[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 TRANSLATION & TRAVEL NEWSLETTER
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
BOOK: “Fatherland” by Robert Harris
THE AUTHOR Robert Harris always wanted to be a writer, but he took a career as a journalist before he could make his wish come true. He started working as a current affairs reporter and evolved to become a political editor. This has greatly influenced his writing focus. His first books were non-fictional and were … Continue reading BOOK: “Fatherland” by Robert Harris
Portuguese Language vs. Spanish Language
[Originally published on 7 September 2012] When I was living in London whenever I said I'm Portuguese people would start talking to me in Spanish. And I would say: "That's Spanish". And then they went on speaking to me in Spanish... I realize that Spanish and Portuguese are very similar to English ears but... Don't … Continue reading Portuguese Language vs. Spanish Language
The process of translating
People in general think that translating is finding the equivalent words in a different language with the help of a dictionary. They also think that it is enough to know both languages. Well, if that was truth, why would there be bachelor degrees and master’s degrees and all kinds of translation studies and training? Yes, … Continue reading The process of translating
English Language(s)
[Originally published on 15 August 2012] It's common knowledge that there is British English and American English. And Australian English for that matter. Is that just it? Well... there is now International English, what speakers of other languages use for understanding each other. Here's a summary on how it went. In the International English the … Continue reading English Language(s)
PROJECT: Fooling Hitler
In 1943, Europe had been at war for approximately 3 years. During that time the mighty army of the German Third Reich seemed invincible. They had allies, Italy and Japan, and the war had been extended to the European colonies in Asia and Africa. Fighting these “forces of evil” were the UK, the USA and … Continue reading PROJECT: Fooling Hitler
Learning a new language
[Originally published on 5 August 2012] Learning a new language is a challenge, needs hard work and takes time. If you're not motivated you will not get it, like everything else in life. Taking classes is essential for you to get the structure of the language and the basics of how it works. After that … Continue reading Learning a new language
BOOK: “The Baltimore Boys” by Joël Dicker
THE AUTHOR Joël Dicker has a very personal style as some details of his writings are based on his personal experiences. For example, his childhood summers spent in the Maine, USA, served as inspiration for the setting of some of his books, including his best known novel “The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair”, which … Continue reading BOOK: “The Baltimore Boys” by Joël Dicker
Use of Language: Verbs
Sentences are composed by a subject, a verb, and complementary information (if necessary). Verbs convey the subject’s action (1) or the subject’s state (2). For example: (1) Phileas Fogg travelled the world. Subject: Phileas Fogg Action: to travel Complementary information: the world (2) Phileas Fogg was intelligent. Subject: Phileas Fogg State: to be Complementary information: … Continue reading Use of Language: Verbs
TRANSLATION & TRAVEL PROJECTS 