Dialect

What constitutes a dialect and what to do about it is one of the most misunderstood concepts in translation, perhaps second only to the "native speaker" syndrome (the pernicious idea, promoted by some language schools, that being a native speaker qualifies a person to translate).

Every major language has regional and class variations, but more importantly, every language also has clear standards and guidelines for correct and incorrect grammar and usage.

Although there may be times when it is appropriate to write in a regional or class dialect (targeted advertising comes to mind), business communications (and this includes technical writings, contracts, legislation, financial statements, etc.) must always be written in standard language.

Dominant language

This term has two distinct meanings:

1) the language of primary competence, the language that a person knows best, which may or may not be the person’s native language.  For example, in the case of immigrants educated primarily (or exclusively) in the US, although their native language may be other than English, their primary language competence is in English, not in their native language.

2) the language spoken by the dominant class, the recognized standard of correct grammar and usage.  Some examples would be  "the King's English," "New York Times English", the Spanish prescribed by the Real Academia, etc.  The more usual term for this is standard language.

Earbud

Earbuds are small, lightweight earphones that sit in the outer part of the ear. Click here for more information.

Earphone

Earphones are lightweight variations on the headphone, designed to fit on, in, or around the ear.  They are more comfortable and portable than headphones and can cover one or both ears.  Click here for more information.

Editing

A thorough editing of your source text is one of the factors that can help to improve a translation.  Above all:

1. Make sure your source text is clear and at the appropriate reading level.  A translator cannot change your original; all he or she can do is translate it into its equivalent language.  Remember:  Garbage in, garbage out.

2. Avoid culture-specific metaphors and figures of speech.  Spare your translator the task of searching for equivalent language to "step up to the plate",  "easy as pie", and "good egg."

3. Eliminate all word puns.  Words do not translate; thoughts do.  I'll never forget the man who wanted to export industrial refrigeration equipment to South America and couldn't understand why his logo with a polar bear and the words, "Bear us in mind for your refrigeration needs," just wouldn't translate.

Equipment

The quality of a simultaneous interpretation depends largely on the quality of the equipment available to the interpreter.  The quality of the booth, field of vision, headphones, microphones, sound quality, etc. are integral components of the simultaneous interpretation services.  Click here for more information.

Equipment company

A company whose primary business consists of supplying various types of equipment for meetings and conventions.  As a sideline, they usually also "source out" interpreters who may, or may not be competent, but who will surely not be able to do their best work since the equipment people know nothing of interpretation and can offer them neither guidance nor supervision.

Equivalence

The concept that translation or interpretation must strive to transfer meaning from one language to its equivalent in another, taking into consideration the class, culture, profession, etc. of both the source and the target text or speech.

Equivalent language

The language of the equivalent time period and class or profession in the other language.  For example, if the source text is an article published in a US medical journal, and the target language is Spanish, the equivalent language would be the language used in medical journal articles published in Spanish-speaking countries at around the same timeframe as the original.

Escort interpreter

An interpreter who travels with an individual or small delegation during technical, state visits, trade shows, etc., usually performing whispering interpreting or wireless interpreting.

Federally Certified Court Interpreter

A court interpreter who has passed the examination to assess competency to interpret during federal court proceedings, given under the Court Interpreters Act of 1978.

Not to be confused with a legal interpreter, who is a highly qualified simultaneous interpreter with knowledge of comparative law and the legal systems of civil law countries and common law countries and a much higher level of competence.

Financial interpretation

Financial interpretation is the interpretation, usually at a meeting or convention, of speeches dealing with financial topics, such as banking, accounting, finance, etc.

Financial interpreter

A highly skilled interpreter with extensive knowledge of finance, banking, accounting, etc. who interprets at meetings and conventions dealing with these topics.

Financial translation

The translation of financial statements, annual reports, IPO's, etc.

Financial translator

A translator with knowledge, training, and experience in translating financial statements, annual reports, etc.

Fixed booth

A fixed booth is an interpretation booth that is built permanently into some conference centers, as opposed to a mobile booth, which can be assembled and disassembled and is set up in meeting rooms when needed.  See also ISO Standards for Fixed Booths.

FM interpretation equipment

Interpretation equipment that transmits sound over FM radio frequencies.  FM systems consist of a transmitter and a receiver. The advantages of FM interpretation systems are their ease of installation, reliability, and wide range.  In cases where secrecy is desired, the wide range can be a disadvantage, as a person with a receiver tuned to the proper frequency can sometimes hear perfectly from as far away as 1000 yards or more, even from a different building.  Radio frequency systems are also more susceptible to radio interference than IR systems.

Form

Language conveys meaning through both, form and content, and they must both be transferred into parallel and equivalent language in order to produce a translation. 

Freelance interpreter

Self-employed interpreter, who works for a variety of clients on a per-meeting basis.  Often specializes in one or more particular fields, such as legal, financial, medical, or technical.

Freelance translator

Self-employed translator, who works for a variety of clients on a per-project basis.  Often specializes in one or more particular fields, such as legal, financial, medical, or technical.

Globalization

In the context of translation, it refers to the process of adapting products or services to the global market.  It can include redesigning technical specifications, packaging, labels, etc. to conform to the legal & regulatory requirements of the target countries.

It can also refer to the legal, regulatory, and technical changes put into effect by countries in an effort to adapt themselves to the requirements of their trade partners.

Glossary

Glossaries are essential tools for translators, but must never be considered substitutes for translating competence.  A good glossary will make a good translator better, but it is of little help to a poor translator.  Glossaries should be generated by the translators or translation companies, sometimes with the assistance of the client. 

Headphone

Simultaneous interpretation equipment includes a variety of headphones and earphones; some for the interpreters, others for the participants.

Headset

Any of various types of participants' headset-receiver sets.   Sometimes the term "headset" is used to refer to headphones or earphones.  A headphone or earphone needs to be connected to a receiver in order for the participant to be able to tune in to the proper channel and hear the interpretation. 

Hybridization

(1) The assimilation of foreign terms into a language  (2)The intermingling of the legal systems of  common law and civil law countries as a consequence of globalization.