Top 100 Language Professional Blogs 2014 – voting now open!

Voting is now open for the Top 100 Language Professional Blogs 2014 competition organised by LexioPhiles and bab.la, for which we’ve been nominated in the “Language Professionals” category. Voting runs from 20 May to 23:59 hours Central European Time time on 9 June 2014. If you’d like to vote for Words to good effect, you can cast your vote here. …

Translators’ rates: of guns and hoes

Don’t worry, this post isn’t a homage to gangsta’ rap. The title refers to the implements used by translators to shoot themselves – or, if they’re Italian, hoe themselves – in the foot where pay’s concerned (the Italian expression is “darsi una zappata sui piedi”. Another reason to avoid gardening). Following on from my last two posts – Translators’ pay: how …

Craftsmanship: is it boring? Not for translators (the good ones, that is).

This advert for Leica cameras made me think of the translator’s craft. And the skill and work and care and honing and polishing that it takes to produce a really good translation that truly serves your client’s needs. The Most Boring Ad Ever Made? from Leica Camera on Vimeo. What do you think, readers: is …