tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51770898892235518522024-03-10T02:46:18.102+00:00The Lingua File from TLF TranslationSpanish/French to English translation, copywriting, and editing services, plus a light-hearted language blog.Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18198284180917235463noreply@blogger.comBlogger533125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-84316761894056889872021-11-22T09:00:00.000+00:002021-11-22T09:00:00.184+00:00Tips On How To Start a Career In Translation by Angelo Castelda<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W02Sh5ktX68/YZL8wL5n8zI/AAAAAAAABK4/jVumus7wIdk3rYH1K32XUZn6oWX76ZWsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s612/Useful%2BTips%2BOn%2BHow%2BTo%2BStart%2BYour%2BCareer%2BIn%2BLanguage%2BTranslation%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W02Sh5ktX68/YZL8wL5n8zI/AAAAAAAABK4/jVumus7wIdk3rYH1K32XUZn6oWX76ZWsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Useful%2BTips%2BOn%2BHow%2BTo%2BStart%2BYour%2BCareer%2BIn%2BLanguage%2BTranslation%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Becoming a language professional is a good career choice because <b>language is universal.</b> Everyone uses language every day of their lives, which means there are always careers in language. One viable career in this field is translation, which is very popular.<p></p><p>Translation professionals can work in-house or freelance in both the public and private sectors. They are trained to translate one language into another professionally. Typically, <b>translators work with written languages while interpreters work with spoken languages,</b> although both jobs involve working between at least two languages.</p><p>Speaking more than one language will get you one step closer to being a professional translator. However, there are different routes you can take with this job. Here are some useful tips to help you get started.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hone your skills in your source language</h3><p>Your target language is your native language; the one you’ve been speaking since birth. So the first thing you should do is to <b>study and train in your source language extensively.</b></p><p>If your target language is a common one, then you’re likely to find more translation jobs. However, with a common language, expect more competition from other translators.</p><p>For example, <a href="https://lexcode.com.ph/english-filipino-language-translation/" target="_blank">professional English to Filipino language translation in the Philippines</a> is common because English is their second language. That’s why translators have to study and train to be better than their peers to land more jobs.</p><p><b>Getting advanced degrees in your source language</b> will also set you apart from your peers. You can choose to study in a school or earn a degree from an online university and then take language exams to measure your fluency.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Consider specializing in an industry</h3><p>You can <b>work in different industries as a translator.</b> Specializing in one will help you to work in specific sectors. You have to know the jargon and terminology to work in specific fields.</p><p>You can look for a tutor or online learning resources to help you specialise. For example, you could study Spanish medical terms to learn how to translate them into your target language.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Get accredited or certified</h3><p>Much like language teachers, <b>translators can also get certified or accredited. </b>Being certified by a credible certification provider in language translation will boost your chances of landing a job in both the public and private sectors.</p><p>If you plan to work in an industry, <b>there are also industry-specific certifications</b> you can get offered to interpreters. Although it’s not for translators, getting an industry-specific certification for interpreters still shows you know and can translate language in a specific field. Thus, it’ll still help in landing you a job.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Learn translation-related computer skills</h3><p>Many translation jobs require <b>a good knowledge of computer programs.</b> Computer programs can help translators to work faster and more efficiently. You will find many job opportunities that require knowledge of those programs, so learn how to use them.</p><p>Some language translation programs commonly required by agencies include:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>memoQ</li><li>SDL Trados Studio</li><li>Memsource</li><li>Wordfast</li></ul><p></p><p>Some translation software is free, while others are available with one-off payments or paid subscriptions. These tools help improve translation in different ways and can help with spelling and grammar corrections and analyzing points where text has been mistranslated.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Gain experience</h3><p>The sad reality is that <b>you need experience to land a job</b> also applies to becoming a professional translator. Before you begin searching and applying for job openings, you should first gain experience.</p><p>You can do so by working as a freelance translator. <b>This is a good way to gain experience</b> that you can add to your resume. Once you get contracted for more freelance work, you’ll gain more experience and be able to earn more.</p><p>You may get your first translation gig from an acquaintance or business connection and <b>many companies accept freelance translators for online work.</b></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Let's Round-Up</h3><p>There are various options for linguists looking to work as translators. But before you apply for any job, <b>you have to do your due diligence. </b>Make sure that you're a translator that companies will seek to hire.</p><p><i>Angelo Castelda is a freelance writer from Asia. Besides writing, he also spends his time traveling and learning about diverse cultures and languages, which opened his heart more to learning and imparting knowledge about language translation.</i></p><div><br /></div>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-7471376388314983482020-10-12T09:00:00.009+01:002022-11-11T16:40:37.831+00:00How to Deliver Better Healthcare by Using Medical Translation Services by Ofer Tirosh<p>Productive and efficient communication is one of the main factors in delivering better healthcare. With strong communication, patients can learn how to take their treatments, can ask questions about conditions that are bothering them, and can discuss how they are being cared for. One of the hardest barriers to overcome in healthcare communication is the language barrier. As such, we’ve taken a look at how medical translation services can help you deliver better healthcare.</p><h3>Why is Medical Translation Important?</h3><p>If you work in healthcare, medical translation is a service you simply can’t ignore. The importance of medical interpreters was displayed when <a href="https://www.tomedes.com/translator-hub/coronavirus-medical-translation" target="_blank">they played a decisive role</a> in the creation and implementation of government policies regarding health and disaster response and mitigation</p><p>According to Medicare and Medicaid Services, a 2017 survey asked healthcare providers to estimate how many of their patients spoke a language other than English at home. <a href="https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/OMH/Downloads/Issue-Brief-How-Healthcare-Providers-Meet-Patient-Language-Needs.pdf" target="_blank">23% of respondents</a> estimated that 21-40% of their patients spoke a language other than English at home. 9% estimated that 41-60% spoke a language other than English, 5% estimated that it was 61-80% of their patients who did so, while 3% of respondents estimated that 81%-100% of their patients spoke an alternative language to English at home.</p><p>The wider societal figures help to put this in context. Between 2009 and 2013, about <a href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/2009-2013-lang-tables.html" target="_blank">25 million people</a> in the US spoke English less than very well, according to the US Census Bureau.</p><p>Cleary, people who speak another language make up a large portion of patients. And healthcare providers must communicate well with those patients if they wish to deliver the best possible care.</p><p>The report from Medicare and Medicaid Services also asked how providers meet the needs of patients who speak another language:</p><p></p><ul><li>Just under 24% said they are contracted with interpreter services.</li><li>Only 10% said they track language preferences in medical records.</li><li>Around 16% said they did not know what strategies were used to address language needs.</li></ul><p></p><p>Large parts of the medical industry have a long way to go in meeting the language needs of its patients, according to this survey. </p><p>Being sick can already be a harrowing experience. When the healthcare providers are difficult to communicate with because of language barriers, it can be downright frightening, as you struggle to understand what is wrong with you and how to treat it. On the provider’s end, it can be stressful not to know if the patient is understanding vital treatment instructions. </p><p>Medical translation can deliver a more comforting experience for patients and a smoother, faster process for healthcare providers.</p><h3>What Is Medical Translation? </h3><p> An important distinction to start with is the difference between medical translation and interpretation.</p><p>Interpretation covers any type of service that converts spoken language as it’s being said. In healthcare, interpreters are often present in the examination room with the patient and the doctor. More recently, due to quarantining and the increased convenience of portable devices, video remote interpretation is becoming more popular in the medical field. The interpreter simply works over a video call instead of in person.</p><p>What does translation mean in medical terms? And what is a translation service? Medical translation handles converting written text into another language (or perhaps verbal commentary in the case of audio or video translation). Medical translation may handle documents such as medical bulletins, drug data sheets, training materials, and plenty more. It can include functions within healthcare as well, such as medical device manufacturing, medical marketing, or documentation for clinical, regulatory, or technical needs.</p><p>Accuracy is paramount. A mistranslation in the medical industry could have disastrous consequences. It could mean a drug is misrepresented, instructions for using a medical device could be wrong or someone could administer a treatment improperly. As such, decent medical translation services work in several steps to ensure quality:</p><p>· Initial communication between the client and translator establishes any medical terminology or meanings that should stay intact in the text.</p><p></p><ul><li>The text is extracted from the original document.</li><li>That text is then line-by-line translated into the new language.</li></ul><p></p><p>· An editor typically checks to make sure the translator followed certain medical terminology, overall meaning, and standards within the industry.</p><p></p><ul><li>The translation is put back into its original format.</li><li>A proofreader looks over the document, checking for larger issues like layout problems.</li><li>After these steps, the document gets sent back to the client.</li></ul><p></p><p>This is an example of what medical translation tends to look like. The stages can vary slightly. For instance, larger translation agencies might have multiple people at different stages of the process, whereas a single translator could handle different stages themselves.</p><p>The important point to take away is that a good medical translator or agency will have multiple stages of review. They will check the document against approved medical terminology and industry standards. </p><h3>How to Find Top Medical Translation Services</h3><p>Because medical translation is so important, you need to make sure you are sourcing and vetting your medical translation service well. </p><p>A top way people find translation services is to ask around their professional network. If people have had a good experience with a translation service, they may be inclined to recommend it. You might also search online. Either way, make sure a medical translation agency is at the top of its game by checking that: </p><p></p><ul><li>The website is professional and modern.</li><li>The agency or translator has some way to prove they are experienced through portfolios of past work, client testimonials, or references.</li><li>Your point of contact is timely and detailed in their communication; they should be able to outline quickly their whole process for assuring quality reviews, for instance.</li><li>The agency or translator is knowledgeable about industry standards and medical terminology for their type of translation work. For example, certain ISO types for medical device manufacturing.</li><li>The translator has some type of professional development, such as a degree in translation, volunteer work, internships, or agency work, and that they belong to a professional organization for translators and/or are certified. </li></ul><p></p><p>By properly vetting your medical translator, you can better assure that the translation you get back will be accurate and comply with industry standards. This is key to driving up standards for non-English speaking patients across your healthcare provision.</p><p><i>Ofer Tirosh is the CEO of <a href="https://www.tomedes.com/" target="_blank">Tomedes</a>. He is an author who focuses on linguistics and the importance of foreign language in globalization and localization.</i></p>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-6612512452563357372020-07-06T10:00:00.000+01:002020-07-06T10:00:04.535+01:00Why You Shouldn’t Rely On Machine Translation by Emma CollinsFaster and cheaper – these are the two key advantages of <a href="https://www.gala-global.org/what-machine-translation" target="_blank">machine translation</a>. Technology has enabled us to rely on machines to translate heaps of information all at once. However, there are still several downsides to the service. For one, accuracy isn’t always on point, which is where human translation comes in.<br />
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The Shortcomings of Machine Translation</h3>
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However promising machine translation is, there are still several types of document that probably won't be translated perfectly. Here are some examples.<br />
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Medical Documents</h3>
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Medical documents like dossiers, user guides, and research protocols require the utmost care when translating. After all, it could be a matter of life or death. Medical reports must be translated accurately. Unfortunately, machine translation can't guarantee that.<br />
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One of the pitfalls of machine translation is its over-literal translation. Since there can be a lot of medical jargon in documents, the context can be hugely important and you need to get every term right.<br />
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Speed is also an important factor. Although human translators translate at a slower rate, they can ensure that the proper meaning is retained.<br />
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Legal Documents</h3>
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Legal documents are usually highly confidential so using free machine translation tools can be <a href="https://global-lingo.com/machine-translation-legal-documents/" target="_blank">too risky</a>. Free translation services like Google Translate or Bing Translator store the text you input to improve performance. Although this is a legitimate reason, this can pose a threat to your data privacy. Legally binding contracts, for example, should never be run through these tools.<br />
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Using free machine translators can seem cost-effective at first but the mistakes can be expensive. It’s better to put your trust in professional translators who can keep sensitive information safe.<br />
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Immigration Documents </h3>
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Machine translation is not consistent across different languages and immigration documents often contain specific content that may not be easily translatable to certain languages. Machine translation also does not offer any understanding of cultural references that can be integral to your immigration documents.<br />
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Moreover, <a href="https://www.translingua-translations.com/birth-certificate-translation-services/" target="_blank">birth certificate translation</a> requires careful analysis of the different formats of birth certificates. For example, if you want to translate your birth certificate in the US, you need to adhere to the rules of the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/" target="_blank">United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS)</a>. They have a rigid set of rules that you need to consider if you want to have a smooth immigration process.<br />
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These nuances are considered by human translators as they always seek advice from professionals.<br />
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Marketing Materials</h3>
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Translations should not only convey information but also emotion. Although machine translation could work with technical content, it cannot be used for marketing.<br />
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Advertising and other marketing strategies are directed towards humans. Effective marketing aims to persuade and this is usually done by evoking emotional responses to change people’s behavior. Machine translation fails to convey nuance.<br />
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If marketing content is produced by machine translation, the editorial touch could be lost and it won’t be effective. Being too literal in your approach rarely succeeds and slogans and taglines work because it creates an effective call-to-action that's aimed at humans. As such, you have to leave it to marketers and human translators.<br />
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Financial Documents<span id="goog_1866028278"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1866028279"></span></h3>
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Financial documents like financial statements, SEC filings, and business correspondence, follow a certain format to comply with different regulations. Outside the format, these documents also require an extensive understanding of the specialized language of global trade and financial reporting.<br />
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Financial documents contain several figures that machine translation can’t comprehend. Hence, you need to find people who can grasp the relevance of these figures. What does it mean to have "x amount of sales"? Financial documents are often written with insights that machine translation can’t capture.<br />
