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Technology has permeated almost every facet of our lives, and it’s improving at a dizzying pace. Software and computers are becoming increasingly fast and effective. Could they wind up making translation agencies completely obsolete? This article explains why that’s not about to happen any time soon.

 

Machine translation: to be used at your own risk!

There are already “machine translation” applications that are easily accessible, and even free. You’re surely familiar with Google Translate and BabelFish. These tools can be useful in some situations – for example, when you want to get a general idea of the subject that a text written in a foreign language is talking about. But the fact remains that they have significant failings. You can easily find plenty of hilarious examples of the bad translations produced by these programs on the Internet.

 

Translation agency: between science and art

Even though they’re constantly improving, machine translation applications will never provide professional-quality translations. Why?

 

⇢ Computers are better than people at calculation, but translation isn’t a simple mathematical equation. The same word or expression can be translated in multiple ways, depending on the context. Computers are bad at handling this type of ambiguity.

⇢ Computers don’t understand jokes, puns, or sarcasm. They don’t understand the author’s intention either. Do they want to convince, surprise, inform, or entertain their readers?

⇢ Computers don’t have the necessary cultural references to understand all the nuances. They simply don’t have the emotional and intellectual baggage that only human experience can provide.

 

You see, in some ways, translation can be found at the intersection of science and art. Yes, there are specific techniques that translators apply. But there’s also an art to finding the right word to express an idea in another language. A translation agency like SLRR relies on translators who have the necessary university training and who understand the cultural context in which you’re operating.

 

Tools like any other

Just as engineering firms use computer-aided design software, many translation agencies use computer-assisted translation software. In particular, there are translation memories that automatically translate segments that have already been translated in other texts stored in the memory. But be careful! Even though this software can simplify the translator’s task, human intervention is still necessary. Indeed, for every “pre-translated” segment, the translator must decide whether the proposed translation fits the context or not. We can therefore say that translation memories are simply tools – nothing more. They’ll never replace a professional.

 

Do business with a translation agency

Would you trust a mechanic with your health problems? Of course not! So why trust a non-professional or – even worse – a machine translation program with the translation of your texts? Whether you need your technical texts, your website, or your other documents translated, it’s important to join forces with the right partners, who will help take care of your communications and – above all – your brand image. A translation agency can help you avoid embarrassing situations by producing texts that are perfectly suited to your customers and their cultural context. Still, it’s necessary to find the right translation agency for your needs. Contact SLRR now to find out how we can support you!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

 

In an extremely competitive sector like the automotive industry, it’s essential to entrust your image to a specialized translation firm to ensure your credibility. At SLRR Translation Agency, we understand your business challenges and we know you have needs in various spheres. Our firm specializes in automotive translation, providing you with translators who specialize in engineering and marketing, and who can always find the right word to reach your goal. Whether you’re an automaker, a car dealer, or an auto parts manufacturer, you’ve found the agency you need to power your business.

 

Automotive translation service that respects your terminology

The automotive industry is complex and has specific terminology. At SLRR Translation Agency, the project manager assigns your document to a technical translator who possesses the required knowledge and an excellent mastery of terminology tools. You’re therefore guaranteed to share content that respects your specialized vocabulary. Our team can also work with you to expand your technical glossary.

 

Comprehensive expertise in automotive translation

Sales programs – Maintenance manuals – Promotional brochures – Satisfaction programs – Rewards programs – Dealer warranties – Car financing programs – Websites – Various HR documents – User guides – User manuals – Training guides – Press release – Advertising materials – Various internal documents

 

A serious and reliable automotive translation process

1.The responsibility for your project lies with a dedicated project manager, your contact, who will answer your questions and follow up with you.

2.The translation of your documents is then entrusted to a translator specializing in automotive translation, marketing translation, or human resources translation, depending on the nature of the document. Click here to read 3 questions that are frequently asked in the field of technical translation: https://traductionslrr.ca/traduction-technique-3-questions-frequentes/.

3.The assigned translator, whose mother tongue is the target language, carries out the translation using the best terminology tools and your technical glossary to ensure that your document is of the highest quality.

