The Comtec Blog

We’re all talking about the lack of skills in our young people. Work placements are a good idea in theory, but how can we ensure it’s a win-win for both the pupil and the business? We’d like to share some advice from our own experience of offering placements.

Tags: work placement, work experience, business, language, translation, students

We all admire linguists and people who are able to learn and speak a foreign language. Sometimes, we are not aware of how much time and dedication is required to achieve it. It is important to remember that learning a language is not only about being able to speak it. We should not forget about reading, writing and listening comprehension. Moreover, there is grammar. I know this is not our favourite!

Tags: pronunciation, comprehension, SITA learning system, Callan method, grammar, linguist, language

Have you heard of transcreation but aren’t really sure what it is? Well, transcreation, or creative translation or international copy adaptation as you might have heard it be called, is the art of adapting a message from one language to another while keeping the key message, tone and style intact.

Tags: transcreation, translation, creative, slogan, strapline, advertising campaign, international

With the increasing number of mobile apps on the market, the world is getting smaller. That is to say, more and more people are turning to their handheld devices such as smartphones, PDAs and portable tablets as a way to communicate, instead of via their PCs and desktop computers. Read more to see how this ties in with translation...

Tags: translation pitfalls, machine translation, technology, translation, translation app, smartphone, iphone, app

You say tomato, I say tomahto... But let’s not call the whole thing off!

Some terminology is clear cut in all languages, and a translator who specialises in your business sector will know these like the back of their hand; other terms, such as company jargon, are not so black and white. Creating a glossary before you start any major translation project is therefore always a worthwhile exercise, and will pay dividends in the long run.

Tags: localisation, translation, slogans, jargon, reference material, reviewer, terms, terminology, glossary creation, glossary