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Lastly, you also need to consider the readability of your documents. Even if you were successful in translating your financial documents, you also need to ensure that it can be understood by your readers.<br />
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Machine Translation Efficiency</h3>
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Machine translation has gained popularity because of its efficiency. However, efficiency doesn't always translate to accuracy.<br />
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In any document, accuracy is always a priority and is paramount to almost any type of service. A single translation error can lead to serious consequences. Although still imperfect, human translators could offer context and understanding that can produce a more reliable translation.<br />
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<i>Emma Collins is a creative thinking content creator who specializes in blogging and copywriting. You can find her on <a href="https://twitter.com/Collins_Writes" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-67275655661977606432020-06-22T10:00:00.003+01:002022-11-11T16:40:40.697+00:00Linguistics and Learning in the Digital Age by Ofer TiroshThe recent COVID-19 global pandemic has forced even many traditional educational institutions to move to online learning environments. An exceedingly large number of people seem to be moving online in order to pursue language studies. In fact, this practice of online learning has become so common that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has devoted an entire <a href="https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse/solutions" target="_blank">web page</a> to provide a comprehensive resource for online learning options.<br />
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Before starting your journey to learning languages online, it is important to know what your particular challenges will be, what the benefits of online learning are, and perhaps most importantly of all, determining <a href="https://www.tomedes.com/translator-hub/15-best-languages" target="_blank">which languages are best to learn</a> and what you have in mind to do with your new language skills.<br />
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On that note, language skills, whether from online learning courses or from a more traditional educational institution, can also offer you a great many benefits, both mentally and financially. Thus, you need to first determine which languages you want to learn online and how that will offer you a real and tangible benefit.<br />
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1.1 Selecting Which Languages for Online Learning</h3>
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The coronavirus crisis has pushed online learning to new levels of popularity stemming from necessity. It should be noted, however, that the global Covid-19 pandemic will not last forever. Online learning, however, is revolutionizing learning norms, but should also provide a direct and tangible benefit. This means that the time spent learning languages online should focus on language skills that can be used in practical application at the same time. Revolutionizing learning norms only becomes a good thing when online learning has real-world uses, ideally in the post-COVID-19 pandemic world.<br />
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One of the best ways to determine which languages are best to study, are those languages which you have an actual occasion to use from time to time. In the Canadian province of Quebec, it may be ideal to learn both English and French. In parts of the US, there are many large cities with large ethnic minorities and locations where Spanish, Chinese (or Putonghua) may be beneficial and a language skill that you can use in real-life scenarios.<br />
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In parts of Europe, it is fairly common for some people to grow up speaking numerous languages based on the proximity of their neighbours and the European border policies. Unfortunately, the coronavirus crisis, self-isolating, social distancing and even full quarantine measures in some places around the world make learning within those communities virtually impossible.<br />
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Without the ability to translate those lessons into common practice, even a comprehensive language vocabulary may not help you to actually learn to speak in a manner that people will understand. Fortunately, it is very possible to find a great many online communities where you can practice your new language skills online, in the form of reading and writing and in terms of verbal communications.<br />
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This will be important as virtually every language in existence has been localized to some degree. Localization is the means by which you can communicate to the local people on a local level with a better understanding of what is being discussed. Not many people will ever talk to you about translating English to English or translating Portuguese to Portuguese but the fact remains that the need to interpret the local language variations is an important part of language learning online or anywhere else.<br />
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1.2 Localization and Language Online Learning</h3>
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Local vernacular, colloquialisms and expressions are going to be different even among common speakers of the same language within a single nation. When languages cross physical borders, they tend to go through a process known as localization, even when they are largely isolated and not subject to the integration of words from other languages.<br />
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If you are from the United States, you may drink a <i>soda</i> or a <i>cola</i>, or you may even drink a <i>pop</i>, though such a suggestion would raise a fuss in some locations as there, a pop may be the father of someone rather than a refreshing beverage. Likewise in the United States, the ground floor and first floor of a building are interchangeable terms. In other areas where English is still the native language, the first floor is the one above the ground floor.<br />
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Imagine translating a document for a friend or worse still perhaps, a paying client, and you send all of their friends or customers to the wrong location? It would not take long before you developed a bad reputation with such mistakes. If however, you want to build up your reputation as a professional translator or interpreter, you need to focus on localization strategies for language learning.<br />
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It will be necessary for you to place an emphasis on your reason for learning new language skills. Are you learning so that you can communicate better when you travel? Will you need to be more able to effectively communicate with co-workers or others within the local community? Are you hoping to become a translator or even a certified interpreter?<br />
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Thus, you can focus on the different avenues of approach for mastering your language skills. Should you focus on learning more industry-specific language or should you focus more on language skills that will help you to get around in a new location?<br />
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Determining which language skills you will need first determines how much you will use the language skills, and how much you ultimately benefit from learning a new language online. Once these determinations have been made, it is necessary for you to begin focusing on exactly how to get started on your linguistic journey.<br />
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1.3 Online Learning – Language Basics Online</h3>
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Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? These are the basic questions that any author must address in their writing because they are the basic structure of any and all conversation. Conversations, with some social exceptions, are little more than an exchange of information regarding at least one of these matters.<br />
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Learning these basic forms of speech will help you to better understand and interpret what is being said, without having to have an extensive vocabulary from day one. Who do you need to speak with? What are you going to learn? When will you begin your journey? Where will your language studies lead you? Why should you start with the basics? How do you find people to help you?<br />
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Add to this most basic form of conversational language studies by beginning to learn more common conversational forms of the language. Where is the bus station? Where can I find an interpreter? Coming and going are common habits?<br />
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Fill in these basic conversations with additional nouns and verbs as you go along, learning first, just the basic language skills that you need to get by and adding to them at a more natural and comfortable pace. You can also begin actively chatting with other people in the new language.<br />
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You will probably find some people who are more than willing to assist you to interpret and learn more about what is being said. This is especially true if you already have something in common with them to begin with.<br />
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There are all sorts of chat rooms with audio chat where you can engage in active conversation with your new language skills, though that may not always be the best option. While it may be open to debate, you may even be able to find sponsors online who can help you not only to learn a new language but who may even be persuaded to sponsor your online language studies at the same time.<br />
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Live streaming is common on YouTube for the video influencer market, and very popular on many gaming platforms. However, <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/twitch-and-beyond-the-best-video-game-live-streaming-services" target="_blank">live streaming</a> is now used by a great many people online in order to attract followers, like-minded people and compatriots in all sorts of online activities.<br />
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Not only is it possible to find people to help you translate all of your language studies into more of a mastery of that language, but most of these live streaming websites also have the option for people to financially support your studies via Patreon or other similar donation platforms.<br />
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Does that mean you are going to get rich learning languages online? Probably not, but there are people getting sponsored for far more bizarre and unlikely endeavours besides education, so in theory at least, it does remain a distinct possibility. Even if you do not get rich, however, there are a great many personal benefits to language learning online.<br />
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1.4 Translating the Benefits of Language into Real World Success</h3>
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There are a great many added benefits of learning a second language that can also translate into very real-world success stories. These benefits run the full spectrum from mental benefits to financial success. <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/secondlanguagebenefits/" target="_blank">Penn State University</a> has put together a more comprehensive list of the benefits in regards to cognitive abilities and mental benefits, though there are other benefits to language learning as well.<br />
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People who are bilingual, multilingual or even panlingual are more likely to stand out when it comes to job applications and successfully getting that dream job. This will be especially true if you have done your homework regarding the best languages to learn and worked on learning a language that you can use within the local community.<br />
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People who have learned two or more languages tend to have a better cultural understanding and emotional connection with those around them, again making them easier to work with, live with and to be around in general. These are all attributes that are not only beneficial in a work environment, but also in social settings as well.<br />
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People who are bilingual or multilingual tend to have better reasoning skills as well. The constant mental practice in the early stages of learning a language generally involves a great many mental translations, forcing people to think about everything before they actually speak their mind. The end result seems to be a better sense of reasoning, at least according to the experts at Penn State among many others.<br />
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People who learn two or more languages tend to show an increased capacity for memory retention. Again, these studies have been conducted by numerous universities in addition to some private institutions. An enhanced memory tends to improve virtually every aspect of your life, no matter what you are doing.<br />
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All that is left, is figuring out how to put the finishing touches on your multilingual mastery and maybe even increase your income working as a professional language service provider.<br />
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1.5 Translating Language Learning into Linguistic Mastery</h3>
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As you grow more comfortable with your new language skills you may be tempted to start spreading your wings (metaphorically speaking of course) and you should. The secret is to know your personal limitations and to not put yourself into any position that will cause you to develop a bad reputation.<br />
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On the other hand, there are also tools out there that can help to ensure your success and allow you to embark on a potentially profitable adventure. Starting with basic skills, it may be necessary to utilize some of these machine translation apps or even computer-assisted translations or CAT tools.<br />
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However, rest assured that these will certainly not do all of the work for you, but they should help you to recognize more about grammar and what is right and wrong with those machine translations. To date, there is not a single machine translation tool or other language assistance device that can pass the Turing test. This means that you will still earn your paycheck, but you can also earn while you learn.<br />
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The <i>Turing Test</i> goes back to WWII and the work of Alan Turing, who questioned whether machines would ever be able to match the intellect and the more subtle and nuanced nature of humanity. There are some chatbots that have come close, but none have ever yet passed the Turing test, fooling people into believing that a machine was in fact human.<br />
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Even the great Google Translate has a spot for humans to intervene and improve translations, which is a good place to begin, but your work there will be free. If you prefer starting your work as a language service provider in paid venues, video and audio transcription are a good place to start.<br />
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However, it is important to review the material before applying for the job, and ensure that there is not too much there that you have no idea about. So why start with audio and video transcription services instead of doing what seem to be simpler document translations?<br />
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If all you really want to learn is how to read and write, document translation services may be a better place for you to begin mastering a new language. If however, you are seeking to have a better understanding of localization in regards to dialects and speech, the transcription services will force you to listen carefully to fully understand everything that is being said.<br />
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Once you have mastered the art of language transcription, it should be easy to add document translation services to your Curricula Vitae as well. While it may take you a while to become proficient enough to become a certified interpreter, at least you will have the option to earn while you learn and master your new found language skills.<br />
<br /><i>Ofer Tirosh is the CEO of <a href="https://www.tomedes.com/" target="_blank">Tomedes</a>. He is an author who focuses on linguistics and the importance of foreign language in globalization and localization.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-24519850684202664982020-04-13T10:00:00.000+01:002020-04-13T12:58:00.719+01:003 Easy Foreign Languages to Learn by Finnegan PiersonThe easiest languages to learn are the ones you'll get to use the most. If your partner, roommates, friends, co-workers or family speak a certain foreign language, it'll be easier to learn.<br />
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Similarly, having a job where you communicate regularly in a foreign language will help, too. So does studying with a group of language learners who are hoping to travel to another country as they'll make great people to practice with. Generally, the most important thing is that you have a lot of opportunities to practise your new languages.<br />
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If that isn't the case, here are three languages on the easier side of things.<br />
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<h3>
Easy Languages to Learn</h3>
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Spanish, Portuguese and French are three languages that regularly appear in studies as the easiest for English speakers to learn.<br />
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Spanish, for example, uses the same alphabet English alphabet (barring a few accented letters) and it has only a few grammatical irregularities.<br />
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Portuguese, which shares many similarities with Spanish, also has a lot of common ground with English.<br />
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The English vocabulary includes tonnes of French words, words of French origin, or words that found their way to us from other languages via French. Furthermore, it uses the same alphabet and, as a Romance language, shares a lot of similarities with Spanish and Portuguese.<br />
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<h3>
Spanish</h3>
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Spanish is spoken by 14 million people in the United States. If you live in the US, then you will probably know someone who speaks perfect Spanish. After all, a large percentage of the Spanish-speaking community speaks both Spanish and English fluently.<br />
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You can also find a lot of resources for learning Spanish as well as apps and games like <a href="http://www.duolingo.com/" target="_blank">Duolingo</a> to get you started.<br />
