Category: Migration Translators

Keeping Translations On Target

Back in the 1950s, IBM calculated that translating a short piece of text required more than double the number of computing instructions needed to simulate a guided missile in flight. While computing power has increased literally exponentially since then, improvements in machine translation have not kept pace. That there have certainly been improvements is beyond doubt. When Google translate first started, its attempts at translation were the stuff of legend. Now, for simple phrases, it has a decent chance of getting a close match. Ironically these improvements have come about since Google stopped trying to teach its system how to speak a language. Instead, Google Translate now looks through literally hundreds of millions of websites to find possible matches and uses a complex algorithm to pick the best.

Even with all these improvements, Google translate still regularly produces some questionable results. The most common issue of all is with words which have multiple meanings. Ship, for example, can be a noun or a verb. “Ship it!” can also be a slang expression. In translation context is crucial and computers still are nowhere close to grasping the full complexity of any human language.

Efforts to continue to improve machine translation are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The simple reality is that it’s much cheaper than using a human and for content which dates quickly may eventually be a cost-effective solution. For work which is expected to have a long-term impact, however, a human translator is a necessity. A NAATI accredited translator offering a certified translation service will not only produce a document which conveys the meaning of the source text, but will also ensure that any cultural requirements are accommodated. A Chinese NAATI translator for example, will be familiar with customs both in China and in the country (or countries) of their target language and will be able to ensure that any implicit assumptions are conveyed.

What The Cold War Can Teach Us About Translation

Back in the days of the cold war, two diplomats, who’d both been athletes in their youth, decided to have a race.  In the U.S. it was reported as follows: yesterday a U.S. diplomat and a Russian diplomat had a race.  The U.S. diplomat won.  In Russia it was reported as follows: yesterday there was a race between diplomats.  The Russian diplomat came second, the U.S. diplomat came last but one.  The moral of the story is that context is key.  This period is also particularly rich in stories about the difficulties caused by translations (or lack thereof) and mistranslations – some of them may even be true.

It’s probably fair to say that the more different two languages are, the harder it is to translate between them.  A Chinese NAATI translator, for example, arguably has a much more challenging job than a German NAATI accredited translator.  It’s not just the words themselves that need to be conveyed, but all the assumptions behind them.  Not with standing this, a reputable company offering a certified translation service will ensure that language is no barrier to effective communication.  It may be fun to laugh at someone else’s translation experiences, but it’s no fun to have to worry about the quality of your own.

Translation And The Rise Of The Machines

Computers have undoubtedly changed the world, although often not in the ways people initially imagined.  IBM for example confidently predicted a world where computers would be better than humans in numerous ways.  Their famous Deep Blue computer finally best chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997, although that game was far from without controversy as there was human intervention between games, and IBM declined Kasparov’s demand for a rematch, retiring the machine.

While Deep Blue has become a matter of legend, another IBM creation, computer 701 has been quietly forgotten.  Sixty years ago this year, IBM used 701 to translate sentences from Russian to English.  This promptly led to headlines suggesting that human translators would soon be surplus to requirements.  Without wishing to detract from the significance of IBM’s achievement, neither they nor any of the many companies now offering machine translation, not even Google, have come close to replacing humans.  It’s also worth noting, that Google Translate has had a huge degree of input from humans.  While, in fairness, it’s probably helped many a lost backpacker read local signs, it’s unlikely that any respectable company would use it for any significant piece of translation.

Machine translation is largely based on statistical matches and as any good statistician would admit, statistics don’t always tell the whole story.  A NAATI-accredited translator offering a certified translation service will look at a piece of text in context.  A Chinese NAATI translator for example will be familiar both with Chinese culture and the culture of the target language country.  This means that they can deal both with the translatable and the untranslatable, words and broader concepts that simply do not exist in the target language.  This may mean creating a piece of text where they are explained as no direct translation is possible.

Translating – When All Is Said And Done, That’s Exactly What It Is

There’s an old joke about an Englishman, a Frenchman and a German discussing languages. The Frenchman argued that French was the best language in the world as it was the language of romance. The German argued that German was the best language in the world, because it the language of discovery of thought and science. The Englishman, however, just smiled and, picking up a knife said, “You’re both wrong. You Frenchies call this un couteau and you Jerries call it ein Messer, but we English call it a knife, which, when all is said and done is exactly what it is.”.