4.Quality control is then performed to ensure that the document respects the linguistic code of the target language.

 

Reach your communication goals in automotive translation

Strategically influence your prospects.

Ensure the retention of your customers.

Position yourself as a market leader.

 

What’s your communication goal in the automotive translation industry? Shift into high gear and contact our team of experts now by clicking here: https://traductionslrr.ca/en/contact/. With SLRR Translation Agency, you’re in the driver’s seat!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

In the translation industry, it’s common to distinguish between the expressions general translation and technical translation. At SLRR Translation Agency, we adopt the definition of the word technical provided in the Trésor de la langue française: “that which concerns the applications of science [and] scientific or theoretical knowledge, in practical achievements and industrial and economic productions.” We’re thinking of user manuals, maintenance booklets, technical specifications and operating instructions.

 

In other words, technical translation mainly relates to sectors where specific terminology is used to guide a reader who wants to carry out a practical operation. We would also qualify technical translation as utilitarian. It is commonly found in the following fields: mechanics, environment, electronics and electricity, just to name a few. In this post, we will answer three questions that we are frequently asked about technical translation.

 

Technical translation and specialized translation: What’s the difference?

Sometimes, the term specialized is used to describe a type of translation. People using this term are usually referring to technical translation. At SLRR Translation Agency, we prefer to talk about technical translation, because every field is specialized in some way; it goes without saying that every translator must be familiar with the field they are translating in. We believe that the term technical corresponds better to the reality of the translator in the sense that they must have technical knowledge and use technological tools.

 

Remember: You’re free to use whichever expression you prefer. If you talk to us about specialized translation, we will quickly understand that you are referring to technical translation.

 

Who can carry out specialized translation?

Many people wrongly believe that only a specialist (like an engineer) can translate a technical document. Although engineers would definitely have an excellent understanding of the terminology used, they would not necessarily have university training as a translator. It is important to remember that translation is a profession in its own right that requires deep linguistic knowledge and skills that only university training can provide. Today, in the digital era, there are many websites that offer technical lexicons and glossaries online. This means that professional translators have the ability to educate themselves in order to become specialists in the field (after several years of specialization). It is especially important to remember the necessity of mastering the main relevant terminology tools because they ensure that the translator uses terms that are recognized by the scientific community in question.

 

Remember: A good technical translator is not necessarily an engineer. Specialization (through personal or school training), combined with a solid education in translation and/or linguistics, and excellent proficiency with terminology tools, is needed. On that note, it is not uncommon to see former specialists who have shifted their careers to the field of translation.

 

Why is technical translation more expensive?

In the translation industry, there are often two different rates: one for general translation, and the other for technical translation, with the latter costing about 25% more. Several factors justify the difference in prices. First of all, translating a technical document involves a great deal of terminological research in order to ensure the use of terms that are accepted in the field in question. This multiplies the amount of time required to complete the work. Second, as noted above, being a specialist is not sufficient to translate technical specifications in engineering. The task also requires an excellent mastery of linguistics and editorial principles. The rare combination of this double identity causes an increase in the value of this service.

 

Remember: Research time and a rare combination of skills are the main factors that contribute to the difference in price between general translation and technical translation.

 

If you have other questions about technical translation services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to provide you with more information.

 

SLRR Translation Agency

 

Tons of articles on snacking content are popping up all over the web. Most specialists claim it’s THE marketing solution to optimize your impact on the web; others, meanwhile, believe it’s a passing fad that doesn’t take the whole picture into account. Let’s quickly define this strategy before exploring its advantages and challenges. Read the article to the end to discover SLRR’s tips for getting the most out of this strategy.

 

Snacking content

This is a marketing strategy that goes hand in hand with the reduction in the attention spans of internet users (12 seconds in 2000 and 8 seconds in 2015, according to a study from Microsoft). It involves frequently posting microcontent that can be consumed quickly at any time of day, much like snacks.

 

Advantages of snacking content

+ Attracts the attention of internet users (8-second attention span);

+ Energizes your content (instant discourse);

+ Creates a feeling of closeness with your community (a friendlier format).

