YALE PRESS LOG
The importance of translation in bringing new books and ideas into English is crucial. Although no one has declared a universal language since Louis XIV, the dominance of English in international commerce, media, and even academia is impossible to ignore. Yet merely an estimated three percent of the hundreds of thousands of books published in the United States have been translated from non-English languages, and the volume of new, translated work from modern and contemporary writers is even less. Read more
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!
JULY 20th--- International Friendship Day!
It was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, however, it didn't stick in the United States. In South Asia it is widely celebrated, and I can speak personally that in Argentina it is an excuse to have a good party with friends.
Prior to visiting Argentina, I had never heard of Friendship Day, or as they say in Spanish "El Día del Amigo". Friends send text messages, meet up for dinner and drinks, and sometimes give small gifts to each other. Although I think it is a nice idea, celebrating a day for friends has never crossed my mind before. As it is, we are with friends every chance we get. They are the people we chose to share our lives with outside of our families. But I am left thinking that there is no harm in having a day to reflect on all the great people you have in your life and enjoy a few more good moments together.
I wonder why it faded in the United States. Perhaps it is because we already have enough Hallmark days as it is.
It was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, however, it didn't stick in the United States. In South Asia it is widely celebrated, and I can speak personally that in Argentina it is an excuse to have a good party with friends.
Prior to visiting Argentina, I had never heard of Friendship Day, or as they say in Spanish "El Día del Amigo". Friends send text messages, meet up for dinner and drinks, and sometimes give small gifts to each other. Although I think it is a nice idea, celebrating a day for friends has never crossed my mind before. As it is, we are with friends every chance we get. They are the people we chose to share our lives with outside of our families. But I am left thinking that there is no harm in having a day to reflect on all the great people you have in your life and enjoy a few more good moments together.
I wonder why it faded in the United States. Perhaps it is because we already have enough Hallmark days as it is.
Monday, July 18, 2011
TRANSLATIONS GONE WRONG
It seems simple enough. You can enter the phrase into an online translator, use a dictionary, or what you learned in grade school. Companies and businesses translate greetings, directions, and warnings to deliver important messages to people of other languages and countries. The intention to connect and bridge communication gaps is present, however, it is blemished and marked with humor and lack of professionalism.
We can laugh or gasp at a sign that is poorly translation, be forgiving of their errors, but it's a shame that their good intention and the real meaning is lost in the translation.
Have a good laugh at these signs, but let's make sure we do it right!
Photo by: Drpoulette(*)
Photo taken of a sign at a restaurant in Mexico.
Photo by: djrue
Buzzandthecity.com
We can laugh or gasp at a sign that is poorly translation, be forgiving of their errors, but it's a shame that their good intention and the real meaning is lost in the translation.
Have a good laugh at these signs, but let's make sure we do it right!
Photo by: Drpoulette(*)
Photo taken of a sign at a restaurant in Mexico.
Photo by: djrue
Buzzandthecity.com
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