The language of a people is as dynamic as their culture - it changes to accommodate the needs of discourse or description or even mere whimsy.  Native speakers adjust to these changes on a daily basis and incorporate new usages into their personal language without thinking much about it.  No one with the least familiarity with popular music in the United States, for instance, thinks that the word "rapper" refers to someone knocking on the door. 

In Spanish the word "confianza" implies more than the English word "confidence."  "Confianza" goes beyond "confidence" to tell of an unshakably firm belief in someone.  "Confianza" goes to the spiritual marrow in a way that "confidence" does not.  The translator who does not know this difference can easily misinterpret meaning and diminish its power. 

In French the phrase "contre-coeur", could easily be literally interpreted as "against the heart."  Or "against the wishes of the heart."  The use of the phrase is dependent on the context - sometimes "contre-coeur" simply means "reluctantly."  But, given the seriousness with which the French take all matters of the heart, linguistic or otherwise, the translator had best know the context and usage well before fixing the meaning in another language.

In the United States there is a useful phrase to describe extreme frustration with traffic and other drivers that degenerates into violence - the phrase is "road rage."  The Chinese have a useful variation on this theme that has even broader application than gridlocked traffic.  Their word is "Majie" - which means a curse directed at the street.  When it is inappropriate, difficult or impossible to direct one's anger at the source of that anger, the frustrated Chinese curses the street.  Frustration is vented, no one is hurt or offended, and life goes on.  But a translator unfamiliar with the term might easily give the term a meaning it does not have.

Every culture has such expressions that can easily lead the unfamiliar into trouble.  How does the company or organization trying to communicate clearly in foreign languages and linguistic customs navigate safely?  Well, tenga confianza in your professional translation services provider.  They will serve you well if they use native speakers who constantly monitor the language and use it in their own daily lives.  If not, the term, "Majie" may come in handy. 

See you soon.

 Have you heard about Tradeables™ and How To Negotiate Like a Phoenician?

Ever wondered what you might learn about negotiation by studying the Bible?  As it turns out, according to Dr. Habib Chamoun, quite a lot. The Hebrew Scriptures actually offer negotiating texts - all derived from the Phoenician business model.  And, using a system he calls "Tradeables," Dr. Chamoun shows how this ancient wisdom applies in a wide range of contemporary business settings.  There's even an appendix analyzing the benefits of on-line negotiation instruction and other teaching technologies.

If you are looking for historical insights that will help you improve your business negotiations, this is the book for you.

Lawrence Susskind, Ford Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Galindo Publicidad, Inc. (GPI), Specializes in translating English business-related materials into and from Spanish and Portuguese, while also providing translations in Arabic, German, French, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, Creole, Russian and others.

Using its select network of native professionals, GPI guarantees linguistically accurate, reliable, and confidential translations performed with sensitivity and cultural respect.

Galindo Publicidad, Inc., winner of multiple awards, has been selected twice as a Florida 100 company by the University of Florida, a top honor recognizing rapidly growing, privately owned companies in the state of Florida.

Visit Us at our Website:
http://www.translationsandmore.com
 
 
Your privacy is important to us. We never rent, sell or share your name with anybody.
Click here to view our Privacy Policy.