 

Challenges of snacking content

– Doesn’t satisfy the appetite of fans of complete meals;

– It’s easy to fall into superficiality of discourse.

 

Suggestions from SLRR Translation Agency

Vary the length of your content: snacks (short articles, short posts, etc.) and complete meals (more in-depth articles).

Find a way to make connections between your content to make sure you fully explore the different subjects you present in your informal posts.

 

To conclude, as we often hear, “too much is not enough.” Although snacking content seems highly effective, it can turn against you if you don’t adapt it to your target audience. Balance out your informal posts with your in-depth articles to make sure you’re satisfying all types of appetites.

 

Happy creation!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

Parentheses, periods, hyphens, spaces, a combination of these? Is the web agency that I do business with correct to put periods in phone numbers? Do parentheses still have their place at the beginning of the number? Is a hyphen or space needed between the area code and number? If you are asking any of these questions, this post is for you.

 

A Bit of History

It is already many years ago that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) introduced ten-digit local dialling, which requires dialling the area code to make a local call. Why? To rectify the lack of telephone numbers in Canada. The same phone number can serve two area codes, which multiplies the amount of available phone numbers. The problem is that we are not yet dialled in to this new reality (well not so new…)

 

Are Parentheses Still Used?

No! Previously, the area code was in parentheses because it was optional. You can guess the rest…

 

Periods: Just a Fad?

Yes! Although particularly aesthetic and modern looking, periods in phone numbers are incorrect. You can read an article (French) from the BDL on this subject.

 

A Hyphen or Space after the Area Code?

There seems to be no consensus here. The Telecommunications Alliance, the Association des compagnies de téléphone and the Office québécois de la langue française recommend the use of a space after the area code and then a hyphen (514 800-1942/1 833 277-SLRR). However, the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) recommends a hyphen after the area code (418-431-4287). That is also what the Translation Bureau advises federal employees to do.

 

How Do Translations into English Fit in with All This?

There is also no consensus in English. The Translation Bureau recommends the same method as in French, for example: 514-800-1942/1-833-277-SLRR. The ​​​​​Ontario Style Guide, meanwhile, suggests following the OQLF’s recommendation of a space after the area code (514 800-1942).

 

— Remember —

Forget about parentheses and periods. After the area code, you are free to put a space or a dash. 514 800-1942 and 514-800-1942 are entirely correct in both French and English.

 

We bet that you’ll pay more attention to phone numbers now!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

You can’t just flip a coin when the time comes to choose your translation agency. Why? Because it’s a deciding factor in your success in business. If your team of in-house linguists is too busy, if you have a last-minute document that needs to be translated, or if you have a large-scale multilingual project on the table, the translation agency can take over for you! Here are 3 essential questions to ask yourself to guide your choice:

 

Which departments at our company need translation services?

Several departments within the same company will need to use a translation service (HR, marketing, Web, technical, etc.). So it’s essential to make sure that the agency you choose offers 360-degree expertise in order to meet your varied needs. Centralizing your resources lets you save time (you don’t need to make a million calls whenever something comes up), gives you greater confidence (you’re already aware of the translation agency’s professionalism), and lets you save money (a greater volume often makes it easier to negotiate prices).

 

What values am I looking for in my business partners?

In business as in everyday life, we like to ally ourselves with people like us, who share the same values as us. With the speed and efficiency that the Web offers, we often succumb to the temptation of email when the time comes to get information from a company. Although you’ll get the answers to your questions, it can be hard to grasp the DNA of the company through the screen.

The business meeting (where we shake hands and talk business in a friendly atmosphere) is always a popular choice whenever you’re considering a long-term collaboration. Don’t have time to move around? Taking a few minutes to speak orally with a representative from the company will let you see if you’re both on the same wavelength. A little tip: Prepare a list of questions that you can ask the representative from the company, such as “What are the requirements for becoming part of your team as a professional translator?” After all, it’s your team that you’re choosing, and you don’t want to choose just anyone!