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How Similar to English is Spanish?</h3>
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Compare these English words: Liberty, dentist, artist, famous, democracy, and photo to the Spanish words: libertad, dentista, artista, famosa, democracia, and foto.<br />
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See how similar they are in sound and spelling?<br />
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While this is just a small exmaple, many words could be included in examples like this.<br />
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<h3>
Comparing English to Portuguese</h3>
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To learn a language like Portuguese, you'll be happy to know that it is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Portuguese is the <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/portuguese-worlds-seventh-most-spoken-language" target="_blank">ninth most spoken language in the world</a>.<br />
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<h3>
Where is Portuguese Spoken?</h3>
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Portuguese, as you could probably guess, was originally spoken in just Portugal. When Portuguese explorers went to South America in the 16th century, they brought their language with them.<br />
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In Brazil, Portuguese is spoken as the native language. It is also spoken in as a secondary language in parts of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.<br />
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The Portuguese also colonised West Africa in the 16th century. African countries that also speak Portuguese include Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé, and Equatorial Guinea.<br />
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There are parts of India and East Asia that were also introduced to Portuguese through colonisation. East Timor also has a tiny Portuguese-speaking community.<br />
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It won't be too hard to find someone else who wants to study and practise speaking Portuguese.<br />
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<h3>
Learning French</h3>
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Many English speakers are technically already familiar with a lot of French vocabulary. Under Norman rule, a lot of French vocabulary made their way into the English language.<br />
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Here are some French words already used in the English language:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Fiancé</li>
<li>Déjà-Vu</li>
<li>Mirage</li>
<li>Façade</li>
<li>Pot-pourri</li>
<li>Hors d’œuvre</li>
<li>Cul-de-Sac</li>
<li>Matinée</li>
<li>Coup-de-Grâce</li>
<li>Encore</li>
<li>Souvenir</li>
<li>Avant-Garde</li>
<li>Touché</li>
<li>Risqué</li>
</ul>
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French and Spanish are quite similar, so if you grasp Spanish, you'll be able to learn French.<br />
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For example, uno, dos, tres in Spanish is un, deux, trois in French. Of course, the main problem will be confusing the two. Make the most of French culture, go to French restaurants and practice ordering the food or find someone from practice with a French-speaking person from France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Canada, for example.<br />
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Learning a language is a great experience and can help you to see new cultures, meet new people, and provide a boost to your career. Anybody who has learned a second language will tell you; you won't regret it.<br />
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<i>Finnegan Pierson loves languages and has a passion for different cultures, and writing. As a freelance writer, Finn hopes to influence others to enjoy cultures and be inspired to learn other languages. He is fluent in English and Spanish.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-75484535128525413502020-04-06T10:00:00.000+01:002020-04-06T19:53:10.703+01:00The Positive Effects Learning a Second Language Can Have On Your Mind by Luke SmithLearning a second language is a challenge at any age, but it can be especially difficult for adults. Being bilingual means that you have to <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/multilingual-practices/0/steps/22658" target="_blank">think and process multiple languages simultaneously</a>, and that kind of cognitive agility and plasticity gets tougher as you get older — ask anyone over the age of 40!<br />
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But the fact is that learning a second language brings with it a range of benefits that make the effort worthwhile. These benefits range from delaying cognitive decline and decreasing the risk of dementia to using that second language to up an array of professional and personal opportunities.<br />
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<h3>
A Change of Mind</h3>
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One of the most significant and exciting benefits of learning a second language is the vast and often life-long benefits to your brain. Studies show that bilingual people tend to be more cognitively adaptable. They can easily and quickly s<a href="https://bilingualkidspot.com/2019/05/25/cognitive-benefits-of-bilingualism/" target="_blank">witch between tasks or tackle multiple tasks at once</a>.<br />
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This is because becoming bilingual, by definition, requires you to move deftly between multiple languages to understand and to make yourself understood. That kind of cognitive agility helps you not only when you are a child or young adult, either, as studies show that people who speak more than one language tend to retain their mental sharpness well into old age. Bilingual people with Alzheimer's <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2018-05-15/bilingual-brains-are-more-resilient-dementia-cause-alzheimers-disease" target="_blank">show their first symptoms an average of five years later</a> than patients who speak only one language.<br />
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<h3>
Multiple Benefits</h3>
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When you're learning a second language, you're not just honing your ability to move seamlessly between two languages. You're also developing skills that can come in handy in other areas of your life, both at work and home. For one thing, studying a second language requires you to become a master of details. You have to <a href="http://www.thelinguafile.com/2017/10/7-brainy-benefits-to-learning-foreign.html#.Xm1aYqhKg2x" target="_blank">refine your powers of observation</a>, noticing those little nuances that make the language work.<br />
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Not only that, but you're also going to get quite good at problem-solving. Because, as anyone who has ever learned a second language knows, becoming bilingual is about more than substituting words in one language for words in another. It's about figuring out how to use not only the vocabulary of the second language but also its systems of grammar and syntax, to both make meaning and express it. And that requires a strong ability to problem-solve.<br />
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As you're learning the nuances of a second language, as strange as it may seem, you're also going to be learning about your mother tongue. For many of us, our native language is second nature. We learn it primarily through exposure, habit, and mimicry.<br />
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But, outside of our language arts classes in school, we rarely have an opportunity to study our native language or think about how it works. That also means that we're often reproducing errors that we've heard all our lives but never realized were incorrect until exposure to the second language required us to develop a deeper and better understanding of our first.<br />
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<h3>
Expanding Horizons</h3>
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There's no doubt about it, we live in an increasingly globalized world. Learning a second language is going to help you participate in that world. For instance, if you are one of the <a href="https://www.fiscaltiger.com/best-jobs-for-working-remotely/" target="_blank">rapidly growing numbers of remote workers worldwide</a>, you're no longer limited by geographic boundaries or physical distance. Your clients and partners can be located anywhere in the world. Speaking multiple languages allows you to vastly expand the possibilities of the remote work you do, the people you partner with, and the clients you serve.<br />
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But it's not just remote workers who can benefit professionally from speaking a second language. If English isn't your first language, for example, <a href="https://online.maryville.edu/blog/english-as-a-second-language-resources-for-students/" target="_blank">studying it as a second language</a> can open up the world of business, no matter where you might be located because, increasingly, English is being chosen as the lingua franca of international business. <br />
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Best of all, if you can speak more than one language, that simply increases your chances for new adventures. You'll be able to travel more widely and do it with more skill, confidence, and enjoyment. It'll also open up more opportunities to meet new and different people, experience different cultures, and more — and increased socialization, in any form, is known to have <a href="https://www.lssliving.org/news/resources/improving-health-through-social-wellness/" target="_blank">health benefits</a>, too.<br />
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<h3>
The Takeaway</h3>
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Being bilingual is more than an impressive party trick to perform in front of your monolingual friends. Learning a second language provides important cognitive benefits that will extend throughout your whole life.<br />
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You will become more mentally agile and adaptable. You'll hone your multitasking and problem-solving skills. You'll develop your observational skills and become a master of fine details. And you'll even get better at speaking and writing in your mother tongue. Learning a second language can also help you ward off the effects of dementia and Alzheimer's. You'll retain your mental acuity longer.<br />
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Bilingualism can also open up an entire world of personal and professional opportunities. Whether you dream of jetting off on new adventures by traveling internationally, or you are looking to grow your business by going global, speaking multiple languages opens the world to you, your family, and your business.<br />
<br />
<i>Luke Smith is a writer and researcher turned blogger. Since finishing college he is trying his hand at being a freelance writer. He enjoys writing on a variety of topics but linguistics topics are his favorite. When he isn't writing you can find him traveling, hiking, or gaming.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-17008426025084631572020-03-30T10:00:00.003+01:002022-11-11T16:40:44.597+00:005 Alternative Careers to Professional Translation during the COVID-19 Pandemic by Ofer Tirosh<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/257656/size-of-the-global-language-services-market/" target="_blank">global language services industry</a> has grown from a value of US$23.5 billion in 2009 to $46.9 billion in 2019. Statista projects that it will reach a value of $56.18 billion by 2021. As such, there are plenty of opportunities to make money based on speaking more than one language. That doesn’t necessarily mean providing professional translation services; a wide range of jobs exist that allow you to use your language skills every day. Here are five examples to get you thinking. </div>
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Medical translator and interpreter </h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYYmAOOFfog/XoHkaSEFOYI/AAAAAAAAA6o/RJSHvB0aCfEghMKR7Hjj_2l0zcR6YizogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/chemistry-4932607_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYYmAOOFfog/XoHkaSEFOYI/AAAAAAAAA6o/RJSHvB0aCfEghMKR7Hjj_2l0zcR6YizogCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/chemistry-4932607_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a>Medical translator jobs and medical interpreter jobs are another excellent choice for those looking to work with languages but in an alternative career to translation. And with the world currently in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, there is an unprecedented need for medical facts and discoveries to be shared between countries swiftly and accurately. This is important both for monitoring COVID-19 and in the race to find a vaccine. </div>
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A medical translator converts documents of a medical nature from one language to another. These could be anything from research papers to individual medical histories. </div>
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A medical interpreter interprets between medical professionals and their patients. A medical interpreter could also interpret</div>
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between one healthcare professional and another, for example as a means of sharing medical best practice between countries. </div>
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Medical interpretation is a highly skilled job, requiring the interpreter to have an in-depth knowledge of a huge range of medical terminology. It’s a role that can be incredibly emotionally demanding as well. Could you face delivering the news to a patient that they have a life-limiting illness? </div>
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On the flip side, working as a medical interpreter can also be immensely rewarding, as your work can contribute both to individual patients’ experience of the healthcare system and to the ‘greater good.’</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Video game tester</h3>
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A video game tester career is an interesting choice for those who speak multiple languages. What does a video game tester do? Tests video games! Beta testing allows game developers to identify bugs and to ensure that games are appropriately localized for all of the countries/regions at which they are aimed. </div>
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Let’s say you work as a Spanish translator. If you already undertake Spanish to English translation or English to Spanish translation, then you’re well-positioned to work with game developers who are looking to publish their game in both of these languages. Of course, a natural aptitude for and enjoyment of video games will also be a major plus point if you’re aiming for this kind of work! </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Multilingual content writer</h3>
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If you’re looking for something less emotionally taxing than medical interpretation, then working as a multilingual content writer could be the role for you. You’ll need top-notch writing skills, of course, as well as the flexibility to turn your hand to everything from social media campaigns and blog posts to websites and white papers. </div>
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Content marketing is big business. Statista reports that 12% of industry professionals publish <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/938999/frequency-publishing-marketing-content-worldwide/" target="_blank">six or more items of marketing content</a> every week, while a further 24% published two to three pieces of content each week. Finding reliable clients with long-term content marketing strategies, therefore, presents a wealth of opportunities. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Transcriptionist </h3>
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How good are your typing skills? If you have an eye for detail and can work efficiently, then transcription is an excellent alternative career to professional translation. You can transcribe in your native language or your second language. </div>
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One of the key benefits of working as a transcriptionist is that the setup costs are fairly minimal. Once you have a foot pedal and a laptop set up, you’re ready to start marketing your services – simple! </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Teacher </h3>
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If you speak two or more languages and want to share your passion for them as part of your career, then becoming a language teacher makes sense. You can teach online or offline, to children or adults, part-time or fulltime. This makes teaching a particularly flexible career choice, as you can fit it around any other commitments that you already have. </div>
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If you’re planning to teach in schools, then you will need to undertake appropriate training. In many countries seeking to drive up teaching standards or struggling to deal with an understaffed education system, a ‘golden handshake’ means that you can receive payment for training, as well as learning the skills you need for your future career. </div>
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Final thought: don’t forget about translation!</div>
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Many of the careers above can be considered either instead of working for a translation company or alongside such work. If you decide to stick with translation as well as adding an alternative career path to your CV, then go for a specialism. These vary enormously – as the examples below show. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Legal translator</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ6h1d6k3R4/XoHkal-8DRI/AAAAAAAAA6k/4gFP6RPA3mADEgP5RyaQCWnikqidx7D9wCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoBI79tjb7J-K-iqKo_jYsJOz5Bgey1Q6q3Lrt_QwO4CbZV5tz4oMjX9weyup0e0WjoJCxYkSoW8bYiI9Zn9InbkSOCi-CU3QQBQycKIiRFQBi4zcA3d3PqrVf_akj9THNrKrynXd3pw8EkvqGEcuRsP3vgMng7Y5gQq9soA4_MpyvIndUh5gr_p2eOhKsL8Q4RItjN1Ih2g5vYiiX6PTWZ1HJuPGqMyDJQSJ_drWXdmSkPi8fxV6WZlRe54AnCQ0BEJy5f6fvaf67Ip3P2HFwwN8Adu4AQEBQ708JAkojCMcGIzvQdgugGk8M6Tq5zy8U6G0IPbDNAruErOtJA7WfnWHHT7zmaeJRxHSny6us8L9q5BTjCJrUlipojA4g0w5qFWj-qpfQRH3C2Ntci6_oD8WmwOu7AR0dtbDmUheYvzU0AwdzqGBaQbKe_KPZ0TpG1emoenNF3iYhNJnNa83giEWq0h9wdHDPRl8D3wRsZ-WB4YtIDKWd5Iz0iyEW-RqdhXp4URz15yZv0kZwmUJ6hOdZRyEFs7QgmSqIxbGDb42UxsIlSwHEqolBv6jwNSiGSFZ1jcJ8dtZXmV24-JyRCttmwdNIEHHLgw3c2H9AU/s1600/translation-1092128_1920.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZ6h1d6k3R4/XoHkal-8DRI/AAAAAAAAA6k/4gFP6RPA3mADEgP5RyaQCWnikqidx7D9wCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoBI79tjb7J-K-iqKo_jYsJOz5Bgey1Q6q3Lrt_QwO4CbZV5tz4oMjX9weyup0e0WjoJCxYkSoW8bYiI9Zn9InbkSOCi-CU3QQBQycKIiRFQBi4zcA3d3PqrVf_akj9THNrKrynXd3pw8EkvqGEcuRsP3vgMng7Y5gQq9soA4_MpyvIndUh5gr_p2eOhKsL8Q4RItjN1Ih2g5vYiiX6PTWZ1HJuPGqMyDJQSJ_drWXdmSkPi8fxV6WZlRe54AnCQ0BEJy5f6fvaf67Ip3P2HFwwN8Adu4AQEBQ708JAkojCMcGIzvQdgugGk8M6Tq5zy8U6G0IPbDNAruErOtJA7WfnWHHT7zmaeJRxHSny6us8L9q5BTjCJrUlipojA4g0w5qFWj-qpfQRH3C2Ntci6_oD8WmwOu7AR0dtbDmUheYvzU0AwdzqGBaQbKe_KPZ0TpG1emoenNF3iYhNJnNa83giEWq0h9wdHDPRl8D3wRsZ-WB4YtIDKWd5Iz0iyEW-RqdhXp4URz15yZv0kZwmUJ6hOdZRyEFs7QgmSqIxbGDb42UxsIlSwHEqolBv6jwNSiGSFZ1jcJ8dtZXmV24-JyRCttmwdNIEHHLgw3c2H9AU/s320/translation-1092128_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A legal translator converts legal documents from one language to another. Accuracy is of paramount importance. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Literary translator</h3>
