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Effectiveness of evaluating translation quality through trial translations
Generally speaking, here at Pristine Communications we find that “trial translations” are not necessarily an effective means of evaluating the quality of a translation agency’s work. Much of our work is online, and a better example of the breadth and depth of our capabilities. For individual translators with a limited portfolio of work, however, trial [...]
Sexist nature of the Chinese language?
It’s not surprising to me that the Chinese language exhibits sexist attitudes towards women, given the historically dominant patriarchal family structure in China.
http://www.chinasmack.com/stories/sexist-chinese-characters-discriminate-against-women/
To A Small Town In Eastern Gansu
The typhoon that tried to dissolve Taiwan is now in Nanjing, washing the city in a manner that is downright obsessive/compulsive. Even this far inland, the wind is strong enough to overturn a baby carriage. I care enough about you to hope that you are not out there tonight pushing a baby around Nanjing.
Escape from [...]
User-generated translations making world’s news available in Chinese
This interview at Danwei with Jiamin, the founder of Yeeyan, on his work with The Guardian, publishing books and the facts of translation provides some insight into how Chinese readers learn of world news and events.
Doing our best to choose articles and reports based on facts: Yeeyan and translation
Translation Hall of Shame: Prohibited items according to customs bureau (thanks Doug Weinstein)
“In addition to items prohibited by Dangerous and Prohibited Goods & Packaging Post Guide and ECI International Courier Regulations, Taiwan prohibits: Antiques Asparagus Beverages, non-alcoholic Camphor Coin collectors items Firearms Gambling items Jewellery Lottery tickets and advertising Molasses Ornamentals, made of glass or mother-of-pearl Saccharine and similar substances Sugar”
Jun Fu Bets His Cow
From Tales of the Times — New Edition/ Stories from 3rd to 5th century, paraphrased
Jun Fu Bets His Cow
Wang Jun Fu had a prized cow named BaBaiLiBo. He or someone else regularly polished the animal’s horns and hooves until they shined.
One fateful day, Wang WuZi said to Wang JunFu, “You are a better archer than [...]
On the merits/issues of simplified and traditional Chinese characters
The New York Times took on this often heated topic for debate recently. The experts comments provide the initial fodder, but it is the hundreds of comments that prove the most interesting and enlightening. And though complete conversion to a romanized based language is bravely (ignorantly?) proposed by a few, many posters note that reading [...]
The Linguists
Finally a film that gives linguists their due:
“Like modern-day explorers, the two academics featured in The Linguists travel to forgotten places around the globe to unearth rare treasures—in this case, endangered languages. On a shoestring budget, professors David Harrison and Gregory Anderson navigate difficult terrain, searching for speakers of these forgotten and mostly hidden languages. [...]
Decisions
Localizing visual media presents interesting challenges.
Decisions from 中翊 ED on Vimeo.
The Back Dorm Boys and The Song of the Alpaca Sheep
So, what does this have to do with anything, you might rightly ask?
Both are popular YouTube videos, which have had an impact beyond “cyberspace”.
YouTube and similar social Internet tools have opened up a rich world of new modes of expression in China. While the first video has landed a group of young men a recording [...]