 

What are my goals?

The last question, but not the least. By clearly defining your goals, you can ensure that the translation agency you choose is able to support you in achieving them. Do you do business in multiple languages? Do you have an impressive number of documents that needs to be translated? Ask them about the languages they offer and their availability. Are you sometimes confronted with very urgent work? Opt for a company that benefits from an excellent network of collaborating translators.

 

SLRR Translation Agency offers you a team of high-level professional translators (as well as writers and revisers) who specialize in the following areas: technical, marketing, commercial, Web, and certified. Check out the list of our fields of expertise! We maintain solid relationships with our clients. Call us to discuss your projects with us or to set up a meeting.

 

SLRR Translation Agency

When writing about an organization, do you use singular or plural forms? Would you write, “Microsoft released their first version of Windows in 1985”? Or, “Microsoft released its first version of Windows in 1985”? There is no cut and dried answer to this question. Most style guides and authoritative sources, such as the Chicago Manual of Style (see examples in 10.23), the Economist, and The New York Times, that address the subject recommend using the singular as the second sentence does.

But is not difficult to find examples like the first sentence in newspapers and magazines. Furthermore, The Gregg Reference Manual and the BBC, among others, allow for using plural forms when emphasizing organizations as a collection of individuals over their status as an impersonal entity. Both stress the need for consistency: once you have chosen to describe a company as singular or plural, you should stick with your choice. In other words, if you use the singular, you also need to use “it,” “which” and “its” and conjugate your verbs accordingly. If you decide to treat an entity as a plural, then you should use “they,” “who” and “their.” Avoid the kind of mixing and matching seen in the following sentence:

“Bear Meadows Farms, which has been producing organic yogurt since 1988, have announced that they have been acquired by Kraft Foods.”

The above sentence should be rewritten to eliminate inconsistencies:

“Bear Meadows Farms, which (who) has been producing organic yogurt since 1988, has (have) announced that it has (they have) been acquired by Kraft Foods.”

As long as the verbs and pronouns align, both versions can be considered correct. When proofreading, keep in mind that plural company names (General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, and so on), like the one in the preceding example, tend to drift into plural forms because using singular forms with a plural noun can feel awkward.

To assess current usage, we experimented with the NOW Corpus, a database of over 4.7 billion words from online magazines and newspapers maintained by Brigham Young University, to see how current usage aligns with these recommendations. Our short study suggested the predominance of the singular, although there were almost always instances of plural forms. For example, a search for “Microsoft released its” produced 39 hits, while “Microsoft released their” had only 3. Though our perusal of the database was not statistically significant, the results do suggest that most writers use singular forms with organization names.

Given the lack of consensus on this somewhat murky issue, is the singular or plural the best choice? The safest, most common path is using the singular. That said, if this usage seems too unnatural, there is enough disagreement on the subject to say that you can use plural forms without being definitively incorrect.

SLRR Translation Agency

 

With autumn coming, many companies are in “recruitment planning” mode. The job offer is central in the proper management of your human resources: it’s the showcase of your corporate brand. Despite its crucial importance, many organizations neglect it with incomplete, excessive, or overly eccentric content. Here are 5 steps to help you write an effective job offer.

 

Title: Stick with a common position name

Stand out. Yes, but not in the title of the position. If you opt for “web content whiz” or “technical translation pro,” you run a high risk of getting left in the lurch. Why? For the simple matter of keywords! People are never original in their searches. It’s therefore best to provide a concise title consisting of commonly used keywords such as “web writer” and “technical translator.”

 

Introduction: Remember that you’re in competition

Candidates are shoppers, and you want to attract their attention to your “product”: your employer brand, your company’s DNA, your identity. This is the time to sell your company. How do you stand out from the crowd? Do you offer attractive benefits? Be careful: it’s not about over-complicating things, but rather listing and explaining the main points that set you apart. Above all, don’t forget the human side of your business! Your mission, your values, what brings your team together, and your perspective are all elements to which candidates attribute great importance. Authenticity is always a winner.

