Scottish historian Neil Oliver has written an open letter to the people of Scotland, setting out his position on the Independence Referendum. I’m publishing extracts from it here as it expresses similar feelings to my my own. Neil Oliver’s open letter to the Scottish people: “I will lay my cards on the table from the start: …
Author archives: Marian Dougan
The Scottish Referendum. Words for thought (2): “solidarity”
First of all, a warning to readers. I normally try to keep this blog a-political and to focus mainly on language issues. However, I feel very passionately about the Scottish Referendum debate and its outcome. As this blog is my main platform for expressing my beliefs, this post, and maybe one other in the next few days, will have …
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The Scottish Referendum: words for thought (1)
As you’re probably aware (you certainly will be if you live in Scotland or one of the other UK countries!), on 18 September people on both sides of the Scottish independence debate – “Yes” voters, who want independence, and “No” voters, who want to stay with the United Kingdom – will be casting their votes. And in spite of their …
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Something Understood: a radio programme about translation
I’ve been very busy recently, with not much time to post here. But today I came across a radio programme that I can share (quickly!) with you. It’s from BBC Radio 4 and is called “Something Understood“. In the programme, Mark Tully negotiates the challenges, pitfalls and delights of translating ideas, emotions and even music, into …
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Translation Studies MSc: a student’s perspective
A guest post today, from someone starting out in their translation career. Kathleen Clegg is just completing her Masters at Glasgow University, and kindly agreed to write a post describing her experience over the last year and her feelings as she embarks on her translation career. So read on, for a fresh perspective on the …
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Top 25 language blogs 2014 – a belated thank you (we came third!)
“Words to good effect” is one of the winning language blogs in the Top 25 Language Professionals Blogs 2014 competition organised by LexioPhiles and bab.la. We came third, and are totally chuffed! A (belated) big “Thank You” to everyone who voted for us, and to LexioPhiles and bab.la for organising the competition. Great things about the Language Lovers competition include: …
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Interpreters: what they do and how they do it
If you take part in outreach activities, or if people ever ask you the difference between translators and interpreters, and what they actually do, then you might find this “More Than Words” TEDx talk useful. Produced by the Monterey Institute of International Studies, it features Laura Burian, Miguel Garcia and Barry Olsen. The talk also provides a good answer to anyone …
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Translators’ rates and the poverty cult. Plus ça change?
In the comments to one of my recent posts about translators’ rates and pay, translator Kevin Hendzel mentioned a speech by Neil Inglis, a translator with the International Monetary Fund. Neil’s speech referred to the “poverty cult” that so many (too many) translators seem to espouse. I haven’t been able to find the speech itself, but Kevin’s article …
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“Reginella”, sung by Olivia Naio. A song for Italian National Day
Today, 2 June, is the Festa della Repubblica, Italy’s National Day. So for my Italian readers (and everyone else too!) here’s a song from Naples performed – in the Neapolitan dialect – by my daughter, Olivia. About Reginella “Reginella”, written in 1917 by Libero Bovio and Gaetano Lama, is a bitter-sweet song about lost love and innocence. The singer sees his old love, his …
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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. …
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