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Literary translators spend their time converting novels, poetry, plays and the suchlike into other languages. </div>
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Both of these translation disciplines include working with language but in quite different ways. As such, if you’re already working in translation and considering alternatives, remember to think about different kinds of translation too. Finding out how to become a certified Spanish translator, for example, could provide just the kind of new focus that you need, without a complete change of career. Just a thought! </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="text-align: left;">Ofer Tirosh is the CEO of <a href="https://www.tomedes.com/" target="_blank">Tomedes</a>. He is an author who focuses on linguistics and the importance of foreign language in globalization and localization.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-42604458786939741242020-03-23T10:00:00.000+00:002020-03-23T10:00:07.141+00:00The Benefits of Becoming a Polyglot by Alex LarsenIt today's multi-cultural world, everyone should be able to speak two or more languages. Learning a second (or even a third) language can improve your professional and private life.<br />
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As everyone's online in the digital era and talking to each other, you should consider learning another language and it's never been easier to do it online. There are plenty of <a href="https://www.lifewire.com/best-free-language-learning-websites-1357061" target="_blank">free language learning platforms</a> can help you do just that.<br />
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Knowing more than several languages comes with a few benefits.<br />
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<h3>
More Job Opportunities</h3>
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Plenty of businesses have gone global, meaning that they take care of the needs of people from countries all over the world. This means that they need to speak the same language as their customers.<br />
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International businesses are always looking for employees that know more than one language and this could be your chance for a new experience on a professional level.<br />
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If you're a translator, for example, you can find work with many multinational companies. Online casinos are one such field that has a huge demand for multilingual employees. For example, <a href="https://www.casimba.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">Casimba Casino</a>'s site includes several languages (English, Finnish, German, and Norwegian), which is something a translator or language service provider could help them with.<br />
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<h3>
It's Good for Your Brain</h3>
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Learning a new language can have several positive effects on your brain. The mental gymnastics required for learning a foreign language can keep your brain healthy and since there's no age limit for learning a new language, anyone of any age can enjoy the benefits.<br />
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<h3>
Better Experiences when You Travel</h3>
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Travelling abroad is a great way to meet new people and an even better way to practise your conversational skills in your foreign language. When travelling, there's a high chance that you can use your foreign languages skills with the locals or with other travellers who've also learnt the local language.<br />
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Similarly, in some cases, you'll find that you have your second language in common and can communicate with people through that.<br />
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<h3>
You'll Learn Your First Language Better</h3>
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As you learn another language, you'll begin to understand your first language more. Sometimes, you'll think of a word in your second or third language and in finding the equivalent in your mother tongue, you'll improve your vocabulary in both languages.<br />
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<h3>
You'll Feel Better About Yourself</h3>
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Grammar and pronunciation are sometimes hard to master but when you get the hang of it, you'll have a great feeling of pride. After all that practice, once you're able to speak with confidence, you'll also be more confident in yourself.<br />
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<i>Alex is an article writer that covers a wide variety of topics including general interest, gambling, and technology news.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-31352808353555241882020-03-02T10:00:00.000+00:002020-03-04T13:26:35.083+00:00Which Foreign Language Should I Learn? by Vanessa AndersonThe world has become so connected that learning a foreign language has never been more important. With the advancement of technology, we can communicate with anyone anywhere. Foreign languages allow is to communicate with other cultures. So which foreign language should you learn?<br />
Everyone will have their own reasons for learning a foreign language<br />
and generally, being able to speak one or two foreign languages can help you get ahead.<br />
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Choosing which foreign language to speak might be decided by the number of native speakers throughout the world or how important it is in economic and political contexts. In the book “Ethnologist” by M. Paul Lewis, the ten most spoken native languages in the world are Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, English, Arabic, Hindi, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese and German.<br />
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Spanish</h3>
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Spanish is the second most spoken language around the globe with 400 million native speakers across 44 countries. It's the only language that is spoken natively across all the inhabited continents which makes it the most beneficial language to learn. If you want to do global business, Spanish is particularly useful in Spain and across Latin America. Similarly, there's the potential in other emerging Spanish-speaking markets. For example, 13% of the US speak Spanish as a first language and by 2050, it's set to become home to the largest number of Spanish speakers in the world.<br />
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Americans wanting to work in law, social services, and business could benefit from learning Spanish. In Europe and the US, Spanish is the most spoken language after English. It's also the third-most-common language online.<br />
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It's regularly considered a pretty good language to learn as it's easier to read and pronounce than French, for example. You can learn Spanish in places like Spain, Argentina, and Guatemala.<br />
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With around 600 hours of classroom time (less than six months) most learners can achieve a good level in Spanish.<br />
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You can use this language in developing markets in Argentina, Chile, Columbia as well as other markets in Central and South America.<br />
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French</h3>
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If you're looking to give your career a boost, French could help. With over 290 million speakers, it's the fifth most spoken language worldwide.<br />
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French has become a global language over time and is the official language of 29 countries including France, Canada, Switzerland, Monaco, Luxembourg, and many nations in Africa. French is also the official language of NATO, the United Nations, the Olympics Games, the Red Cross, and many other global organizations.<br />
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According to a survey by Forbes.com, there will be around 750 million French speakers in the world by 2050 which could lead to it overtaking English and Mandarin.<br />
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Learning French can lead to opportunities in fields such as pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, aeronautics, energy production, and more.<br />
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French can be very beneficial for international careers as it can open business opportunities all over the francophonie.<br />
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With Spanish being the most commonly taught language in the US, learning French as a foreign language could give you an edge over other job seekers.<br />
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French is also often considered one of the easier languages for English speakers to learn.<br />
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Chinese</h3>
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China has a rapidly growing population and plays a huge role in the global economy, making learning the Chinese language incredibly helpful.<br />
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Chinese is not one language but it is a group of dialects, and this the official language of China and Taiwan, where it's called Standard Chinese. The most common of these dialects is Mandarin.<br />
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With 995 million native speakers, Chinese can open many doors in the world of business. Similarly, diplomatic and military professions tend to find a knowledge of Mandarin Chinese very useful.<br />
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Knowledge of Mandarin can give you an advantage over monolingual job candidates, too. Those who have competency in Mandarin have a competitive advantage over their monolingual corresponding fellows.<br />
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While Mandarin might seem quite difficult, the grammar, conjugation, and tenses tend to be simpler than some other common languages.<br />
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It's expected that China will take over the United States in terms of GDP by 2028. The best places to learn Chinese languages are China, Taiwan, and Singapore.<br />
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German</h3>
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In terms of native speakers, German is the most common language in Europe. It is mostly spoken in Germany, Austria and the large parts of Switzerland. Germany is an academic, political, and economic hub, making German a great language to learn if you're interested in any of these fields.<br />
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Furthermore, Germany is an important trade partner for many countries so if you're looking a career in trade, you should start learning German immediately.<br />
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To be proficient in the German language, you'll probably need to spend around 900 classroom hours studying. The most popular places to learn German are Germany and Austria.<br />
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Arabic</h3>
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According to the British Council, Arabic is the 5th most important language in the world. Arabic can provide opportunities in both the public and private sectors.<br />
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Arabic is a macrolanguage that's made up several related dialects. Speaking the Arabic language can provide plenty of opportunities for work and travel and across several different businesses and industries.<br />
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Since the Arab-speaking region is considered to be the richest linguistic region with a GDP of $600B, learning Arabic is a great way to gain access to many markets. A survey by the US Foreign Service Institute shows that Arabic is one of the most difficult foreign languages for English speakers to learn and you will need around 88 weeks of class time to become competent speaker of it.<br />
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Learning a new language is a great investment and speaking a foreign language can do wonders for your career. This is why many big businesses get <a href="https://chinesetranslationservices.net/" target="_blank">professional translation services</a>, particularly into Chinese, in order to expand into different global markets.<br />
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<i>Vanessa Anderson is an enthusiastic creative writer. In addition to writing for multiple foreign corporations, she enjoys writing poems on current social issues.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-73152541553224747122020-02-17T10:00:00.001+00:002020-02-25T12:52:13.344+00:008 Mistakes People Should Stop Making When Learning a New Language by Aimee Laurence<div style="text-align: justify;">
Learning a new language can be an incredibly tough challenge, but also very rewarding if you keep up with it. Here are some things to avoid doing while learning your target language, as they can affect your motivation and overall performance.<br />
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1. Freaking out about mistakes</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4g58HZPef8/XkpHe3TrlMI/AAAAAAABAzo/QwcERoA72D85Yju6aYovGrF8NPZGgLLewCEwYBhgL/s1600/language-mistakes-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4g58HZPef8/XkpHe3TrlMI/AAAAAAABAzo/QwcERoA72D85Yju6aYovGrF8NPZGgLLewCEwYBhgL/s320/language-mistakes-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Many people, when starting to learn a new language, avoid using it because they are afraid of making mistakes, but this approach is not at all beneficial. Making mistakes is all part of the process of learning, and errors are actually an essential part of it.</div>
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There is no point in panicking once you make a mistake; you should learn from it as quickly as possible. If you avoid practice because you worry about being perfect, you'll not be able to progress. It's important to relax and acknowledge that you are only at the start of your journey and that these mistakes can only help you gain experience.<br />
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2. Getting frustrated about pronunciation</h3>
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It is very easy to let yourself feel overwhelmed with pronunciation in your target language. There are between 300 and 600 different possible sounds and every language has its own unique phonemic inventory. Not getting it right from the very beginning is no reason to get frustrated or lose confidence.</div>
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It is important to identify the rules you have the most trouble with learning and focus on them. At first, you have a bit of work to do to adjust your mouth and tongue to the target language's unique sounds, but with time muscle memory will help you start to pronounce them correctly.<br />
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3. Not starting with the way a language sounds</h3>
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When starting to learn a new language, everybody wants to delve into reading and writing right away, but that is not always the right way to go. Instead, start with the way the language sounds first. Verbal exercises will help you, even if you are only pronouncing a few basic words and phrases.<br />
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4. Focusing too much on grammar</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANQ-vR3RDwE/XkpHe8Pv-AI/AAAAAAABAzs/9qmnxrPC1sw-kquiS1UvWxcC7_b6DUWeACEwYBhgL/s1600/language-mistakes-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ANQ-vR3RDwE/XkpHe8Pv-AI/AAAAAAABAzs/9qmnxrPC1sw-kquiS1UvWxcC7_b6DUWeACEwYBhgL/s320/language-mistakes-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every language has complex grammar rules, and it's easy to get tangled up in them. Many people make the mistake of focusing too much on the grammar they find difficult, which can be discouraging.</div>
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It's important to remember that all languages have easy aspects to them as well, and if you feel overwhelmed, you can always just focus on them. Any practice is valuable, even if it seems "too easy".</div>
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“[E]ven the hardest features of language have ways in which they can be simplified. By knowing the simplest, core grammar, you will be able to recognize elements from them when they are used in harder structures," says Brian Oliver, an educator at <a href="https://eliteassignmenthelp.com/assignment-service" target="_blank">Assignment Service</a> and <a href="https://uktopwriters.com/review-oxessays/" target="_blank">OXEssays</a>.<br />
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5. Focusing on the wrong vocabulary</h3>
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Contrary to what you might believe, starting with endless lists of vocabulary isn't the way to go when learning a language. Ideally, you should start slowly, with a strong base of words that are useful in day to day life, such as numbers, colours, days of the week, food and family members. By knowing the core phrases and words, you can start practising speaking right away.</div>
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“[L]earning vocabulary is more effective when you choose words that are relevant to you and your life. Because of this, starting off with a list of words related to your hobbies, hometown and life will help you be able to speak to people right away about the stuff that is specific to you," says Diana Simpson, a tutor at <a href="https://australianhelp.com/write-my-essay" target="_blank">Australianhelp</a><span id="goog_368008418"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_368008419"></span> and <a href="https://simplegrad.com/boomessays-review/" target="_blank">BoomEssays</a>.<br />
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6. Getting too frustrated listening to natives</h3>
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As a beginner, one of the most frustrating things when watching a video in your target language is listening to the fast, complex speech of natives and not being able to understand everything. However, simply listening to them can help you improve in many areas such as grammar, pronunciation, and broadening your vocabulary. Even if you may not be able to follow the speech of a native from the start, there are many tools to help you, such as subtitles.<br />