 

Job description: Be clear and concise

Indicate the main tasks associated with the position. A list in bullet point form is ideal. Be both clear and concise; candidates will quickly know if their profile corresponds to what you’re looking for. If the position you’re seeking to fill requires specific conditions, this is the place to indicate them (frequent travel outside the city, work requiring excellent stress management, contract duration, etc.). Put yourself in the candidate’s shoes: what would you like to know about the position?

 

Candidate profile: Opt for the essentials

This is the time to separate the essential skills from the desired skills, especially if candidates aren’t rushing to apply or if you have a ton of requirements in mind. Once again, the famous bullet point list is very effective. Focus on short phrases and simple vocabulary: candidates don’t yet know your internal jargon!

 

How to apply: Indicate it clearly

It’s obvious, you say? However, there are many incomplete job offers out there. It’s important to specify how the candidate should apply and until what time they can do it. Don’t forget to provide your requirements regarding the format of the CV and the need for a cover letter.

 

By now, you’re almost ready to publish the whole thing on social media! But before you do that, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:

– Do I have an in-house professional resource to review my job offer? If not, it’s important to submit it to an editor to ensure your credibility.

– What is the target audience for my job offer? Should it be accessible in both French and English? Our professional translation firm supports you in this process.

 

Don’t have time but still want to post job offers that live up to your expectations? Our human resources experts can assist you with creating and writing of your job offers.

 

Happy hiring!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

A specific reading context and set of goals shape Facebook writing. Posts exist in a dynamic situation: readers scroll rapidly through posts, skimming at faster speeds than when browsing through print media.

The distinctive purposes of Facebook campaigns also inform post writing. Rather than making a sales pitch, you are fostering a virtual community that enhances clients’ connection to your brand.

The tips below reflect these factors.

Adopt a conversational tone. Write the way you speak, and your readers will want to continue the conversation. For example, a recent Stoneyfield Farm post used the colloquial “fav” for “favourite.”

Be concise. Limit your posts to 70 characters (see this study). Readers keep scrolling when they see large blocks of text. Effective posts can be a series of words associated with a brand.

Emphasize parataxis. This brevity means that parataxis dominates Facebook writing. Paratactic sentences place clauses side by side using commas or conjunctions like “and” and “or.” Think Ernest Hemingway. Parataxis has a staccato energy that stands out to the skimming eye.

Use the second person. Create a relationship by directly addressing the reader with “you.” Ask questions, solicit opinions or invite participation.

Use the imperative. Another effective way of speaking directly to your clients, the imperative is used for commands or encouragement. Nike’s “Just do it!” slogan is a good example. Hitting an inspirational note creates positive feelings about your brand.

 

SLRR Translation Agency

It’s no longer a secret to anyone that search engines have completely stolen the show from the phone book. Your website carries the torch for your brand, drives your business, and powers your success. Do you do business in Canada? Did you know that English is the official language of around 75% of Canadians, according to Statistics Canada? Despite this, many organizations still only have a website in French. There’s a ton of good reasons to use website translation services, but here’s the one that’s most likely to pique your interest: they increase your revenue.

 

The language of your prospects

Your prospects prefer to browse your website in their mother tongue, just like you. Offer them web content that speaks to them and with which they identify to provoke a response to your calls to action (purchase, subscribe to your blog, contact via email, etc.). By having your website translated into English, you have the potential to significantly increase your sales.

But just translating your website isn’t enough – at least, not anymore. Besides speaking the language of your prospects, you also have to speak Google’s language. In other words, why go to all that effort if people can’t find you during their search?

 

The language of Google

Are keywords part of your translation strategy? Here are 3 basic ways to develop them:

– Target expressions made up of 2 to 4 keywords related to your field.

– Be specific in your selection to reduce the number of competitors.

– Multiply the keyword combinations with synonyms to optimize your ranking (you get ranked on each keyword, but also on each combination).

 

Do you want to expand your market? Choose a professional translation agency to translate your web content and optimize it with the appropriate tools.

 

Don’t forget: In business, translation services aren’t an expense; they’re an investment!

 

SLRR Translation Agency