To speakers of all languages, their interpretation of any particular concept makes perfect sense and in history the fact that people from another country may see matters somewhat differently may only become apparent if they tried to learn another language for any reason. In modern times, however, people now often have to learn to adapt to other people’s view of the world, even if they themselves never leave their home country. International travel has made tourism a huge industry while international trade means that businesses need to communicate with partners across continents and cultures.

It’s the latter point that tends to pose a challenge. Where there are common cultural links, people can often communicate very ably over great distances. Australia and the U.K. for example are literally at opposite sides of the globe, but generally people from both countries can understand each other very well, even if they each use expressions the other finds amusing. When dealing with more significant cultural differences however, the importance of using a certified translation service, can not be overstated. Effective language translation services ensure that document translation takes into account cultural differences as well as linguistic ones.

Translating The Untranslatable – The Art And Science Of Capturing Different Worlds

Everyone can spot a tourist.  Even if they know exactly where they’re going.  Even if they speak the language fluently.  Everyone can spot a tourist because they just don’t get the little details that the locals do.  They don’t understand the unwritten rules that the locals instinctively follow.  Pick up any piece of non-technical writing written for any given country and the chances are, it’s full of references that the locals will absorb without a second thought, but which will baffle foreigners.  A translator, therefore, in a sense takes on the role of tour guide, leading the reader through this new world.

Take Christmas for example.  Mention the word to anyone from the northern hemisphere and the chances are it will conjure up the sort of “White Christmas” images familiar to anyone who’s watched Hollywood films.  Mention it to someone from the southern hemisphere and it may well conjure up images of trips to the beach.  Mention it to someone from a country where Christmas is not celebrated and, depending on the person’s background, the expression may be meaningless, or it may trigger images from Hollywood culture.  It is exactly these cultural differences – and how to convey them to an audience unfamiliar with them – which challenge literary translators.

Although document translation may seem a more mundane form of translation, making effective use of language translation services can make the difference between a piece of writing being understandable and a piece of writing presenting a professional image.  The internet is full of the most blatant examples of poor translation, which for practical purposes generally means using a budget translator as opposed to a NAATI accredited translator, some of which have generated publicity the businesses in question would presumably have preferred to avoid.  While these are, by definition, exceptional blunders, even in technical writing, there are terms that need skill to translate, if embarrassment is to be avoided.

A Home Without Rent?

The idea behind the working holiday visa is to allow people to explore and experience Australia, paying their way as they go.  Many travellers go about this task the conventional way of finding a job and a place to live within travelling distance of the job, but there are other approaches.  House-sitting is a popular service in Australia as in other countries and is often facilitated by agencies charging minimal fees.  Most stays are short-term (to cover holidays for example), although some can be for longer, for example to cover a family travelling abroad.  Liking animals is often a distinct advantage since people often use house-sitters as a way to avoid having to put pets into boarding kennels.  Generally speaking there’s nothing to stop the sitter having a job as well, just as long as their able to take care of whatever other duties are agreed.  For those interested in going down this route, it’s particularly important to use a certified translation service for document translation since home owners are generally very eager to check the credentials of the person who will be living in their family home.  Using a NAATI accredited translator will ensure that documents are accurate and give the best possible impression.

Hot Just Got Hotter?

While it may still be some time before Kylie Minogue is in danger of losing her crown as Queen of Australia’s music scene, there are plenty of up-and-coming young acts already making their mark.  The Triple J Hottest 100 featured acts from seven countries, of which just under half were Australian.  There were also a significant number of début artists, including both the eventual winner and the runner up.  The overall winner was Melbourne-born Vance Joy with Riptide, followed by New Zealander, Lorde with Royals.  Lorde also had two other songs in the top 100.  As well as being first on the list, Joy became the first artist to claim top spot without ever having actually released an album, although he is due to release one shortly.  He also became the first winner to write his song on a ukulele (at least as far as we know).  The rest of the top ten had a strong international flavour with entrants ranging from Daft Punk to London Grammar.  Sadly for Vance Joy, the (rip) tide turned at the Grammys, where Lorde claimed both Song of the year and Best Pop Solo Performance.  The other big winners of the night were Daft Punk, who manage to connect with audiences globally in spite of wearing robot costumes and refusing to speak directly, employing the UK’s Pharrell Williams as interpreter for the evening.  We can only assume they had an acceptance speech already prepared and translated for him to give.  Even though few occasions are as momentous as the Grammys getting document translation right is still advisable for a whole number of reasons, which is why NAATI translators are so much in demand.  A certified translation service will ensure that your key documents can be understood by everyone, no matter what the occasion.

