Attention Arabic Students: Learn a Colloquial Dialect!
At the end of the first semester of my sophomore year, I thought that I had nearly conquered the Arabic language. I figured that I was ready to go abroad; I had the necessary skills to communicate in a casual setting and make friends. I was wrong. In the second semester of my sophomore year, […]
How To Prepare For the UN Interpreter Exam
Key points: Introduction Aspiring to become a United Nations interpreter is a commendable goal, but it’s one that requires passing a highly competitive and demanding exam. The UN interpreter exam evaluates candidates on their ability to perform at an official level in this prestigious role. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps […]
New IRS Contract Creates Opportunities for ASL Interpreter and CART Writer Freelancers and Service Schedulers
New IRS Nationwide Opportunities for ASL Interpreters and CART Writers In March 2020, Translation Excellence, Inc., was awarded a five-year, task order style contract to provide Sign Language Interpretation (SLI) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services for the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). Under the IRS contract, the firm will provide service to Deaf and […]
Linguistic Act of Kindness: Canadian Youth Pay It Forward
This blog discusses a story from myKarma.com about a class that created an English/Arabic dictionary for Syrian families moving into the area and how language dictionaries enhance one’s ability to learn a new language. The Syrian refugee crisis is one of the largest issues facing the modern world, even in the eyes of a group […]
Foreign Language in Education: Europe vs. USA
Key Points Introduction With nearly 200 countries, close to 7,000 languages, and over 7.1 billion people worldwide, cross-cultural communication can be extremely challenging. Every day, people face language barriers that lead to miscommunication and, in some cases, life-altering outcomes. Foreign language education in the United States and Europe reflects very different priorities. In more than […]
The Challenges of Translating Numbers and Math
Key Points Challenges of Translating Numbers Translating numbers and math across languages involves more than just converting digits. Even though many ask, “Do numbers look the same in every language?” the reality is more nuanced. While numbers like 1, 2, and 3 appear similar globally, the way they are written, spoken, and interpreted differs across […]
5 Tips on How to Become a Great Conference Interpreter
The Role of a Conference Interpreter As a conference interpreter, your role is vital in facilitating communication between multinational parties. Whether working at international conferences, business meetings, or trade shows in cities like Washington D.C., your skills are essential for ensuring clear, accurate communication. From client meetings to government symposiums, the quality of your work […]
Understanding False Friends in Translation
Introduction In multilingual communication, false friends in translation are among the most common and dangerous sources of error. These misleading word pairs appear familiar across languages but convey entirely different meanings. For translators and interpreters, failing to recognize translator’s false friends can lead to confusion, embarrassment, or serious professional consequences. This article explains the false […]
What do linguists do with undocumented languages?
Introduction to Linguists and Undocumented Languages Many people believe that linguists have cataloged all the world’s languages. However, in reality, some populations are so isolated that their languages remain undocumented. Occasionally, researchers stumble upon a completely unknown language, spoken by a small group, but otherwise unknown to the wider world. In most cases, linguists know […]
Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening Brings American Sign Language to the Tony Awards
On June 12th, 2016 the 70th annual Tony Awards captured the attention of nearly nine million American viewers as the hit musical Hamilton racked up an astounding eleven honors. However, many believe the most noteworthy performance to grace the Beacon Theatre stage Sunday night was Deaf West Theatre’s reproduction of Spring Awakening, one of the […]