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7. Using textbooks instead of immersion</h3>
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Another common mistake is using textbooks too much instead of other methods of immersion, such as listening to the radio, watching TV, reading articles online, all in your target language. Immersing yourself in the current culture will give you great insight into how people actually use their language, instead of what's "grammatically correct".<br />
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8. Not having enough patience</h3>
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Language learning is a task that involves a lot of time and commitment. Many people tend to be intimidated by this, but it's important to have patience with it. Just like with any other skill, you will only get better with practice, and a lot of trial and error.</div>
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Overall, keep in mind that even making these mistakes does not mean you won't be able to learn a language. Everybody learns languages for different reasons, but you can always learn to adapt your behaviour for better results.</div>
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<i>Aimee Laurence is a writer and language tutor specialized in topics related to education. She works at <a href="https://boomessays.com/" target="_blank">BoomEssays</a> and <a href="https://ukwritings.com/" target="_blank">UK Writings</a>, and you can find her work on <a href="https://essayroo.com/" target="_blank">Essayroo</a> as well.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-761830629740553452020-02-10T10:00:00.000+00:002020-02-25T12:50:40.823+00:00How And Why To Paraphrase Text By Using Back-Translation by Beatrice Beard<div style="text-align: justify;">
It can be a real chore having to paraphrase a block of text. Reading and paraphrasing text takes a good amount of time and often requires the help of a thesaurus to guide you through the changes.</div>
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There are lots of reasons that you might want to paraphrase text and it's becoming an increasingly important job as content development has become more and more important online. There are also more nefarious reasons (like wanting to take someone else's writing) but there are plenty of interesting reasons as to why you need to get the job done. </div>
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Given that it's tedious doing it by hand, how can get it done more easily? Through back-translating. </div>
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Let's take a look at how that works.<br />
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The Back Translating Process</h3>
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The process of back translating involves Google's 'Translate' tool, traditionally used for giving translations into one of the over 100 languages that Google offers. "The process is a three-part one, that is very simple and only takes a matter of seconds initially and will speed up your paraphrasing job", explains Chloe Calhoun, writer at <a href="https://writemyx.com/" target="_blank">WriteMyx</a> and <a href="https://britstudent.com/" target="_blank">BritStudent</a>.</div>
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Step 1: Take whatever the piece of text is that you want to paraphrase and put it into Google Translate. Make sure that it isn’t too long. Google Translate has a 5000 character limit so make sure that your block of text fits in with that. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LF4VKae1M8Q/XkEmamDkbmI/AAAAAAAAA40/4OVT5FVTK7cZjBtlVbjyuZX5LnAP7fM1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/back-translation-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LF4VKae1M8Q/XkEmamDkbmI/AAAAAAAAA40/4OVT5FVTK7cZjBtlVbjyuZX5LnAP7fM1QCEwYBhgL/s320/back-translation-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Step 2: Translate the text into a foreign language. Ideally, choose one that is noticeably dissimilar to English. Try languages with non-Roman alphabets, or which are simply very different from English. I find that Korean, Irish and Russian are all quite effective languages.</div>
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Step 3: Translate the resulting foreign text back into English. The text you are left with will be similar to the original but have some noticeable differences between individual words and turns of phrase.<br />
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There you have it, a nice and convenient way to paraphrase text and come up with something similar but different. The work of only a few minutes.<br />
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Why Back-Translate Text?</h3>
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There can be many different reasons that you might want to perform this process and everyone will have a particular desire for having back-translated paraphrased text.</div>
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Having the meaning preserved across lots of subtly different texts can be useful for data scientists who need large swathes of textual data to experiment on. This sort of 'multiplying' effect can be useful for lots of other areas as well but will depend on the individual.</div>
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“People do try and use back-translating as a method for plagiarizing work. A word of warning if this is you. If you are using it for anything where that is expressly discouraged, you will almost certainly get caught”, says Laura Park, lingua blogger at <a href="https://1day2write.com/" target="_blank">1Day2Write</a> and <a href="https://nextcoursework.com/" target="_blank">NextCoursework</a>. It won't fool anyone who is on the lookout for it, so it is not recommended. Furthermore, plagiarizing, in general, isn't recommended. Just write it yourself, it shouldn't be too complex.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIQCnVKjtwE/XkEmah-GcbI/AAAAAAAAA44/bMTR0yLkfUUtGDlbTt52TLWCY68yruLigCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/back-translation-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIQCnVKjtwE/XkEmah-GcbI/AAAAAAAAA44/bMTR0yLkfUUtGDlbTt52TLWCY68yruLigCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/back-translation-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another reason to back-translate is to compare translations and refine the meaning. The way that a back translation will take on synonyms and offer alternative turns of phrase is a really interesting way to look at improving and sharpening translation. You can back translate into different languages or the same language multiple times and you will keep landing on different versions of the same text. It gives you a new way to look at language and translation. You can also compare the translations given to the same piece of English text by different languages which can be useful for anyone involved in linguistics to make interesting judgements about the nature of the different languages that are being tested. This can be a really interesting process that can teach a lot.</div>
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Hopefully, this article will help you next time you need to paraphrase text for whatever reason that you might have. It's not in the least bit complicated and we should be grateful that such a useful tool is so readily available to us for our use.</div>
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<i>Beatrice is a professional copywriter at <a href="https://originwritings.com/research-paper-help" target="_blank">OriginWritings</a> and <a href="https://academicbrits.com/" target="_blank">AcademicBrits</a> specializing in academic literature. She is considered a wonderful resource in her work at <a href="https://phdkingdom.com/" target="_blank">PhdKingdom</a>, where she advises beginner writers uncovering all the peculiarities of creating content that sells.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-5057587735294508972020-01-27T10:00:00.000+00:002020-01-30T15:41:56.154+00:005 Second Language Options that Can Change the Way You See Your Career in Translation by Manoj Rupareliya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STm_oDS-1DY/Xi7IuHctkiI/AAAAAAAAA4M/K6tJ8cBfuqMDqPIcfEZ3BYltijuXnFtEACEwYBhgL/s1600/slo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1280" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-STm_oDS-1DY/Xi7IuHctkiI/AAAAAAAAA4M/K6tJ8cBfuqMDqPIcfEZ3BYltijuXnFtEACEwYBhgL/s320/slo-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We all know that English is the global language for business, but it's not even many countries' first language. This is why learning a second language can provide you with a competitive edge. For example, <a href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/interpreter-and-translator" target="_blank">translators and interpreters all over the world tend to earn quite well</a>.</div>
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The <a href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/interpreter-and-translator" target="_blank">median salary is $49,930</a> for translators and <a href="https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/interpreter-and-translator" target="_blank">the unemployment rate is just 3.1%</a>. If your second language is English, becoming a translator might be an obvious choice! However, if English is your first language, which languages would be best for becoming a translator?</div>
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1. Chinese/Mandarin</h3>
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One of the most spoken languages, Chinese is a macrolanguage that includes dialects like Mandarin, Wu, Min, Xiang, Gan, Hakka, and Yue. Of all these dialects, Mandarin accounts for 70% of Chinese. Mandarin, which is predominantly spoken in Taiwan and Beijing, is considered the "standard Chinese language" and is mostly spoken in Taiwan and Beijing provinces.</div>
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Chinese might be a divided dialect, but knowledge of Mandarin will help you communicate with </div>
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a large percentage of Chinese people.</div>
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2. Spanish</h3>
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After Chinese, Spanish tops the table with more than <a href="https://www.gooverseas.com/language-schools/spanish" target="_blank">410 million native speakers worldwide</a>. It's also the first language in 20 countries and a popular second language in countries like Belize, the Philippines, and even the United States.</div>
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Spanish to English is a popular language pair for translations and there are plenty of countries needing content translated.</div>
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3. French</h3>
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French is often ranked as one of the most beautiful languages in the world and as the fifth most spoken language in the world, it's quite a popular second language.</div>
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It's a native language for many in Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and, of course, France. Additionally, it's quite an important language in international business.</div>
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4. German</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7K2oeCHa4hA/Xi7IvHn6GDI/AAAAAAAAA4o/9dJPS9XAl4QDLlozib1mY4w0gwtyOX3fACEwYBhgL/s1600/slo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7K2oeCHa4hA/Xi7IvHn6GDI/AAAAAAAAA4o/9dJPS9XAl4QDLlozib1mY4w0gwtyOX3fACEwYBhgL/s320/slo-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With <a href="https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures" target="_blank">130 million speakers</a>, German is the most spoken first language in the EU. As a minority language, there are also <a href="https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures" target="_blank">7.5 million German speakers across 42 countries</a> in which German isn't the most common language.</div>
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German learners are often impressed by the structure and grammar of the language and how nouns combine to form new words.</div>
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Learning German can improve your career prospects, especially in translation. Furthermore, it's never been easier thanks to all the online resources and the efforts of many <a href="https://www.appemporio.com/mobile-app-development-company/" target="_blank">mobile app developers</a>.</div>
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5. Russian</h3>
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Russian is one of six official languages on the United Nations. It has more than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_language" target="_blank">144 million speakers in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus</a>. and is one of the most widely spoken Slavic languages.</div>
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Russian is an important language for business and tourism across several nations, making it a great choice for anyone interested in becoming a translator or interpreter.</div>
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Second languages can now be used for much more than just talking to others, you can use it to further your career. With business becoming increasingly globalised, it makes sense to speak more than just one language.</div>
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With technologies like Artificial Intelligence an</div>
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d the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for interpreters that can produce native content based on global demand has increased and created more opportunities.</div>
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<i>Manoj Rupareliya is the Online Marketing Expert and Blogger. He is an experienced writer with expertise in the field of technology, blockchain, crypto, AI, Digital Marketing and SEO. All the blogs he writes are aimed at providing credible help and insights for readers who want to stay updated all the time. You can find him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojrupareliya/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.twitter.com/rupareliyamanoj" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i></div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-62898799991490891042019-12-16T10:00:00.000+00:002019-12-16T10:00:05.655+00:00Effective Post-editing Machine Translation Techniques by Ashley Halsey<div style="text-align: justify;">
Technological developments are having a bigger and bigger influence on languages. Translation, transcription and language learning are all revolutionized by machine learning algorithms. As a result, linguists must themselves evolve and adapt their skills at breakneck speed to these developments.</div>
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Machine translation (MT) is a fine example of this kind of development within linguistics. MT was developed to translate huge amounts of text from one language into another. Although MT isn't new, in recent year it's taken huge leaps and is increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence, big data mining and cloud computing. Where Statistical Machine Translation – a translation process based on the grouping of certain core words – has traditionally been used since the mid-2000s, a new system called Neural Machine Translation has now become more prevalent, and the degree of accuracy in translation services has become greater still.</div>
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Once the translation is complete, linguists are still faced with the need to edit the output. Since this cannot be performed effectively by machine, it can be an incredibly time-consuming activity, as well as just another example of how linguists have had to add a new skill to their arsenal. But how do you become a master post-editor?</div>
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Make Decisions Quickly</h3>
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One of the core competencies in becoming a highly effective machine translation post-editor is quick decision making in terms of the quality of what you have in front of you. Does it require only minor rejigging, or will it be better deleted and started again from scratch? Indecision here simply delays the process and often compromises the quality of what remains. </div>
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“Some editors, and those who commission them, employ a three-second rule here: three seconds to ascertain if any mistakes exist, and if not, then a quick move along to the next line is recommended. This kind of speed editing does not always guarantee completely error-free text, but shows the most faith in the machine translation, thus making an investment in this technology most worthwhile,” says Audrey Kavlos, a translator at <a href="https://writinity.com/" target="_blank">Writinity</a> and <a href="https://lastminutewriting.com/" target="_blank">LastMinuteWriting</a>.</div>
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Decide on Voice</h3>
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Even the most stagnant of text has some type of discernible voice which can be detected from the combination of words that are used, as well as punctuation. MT can leave a text almost devoid of any recognizable human voice, but this in itself is not an issue. What is relevant is how the post-editor maintains consistency in the text that remains (this is as true with concepts and terms as much as with voice). Any heavy tweaks will lead to inconsistencies in voice, so some semblance of continuity will need to be employed. This is not an all-or-nothing approach but is rather another example of a skill which exists in the art of post-editing.</div>
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Don’t Over-edit</h3>
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Over-editing is a minefield. Once you begin over-editing, you have entered the realms of an activity which is possibly more time consuming that re-writing the entire text from scratch in the first place. It messes with the aforementioned voice and is a deeply frustrating activity that ends up compromising the original text in some way, which brings us on to…</div>
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Stay True to the Original Source Copy</h3>
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Any linguist worth their salt appreciates the importance of staying true to the tone and character of the source text. It is not the job of the translator to adapt such things but instead give a faithful representation, in another tongue, of what the speaker (or writer) of those original words was trying to convey. </div>
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“Even small changes applied inaccurately can have a profound effect upon the translated text in terms of how faithful it is the original source copy, and a delicate touch is the mark of a talented linguist," says Matthew Holderness, a linguist at <a href="https://draftbeyond.com/" target="_blank">DraftBeyond</a> and <a href="https://researchpapersuk.com/" target="_blank">ResearchPapersUK</a>.</div>
