LTC Language Solutions

by  Doug Price When translation goes wrong, it can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and sometimes even humorous or embarrassing situations. Here are a few examples of when translation errors can occur: 1. Literal Translation: Sometimes, translators may rely too heavily on word-for-word translation without considering the cultural context or idiomatic expressions. This can result in awkward or nonsensical translations. For example, a literal translation of the English phrase "It's raining cats and dogs" into another language may confuse the listener who is unfamiliar with the idiomatic meaning. 2. Cultural Nuances: Languages often have unique cultural nuances and expressions that may not have direct equivalents in other languages. Translators need to be aware of these nuances to accurately convey the intended meaning. Failure to do so can lead to misinterpretation or loss of important cultural references. 3. Machine Translation Errors: While machine translation too...

by  Doug Price The time it takes to learn a second language varies depending on several factors, including the language being learned, your previous language learning experience, your motivation, the amount of time you dedicate to learning, and the resources available to you. Here are some general considerations: 1. Language Similarity: If the second language is similar to your native language or a language you already know, it may be easier to learn due to shared vocabulary, grammar structures, or phonetics. For example, an English speaker learning German or Spanish may progress faster than learning a language with a different linguistic background, such as Mandarin or Arabic. 2. Language Difficulty: Some languages have more complex grammar, pronunciation, or writing systems, which can make them more challenging to learn. Languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic, which have different writing systems or tonal aspects, may require more time and effort to master. 3. Learning ...

by Lauren Cameron Virtual language classes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become the norm for many language learners. However, some people still believe that virtual language classes are not as effective as in-person classes. In this blog post, we'll explore how virtual language classes are just as effective as in-person classes.     1.  Flexibility Virtual language classes offer flexibility that in-person classes cannot. Students can schedule classes at a time that is convenient for them, regardless of their location. This means that language learners can access the best teachers and instructors from around the world. It also allows learners to fit language learning into their busy schedules.     2.  Access to a Wide Range of Resources Virtual language classes offer access to a wide range of resources that can enhance the learning experience. Students can access online dictio...

by Douglas Price A bride, a groom, and an interpreter walk into a bar…. Well, in our case, it wasn’t a bar, but a castle! This was no joke. It was the start of our fairytale wedding in Bled Castle. In Slovenia, all legal marriages are conducted in the national language. My wife and I do not speak Slovenian, but we would have our ceremony no other way. We each have roots in countries of the former Yugoslav republic – Slovenia for me, Macedonia for her. Getting married in the language of my heritage was a thrill and an honor. Afterward, we traveled to my wife’s Macedonia for our honeymoon. That trip could have used an interpreter at times, but that’s another story! Common sense would dictate that the bride be the centerpiece of a wedding story. And she certainly was! My princess bride arrived by horse and carriage through the castle’s outer gate, bejeweled and bedecked in brilliant white on an Alpine afternoon. Now suspend that thought for moment. For the purposes of this piece, our fo...

by Martin George                As a language service provider, we are in the business of customer service.  That should be a simple concept.  Someone has a need and we as a company meet that need.  But as you know, it is not that simple. After 28 years in the industry, we know how our services work and generally what our customers need.  We still listen and ensure each of the services we offer is right for the intended audience.  However, from time to time, people have a different expectation on what they thought would happen, how fast the process would go, or the linguistic accuracy both semantically and syntactically. That is where the fun begins.  It is always a wonderful experience to work through the process with our clients and see the light bulb turn on.  We want them to have a great experience as much as we do.   For example, when providing a technical translation, our translators c...

by Hayley Guest Simultaneous interpreting is the real-time translation of a speaker’s statements from one language to another. You probably already know how simultaneous and consecutive interpretation differ (if not, check this out ), but did you know there are different kinds of simultaneous interpretation? Read on to discover the different settings in which simultaneous interpreting can be used. NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED   Simultaneous interpreting can be done either with or without the support of audio equipment. The necessity depends on the setting of interpretation and the reason for interpreting . The interpretation of one particular group of languages rarely needs equipment: sign languages. Take American Sign Language (ASL), for example. Since ASL is a silent language, it lends itself easier to simultaneous interpreting than two spoken languages would. ASL is often interpreted simultaneously in conference, workshop, or lecture-style settings. Simultaneous interpreting is ...

written by Doug Price “…And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!” What follows a statement like this is understandably a venture into the less obvious, the misunderstood, even the invisible. The “culture iceberg” is one popular permutation of the analogy that has been bobbing its way through the decades. Freud originally applied the iceberg image to the human psyche. Edward T. Hall (1976) and Gary Weaver (1986) broadened its application to cultures. Decades later, you now find hundreds, if not thousands, of versions of iceberg models adapted to every nuance of interaction between cultures. Academicians define culture by internal and external attributes of a society’s behaviors, beliefs, values, attitudes, etc. There are more than I need to list, but the key ingredient to any definition you find is that a culture must be shared. You can’t have your own personal culture. photo credit by working together global Set your Titanic on a crash course for a culture iceberg. Get...

Written by Taylor Hull The role of an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter is complex and layered. It involves facilitating communication between consumers that do not speak the same language. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to have fluency in both ASL and English, as well as the ability to manage the cross-cultural flow of each conversation. To acquire these skills, individuals hoping to become ASL interpreters are encouraged to enroll in an Interpreting Training Program, commonly referred to as an ITP. The purpose of this program is to prepare students to interpret in a wide variety of settings, such as medical, legal, and political environments. During my time as an ITP student, I received instruction on various topics, such as English and ASL linguistics, ethical business practices, medical interpreting, and more. These classes laid a foundation for skills and strategies I currently use in the interpreting field. Many of these classes are taught by Deaf instructors wh...

