While hearing the word “translation” the vision of translating the text into a certain language in the ratio of 1:1 often comes to mind. Such a proceure aims at maintaining the original meaning of words but it does not work in every case. Specific and sometimes humorous phrases or idioms characteristic for a certain country or cultural circle do not always have their equivalents in another country. Then, special attention should be put on globalization.

The beginning – localization

Localization is an adjustment of target language to the needs of a certain country. What is considered proper for a wider group of recipients in Poland can create confusion in another country. Such expressions include phrases, proverbs and fixed phrases for example: phrase „jak to ugryźć“ (literally “how to bite it“) which can not directly be translated into any language.

Next step – internationalisation

Internationalisation is an adjusting of a product – in this case a translation – for society around the whole world. Its job is also acceleration of the localization stage. It is well seen in translations in which programming language has to include the possibility of being recorded in particular languages.

Globalization of translations

Globalization – as the name indicates – is an adjustment oft the product to the global market, and it also applies to translations. It is the mix of terms “localization“ and “internationalisation“. In practice, it means that in the proccess of translation, the attention is focused on making the final text approchable in terms of used vocabulary.

LangOps – breakthrough in translations?

The progress in technology also influences the translation field. An example of this is LanguageOperations (LangOps), a tool making communication between people speaking different languages around the world easier. It is based on mixing artificial intelligence with localization of a user. Thanks to this strategy, high quality translations are generated. They are understandable everywhere in the world, and besides that they are adjusted to a certain society regardless of the statement‘ s context. In Unbabel‘ s opinion – the creators of the platform – it allows to save time and costs connected with translation.

Application of theory in practice – the perfect translation

In translating, a huge role is played by individual adjustment of used language to the needs of a certain society. It should be remembered that without localization and internalization there is no globalization. A helpful tool allowing to use these terms in practice is LangOps, which is becoming increasingly important in the world of translation. But it should be taken into consideration that despite the fact that the inluence on translations is constantly growing, the “machine“ is not able to completely replace the work of a human, professional translator.

Artykuł Global localization in translations pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Movies and TV series are an integral part of modern entertainment. For many people it’s a favourite way of spending free time thanks to the variety of topics, convenience of use and easy availability, which can be obtained in many ways – through streaming platforms, going to the cinema or watching TV.

Transcription and translating of dialogue lists play a key role in distributing a movie or a TV series among wide range of audience, as well as in increasing the availability of those culture resources for the general public.

Dialogue lists – the role of translation

Dialogue lists are transcripts of dialogues between characters, which are shown on the screen as subtitles, or read by a voice-over. Because of that, translations of dialogue lists are extremely important, and their realization is more demanding than it may seem. Knowledge of a language is not enough for a translation to be well done. Apart from the ability to translate sentences of dialogues, an ability of reading and recognizing the cultural aspect by a translator is needed. Only when the translator reads the emotions, tone of voice and style of speech correctly will he or she be able to appropriately put into words and convey the same thing that the character had in mind. Sometimes translating a certain expression is quite impossible, because it makes sense only in a given language. Then, the translator must find a way to create a message appropriate for the given culture, while keeping as much of the authenticity as possible.

Role of transcription

Transcription of dialogue lists is a process of transferring the dialogues of the character onto paper. At his stage, it’s important to be as precise as possible and pay attention to cultural aspect of dialogues. It’s crucial, because even the smallest detail can completely change the context and understanding of the speech and, in consequence, the whole situation. While transcribing, not only listening skills in the transcribed language are important, but also writing skills – especially orthography and punctuation. Mistakes in spelling can lead to understanding a word as a completely different than the one in the original version. Punctuation in transcription helps to put emphasis on a sentence and, as a result, read it in an appropriate tone of voice and make pauses where a break for catching one’s breath is needed.

Transcription of dialogue lists is key in the whole process of translating movies and TV series, and this procedure can be called an art of conveying and keeping the authenticity of the translated speech.

(translation A. Ł.)

Artykuł Dialogue lists – transcription and translating pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Railways play an important role in global economy, making effective long-distance transport of products and people possible. The business of translation plays an equally crucial role in making communication between people, who speak different languages, possible. The cooperation of these two fields is really important. Railroading becomes the bridge and translations made in Atominium are the tools which make crossing it easier.

Which documents in the railway industry need translations?

The railways are a business of global reach and it requires actions to made by many subjects from various distant countries. That is the reason why translations in rail transportation are becoming crucial. Technical documents, user manuals, agreements, safety regulations and many other materials have to be accessible in different languages, so that all the participants of the process can act in agreement with safety regulations and accepted standards.

Technical translations

It should not surprise anyone that railroading is a business using mainly technical translations which apply to technical specification, schemes, user manuals, specialised technical reports etc. Documents which are not properly translated can lead to serious mistakes, causing danger for workers and passengers. Linguists working in this field need to have not only perfect knowledge of the languages, but also they need to be specialists in the rail transportation business.