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Similarly, nothing can be omitted or added which was included (or not) in the original text. Again, it is not the job of the translator to decide upon the value of certain concepts, and to include them (or not) on a whim, but to instead remain faithful to that original text. Any glaring or subtle omissions as a result of the machine translation must always be rectified.</div>
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Ashley Halsey is a professional writer, marketing expert and tech enthusiast. You can find her contributing her insights and expertise at <a href="https://luckyassignments.com/" target="_blank">LuckyAssignments</a> and <a href="https://gumessays.com/" target="_blank">GumEssays</a>.</div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-6982141427078503552019-11-11T10:00:00.000+00:002019-11-11T10:00:02.384+00:00Tips for Teaching Your Child a Second Language by Mia Ackerson<div style="text-align: justify;">
Knowing another language is one of the biggest intellectual assets that one could ever own. This is because this knowledge reveals the secrets of a foreign culture, their literature, cinematography, history, and mindset, which would otherwise stay obscure. Studies show that <a href="https://www.mother.ly/parenting/the-best-age-for-kids-to-learn-a-second-language" target="_blank">you need to learn a language before adolescence</a> if you want to learn it as a native speaker. With that in mind, here are a few tips for teaching your child a second language.</div>
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1. Learn a Thing or Two about Language Teaching Methodology</h3>
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There's a reason why you need to be a qualified educator to work in a school. However, parents can also teach their children a second language as they spend a lot of time with their children and will be aware of their progress. Similarly, they can adapt their teaching style to their child since no one knows them better.</div>
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To get the best of both worlds, it's a good idea for parents to study the methodology for <a href="https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator/teaching-foreign-language-to-young-learners/" target="_blank">teaching a foreign language to young learners</a> as it'll definitely help in the learning process.</div>
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2. Keep It Fun</h3>
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Your kids need to interested in learning a foreign language if they want to have any hope of speaking it fluently. Make sure they <a href="https://www.fluentu.com/blog/educator/mfl-games/" target="_blank">have fun when learning</a> and even associate the two. This emotional connection will follow them through the rest of their lives and significantly bolster their academic efforts later on.</div>
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A simple way to do this is to get your kid toys of things that represent concepts that you want to teach them. For example, if you're teaching them a song in Spanish where various different animals are mentioned, what you could do is get them <a href="https://woodencrafts.com.au/shop/" target="_blank">wooden toys</a> of these animals. Some learners respond really well to physical objects you could always use them to narrate a play or story in the second language.</div>
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3. Utilise the Power of Technology</h3>
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Make sure that you're using technology effectively. There are so many amazing language learning apps for children and it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity to get the most out of it. Apps like Duolingo, Memrise or Babel can help your child make the first step towards learning a new language. Since these apps often provide visual assistance and teach one through game-like experience, it's fairly easy to see why they would be so effective with young kids.</div>
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4. Have Reasonable Expectations</h3>
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The first thing you need to understand is the fact that learning a language is an organic process that takes time. This means that you can't expect your kid to master a language in a matter of weeks or months and it's difficult accurately measure their progress. After all, you can't use the number of words learned or errors made as an accurate metric. You also can't expect them to progress their knowledge without them being able to use it so try speaking to them in the foreign language, even if it's just to say regularly good morning or goodnight.</div>
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As you can see, as long as you start early enough and keep learning fun, you shouldn't have any problems teaching your child a second language or even allowing them to develop bilingual abilities. Also, keep in mind to set your expectations as realistic as possible since not everyone learns at the same pace and just because you don't see the progress, it doesn't mean that it's not </div>
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happening.</div>
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<i>Mia Ackerson is a Melbourne-based part-time writer, currently engaged in projects with <a href="https://woodencrafts.com.au/shop/" target="_blank">Wooden Crafts</a> handmade toys. She babysits her nephew and loves writing about it based on her personal experiences, in her free time. She’s also interested in interior design, reading books, movies, music, baking, and gardening. You can follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/AckersonMia" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i></div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-78864685571883417052019-08-12T10:00:00.000+01:002019-08-12T23:18:50.863+01:00How to Learn a Language If You're Busy by Sienna Walker<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the modern culture of lifelong-learning, we all have so many things we’d like to master, with a language being one of the more ambitious pursuits. Unfortunately, we don't always end up succeeding in this endeavor.</div>
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The number one reason that people fail to set learning goals and take steps towards achieving them is that they feel as though their schedule prevents them from doing so. Sometimes it is just an excuse, but if you live a hectic and busy lifestyle, it might, in fact, be true! Learning a whole new language can take a lot of time, and how will you find and devote that time if you're juggling so much? You'll do it the same way everyone else does – by optimizing your life and making time to achieve your language learning goals.</div>
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Create a Functional Schedule</h3>
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Many people with hectic lifestyles don’t adhere to strict schedules. It can be hard when things seem to be constantly moving – most of the time, it feels easier to go with the flow. Record everything you do for a week. Use that as a template to <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_07.htm" target="_blank">create a functional schedule</a>. Pick one or two days a week where language learning can be realistically inserted into your schedule. It might come at the expense of eliminating something less productive.</div>
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Depending on what your schedule looks like, you might not be able to devote yourself to language learning on the same days of every week. For example, if you take martial arts classes or have a gardening club that meets every other Thursday, it might help to schedule language learning alternating between Tuesdays and Thursdays. What matters most is that you put in the same amount of time – not necessarily that you do it on the same day every week.</div>
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Automate Where You Can</h3>
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<a href="https://lifehacker.com/top-10-hacks-for-automating-your-life-5982949" target="_blank">Taking some things out of your schedule</a> will undoubtedly free up some time. If you can automate making dinner every night by meal prepping at the beginning of the week, it’s easy to find an extra half an hour every day. Creating a chore chart or list of responsibilities for everyone in your household will keep you from doing more than your fair share, freeing up some additional time.</div>
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Some busy people prefer to order their groceries online and have them delivered. It's easy to get lost in the grocery store for an hour, and that hour is time you could be spending learning a language. If you can afford to have your food delivered to you, even if it is only once or twice a week, it will free up a lot of your time you can spend mastering the language of your choosing.</div>
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Scale Back on Bad Habits </h3>
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Perhaps you're making your life seem much more hectic than it is. Consider how you may be misappropriating your time, and be honest.</div>
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<i>Do you tend to <a href="https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/average-daily-time-on-social-media" target="_blank">aimlessly scroll through social media</a>? Or maybe you still keep watching the season 11 of that one show which lost its edge and luster a long time ago, only because you feel like you are forced to?</i></div>
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It may be a fun way to waste some time, but wasted time is ultimately still wasted.</div>
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<i>Do you get sucked into binge-watching numerous shows – especially ones your friends are begging you to watch? Do you spend tens of hours a week playing video games, just because you feel there is nothing better to do?</i></div>
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Step away from Netflix. Disconnect your gaming system. Such things might be fun for a moment, but they are wasted hours and, in retrospect, you will wish you had given them up in favor of learning and achieving excellence. </div>
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There's nothing wrong with decompressing or finding comfort in something familiar and fun, but saving those habits as a reward for completing a language learning session will keep you on track with your goals.</div>
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Use Your Downtime Wisely </h3>
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drive while you commute, you can use <br />
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If you drive, you can listen to language learning lessons or podcasts instead of the radio. You can do the same thing in waiting rooms or when you arrive somewhere early.</div>
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Sneaking in ten minutes here or there over the day can cumulatively become an hour of language learning before you go to sleep at night. Just make sure you're paying attention during your brief learning bursts – run through the material in your head when you can and remind yourself throughout the day to help the knowledge sink in.</div>
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Learn at Your Own Pace </h3>
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You don't necessarily need to enroll in classes or meet with a language tutor if your schedule doesn't allow for it. Many programs allow people to learn at their own pace, including software and smartphone apps. Online courses and eLearning programs typically have deadlines. You can complete the assignments or lessons whenever you have a moment, as long as they're done before that deadline. Putting some flexibility in your language learning can help you work it in whenever you can – whether it's 6 AM or 11 PM.</div>
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If you want to learn a new language, all you need is commitment and dedication. You may not have the time to go the traditional route, but you don’t need to. If you’re eager enough, you’ll achieve your goals.</div>
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<i>Sienna Walker is an experienced tutor, an avid traveller from Australia, and a languages lover. She also has an unquenchable love for writing and might often be found online, sharing her tips for career improvement and learning. Feel free to visit her <a href="https://twitter.com/SiennaWalkerS" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and say "hi".</i></div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-11983742497936012452019-05-13T10:00:00.001+01:002019-05-13T10:00:02.277+01:00Surprising Literal Translations of American Cities by Alexandra North<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Ever wondered how a city got its name?</i></div>
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It may be more surprising than you thought.</div>
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In many countries with long histories of one language, such as Italy or China, the city names are well understood by most inhabitants.</div>
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<i>But what about countries like the U.S., a melting pot of languages and culture?</i></div>
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What you get is a beautiful, messy assortment of city names in many different languages, and most of the population speaks two languages at most.</div>
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For example, even though I grew up in Texas, I don’t speak Spanish, so I couldn’t even tell you many city names throughout the state even mean.</div>
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I’m fascinated by the impact that language has on a region - both on the psyche of its inhabitants and how it manifests its influence physically.</div>
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It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Burgess" target="_blank">Anthony Burgess</a>: “Translation is not a matter of words only: it is a matter of making intelligible a whole culture.”</div>
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This <a href="https://www.reservations.com/blog/lifestyle/literal-names-american-cities/" target="_blank">infographic from Reservations.com</a> highlights some of the most surprising literal translations of city names throughout the United States.</div>
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Here are a few of my favorite translations from the article...</div>
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1. Palo Alto, CA - Translates to “Tall Stick”</h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_JPyfTZ2eY/XNIANt2OVzI/AAAAAAAAAto/osPi3wDw6HMRLl_PBP0SuB7CK8LWbx9aACLcBGAs/s1600/translations-american-cities-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="800" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_JPyfTZ2eY/XNIANt2OVzI/AAAAAAAAAto/osPi3wDw6HMRLl_PBP0SuB7CK8LWbx9aACLcBGAs/s320/translations-american-cities-1.png" width="320" /></a>This highlights the Spanish influence on early California history. Many, many cities throughout the state are in Spanish, and yet a sizable portion of the population couldn’t translate the city name on the spot.</div>
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Furthermore, what’s interesting about this one is the place Palo Alto has held in Silicon Valley as the seat of the headquarters of many tech companies. It’s also interesting to think of the world of difference there is in the culture between the modern tech world and the historical impact of the California missions on the region. Cultures mix and collide, and create fascinating results.</div>
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2. Des Moines, IA - Translates to “Of the Monks”</h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCKD-GBsEm4/XNIAP3qZBLI/AAAAAAAAAts/ZsgfsN_sAsERum2xlAObZo0WS54vTu3NQCEwYBhgL/s1600/translations-american-cities-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="800" height="196" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCKD-GBsEm4/XNIAP3qZBLI/AAAAAAAAAts/ZsgfsN_sAsERum2xlAObZo0WS54vTu3NQCEwYBhgL/s320/translations-american-cities-2.png" width="320" /></a>What I love about the translation of Des Moines, IA is two things: the fact that it’s French in origin, and that it’s exact translation is up for debate.</div>
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There’s a strong French influence in certain pockets of the U.S., but overall there’s a limited number of cities and regions in the French language. Compared to Canada, it’s a small percentage of the U.S. Des Moines, is one of those anomalies.</div>
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The region was originally settled in part by Trappist monks (Moines de la Trappe) who established a monastery at the mouth of the Des Moines River. These French-speaking monks had an influence on the region that we still have today, although we normally don’t think of Iowa as a hot-spot of international cultures.</div>
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The other part I love is that the origin of the city name is up for debate, another hallmark of some of the challenges of translation. The Native American Algonquian name for the river was Moingona, which may have had an influence on the final city name. We can agree that language is beautiful.</div>
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3. Hilo, HI - Translates to “To Twist”</h3>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L26yHFlKQMQ/XNIARN7G1pI/AAAAAAAAAtw/zVopot9DjYwbRXlH6e5SDeRLwHO-1DMewCEwYBhgL/s1600/translations-american-cities-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="800" height="196" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L26yHFlKQMQ/XNIARN7G1pI/AAAAAAAAAtw/zVopot9DjYwbRXlH6e5SDeRLwHO-1DMewCEwYBhgL/s320/translations-american-cities-3.png" width="320" /></a>While the Hawaiian language is a mystery to your average U.S. (or world) citizen, it makes up part of the rich tapestry of American heritage and influence.</div>
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The translation of Hilo is “to twist”, which may refer either the twisting of humans (seen above) or twisting in the sense of “braiding” or “threading”. Either way, it’s one of our favorite translations.</div>
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Hawaiians are very proud of their language, and extensive information has been recorded about Hawaiian place names and their literal translation. The <a href="http://ulukau.org/cgi-bin/hpn?e=p-0mahele--00-0-0--010---4------0-0l--1en-Zz-1---20-about---00031-001-10escapewin-00&a=d&cl=CL2" target="_blank">Hawaiian Electronic Library</a> is a fascinating online database with more names than you can memorize. Definitely worth perusing before your next Hawaiian vacation!</div>
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<i>Alexandra North is a Translation Studies Masters candidate at Heidelberg University. She loves the intersection of language and societal trends, and works on community outreach with Reservations.com</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-61821597616956210922019-04-22T10:00:00.000+01:002019-04-22T10:00:01.907+01:005 Good Habits for Successful Language Learners by Jack White<div style="text-align: justify;">
In this world, there are two types of people: those who learn languages fast and effortlessly and those who struggle when it comes to learning languages.</div>
