For free Spanish translation utility click here. The Google language tool is as good as any around for quick reference.

For high quality professional paid Spanish translation services click here for information.

The Google tool supports online translation of text from numerous popular language combinations, in addition to Spanish-English. The tool might be considered particularly useful for quick translation of emails and other brief text passages. For those whose translation requirements exceed the capabilities of free online resources, professional translation services from skilled linguists remain the best option for high quality translation in any language.

On occasion one of our clients inquires about the various English to Spanish translations tools available online. While these tools are not yet to a state of development where they’re 100% reliable, they have their place. Here’s an interesting test.

What follows is a paragraph of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address in English:

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Here’s the automated English-to-Spanish translation using the Google tool:

Pero, en un sentido más amplio, no podemos dedicar - no podemos consagrar - no podemos hallow - este terreno. Los valientes hombres, vivos y muertos, que lucharon aquí, lo han consagrado, muy por encima de nuestras pobres facultades para añadir o restar. El mundo se nota poco, ni recordará durante mucho tiempo lo que decimos aquí, pero nunca podrá olvidar lo que hicieron aquí. Es para nosotros la vida, más bien, que se dedica aquí al trabajo inacabado que ellos que lucharon aquí hasta la fecha han avanzado tan noblemente. Es más bien para nosotros estar aquí dedicado a la gran tarea que tenemos ante nosotros restantes - que de estos muertos honrados nos tomamos una mayor dedicación a esa causa por la que se dio la última plenitud de la devoción - que estamos aquí muy resolver que estos muertos no se han muerto en vano - de que esta nación, bajo Dios, tendrá un nuevo nacimiento de libertad - y que el gobierno del pueblo, por el pueblo y para el pueblo, no perecerá de la tierra.

Finally here’s the automated Spanish-to-English translation of the first translation. You be the judge.

But in a broader sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not Halloween - this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or subtract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It gives us life, rather, that here is dedicated to unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which was the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these No deaths have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that the government of the people, by the people and for the people, not perish from the earth.

For information on Spanish translation services performed by professional linguists click here.

In test marketing this video we found that many viewers experience a sudden and compelling desire to engage us for Spanish translation services, to conduct search engine marketing in English and/or Spanish, or to recruit bilingual employees (strangely, independent of whether the services are actually needed). 

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

When new clients contact us for the first time we’re sometimes asked about the translation process we adhere to. Over time we’ve settled on a translation process based on the following five primary stages:

1. Review and Preparation. Source material is reviewed to identify any special terminology; research is conducted and glossaries are created as needed.

2. Initial Translation. Translation from the source to target language is conducted.

3. Quality Review/Editing. Material is reviewed and edited to ensure the highest quality translation. 

4. Second Quality Review (as needed). A second final quality review may occur depending on project complexity.

5. Delivery and Approval. Translated text is provided to the client for approval.

For additional information on English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translation services click here.

Over the past year our company has continued to evolve in some interesting and unanticipated ways. Since our inception we’ve made a conscious effort to chart a course that’s a little different from that of more traditional language services companies. And, well, we think we’ve done that. In our view there’s no other company quite like us.

Our activity in areas where the Spanish language overlaps with defined business categories like search engine marketing, human resources, international business and communication ensures a unique market position for Affinity Spanish. Of course we hope our unique position will continue to be a valued one.

That said our primary service categories for the foreseeable future into 2008 are:

1) Spanish Translation

2) Spanish Interpretation

3) Bilingual English-Spanish Search Engine Marketing

4) Bilingual Employee Recruiting Services, and

5) Bilingual Business Solutions

Each of the above service categories are linked to pages that describe them in more detail.

Thanks go out to all our current customers for your loyal patronage in 2007. We extend our holiday best wishes to each of you, and look forward to helping support your business objectives in the coming year.

We all know there are various quality and service levels associated with most traditional consumer good and service products. Airlines charge more for flying first class for example. Luxury car brands naturally cost more than economy models. One can dine at McDonald’s or a fine french restaurant, and pay the associated difference in price.