Intercultural communication

Because railways connect people and cultures from different parts of the world, it is important to not only transfer the information but also to make sure that translations are adjusted to the culture and expectations of their receivers. It applies to the localisation of the text – thanks to this, translations are understandable and acceptable for different target groups.

There is a quick development of new technologies in railway transportation. More often we deal with automatisation of trains or intelligent traffic management systems. Translators have to be up to date on the progress in technology so they could completely transfer new ideas and realisations.

Translators play a key role in the railway industry and they ensure understanding and safety in international society. Their work not only makes the transfer of information easier but it also builds bridges between different cultures, contributing to the harmonious development of the railways on a global scale. We are happy that Atominium can be the part of this world making translations for the railways with success.

Artykuł Railways in translations pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Simultaneous translation is a variety of interpretation connected to important events, which usually include meetings, presentations, international trade fairs, lectures, training sessions, speeches, negotiations and many others. Conference interpreting involves the interpreter creating a speech that not only conveys the speaker’s thoughts, but also reflects his or her emotions and manner of speaking, i.e. reproduces the tone of voice, humour, metaphors and other hidden meanings that the speaker wants to convey.

Consecutive interpreting

Interpretations may be divided in two ways. One is the use of a consecutive interpreter. During consecutive interpretating the interpreter waits util the speaker takes a break and thus he or she has the time to prepare. While the speaker is speaking, the interpreter takes notes and memorises as many details as possible using a variety of writing techniques so that a large number of words are quickly recorded. Typically, batches of the speaker and interpreter’s speech last from a few seconds to several minutes. Hence, consecutive interpretating is more often used for shorter or intimate meetings, as the final length can double.

Simultaneous interpreting

Another method of interpreting used at conferences is simultaneous interpretation. This takes place almost at the same time as the speaker’s speech and requires a soundproof booth and headphones for the participants. Interpreters, working in pairs, have very little time to hear, understand and translate the speaker’s speech. This requires a high stress resistance, good subject matter preparation, undivided attention, concentration and good diction as being essential. Simultaneous interpretation does not extend the duration of the meeting so it is worth using during all-day conferences.

Translation agency support

When it comes to conference interpreting, everything needs to be sewn up. Participants in such events are often people of high standing, representatives of national governments or international organisations. In such cases, it is worth taking advantage of the experience of a translation agency and entrusting the organisation of the interpreting to specialists who will provide high-quality interpretations, which include simultaneous, consecutive, whispered and sworn.

Artykuł Interpretations pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

E-commerce is often more profitable than the traditional form of selling due to greater access to potential foreign customers. However, in order to maximise their sales opportunities, a retailer should not limit their shop only to their native language or English. As statistics show, more than half of all customers buy products online if they have access to information in their native language.

Translation – but not just any kind

Lack of translation content in an online shop can often discourage customers from making a purchase. It is worth remembering, however, that a poor quality translation can be even worse than no translation at all. A translation generated by AI or Google Translator will sound artificial and, instead of encouraging, may put customers off by evoking associations with scam or fake sites. Another element of good translation is localisation – adapting the content to the culture of the country. Localisation of the website takes into account the preferences of the users of the country by, for example, adjusting the currency, metric system and size chart.

What to translate?

The heart of an online shop is its homepage, the first web page that customers see when they open the link leading to the shop. It is therefore important that its translation is not only correct, but also attractive and customer-oriented. Product or service descriptions will also play a major role; after all, it’s their selling point. The content of the descriptions should sound natural and inviting to the foreign customer. Care should also be taken to correctly translate the opinions of other customers, regardless of whether their opinion is favourable or not. A poor translation can be associated with internet bots.

SEO in online shops translation

It is worth remembering that a translation will not encourage a foreign customer to buy if the site is not suggested by their search engine. It should also be borne in mind that different countries use diverse search engines, which arrange pages by referring to different criteria. A professional translator will ensure that not only the keywords, but also the phrases most frequently searched for in a particular country appear on the page. This will ensure that the website will appear high in the search results of potential foreign customers.

(A.W.)

Artykuł Translation of e-commerce and online shops pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Continual changes in the language can become a hindrance for those translators who would like to take up translating texts which were written several dozen or even, a hundred years earlier. These texts are usually of high historical value while not many are able to read them. One example of this is Neo-Gothic script – handwritten German script in use until 1941, when it was replaced by Antiqua, based on the Latin alphabet.

Neo-Gothic translation deals with transliteration and traduction of handwritten Old German texts. The ability to decipher Neo-Gothic script poses problems for translators of the German language, and even for native speakers.