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Those who learn quickly are confident in themselves and know that they can learn any language they want without too many difficulties. This may lead to others thinking they're incredibly gifted but they're just like us; flesh and blood. </div>
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It doesn't have anything to do with their physical abilities so what makes one person learn languages quickly and effortlessly while another struggle? What is the separating factor? </div>
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It's the person's attitude. Our attitude changes the way we perceive things and deal with them. For example, students who have a negative attitude towards a certain subject tend to fail terribly in it no matter how hard they study. On the other hand, a student with a positive attitude towards a subject has a high likelihood of excelling in the subject. </div>
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That’s why some people excel in a particular field and others struggle. The problem is that they may never understand why they are failing and may end up coming up with plenty of different excuses.</div>
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When you <a href="https://www.success.com/why-your-attitude-is-everything/" target="_blank">change your attitude</a>, the world around you changes. This doesn't mean that those who learn languages effortlessly don't go through the problems you experience when they're learning languages. However, rather than complaining about or criticizing themselves, they look for solutions.</div>
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Individuals who seem to learn languages effortlessly have a set of habits that can make them look super-human when it comes to languages. You can be super-human too. Let's have a look at the habits that will make you a confident language learner.</div>
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1. Revise before learning</h3>
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That's why it's always important that you review what you learnt in your earlier study sessions. Go through your notes and flashcards before moving on to a new study session.</div>
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If you start a study session without reviewing the previous, you'll complete your course sooner but you won't remember as much of it. Technically, you'll be falling behind each day. Even if you're tired, make sure to revise before moving onto something new. It's better to consolidate what you've already learnt than to move on.</div>
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2. Study and improve yourself a little bit every day</h3>
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<a href="https://blog.thelinguist.com/how-long-should-it-take-to-learn-a-language" target="_blank">Learning a new language takes time</a>. Successful learners know that it's the small improvements that add up to huge results. As the popular saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day". Everything worthwhile takes time. </div>
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It's better to learn and remember how to pronounce five new words each day than to learn fifty words and forget all of them by the following week. Learning a lot of new things is great but if you overdo it you could burn out.</div>
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Never mistake progress for improvement. As we said earlier, you might be flying through your course but not actually remembering anything. If you push yourself too hard, you may end up giving up.</div>
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A five or ten-minute study every day can be more efficient than a two-hour study session once a week.</div>
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3. Have clear goals and use the new language for something you enjoy</h3>
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Let's face it. Learning a new language can be frustrating. You need to be motived to learn a new language otherwise you'll just give up. According to <a href="https://www.australianessays.org/" target="_blank">Australian Essays writing service</a>, using your new language during your free time can increase your motivation to learn the language.</div>
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Use the language whenever you can: while on holiday, horse riding, hiking, playing with your dog, etc. If you do this a little each day, your brain will associate speaking that language with pleasure and you'll find it more enjoyable.</div>
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4. Don't look for shortcuts</h3>
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For something difficult like learning a new language, a shortcut might seem more appealing. Effective learners don't look for an easy way out. They know it's a waste of time, energy and money. They make a wise decision by choosing an effective method and sticking with it to the very end. </div>
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They don't have a load of books or apps that they've never used. People don't realise how much time they waste looking for new learning techniques when they could have spent this time learning the language. Choose a method that works for you and stick with it.</div>
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5. Use your new language</h3>
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Successful language learners concentrate on both comprehension and language production. For every word they read or listen to, they make an effort to pronounce aloud. </div>
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Studying heaps of words won't help you learn your language. You'll quickly realise this the second you enter into a conversation in your new language. If you want to learn faster and be fluent in the language, dedicate time to practising what you learn through expression. Speak to friends, write about it a blog or social media page, etc.</div>
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Have you seen how a small child learns a new language? Through listening and repeating words. The child might pronounce words wrongly a few times but as the days pass, they get better at it. </div>
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Don't be afraid of getting it wrong. After all, that's how you are going to learn and become fluent. Get out of your comfort zone! Expressing yourself using the language will improve your memory and enrich your vocabulary.</div>
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If you can form some of these habits, your lessons will be fun and engaging. You'll read and speak the new language effortlessly and become very fluent. So, what are you waiting for? Start using these tips today. Remember, don't wait around for the perfect time to start. Start today!<br />
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<i>Jack White is optimistic that he will carry his past success into the future. He managed to work his way up from the bottom and today he is an excellent writer who also works at <a href="https://essays.scholaradvisor.com/">EssaysScholarAdvisor</a> in the PR department.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-39984914153886048362019-03-11T10:00:00.000+00:002019-03-11T10:00:09.165+00:005 Ways Professional Translations Can Help in Business Growth by Vanessa AndersonRapid expansion and access to foreign markets is the aim of many businesses. In the competitive environment of the business world, if you want to make your mark and leave a lasting impact on the target markets, you have to provide them with a customized experience. For targeting foreign markets, the first thing required is a translation of your online profile into their mother tongue.<br />
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Language barriers are one of the biggest hurdles that impact your traffic and rate of conversion. If you want to cater to a diverse audience, you must make sure that these are communicated in a language that they completely understand.<br />
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Your company website basically serves as your online office. It's a place where potential clients can get to know more about your products and services. How it appears and what content is available also reflects your professional efficiency. It's critical that your content is available in the local language of the target market.<br />
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For a quality translation of your website and other content, it's important that you hire a reliable, qualified, and experienced translation partner. Their service can add value to your business by tailoring your content so that it's suitable for the audience.<br />
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No matter what you do, if you're after global success, you are advised to take translation services for creative translation of your brand profile. It will add to your credibility and improve online visibility as well.<br />
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If you are still having second thoughts regarding the importance of business translation, we've got you covered. Here are 5 major ways through which translations can help in your business growth.<br />
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Easy Access to Global Markets</h3>
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You must be aware of the fact that the world does not only revolve around English-speaking people. For catering to other lucrative markets all around the world, it's vital that you get your business website translated into their language. Expanding your business into new markets is not easy. However, if you present content in their own language, you can become successful in less time. Simply put, making your website multilingual will make it easier to access multiple foreign markets. Therefore, you must hire professional translation partners for transforming your content into their native tongue.<br />
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Effective Localization</h3>
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Another major perk of taking translation services for your business is that you will get culturally tailored content which will help in enticing the foreign target audience. Professional translations customize the content to cater to local sensitivities and integrate said cultural sensitivities. In short, the professional translation services transcreate your content to make it resonate with the foreign audience so that it can leave a positive impact on them and improve your credibility. The more localized experience you provide them, the more your rate of conversion increases.<br />
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Fruitful Marketing Resource</h3>
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Your translated website can add to your marketing efforts and help your business to grow. In addition to the translation of your websites and other online material, the translation of marketing content is also important. Targeting the foreign audience with customized content will deliver enhanced impact. This is where translation services can be valuable.<br />
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Increased Customer Satisfaction</h3>
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Along with several other tips of attracting new target markets, the most effective one is providing them with a comfortable and pleasant experience. When a non-English speaking audience visits your website and finds the content tailored in their own language as per their regional and cultural preferences, it makes them feel valued. Related content can provide potential and regular customers with an enhanced experience. Thus, translation services can aid in improving your customer engagement that can add to your business growth in the long run.<br />
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SEO</h3>
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One of the most beneficial aspects of translating your company website is enhanced online visibility. By taking the assistance of expert translators, you can boost your SEO and get higher rankings on multiple search engines. Multilingual SEO can help your website to get improved ranking on different search engines including Google, Yandex, Baidu, and others. Thus, if you want to be a big name all across the globe, translations from a reputable company can help you achieve this.<br />
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Hiring a <a href="https://www.marstranslation.com/" target="_blank">credible translation agency</a> can add to your business growth. In fact, it is essential for attracting foreign markets. A meticulously translated content can add to your credibility, help in marketing and improve online appearance. If you aspire to go global, you must consider taking translation services.<br />
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<i>Vanessa Anderson is an enthusiastic creative writer. In addition to writing for multiple foreign corporations, she enjoys writing poems on current social issues.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-89298683861533162302019-02-04T10:00:00.000+00:002019-02-04T11:57:36.463+00:005 Major Challenges of Becoming a Freelance Translator by Kristin Savage<div style="text-align: justify;">
Starting a career can be a rocky road for people in most professions. You're entering a completely new chapter of your life and you have no idea where to start or what to expect. Suddenly, you're no longer in school and the fight for your place in the market is beginning.</div>
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The same is true for freelance translators. Even though you initially may feel that your knowledge of the languages and internet access is everything you need, there's more to it than that. The truth is, there are some major challenges ahead and you won't be able to avoid them all. However, you can overcome these challenges if you put in some serious effort and arm yourself with patience and persistence.</div>
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Here are 5 major challenges every new freelance translator needs to face at the beginning of their career.</div>
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1. Finding Clients</h3>
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First things first, you need to decide where and how you’re going to find clients. You may think that all you need to do is set up a social media account and wait for the offers to come rolling in. However, that’s not how things work.</div>
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Setting up a business page on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc., is a good start, but it won't take you very far. The truth is, you need to start networking.</div>
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Start by creating a profile on freelancing websites and start hunting for gigs. Be persistent and send as many proposals as possible since the first job is always the hardest to get.</div>
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Apart from freelancing platforms, get in touch with translation agencies looking for remote translators. Regardless of the job openings they have, reach out to them and let them know that you're available for projects.</div>
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The bottom line is, if you want to <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/mark-baese/freelancing-tips-gig-economy_a_23572714/" target="_blank">succeed as a freelancer</a>, you need to be applying for jobs, sending emails, calling and asking questions tirelessly. It's the only way for you to seal that first deal.</div>
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2. Setting a Price</h3>
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Another challenge that many freelance translators face is setting a price. You need to set the rate which suits both you and your client.</div>
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<i>But how can you know what’s the right price?</i></div>
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<b>Rule number one:</b> do not underestimate yourself. Just because you’re new doesn’t mean you should be charging less than everyone else.</div>
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<b>Rule number two:</b> do not overestimate yourself. You know you’re good, but the market still doesn’t. Don’t go crazy with your initial rate.</div>
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The best recipe for setting the perfect rate is research. Sniff around and learn about your competitors. Find out how good they are, how many clients and working experience they have.</div>
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Once you have a clear picture of what’s on the market, you’ll be able to set the perfect rate for yourself at your beginning.</div>
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Remember, once you get on your feet and seal a couple of deals, you’ll be able to slowly <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/310199" target="_blank">increase your rate</a>.</div>
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3. Managing Deadlines</h3>
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Deadlines are a translator’s worst enemy. <i>Or are they?</i></div>
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Many freelance translators will tell you the worst thing about their job is the impossible deadlines they constantly need to deal with.</div>
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Their clients seem to be unreasonable when it comes to setting the deadline. This is why it often happens that a freelancer needs to work all night in order to meet the deadline.</div>
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<i>Why does this happen?</i></div>
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The truth is, newer freelancers tend to accept as many projects as possible rather than refusing offers and letting their clients down. This is normal and not at all surprising. However, this strategy may start working against you.</div>
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<i>What if you take on too many projects and fail to complete them?</i></div>
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<i>What if you complete them but it turns out to be low quality?</i></div>
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“Instead of embarrassing yourself in front of the clients, it’s better to stay organized and modest. Take only the projects you’re absolutely certain you can complete in time” says Dina Indelicato, a content contributor at <a href="http://pickwriters.com/" target="_blank">PickWriters</a>.</blockquote>
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As time goes by, you’ll be able to make the right judgment call and take the exact amount of work you can complete properly.</div>
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4. Standing out from the Competition</h3>
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Let’s be honest, the competition on the freelancing market is harsh. Especially if you’re only just getting started. There are people with much more experience killing the game and you’re supposed to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.</div>
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But, how can you do it?</div>
