A blog about translation, writing and language in all its glorious aspects
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 …
Continue reading “Something Understood: a radio programme about translation”
“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: …
Continue reading “Top 25 language blogs 2014 – a belated thank you (we came third!)”
One of social media’s great mysteries is why people think it’s appropriate to use holiday snaps showing them in their swimsuits for their LinkedIn profile pics. Complete with fruity cocktails and palm trees. LinkedIn is a business and professional platform. Users’ photos should reflect that. You can portray your personality and look warm and friendly …
Continue reading “Life’s a beach? Great! But please, not on LinkedIn…”
Today is Burns Day, when Scots (here in Scotland and just about everywhere else in the world) celebrate the life and work of Robert (Rabbie) Burns. The celebrations often take the form of a Burns Supper at which the haggis takes pride of place, along with poetry and, of course, whisky. Here’s a wee round-up …
Do you ever get annoyed with your clients’ manners? I often do, for example when they don’t acknowledge, far less thank me for, a translation I’ve delivered by email. If I were to walk into the client’s office and hand over the translation in paper format, I’m sure they’d say “Thanks”. So what happens to their …
Today is the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg address, delivered by Abraham Lincoln on 19 November 1863. Cordelia (aka Dilly or Dill) Ditton, a Glasgow-based actress, director and communication coach, wrote an interesting blog post about the Address back in February, entitled “Abraham Lincoln, the power of sound and maybe the greatest speech ever written“. …
Continue reading “The Gettysburg Address: lessons for writers (and translators!)”
I recently had to translate the following seminar title from Italian to English: La reputazione della Pubblica Amministrazione: in questo paese, può l’impiegato pubblico essere un alleato del cittadino? E può cambiare il modo di vedere la P.A. da parte del cittadino? This title has a major flaw (quite apart from its utter lack of …
Continue reading “Government communication. But not through Twitter”
Why do some business people go to such great lengths, on social networking sites, to avoid telling people who they are and what they do? Or to convey such a whimsical image of themselves on serious business platforms? I’ve just been up-dating my profile on KILTR, a social networking site for Scots or people who …
Continue reading “A social networking rant. Tell us who you are, people!”
In an article in the Huffington Post marking International Translation Day (celebrated on 30 September), Nataly Kelly, Chief Research Officer at Common Sense Advisory and co-author of “Found in Translation”, listed 10 ways that translation benefits us all: 1. Translation saves lives. 2. Translation prevents terror. 3. Translation keeps the peace. 4. Translation elects world leaders. 5. …
Continue reading “Not love, not money. It’s translation that makes the world go round.”
Have you ever wondered why English beat Latin to become the world’s lingua franca? Here’s Eddie Izzard’s explanation. Warning: Not Safe for Work, contains strong language. By Marian Dougan