You have spent countless hours, days, months, maybe even years working on something important. Whether it is a product, book, article, patent, or marketing campaign, you do not want to skimp on the translation. In fact, you want the best possible translator/editor on your team. Why? Because you do not want to undermine your credibility … Continue reading Why You Need an Experienced Linguist to Translate Your Work
Tag: transcreation english-romanian-english
How Do We Make Sense of Things? The Language Connection
As award-winning blogger Maria Popova once said, "We can never see the world as it really is". And that's because, on the one hand, we are part of the very system we are trying to describe, and on the other because the things we perceive make little or no sense to us until we plot … Continue reading How Do We Make Sense of Things? The Language Connection
Subtleties of Romanian: The Not-so-solemn Distinction Between “Mantuire” and “Mantuiala”
The other day I saw an ad for a subtitling job. It was in one of my language combinations, (English into Romanian), and it was for religious content. As I have successfully translated religious and philosophical essays before, I felt it was right up my alley and decided to apply. While waiting to receive additional … Continue reading Subtleties of Romanian: The Not-so-solemn Distinction Between “Mantuire” and “Mantuiala”
Genderlect: Why Is It Important?
Good question. But what is genderlect, anyway? Linguists use this blending of gender and dialect to describe how language use differs between men and women (and also to sound cool). Do men and women use language differently? A large body of research shows that yes, indeed they do. With the advancement of gender equality, these … Continue reading Genderlect: Why Is It Important?
Skincare Words 101: The Tricky Difference Between ‘Alina’ and ‘Alinta’ in Romanian
Nowhere is aspirational writing more at home than in the fashion and cosmetics industries. Lotions and moisturizers, dresses and accessories will do all sorts of exquisite things to your skin and figure: they hydrate and cleanse, revitalize and smooth, fortify and enliven. They can flatter your silhouette, highlight your natural curves and make you shine. … Continue reading Skincare Words 101: The Tricky Difference Between ‘Alina’ and ‘Alinta’ in Romanian
Food Words 101: Garen, Gären, (Er)nähren, Gaumenfreude und Genuss
How do you feel about cooking? Love it? Loathe it? Personally, I am not a major fan, but the coronavirus lockdowns have turned us all into hobby chefs. Out of boredom (or dire need), we have picked up those cookbooks or browsed the net in search of something truly yummy (and not too difficult to … Continue reading Food Words 101: Garen, Gären, (Er)nähren, Gaumenfreude und Genuss
How discourse analysis helps me be a better transcreator
As Wikipedia will have it, transcreation (the craft of creative translation) refers to "the process of adapting a message from one language to another, while maintaining its intent, style, tone, and context. A successfully transcreated message evokes the same emotions and carries the same implications in the target language as it does in the source language." That's … Continue reading How discourse analysis helps me be a better transcreator
Transcreation Blunders – Care for a Rocket Salad?
Und schon haben wir den Salat. Raketen-Salat. Hard to believe, I know, but I've just had it - the famed rocket salad. In German - Raketensalat. ... And we have liftoff, ladies and gentlemen! Also known as "arugula", rocket is a plant which is sometimes blamed for giving restaurant-goers gas, but which invariably gives restaurant-owners … Continue reading Transcreation Blunders – Care for a Rocket Salad?
Transcreation Toolbox (II): The Literary Devices Behind Great Slogans
(Read initial article here.) Here are some other exciting examples of slogans for brands that have made history. And an explanation why they have managed to stand out and work so well. British Rail: Six simple words and a rhyme. "Let the train take the strain". There is assonance for a more powerful and memorable … Continue reading Transcreation Toolbox (II): The Literary Devices Behind Great Slogans
Transcreation Toolbox (I): The Literary Devices Behind Great Slogans
We keep hearing slogans should be memorable. But have you ever stopped to wonder (and – gasp – analyze!) what makes good slogans stick in your brain and act as remote controls of human behavior? What is it about them that alerts and entices emotions, generates appeal and triggers action? Here’s one explanation, and it … Continue reading Transcreation Toolbox (I): The Literary Devices Behind Great Slogans