That is why there are not a lot people who specialise in deciphering and translation of Neo-Gothic script and the ability to use it is declining. Meanwhile, this ability is important and necessary – it helps to decipher texts of high historical value, treasured not only by researchers but also families wanting to understand archives passed down from generation to generation.

Difficulties in translation of ancient texts

The condition of these texts itself can make it more difficult to decipher them. The manuscripts are often ruined and their copies fuzzy. What’s more, many versions of Neo-Gothic script further impede the process of deciphering. We can distinguish different types of Neo-Gothic script: Kurrent, Sütterlin, Offenbach script and late gothic cursive. We can see them in antique manuscripts, such as chronicles, civil registries and church documents.

Through regular evolution of the language, the words can change their meanings and, what’s more, one has to pay attention to the historical context necessary in order to understand them. Another problem in the Neo-Gothic script is a different way of writing letters which makes it difficult to translate, especially when it comes to names where it is not possible to guess the meaning of the words from the context, and the names change over time depending on the geopolitical situation.

How to translate Neo-Gothic script?

During preparations for translation of Neo-Gothic script, some additional problems are to be expected. Small letters can sometimes resemble letters used in the Latin alphabet which can be confusing. In turn, uppercase letters can be written in such decorative ways that it is difficult to differentiate between them. Furthermore, lowercase letters may look very different from their equivalents in uppercase letters. Besides that, other complications might occur – as with the letter “s” that has two graphic forms, with their use depending on the letter’s placement in the sentence.

However, there are methods that help with Neo-Gothic translation. Context is the most important because it allows to decipher unknown letters and words. Comparative method is also helpful – through comparing letters and words from a difficult to read passage with ones from a passage we already can read. However difficult it may be, the ability to read Neo-Gothic script opens doors for the translator to understand valuable sources, which without the right specialists will remain unstudied.

(translation M. N.)

Artykuł Neo-Gothic Translation pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

In Poland, the popularity of manga and anime continues to grow each year. The amount of manga publishers and frequent screening of Japanese animations in our cinemas are proof of this trend. Consequently, there is growing demand for Japanese translation services. But, translating manga and anime from as distinct language as Japanese is a great challenge.

Grammar – speaking about comparing apples with oranges

Problems in translation exist even on the level of grammatical structures that are completely different than Polish. Japanese has a SOV word order (Subject + Object + Verb), meaning that in Japanese the verb is typically at the end of the sentence. In contrast, in Polish the most popular word order is Subject + Verb + Object. Of course a skilled translator can easily solve this issue due to inflection in the Polish language, which allows for a greater freedom in word order. Lack of the future tense and plural forms of nouns in Japanese also pose a challenge. However these difficulties are easy to solve after careful analysis of the sentence context. A more significant problem for the translator is the lack of masculine and feminine genders in Japanese, which, in Polish, occurs not only nouns but also verbs and adjectives, though the translator can rather easily determine the character gender based on the context of the sentence. But what if the author deliberately decides to hide the character gender? In such a case, the translator must closely examine the procedure the author chose to hide the gender and also maintain the ambiguity for the reader.

Names and their double meaning

A greater challenge for the translator are character’s names, usually written in kanji characters, though in spelling some hiragana and katakana are also used. Often, in their spelling, they carry a hidden meaning to uncover later by the reader. A good example of it can be ”Spirited Away”. In the movie, the name of the protagonist, Chihiro (千尋- literally meaning ”thousand questions”), is changed by Yubaba, who considers the girl unworthy of it. The girl’s new name is Sen, which also is an alternative pronunciation of the kanji character千. But the translator is unable to convey this information in any other way than in a footnote, hoping that the viewer can read it in the few seconds of the scene.

Can the wordplays be preserved?

It’s not surprising that when translating so complex a language like Japanese, many wordplays will be lost in translation – it’s inevitable. Translators can once again rely on footnotes to explain unclear jokes or provide needed context. Another solution is to create an analogic joke in the target language. A good example can be the name of one of the characters in the series “Assassination Classroom” where students are assigned to kill their alien teacher. In the Polish version “Korosensei,” the teacher’s name, has been translated as “Pan niezabijalski” (Mr. Unkillable). The reason for this is that “Korosensei” consists of two parts – Koro meaning “impossible to kill”, and “sensei” meaning both teacher and serves as an honorific form attached to a name.

(A. W.)

Artykuł Difficulties in manga and anime translation pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Translations pharmaceutical and biomedical belongs to texts from highly specialised fields. They are one of the most demanding types of translations and entail great responsibility; the translator performing them must have perfect knowledge of the given language. The health of a person depends on their correctness.

