[Originally published on 18 March 2015] In Portugal credit cards (and debit cards) are the main mean of payment. On the other hand, Germans prefer to pay in cash [see "Why Germans pay cash for almost everything"]. People usually are big fans of credit/ debit cards because they are easy to use and prevent thefts. … Continue reading Cash or Credit Card
Being foreign in your own country
[Originally published on 5 May 2015] You know when you go to a big city and you take the subway from point A to point B only to find out you actually could have done it in a 5-10 minute walk? That’s pretty standard when you go abroad… for example, in London. Well, it happened … Continue reading Being foreign in your own country
Short travelling journey
[Originally published on 9 April 2015] This weekend I made a 150 km journey for family reasons. In such circumstances, people usually take the fastest route, which means taking the fastest means of transportation as well. I had three choices: going by car, by bus or by train. The fastest way was definitely by car. … Continue reading Short travelling journey
Interrail
[Originally published on 29 March 2015] When I was 18 years old I bought an interrail ticket and went discovering Europe with some friends. Well, actually it was only France, Italy and Switzerland. And San Marino and Monaco and the Vatican City. We did the interrail in the old fashion way: with a backpack and … Continue reading Interrail
Life in Mississippi, USA, in the 1960’s… in a book
[Originally published on 31 October 2014] “The Help”, by Kathryn Stockett, is a book about the non-official apartheid that existed in USA during the 20th century – but in a unique way. The story takes place in Jackson, Mississippi, one of the places where the racial issue was most dramatic and it’s about two groups … Continue reading Life in Mississippi, USA, in the 1960’s… in a book
Travels and Food
[Originally published on 5 June 2014] One time I went to Munich, Germany, and I was looking at the menu (everything was in German, of course) trying to figure out what to order. I wanted to play safe so I chose something that I understood was meat (from cow, I think). I was like “ok, … Continue reading Travels and Food
The work of the translator
[Originally published on 15 May 2014] Being a translator is very challenging. First, you deal with all kinds of topics and you have to be able to master them in a short period of time. Then, you have to quickly find the right words in the language you are translating as you are reading the … Continue reading The work of the translator
Best way to travel
[Originally published on 15 March 2014] The best way to travel depends on your preferences and, of course, your destination. If you live in Europe, want to go to USA and love to travel by train... well, you only get to travel by train once you actually get there. So, your choice is boat or … Continue reading Best way to travel
Translation Studies
[Originally published on 2 February 2014] Translation is a study field like economics or chemistry. Only recently it has became so: around 1985. Nevertheless, the study of translation (and how to do it right) is as old as translation itself. Translation is one of the basis of our globalized society. Everyone has read a book … Continue reading Translation Studies
The worth of translating
[Originally published on 22 January 2014] Most people think that it’s enough to master the languages in question in order to translate. Some people even think that you only need a B1 level (according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). I guess this belief comes from the way people learn languages: this word … Continue reading The worth of translating
About teaching
[Originally published on 16 January 2014] Sugata Mitra is the 2013 TED Prize Winner with his project called Self Organized Learning Environments (SOLE). The idea is to let students learn by themselves using computers. Of course there are older people who guide the students and motivate them. As a teacher I sometimes do experiences to … Continue reading About teaching
Native speakers as teachers and translators
[Originally published on 12 December 2013] It’s a very common belief that when learning a foreign language one is better served with a native speaker teacher. In translation it is a rule that a translator only should translate into his/her native language. But... is it so? In all fields, a good professional is a good … Continue reading Native speakers as teachers and translators
Influences of the Portuguese language
[Originally published on 20 November 2013] Pretty much all countries (especially in Europe) were invaded and controlled by other people. And that meant these other people would imposed their own language onto the new territories. Although Portugal is one of the countries in Europe with the oldest borders it also had its share of invasions … Continue reading Influences of the Portuguese language
A little bit about fictional literature
[Originally published on 25 August 2013] Fictional literature reflects the culture in which the author was raised. And culture is rooted on its geographical region. Here are some examples: South-American literature describes supernatural scenes like they are perfectly real and possible. These scenes are always connected with emotions, so in a way it’s like the … Continue reading A little bit about fictional literature
Living Abroad
[Originally published on 7 August 2012] Living abroad is basically the same as living in our own country: you need to find a place to live, go to groceries, pay our bills, find and job and stick with it, use the transportation system, make friends, get along with co-workers... However, it is also completely different … Continue reading Living Abroad
About Translation
[Originally published on 24 September 2012] When one thinks of translation one immediately thinks of languages. True, but not exclusively. In reality, translators are mediators that decode information. A simple example: the computer language is composed by 0 and 1 and we use computers with our own language. Yes, there are coding and decoding instruments … Continue reading About Translation
Misconceptions on Portugal
[Originally published on 9 November 2013] To be fair, everyone has misconceptions on most countries in the world. Like: in Europe we think that all Africans live in the middle of the jungle and then we get amazed when we discover they actually have cities and buildings. So, foreigns usually think two wrong things about … Continue reading Misconceptions on Portugal
Traveling abroad for the 1st time
[Originally published on 14 November 2013] People get all sort of excuses for not travelling: . It’s too expensive; . We have kids; . I don’t know foreign languages; . I don’t have time; . I’m scared; . It’s too complicated; . ... Well, most of the people just don’t want to travel, which is … Continue reading Traveling abroad for the 1st time
INTERVIEW: Moving to Greenland
Christopher Petersen is a writer, currently living in Denmark, whose books are set in Greenland. He lived there for seven years. ACPN: The inevitable first question - why did you move to Greenland? CP: I’ve always been fascinated by the Arctic and knew I had to live there at some point in my life. … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Moving to Greenland
Tourists vs. Travelers
[Originally published on 6 November 2013] According with the Merriam Webster Dictionary: . a tourist is «one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture»; . a traveller is «one that goes on a trip or journey». So, the difference seems to be “pleasure”. A traveller just travels while a tourist travels for pleasure. But... … Continue reading Tourists vs. Travelers
Portuguese Language vs. English Language
[Originally published on 3 September 2013] There are some differences between languages due to cultural background and its origins. English language has lots of influences. Due to this evolution words from Latin origin are considered “big words” and those with an Anglo-Saxon origin are ordinary. In Portuguese, a language that evolved directly from Latin, “big … Continue reading Portuguese Language vs. English Language
TRANSLATION & TRAVEL PROJECTS 