Written by Kelsey DeLonis & Hannah Schumacher Working with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter for the first time can seem intimidating. Don’t worry, we are here to help!                As a hearing person, you instinctively look towards the direction of sound. Maintaining eye contact with a Deaf person is crucial in any setting. It is important to remember that the interpreter is not your client and that speaking directly to your Deaf client empowers them as an equal participant in the interaction. It can feel confusing to be looking at a person who is not verbally responding to you and possibly isn’t making eye contact with you (depending on where the interpreter is placed). Deaf people rely heavily on facial expressions and can often determine what is going on from mouth movements. This does not always mean they  read lips , though.                  It may seem rude or...

Written by Amy Truman & Kelsey DeLonis When working with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter, telling the interpreter “Don’t interpret that” is not only unethical, it also implies that the interpreter is unnecessary. This is true if either the Deaf client or the hearing client says this to the interpreter. The interpreter has a responsibility to make sure that both parties understand everything equally throughout the duration of the appointment. If there is something that needs to be said privately, it is more appropriate to excuse yourself momentarily from the vicinity. The interpreter is provided for both parties equally. This back-and-forth interaction cannot proceed smoothly without the interpreter fulfilling their entire role. As mentioned in our blog “How To Use an ASL Interpreter 101,” by the time you can say “Don’t interpret that,” odds are the interpreter has already interpreted it. At the basest level, asking an interpreter to omit information is unethica...

      Written by Steve Reynolds      “Steve, we have 100’s of Burmese employees. Why should we invest in a Cross-Cultural Training for our company?” – Indiana business owner “Great question. Simple answer. Cultural intelligence (CQ) builds TRUST.” And nothing is as effective as the speed of trust in an organization. Honing our cross-cultural skills leads to positive outcomes, including productivity, performance, employee retention and workplace happiness. Photo Credit by nrev.jp Stephen Covey reminds us to do the math. Instead of the standard business formula of S x E = R (Strategy times Execution equals Results), he highlights the hidden value of TRUST. (Strategy x Execution) x TRUST = Results. Trust can be a performance multiplier where 10 x 10 = 100 x TRUST actually produces a dividend. “Above all, success in business requires two things: a winning competitive strategy, and superb organizational execution. Distrust is an enemy to both.”...

      Written by Amy Truman Have you ever tried lip-reading? Personally, the only successful lip-reading I can understand is an angry coach on TV. It’s a common misconception that all deaf people have this superpower to help them interact with the hearing world around them. So why is lip-reading such a rare skill? Studies estimate that only 30% of spoken English can be understood using lip-reading, which leaves 70% of the conversation to be guessed. The majority of what happens to formulate sounds and words are not visible on the lips, such as placement of the tongue or what happens in your throat. Try it with a friend and see if you can see the difference between “face” and “vase” or “salad” and “talent”. This has been compared to feeling like one’s entire day is an exhausting, continuous game of Wheel of Fortune, catching what letters you can and trying to fill in the blanks, all while someone is still talking to you. Photo Credit Sciencemag.org It should be ...

Written by Bethany Jamison, NIC If you have ever requested or received interpreting services, my guess is you have most likely experienced a series of questions. Have you ever wondered, “Why are they asking all of these questions?”  Interpreting environments can vary from performances to business trainings to medical procedures. As you can imagine, each setting has a set of norms and/or rules (both spoken and unspoken), as well as specialized jargon. Preparedness is of the utmost importance in navigating these environments. So why all the questions? Extra-Linguistic Knowledge, or ELK. Let’s define the word extralinguistic. Extra meaning “outside”, and linguistic meaning “language.” Extra-Linguistic Knowledge means any knowledge that is outside of the language itself. Naomi Sheneman, a Certified Deaf Interpreter, states, “ As sign language interpreters in the United States, we know English and American Sign Language. Those two languages make up our linguistic knowledge. Ever...

Written by  Bethany Jamison, NIC Every industry comes with distinct vernacular! A common misconception specific to the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Community is that the use of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is the same as using Video Relay Services (VRS). Although both types of service are provided via a digital platform and use similar equipment, these services are quite different. Let’s take a closer look.            According to the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) website, “ VRS, like other forms of Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) allows persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) to communicate through the telephone system with hearing persons. The VRS caller, using a television or a computer with a video camera device and a broadband (high-speed) Internet connection, contacts a VRS caller, who is a qualified interpreter. They communicate with each other in sign language through a video link. The VRS ca...

Written by  Wendy Carson Here in 2020, it’s hard to get through your day without interacting with other cultures. As our jobs and lives become more global, we have the opportunity to speak and work with people from all over the world. You’ve inevitably seen how interactions and expectations can differ depending on the culture and gender with whom you’re working. Forgetting the issues that may arise with different languages, there are many other unspoken factors that come into play when trying to communicate across cultures and genders. By knowing a bit more about these factors, you can increase your success in everyday business communication. Photo Credit by Deputy When speaking with someone, have you ever noticed how close you’re standing or sitting to the person? A 2009 survey found that when women are speaking with other women, they tend to stand closer together, while men to stand further apart. Both men and women report feeling more comfortable when standing or ...

We asked 2 experts at LTC this question. Here is what each of them said.  Expert 1 - Written by Wendy Carson One of the most common questions people ask is “How long will it take me to learn a new language?” The problem is there’s no ideal answer. The Foreign Service Institute calls for 10,000 hours of study to become proficient while others claim they can teach you a language in as little as 3 months.  So where is the disconnect? Largely, your language learning depends on you- what your native language is, what language you want to learn, the quality of your instruction, and the amount of time you’re willing to put in to practice. Anyone who has studied a language in school knows that, despite hundreds of hours and years of instruction, you still don’t feel comfortable speaking and communicating in that language. But why? Think about the way language is taught in school. You fill in a grammar book. You translate new image source words and memorize vo...