What Does A Kangaroo Look Like?

Many Australians will be tempted to answer “It looks like a kangaroo”, but the question has sparked debate among historians.  Recently the Les Enluminures Galley in New York bought a book from a Portuguese dealer, which they believe shows a kangaroo (or possibly a wallaby).  The book is believed to date from the late 16th or early 17th Century so if the animal is a kangaroo, would indicate that the artist had either been to Australia or had seen pictures of Australian animals in their home country.  Since the manuscript is in Portuguese, this could be an indication that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover Australia and that they did so much earlier than has hitherto been believed.  Some, however, are more cautious about the find.  There have already been comments about the fact that there are many species of deer in South-East Asia some of which have been known to stand on their hind legs to reach high branches.  There have also been questions raised about the date of the manuscript, some people believing that it has been dated too early.  Whatever the significance for Australia’s history, the country’s vibrant present continues to attract visitors from all over the globe.  These days, they can have the benefit of an experienced NAATI translator to help them with their trip.

Ten Errors to be Avoided in Immigration/Visa Applications

The detection of errors in immigration documents, especially ones that have been translated into a specific native language, leads to rejection of the application or causes quite lengthy delays in processing. This is immensely important in the case of visa document translations, mainly due to the necessity for personal information to be preserved in its actual sense and meaning while making it convenient for the immigration authorities to understand it in the required language. However, immigration translation is only a small aspect of the entire process. People often fail to provide the required details or misrepresent information on the forms, which is not only unethical but also presents a risk of rejection/delay. Using NAATI-certified translation services is a good option, but it also pays to take certain precautions while submitting documents for immigration application. The following is a compilation of ten common errors that need to be avoided to ensure faster approvals for visa applications and immigration processes.

Error # 1 – Providing pictures with non-compliant dimensions

Visa/immigration applications require pictures of specific dimensions so that they may fit in their place perfectly on the respective forms. If the size is too big or too small, it could make it difficult to confirm the identity of the applicant in relation to the information provided in the document. The common dimension preference is 35 mm (width) and 45 mm (height) for general pictures, while the head image is permitted a maximum height of 30 mm. Submitting pictures of incorrect size will lead to rejection of the forms.

Solution – Double-check picture dimension specifications before submitting them along with the application.

Error # 2 – Incorrect methods of paying immigration process fees
The type of payment method depends on the stream for which the fees is to be paid. Common methods of payment applicable for most processes include bank drafts, money orders and/or certified cheques; but it is best to confirm the payment mode applicable to avoiding possible rejection of the forms. Another problem often experienced in payment methods is the determination of the fee value when dealing with foreign exchange. Most visa offices only accept payment in their local currency, so it is advisable to check the website of the specific office to find out the actual costs in local currency. Using current conversion rates to determine costs could be an ineffective use of time and effort, as the calculated values may differ from those mentioned by the officials. It is also important to pay the correct applicable amount as the form will be rejected even if the paid amount is in excess of the actual value. Keeping a keen eye on these details will help to push your application through the process quickly.

Solution – Pay the correct amount in the preferred local currency (as stated officially) by using the applicable payment mode/instrument.

Error # 3 –Signatures missed in required places
This may seem to be a simple and quite insignificant mistake, but the fact is that a major proportion of rejected applications have missing signatures or misplaced signatures as the cause of rejection. Forms that are usually used in visa applications have multiple places where the applicant’s signature is required; but out of common habit, people often sign only in the bottom section. Another problem is that people often put their signatures in places where it is required only when a certain condition has been fulfilled. For example, a certain form may require a signature in a particular section only when the content in that section has been translated. If the applicant puts his/her signature in this section despite the absence of translation, then the officials simply reject the application due to non-compliance with norms.

Solution – Check your forms thoroughly for signature requirements, and sign only in places where it is required.

Error # 4 – Only providing documents mentioned specifically by the authority
You may think that submitting documents exactly according to the attached checklist would be a good strategy for getting your immigration application processed. Going by the code is good, but providing additional supporting evidence helps to speed up the process. These supporting documents come in handy when the basic documentation is not sufficient to pull the case through. The officials rarely apprise you of such conditions, and in all probability the documents are returned to the applicant long after the submission had been made.

Solution – The type of additional documents that may be usefully provided depends on each individual case. However, documents like lease records, communication transcripts, bank statements, etc., can prove to be highly useful in speeding up the process.

