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

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

Many suppliers and consumers of translation will undoubtedly be aware of the recent upsurge in the process of what is now commonly referred to as “crowdsourcing” (literally outsourcing a (usually large) translation project to a very large number or “crowd” of translators).

What they might not be so aware of is fan translation, where the users or consumers initiate translations as opposed to waiting for the request to be sent out to them by an organisation

Tags: Harry Potter, translation, anime, crowdsourcing, fan translation, dubbing

The review process is usually the final stage in the overall translation process and can be the hardest bit. From our experience of working with a variety of clients with international operations, we have put together some tips on how the process can be managed to avoid the bottlenecks and get the content ready for market as quickly as possible. Tags: InDesign, style, terinology, reviewer, translation, feedback, localisation, review

Translating marketing content can be a tricky business. But there are a number of things companies can do to reap the rewards. Sticking to short, simple sentences, establishing a glossary of terms and putting in place a thorough review process are just a few ways to make the process easier and more effective. That, and establishing a good working relationship with your translations partner. We’ve outlined a few pointers here...

Tags: localisation, marketing, terminology, technology, translations partner, glossary, translation

Here is the potential trap. If you don’t approach prospects in their own language, your chances of success are much lower than if you do. However, if your translation is shoddy, your reputation both as a business and as an expert in your area of specialism could well be compromised. Tags: international business, translation, exporting

Former Dragons’ Den stars are an inspiration to us all (and tell us how to Go Global!)

At Tuesday’s Go Global event in London, organised by Enterprise Nation, three former Dragons’ Den stars inspired us all to just get out there and “Go Global”. As David Cameron reminded us all again earlier this week, Britain needs to export more and wants more entrepreneurs to get out of their comfort zone and start selling. This not only provides a job for them, but in the long term will create jobs for others.

Tags: global, translation, international business, international trade

Today, we celebrate International Translation Day.

Tags: international trade, global, translation

Here in the West Midlands, our heritage is largely based on our manufacturing prowess. And how fantastic therefore that Jaguar Land Rover confirmed this week that they would be investing £355m to establish a new factory just off the M54. This factory, which will manufacture low-emission engines, will create 750 jobs for the area.

Tags: Industry, Automotive, exporting, Jaguar, Land Rover, Economy, translation, interpreting

Fashionistas won’t know which way to turn this month; as if September’s frenzy of New York and London fashion extravaganzas weren’t enough to keep our credit cards under lock and key for years to come, models are now preparing to hit Milan’s trendy catwalks for the “Settimana della moda”.

Tags: interpreting, Milan fashion week, international trade, international business, fashion, translation

The lure of free machine translations can be strong when working to a tight budget or deadline. The obvious drawback of a poor-quality translation is often overlooked when all you need is to understand the gist of a document, however most users do not consider the technical side of what happens to the data that you put into translation machines.

Tags: translation, machine translation, communication, confidentiality

"Export or die". Quite a harsh sentence, but is it just scaremongering or is it really true? Well, the phrase has passed the lips of a number of leading economic forecasters. In 2010, Peter Spencer, Chief Economic Advisor to Ernst & Young's ITEM Club (Independent Treasury Economic Model), said that the UK's recovery from the recession is "reliant on a roaring trade with the tiger economies. For many firms it will be a case of export or die."

Tags: translation, international business, communication strategy, website localisation, multi-lingual microsites, exporting