphrase, GlobalizeIt, POEditor.com/

Free CAT tools videos for newbies

Learning through videos could be a step before deciding on the CAT Tool you would like to use. We have curated for you many videos which will introduce you to the main features of the CAT Tools available in the market. Click on the external links below to watch some videos for free:

SDL Trados Tutorials

MemoQ Tutorials

MateCat Tutorials

OmegaT Tutorials


Across Tutorials

Here is a link to a website which I recommend for any newbie.

The website offers 21 videos absolutely free. Unfortunately, you cannot download them, you have to watch them online. So, just take notes!

The videos will help you to compare the available CAT tools with a very easy-to-follow narrated video presentations. Watch how each tool performs the same task: translating a simple Word document. 

Follow the link below, select the CAT tools, then click on the tool icon to see more information.

Link: http://www.translatorstraining.com/sito/index.php

There is also a premium content that you can watch and download if you register.

Ayat: a cross platform Quranic software with unique features

Ayat is a cross platform Quranic software with unique features, translated to many languages. 
It is the Desktop version of KSU Electronic Moshaf Project. It is currently installed on more than 500,000 PCs 
worldwide.

If you want to download it, check out the following link:
Link: http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/ayat/?l=en

The new Quranflash website!

     Quranflash is an online application to help you read Quran comfortably from the browser. Quranflash displays popular prints, of different rewayas and layouts, to lower the difference between online and hardcopy reading, making it comfortable and visually familiar. With the latest version of Quranflash, a number of features have been added, making it a complete Quran research tool.
     A lot of translations can be displayed while you listen to the recitation of your choice. Besides, the different versions of the Quran also have a transliteration which might help you learn how to read in Arabic. 

    Here is the link to the website: http://www.quranflash.com/home?en
    If you are looking for more websites which provide Quran translation, click on the "Label": Quran Translation. This will enable you to see all the hidden posts on "Quran Translation".

Translation Programmes in France

Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris3/ Ecole Supérieure d'Interprètes et de Traducteurs (ESIT)

- Master 1 Traduction et Terminologie Juridiques et Financières

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/master-1-br-traduction-et-terminologie-juridiques-et-financieres-1322.kjsp

- Master 2 Recherche en Traductologie

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/master-2-recherche-en-traductologie-47839.kjsp

- Master Professionnel: Interprétation de Conférence

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/master-professionnel-interpretation-de-conference-46709.kjsp

- Master Professionnel: Interprétation français/langue des signes française et LAS/français

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/master-professionnel-interpretation-francais-langue-des-signes-francaise-et-lsf-francais-46718.kjsp

- Master Professionnel: Traduction éditoriale, économique et technique

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/master-professionnel-traduction-editoriale-economique-et-technique-169479.kjsp

-DU Traducteur-interprète judiciaire

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/du-traducteur-interprete-judiciaire-127462.kjsp?RH=1258284463117

- Certificat de Méthodologie de la traduction

Link: http://www.univ-paris3.fr/certificat-de-methodologie-de-la-traduction-46678.kjsp?RH=1258131183216

Follow the link to find the list of all the programmes: University Programmes

NSTS: 2013 Research Symposium on Cultural Translation

     In the announcement, the conveners say that "Cultural translation brings together two inherently dynamic processes: translation and culture. Each by its very nature swirls and changes even as we speak of them. Yet, the interaction creates themes and centers of interest for research, for instance, hybridity, memory, space, and knowledge. Robert Young and Bella Brodzki, two preeminent authorities in the field, will share their research on translation as cultural intervention and translation and autobiography, respectively. Two equally distinguished scholars, Suzanne Jill Levine and Christi Merrill, will respond."

Link: http://nsts.fusp.it/events/2013-symposium

Computer-Assisted Translation Tools for Newbies

     For professional purposes, during training, would-be translators and interpreters must be introduced to CAT tools. They must be trained to have a good command of at least one tool before graduation through a hands-on workshop the aim of which is to familiarize them with the requirements of the industry such as the delivery rate (2000-3000 words/day), the completion of the translation within tight deadlines, and the like.
    CAT means also "Computer-Aided Translation". CAT tools include the use and creation of "Translation Memories" (TMs), "Terminology Databases" in addition to a lot of other features which help the translator increase the quality and rate of his daily output.

 
                                                *   The most known CAT tools are:

- SDL Trados Studio: http://www.sdl.com/cxc/language/translation-productivity/trados-studio/
- Wordfast:  https://www.wordfast.net/
- Déja Vu: http://www.atril.com/
- memoQ: https://www.memoq.com/
- Fluency: https://www.westernstandard.com/Fluency/freelancers.aspx
- Cafetran: https://www.cafetran.com/
- MetaTexis: http://www.metatexis.com/
- Across : http://www.across.net/en/
- memSource: https://www.memsource.com/en
- Fusion: http://www.jivefusiontech.com/
- Heartsome: http://www.heartsome.de/en/index.php; https://github.com/heartsome/translationstudio8
- Omega T+: http://omegatplus.sourceforge.net/
- Swordfish Translation Editor: http://www.maxprograms.com/products/swordfish.html
- Translation 3000: https://www.translation3000.com/

- Idiom - J-CAT - Loc Studio - Logoport
- Multicorpora  - STAR Transit - Trans Suite 2000 - Language Weaver
- Fortis Translation Suite
- Microsoft Helium - Microsof LocStudio
- IBM CAT tool

                                                  *   Free/Open source software:
- OmegaT: http://www.omegat.org/
- Anaphraseus: http://anaphraseus.sourceforge.net/