Error # 5 – Lack of supplemental forms (applicable for certain regions)
People from certain specified regions are required to provide supplemental documents in additional to the standard forms for visa application. The purpose of these supplemental documents is to obtain information that is otherwise not evident from the standard forms. Usually these documents are in the form of survey-type questions, or in the form of a targeted questionnaire. The answers provide greater insight into the personal preferences or approach of the applicants.

Solution – It is better to identify the type of supplemental forms that could support your case in immigration applications, so that they may be submitted along with the standard documents.

Error # 6 – Misrepresentation / unaccountability of information
Misrepresentation of information is a serious offence in any legal framework, as the official authorities rely completely on the documented information. If detected, the application containing misrepresented or unaccountable information (the absence of specific information which is not explained by the applicants) is not only rejected, but is also barred from being re-submitted for a certain duration. This duration depends on the regulatory guidelines existing in different regions. One of the problems associated with the misrepresentation clause is that minor errors that may have occurred out of erroneous translation may be perceived as intentional, due to which the application could be rejected and barred from further submission.
Solution – The only possible solution in this case is to get the document checked thoroughly by a language expert to ensure that the content bears relevancy with actual information. Also, it is better to provide valid explanations for information that is missing or has not been provided on the forms.
Error # 7 – Submitting handwritten forms that lack clarity
Handwritten forms are hardly ever preferred, especially in immigration approval processes. The reason behind this is the lack of clarity and illegibility of various types of handwriting that people usually adopt. In the case of visa approvals, the assigned officer will simply return or reject the file if any information does not indicate clear perspectives. Moreover, handwritten forms are not capable of being verified. Digital copies, once verified, are provided with bar codes or similar substitutes that not only authenticate the information, but also aid in fast digital transfer, thereby saving valuable time and effort that would otherwise have been used up in tedious conversion. The other obvious benefit of digital documents is that they can be printed countless times as long as the soft copy is preserved.
Solution – Create digital copies of filled forms for ensuring clarity, facilitating authentication and allowing long-term usage of the information.
Error # 8 – Failing to include a cover letter while submitting documents
The absence of cover letters does not cause rejection of immigration forms. However, it can cause significant delays in the process. The primary use of cover letters is to brief the verifying office about the personal overview of the applicant, and the factors that makes him/her suitable for qualifying for immigration.
Solution – Always submit a cover letter introducing yourself and outlining why you qualify for a visa approval.
Error # 9 – Using inappropriate mailing media for submitting the application
Immigration offices usually ask applicants to send the filled-in forms and supporting documents by mail. However, if you use normal mailing methods, then there is a high probability of the package getting delayed or even lost in transit. Tracking such packages can be tedious and can consume a lot of time. Another mistake that people make in this regard is to keep on waiting for some response from the immigration authorities. A good approach in such situations is to make an enquiry at the designated centre if no response is received within a reasonable time.
Solution – To avoid unnecessary troubles, it is best to use registered mail or courier services to send documents, as they can be tracked, with a level of accountability being attributed to the mailing company.

Error # 10 – Holding up application submissions in anticipation of criminal record verifications
While it is good to wait for the criminal record verifications to be delivered before the application is submitted to the officials, such practices are often not advised. Unless required for permanent residence in a foreign country, the criminal record verification report may be submitted at a later date. Waiting for the verification report prior to application is an exercise in futility. Such actions only contribute to delaying the process further.
Solution – It would be a good approach to find out if verification reports are required as per your case. If they are required, submit the application immediately and then provide the verification report when it is delivered to you. This will save valuable time in the process, eventually leading to faster approval.

The End of an Era

In recent years Australia has conquered the world with its TV exports, particularly Neighbours and Home and Away. Appropriately enough, Neighbours is set in Melbourne which is the home of Australian television, being the place where broadcasting began in 1929. Today, Melbourne was also the place where a broadcasting era came to an end, as the last analogue receivers were finally switched off. Of course, the citizens of Melbourne were not left without a TV (particularly not when the cricket is on), the signal has now switched to digital and satellite with all homes having already been changed over.

While the old transmitters may still have some sentimental value, Australia’s future is undeniably digital in a whole variety of ways. As well as being avid users of social media, Australia has also enthusiastically adopted the internet as a business channel with Australian entrepreneurs such as Mark Harbottle, owner of SitePoint and Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar co-owners of Atlassian are just three examples of young Australians who’ve built businesses and fortunes out of innovating. Those who are interested in building new lives and perhaps new businesses in the land of sun and surf can get off to a racing start with the services of a professional NAATI translator.