Perhaps the service level concept for translation services doesn’t hold up as well. Imagine a translation company explaining to a prospective customer that it offers three levels of service. For the most basic level of service there will likely be a number of translation errors, not to mention obvious missing sections of text. Yes the errors could result in embarrassment for you Mr/Ms customer, but surely a value conscious person such as yourself won’t bow to the pressure of third party opinion on matters such as word selection, spelling and otherwise proper use of language?

For just a little bit more money our mid-tier level of service will get your source document translated with just a few verifiable errors. Errors are after-all a relative concept anyway. The inevitable errors that do occur will nearly always be minor and unlikely to cause major embarrassment or loss of perceived standing to your company relative to its competitors (except in about 25% of the cases, more or less). So the odds are in your favor.

Our premier level of service includes translation by a qualified linguist with many years of professional experience. Translators are native to the target language. Their innate interest in language ensures the utmost attention to every project detail. All translations receive at least one level of review and editing subsequent to the initial translation to produce the highest quality human translation output available. Customers interested in translation accuracy, effective cross language communication, competitive advantage for their respective organizations, generally opt for this level of service.

There are a few visionary thinkers at Affinity Spanish that seem to believe we should deliver high quality work on every project. Interesting thought. Maybe we should develop a catchy name or slogan for this policy? We’ll put the marketing department on it.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Doing a Google search on the phrase ‘escort interpereting’ can bring up numerous interesting results. Most of us are aware that the the word escort has become commonly associated with the world’s so-called oldest profession (hint: not interpreting). Nevertheless until another descriptive term reaches popular usage critical mass, the term escort interpreting is perhaps still the most commonly understood phrase to use.

Business travel in Mexico and the rest of Latin America can be extremely daunting for foreign business people. It’s not only the language but logistics and cultural considerations that can wreak havoc with otherwise well-laid plans. Even the most road-warrior-savvy American business person would likely find it unnerving to arrive in Mexico City (for example) for the first time, climb in a rental car, and drive (oh-my-god) to their scheduled appointment. Non-intuitive, every-man-for-themselves traffic patterns are just for starters. How to dress, what to eat, the best time and day to schedule appointments, how much time to allow … the answers to questions like these are second nature at home though not straightforward at all when traveling on business south of the US-Mexican border. An escort interpreter present at important meetings will undoubtedly pick up not only on spoken but also non-spoken cues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Planning a business trip to Latin America? Consider hiring a professional escort interpreter that not only knows the language but the business culture lay-of-the-land as well.

Who needs Spanish translation (or translation of any language for that matter)? The short answer is no one. No one needs translation services for the sake of them. Translators and translation companies might do well to keep this in mind. There is always a more fundamental motivation that underlies every translation project. Paying attention to these things might actually improve the quality of translations and make the deliverables more responsive to the real needs of clients.

Thinking back on recent translation projects performed by our company, the following underlying needs come to mind:

1. Need to expand market potential

2. Need to be seen as relevant in changing times

3. Need to connect with Hispanic business owners

4. Need to make changes and try something new

5. Need to strengthen search engine ranking

6. Need to recover from mistakes

7. Need to educate and retain employees

8. Need to appear politically correct

9. Need to protect intellectual property

10. Need to recruit people

These are just a few from recent first-hand experience. There are no doubt many others. Feel free to contribute to the list.

What is the ‘next big thing’ in the business of translation … in particular Spanish translation (since this blog is dedicated to the topic)? Is it technology? Is it a new process that gives superior results at lower cost? Is it the combination of translation with other service offerings to produce new service categories? What is it that will propel the language services business forward, create opportunity for translators and agencies alike?

The organization or individual that figures this out will be in a position to distinguish themselves in an industry that on the surface looks rather homogenous. It’s ironic because as any language professional will tell you, translation is in reality anything but a commodity (i.e., distinguished only by price). Rather, translating and translations are as unique as the processes that support their creation.

What is the next big thing? Ideas?

Yesterday I was reading the blog of a translator whose view of translation agencies was rather unfavorable. Among the general complaints expressed was that agencies under pay, or take a long time to pay, and in essence give little ‘love and respect’ to the language specialists they work with.

While I hope this view is not generally held among translators and other language specialists, I suppose I can only know the true feelings and beliefs of translators by asking. So translators … what have your experiences been? Do you have success stories in working with agencies, horror stories, or some of both?