What are pharmaceutical and biomedical translations

Translations of pharmaceutical and biomedical texts is nothing more than the translation of strictly medical documents language. Our translation agency offers translations of medical government reports, patient cards, safety protocols, biotechnological documentation, scientific articles or other scientific and technical texts. Other than the above-mentioned examples, the translator’s task is also the precise translation of flyers, test results, prescriptions and many other documents into the one chosen by the client language. Pharmaceutical translations come with a lot of responsibility, and fortunately a qualified team of translators copes well with them. They must maintain the substantive value of the message and meet the requirements of international standards, and at the same time choose the right terms in the target language with surgical precision.

What qualities should a translator translating medical documents have?

It’s important to choose a translator who is not only fluent in language, but also have education in medical sciences. Among the valuable skills of such a translator will be the ability to use appropriate medical sources and use the correct terminology. An experienced translator uses clear and concise language to make Pharmaceutical translations easy to understand. Due to the complexity of texts on the subject of pharmacy and biotechnology, it is important to consult with doctors, pharmacists or scientists.

Medical translations at ATOMINIUM

Translator agency Atominium takes care of translation of medical documentation. In our offer you will find mainly translations in the field of english, dutch, russian, ukrainian and much more, which are made by professional linguists with many years of experience. We also offer certified translations depending on the needs of our clients. Pharmaceutical translations and biomedical translations can be particularly useful for pharmaceutical companies, medicine importers, laboratories and research centres.

(Translation M. Sz.)

Artykuł Translations pharmaceutical and biomedical pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

It is difficult to properly function in the modern world without making use of the latest technology. New kinds of software and applications that appear on the market are often full of borrowings, or they are fully designed in a foreign language. Therefore, the demand for various IT sector translations is increasing.

What is IT translation?

IT translation is nothing more than translation of the material related to, in a broad sense, the IT industry. It can be a translation of software, an application, videogame, websites, manuals, and documentation tied to information technology. Localization, which is an essential stage in the process of bringing products to new markets, is also extremely important.

How are the IT texts translated?

In order to make sure that the translated program or website works flawlessly, IT translation requires the usage of various translation techniques. It is important to properly “extract” the source text and then correctly write it back into the code. In the case of software or application translation, different tools that make the process easier prove invaluable.

Translator skills

An excellent proficiency in both foreign and native languages is expected of a translator specialised in this field. Some other requirements include:
• Knowledge of a wide range of subject matter concerned with IT, e.g., programming, system architecture
• Knowing technical vocabulary used in the field
• Experience in IT translating for the IT sector
• Technical skills; being familiar with specialised CAT tools is necessary for an IT translator
• Being up to date with IT novelties

How to choose a suitable translation agency to prepare an IT translation?

Translation for the IT sector has been a quickly developing area of translation in recent years; thus, it is offered by many companies. And for that reason, it is important to look for translation agencies with long-term experience in translating IT texts. Timely and reliable execution of the commissioned projects is equally essential. Flawlessness is vital in this kind of translation, because even the smallest mistake can cause a website or an application to crash. In our translation agency we provide the highest quality translations through cooperation with experienced translators working in the IT industry.

(Translation D. Ł.)

Artykuł Translations for the IT sector pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.

Financial translations include the translation of texts and documents regarding economics, banking, accounting, insurance markets etc. A translator dealing with this type of translation is required to be particularly attentive and proficient in specific financial fields. Incorrect translation of certain phrases in the case of financial documents can result in serious consequences, which is why in most cases companies focus on contact with translation agencies that possess an extensive experience, offering translation in many languages in order to operate freely in the international sphere.

What documents are translated most often?

There are many types of financial documents. The most frequently translated are:
• Financial documentation of enterprises
• Monthly or annual reports
• Market research
• Income statements
• Tax reports
• Marketing documents

Economic and financial translations also cover a wide range of business documentation. Moreover, among banks or financial institutions, translations of software supporting contact between customers and enterprises are popular. This type of translation requires the acquaintance of IT terms and practical knowledge from the translator, useful when localising software.

Translator skills

Professionals dealing with this type of translations often need to have a knowledge of law, economics or a specific field to which the document relates. Excellent use of source and foreign languages, constant updating of knowledge of the economic market, as well as strong analytical skills are also required.

How to choose the right translation agency for financial translation?

Financial translations are offered by many translation agencies. Therefore, choosing the right business partner should be very carefully thought out. When making the selection, it is worth paying attention to the seniority of the agency’s activity, references and experience. A crucial requirement when choosing the agency is also confidentiality when transferring documents and information. Financial records often contain sensitive data that cannot be shared with third parties.

Financial translations are a very popular branch of translation that requires high competence and experience from the translator. Cooperation with the appropriate translation agency is invaluable in this regard because the clients can entrust it with their business data, without fear of violating their confidentiality and being sure that they will receive reliable and correctly translated documents.

(Translation M. B.)

Artykuł Financial translations pochodzi z serwisu Specialist Translation Agency - Cracow - Atominium.