You want to learn a foreign language, but you can’t decide which one? There are about 7000 languages in the world to choose from, most of them you have probably never heard of. So, which criteria should you follow? It depends on the main reason why you want to learn a language: work, travel, curiosity, … Continue reading What foreign language should I learn?
Translation and Languages
Learning useful phrases before traveling – yes or no?
It is tradition for Guide Travel Books to include phrases in the native language of the destination country so people can learn them before their trip and use it, as this is considered polite. However, there are a few possible problems. One of them is pronunciation. Automatic translators, like Google Translate, can help you with … Continue reading Learning useful phrases before traveling – yes or no?
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
Lingua Franca and Official Language
The main difference between a lingua franca and an official language is that the former is adopted in an informal way and the latter in a formal way. For example, English is a lingua franca in many parts of the world (people who are not English-speakers use it to communicate between themselves) and is the … Continue reading Lingua Franca and Official Language
Languages and Time
You are a time travel. Since you were born you have been walking on a timeline that are taking you from point A (birth) to point B (death), wishing the line will stretch as much as possible. Every time you take a step you go into the future and away from the past. The future … Continue reading Languages and Time
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Implemented in 2011, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is part of the Language Policy Programme of the Council of Europe . The aim was to standardise at some level the language education throughout the European Union (EU). The baseline of the CEFR is the 6 levels of foreign language proficiency , … Continue reading Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
TRANSLATION & TRAVEL PROJECTS 