                                                            *Localization tools:

- SDL Passolo : http://www.sdl.com/cxc/language/software-localization/passolo/
- Multilizer: http://www2.multilizer.com/
- Lingobit: http://www.lingobit.com/fr/
- Sisulizer: http://www.sisulizer.eu/
- POEditor: https://poeditor.com/

- Catalyst  - Pootle -gtranslator - GlobalSight - Ocelot - Similis - Uniscape Translator Studio - Alchemy Publisher - lokalize - AnyMem - Star Transit - Lingotek - Virtaal - RC-WinTrans Translator's - MultiTrans - Open Language Tools

To read all the posts on CAT, click on the Label: "CAT Tools"
To know more about Localization, click on the Label "Localization"
In addition, this post will be updated on this page: university-programs
To read more: http://www.cattools.org/#

2014 International Medical Interpreters Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

2014 International Medical Interpreters Conference

2014 THEME:
Medical Interpreter Education: The Gateway to the Future!

January 16 - 19, 2014
Houston, TX  USA

DEADLINE - AUGUST 15, 2013

Link:    http://www.imiaweb.org/conferences/2014callforpapers.asp

Translation Programmes in Canada

• Canada:

• Post-graduate programmes:

1. York University’s MA program in translation:

Link: http://www.yorku.ca/trans/index2.php?p_id=22

For more info about the university programmes which are available worldwide, follow the link below:
Link:   http://translation-worlds.blogspot.com/p/university-programmes.html

Translation in the UK

• THE UK:
• POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMMES:

1. LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY:

                                          

- MA Translation:
Link:   http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2013/translation---ma/
- MA Conference Interpreting:
Link:  http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2013/conference-interpreting--ma/
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Interpreting:
Link: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2013/interpreting-legal--postgraduate-diploma/
- Postgraduate Certificate in Interpreting (Health):
Link:  http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2013/interpreting-health--postgraduate-certificate/
- PG Certificate in Translation & Technology:
Link: http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/2013/translation-and-technology---pg-cert/

For more info about the university programmes which are available worldwide, follow the link below:
Link:   http://translation-worlds.blogspot.com/p/university-programmes.html

Electronic Moshaf Project of King Saoud University

Obviously, the team who worked on this project aimed at designing a website which encompasses all the features of the other available websites. The team addressed spectial thanks to King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur'an (source of Quran images files) , Tanzil.net (source of Quran text and translations) , mosshaf.com (source of Tafasir (explanations)) and Verse by Verse Quran (source of recitations audio files).

Click on the link below to visit the website:

http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/i2.php?l=en#aya=1_1&m=hafs&qaree=husary&trans=en_sh

English Translation of the Meanings of Quran

Meanings of the Holy Quran. Version 1.01 By Yusuf `Ali 

You can listen and read at the same time.

https://mosshaf.com/ar/main

English Translation of "/Tanzeel/"

Tanzil - Quran Navigator

© 2007-2013 Tanzil Project

Tanzil is an international Quranic project aimed at providing a highly-verified precise Quran text.

Credits:

• Developer: Hamid Zarrabi-Zadeh

http://tanzil.net/#19:3

HAIT's Symposium

ينظم

بالشراكة مع

قصر الثقافة مفدي زكريا

ملتقى دولياً حول:

الترجمة والمجالات ذات الصلة: مكانة اللغة العربية اليوم

أيام 18/19/20 ديسمبر 2013

THE HIGHER ARAB INSTITUTE FOR TRANSLATION

(HAIT ALGIERS)

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PALACE OF CULTURE MOUFDI ZAKARIA

WILL HOLD AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM THE 18-19-20 DECEMBER 2013

TRANSLATION AND RELATED FIELDS

IS THERE ROOM FOR ARABIC NOWADAYS?

L’INSTITUT SUPERIEUR ARABE DE TRADUCTION

(ISAT ALGER)

EN PARTENARIAT AVEC

LE PALAIS DE LA CULTURE MOUFDI ZAKARIA

ORGANISE LES 18-19-20 DECEMBRE 2013 UN COLLOQUE INTERNATIONAL

TRADUCTION ET CHAMPS CONNEXES

QUELLE PLACE POUR LA LANGUE ARABE AUJOURD’HUI ?

Axes colloque

http://targem.org/main_ar/?p=1361

Translation Journals

http://translation-worlds.blogspot.com/p/translation-journals.html

Université de Constantine 1 : la traduction enseignée à partir du master

http://www.elwatan.com/regions/est/constantine/universite-de-constantine-1-la-traduction-enseignee-a-partir-du-master-16-07-2013-221265_129.php

Call for Papers: "Reflections of a Translated World: Towards a Disciplinary Meta-Awareness"

Languages: English, French, Spanish
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Toronto, Glendon College, York University
Graduate students in translation studies
Submission deadline: Monday, October 4, 2013

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itit/message/2994

The Higher Arab Institute of Translation

If you need information about the Higher Arab Institute of Translation, just follow the link below:

ISAT , Algiers.

Link:    http://targem.org/main_ar/

My Virtual Professional Profiles

I tried to build a professional network through many social networks such as Facebook. Here is a link to my profile, you are welcome to join as I would like to develop it...

Proz.com

Viadeo.com

Linkedin.com

My Facebook profile...Interpreter, translator & Proofreader

Google+

Bi'Ism Allah!

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Here is my new blog....I want to write about what I read to let anybody who is interested in this field know about it. I will also write about all the theoretical and practical aspects of translation and interpreting. Besides, the reader would find many interesting links related to the field...