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In order to make the difference between yourself and the competition, there’s a couple of things you need to cover:</div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">a killer CV</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">a great cover letter with strong points and a personal note</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">confidence</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">social media as a portfolio</li>
</ul>
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You have nothing to lose so make sure to invest all your efforts into creating the perfect application documentation and a winning attitude.</div>
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5. Time Zones and Cultural Differences</h3>
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When you’re a translator, you’re often collaborating with or working for people from different cultural backgrounds. This means that your viewpoints might be different and you might experience some trouble communicating with them.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNrLJqwZgcw/XFglMfpOQcI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Gw8CxExHRL0cm1HQKR4qhpgsRVSOJ9bhwCLcBGAs/s1600/becoming-a-translator-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNrLJqwZgcw/XFglMfpOQcI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Gw8CxExHRL0cm1HQKR4qhpgsRVSOJ9bhwCLcBGAs/s320/becoming-a-translator-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The time zones are always a barrier but with a bit of understanding, you can easily establish a regular communication flow with your clients.</div>
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Cultural differences are the tricky part. In order to be a good translator, you need to know how to deal with culture-specific references within the text. Don’t be hasty when making translating decisions. </div>
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Keep in mind that the reader of the target text might not be familiar with the source text and the circumstances it was created in.</div>
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Starting out as a freelance translator implies that you need to be ready to take things into your own hands and start fighting for your spot. It’s highly important that you’re determined to succeed and you’re aware that it’s not going to be as easy as one might think.</div>
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The challenges listed above are something most freelancers have to deal with when starting out. Luckily, you’re now ready to face them and overcome them. Preparation is key, so think about the solutions for each of these challenges and you’ll have nothing to worry about.</div>
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<i>Kristin Savage nourishes, sparks and empowers using the magic of a word. Along with pursuing her degree in Creative Writing, Kristin was gaining experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in marketing strategy for publishers and authors. Now she had found herself as a freelance writer. You can find her on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kristin.savage.520" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</i></div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-34840851472803865862019-01-21T10:00:00.000+00:002019-01-21T10:00:17.431+00:007 Effective Ways to Ace a Job Interview in a Foreign Language by Alice Berg<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello! Hola! Bonjour! Whatever language you speak, making it through an interview in a foreign language is challenging. In addition to general nervousness, you might worry about your job interview speech.</div>
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<i>How do I sound? Am I speaking correctly? What if I don’t understand their question or can't find the right word to answer it? </i></div>
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You have to stay calm. Interviewers will understand that you're a non-native speaker, so they'll be ready for small misunderstandings. However, if you have an interview in a given language, you'll probably be expected to have a decent level in it. That’s why strong speaking and writing skills are required.</div>
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Let’s have a look at how to ace an interview in a foreign language.</div>
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Practice Makes Perfect</h3>
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Don't ever think about going to the interview without a small rehearsal. Guess what the questions will be and how you'd answer them.</div>
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While no two interviews are the same, most will ask you to say something about yourself. Here are some extremely common interview questions:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><i>What do you know about our company?</i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i>Why did you leave your last job? </i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i>Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?</i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i>What are your hobbies?</i></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><i>What is your biggest achievement/challenge in life? </i></li>
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It's a good idea to take some time and answer those questions. Ask a friend or relative to be your interviewer if you want to make your answers feel more natural. Tell them briefly about yourself, your career goals, experience, expectations, and plans. This simple exercise will help you find the right words and learn them.</div>
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“I would advise candidates to prepare short and concise answers to the questions. Be focused, listen to the question carefully and provide the best answer you can. Don’t be afraid to clarify the question if you're not sure you got everything correct. You can always say “Would you like to hear more?" if you feel they're still waiting for a more detailed answer”- Brenda Sommers, an HR manager at <a href="https://skillroads.com/" target="_blank">Skillroads</a>.</blockquote>
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Keep in Mind That Your Interview is Cross-cultural</h3>
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The more languages you speak, the more cultures you belong to. Find out more about the culture of the countries where your target language is spoken.</div>
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<i>Did you know that language shapes the way people think?</i></div>
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For example, both light and dark blue have the same word to identify this color in English – blue. Russian speakers differentiate those two colors and have separate words for both. Research conducted on the brain activity of both Russian and English speakers revealed that English people noticed differences in shades of blue less while Russian speakers were quicker to tell them apart.</div>
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The difference in the way people think, communicate, interact with each other is much bigger. Make sure you know basic things about the mentality of your interviewers.</div>
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Don’t Be Afraid of Having an Accent</h3>
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Even though you are not supposed to sound 100% natural, too strong an accent might be a problem. Work on your pronunciation as it's important for general understanding. If you speak well, both you and your listeners understand each other much better</div>
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Now let’s use English as an example. English speakers often reduce sounds (“em” would be a reduced form for “them”). Listen to the native speakers, repeat after them; watch movies and cartoons - try to imitate the accents you hear; write down basic pronunciation rules and practice. Keep practicing to improve your accent and pronunciation.</div>
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Be Ready to Exchange Common Pleasantries</h3>
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Many candidates show up at interviews ready to answer any question. However, don't be silent when it comes to general things like expressing gratitude or demonstrating good manners. The first impression is very important; <a href="https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/infographic-how-interviewers-know-when-hire-you-90-seconds/" target="_blank">33% of interviewers</a> know whether they would hire someone in the first 90 seconds!</div>
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Make sure you know how to say “bless you” if somebody sneezes or “likewise” when the interviewers wish you a nice day. Prepare several different “difficult phrases” and idioms. In such a way, you’ll sound more impressive. However, make sure you have a clear understanding of the context and meaning of these phrases because if you don't, you'll just look silly. Saying a simple "Thanks for having/inviting me,” “Hope to hear back from you soon,” or “Have a good day” will always improve your chances.</div>
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Immerse Yourself in the Language before the Interview</h3>
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<i>Are you having an interview in Spanish?</i></div>
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Turn on Spanish TV and music, visit a Spanish restaurant in your city, or watch a movie. Talk to yourself aloud and even think in the target language.</div>
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If there are speaking clubs in your city, make sure you attend the next time they meet. People who practice the same language might help you out by asking some of the questions that we already mentioned earlier. The relaxed atmosphere in the club will help you calm down and speak with no pressure. Listen to the speeches even on your way to the interview. Choose only those topics that are interesting for you or related to the job.</div>
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There’s No Shame in Being Honest</h3>
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<i>Didn’t understand the question?</i></div>
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Don’t be afraid to say "Sorry, but I didn't get it. Can you repeat that, please?”. Nobody will judge you, laugh or think you’re not fluent. Even people speaking in their native languages have to occasionally ask for things to be repeated. Be yourself and stay positive and relaxed.</div>
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<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthellmann/2018/12/21/want-to-ace-your-job-interview-tell-a-great-story/" target="_blank">Robert Hellmann</a>, the President of Hellmann Career Consulting, says telling a story is a good way to interest the interviewer: “Yes, you need to get other things right in an interview as well: ask the right questions, prep for handling issues with your candidacy, follow-up effectively and so forth. But telling a good story is the most powerful way to stand out from the competition since our brains are wired to remember the imagery, the drama, and the emotion that’s conveyed in a good story”.</blockquote>
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Keep Calm!</h3>
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Don’t let stress eat you up. The last and probably most important way to nail the interview is by being yourself. Languages are a tool to communicates your skills, abilities, and thoughts. The really important thing is not the way you speak, but the way you do your job and grow within the company.</div>
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Demonstrate to the recruiter your willingness to learn, your perseverance, and your confidence. Despite the cultural and linguistic differences, they're still recruiters looking for somebody to hire. You just have to make sure that it's you!</div>
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Finally, stop worrying about how to prepare for an interview, sit down and do it. Make a job interview checklist and work your way through every task. Good luck!</div>
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<i>Alice Berg is a career advisor who helps people find their own way in life and prepare for their future careers. She likes backpacking and spends her free time learning Slavic languages. You can find her on <a href="https://twitter.com/AliceBerg234" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://medium.com/@alice.berg234/" target="_blank">Medium</a>. </i></div>
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Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-87146531433343551042019-01-14T10:00:00.000+00:002019-01-14T11:29:49.272+00:00Learning a Lingua Franca or a Niche Language by Sienna Walker<h2>
Which Should I Choose?</h2>
Learning a language is no small undertaking. Many people find that <a href="http://www.thelinguafile.com/2017/05/8-tips-for-those-who-find-learning.html">languages are one of the most difficult things to learn</a>. The process requires a lot of discipline and retraining your brain. If you're going to learn a new language, you want to make sure that your hard work is going to pay off.<br />
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Most people who decide to learn a new language either want to learn a lingua franca (a common language that people speak to communicate with one another) or a niche language (a language native to very few countries and not often spoken outside of those countries). Learning either of them opens up new opportunities and deciding which route is the best for you largely depends on how you intend to apply this new language in your life.<br />
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Consider Your Passion</h3>
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Some people learn a language simply because it's on their bucket list. If this sounds like you, it mightn't matter which type of language you choose. <a href="http://www.thelinguafile.com/2017/04/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-learn.html">As long as you're motivated</a> and have an interest in the language or choose a language that's commonly described as relatively easy to learn, you're setting yourself up for a smooth journey.<br />
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If you intend to use a new language to set up a new life in a new country or to properly appreciate the art and culture of a place, learning a niche language might be more helpful. Scholars of Japanese culture might as well master the Japanese language – especially if they intend to go to Japan for an extended period of time.<br />
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For a Career</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgDMaOzcPRQ/XDh1cLZgzpI/AAAAAAAAAoc/_F-FbCsoCjw8Uibc5J3aK3Ulsj1jnqrTgCLcBGAs/s1600/Learning%2BFor%2BWork.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgDMaOzcPRQ/XDh1cLZgzpI/AAAAAAAAAoc/_F-FbCsoCjw8Uibc5J3aK3Ulsj1jnqrTgCLcBGAs/s320/Learning%2BFor%2BWork.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Learning a new language to increase your career prospects is a fantastic idea. If you've ever had a look through online <a href="https://www.gumtree.com.au/jobs" target="_blank">job boards</a>, you've probably seen jobs asking for employees with language skills. When learning a new language for a career, both the lingua franca route and the niche language route are good ideas. It all depends on what you intend to do with your career.<br />
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International companies have a strong preference for people who are fluent in a lingua franca because these people can help bridge gaps and forge connections to strengthen relationships with overseas partnerships. People who speak a lingua franca can do more in more parts of the world.<br />
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On the other hand, people who speak a niche language are highly valuable when it comes to specific countries and are usually harder to find. If a company wants to open up a manufacturing plant in Hungary, they might need someone who is highly fluent in Hungarian, <a href="https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/why-hungarian-is-so-difficult-to-learn" target="_blank">a language commonly considered to be “difficult”</a>, to get the job done.<br />
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For Travelling</h3>
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Travellers need to know how to communicate with natives in the country they're visiting. It's helpful when purchasing something in a store, ordering a meal at a restaurant, or securing accommodation for the night. It's necessary in case of an emergency. If you need to speak with local authorities or get help, you're going to have a difficult time if you can't find a common language to speak.<br />
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In most parts of the world, it's not hard to find someone who speaks English. After all, it's the most common lingua franca. Despite that, you don't want to take for granted that you'll be able to find someone who speaks English when you're in an urgent situation. It helps to keep a translator app on your phone for emergencies – or learn some useful phrases in that particular language.<br />
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Research the <a href="https://www.fluentu.com/blog/languages-for-travelers/" target="_blank">lingua franca languages used in areas of the world you intend to travel to</a>. If there aren't a lot of English speakers, learn the lingua franca used in a given region. In areas like the middle east, Persian and Hindustani are widely spoken as second languages and native languages. Knowing these languages will make your life easier.<br />
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Why Not Learn Both? </h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLO_ek4MJIE/XDh1p7Yp9NI/AAAAAAAAAok/4CWx1xKUzz4-pJcuU7Xl4yV9SNC1-8X9ACLcBGAs/s1600/Learning%2BFor%2BPassion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLO_ek4MJIE/XDh1p7Yp9NI/AAAAAAAAAok/4CWx1xKUzz4-pJcuU7Xl4yV9SNC1-8X9ACLcBGAs/s320/Learning%2BFor%2BPassion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You don’t necessarily need to learn one or the other. There are instances in which knowing both a niche language and a lingua franca will help you cover all your bases. If you travel frequently or work overseas, it’s best to know as much as possible. There are numerous <a href="http://www.thelinguafile.com/2017/08/the-benefits-of-second-language.html">benefits to learning a second, third, or even fourth language</a>. Communication is one of the most invaluable tools that human beings have. Anything you can do to maximize your ability to communicate is a worthwhile pursuit.<br />
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<i>Sienna Walker is an experienced tutor, avid traveller, and a languages lover from Australia. She's passionate about self-improvement and is currently learning how to manage her travel finances through <a href="https://brighterfinance.com.au/" target="_blank">Brighter Finance</a>. Whenever not working or planning another trip, Sienna is trying hard to pick up some new languages. She's currently focusing on Spanish and Norwegian. Feel free to reach out to her on <a href="https://twitter.com/SiennaWalkerS" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i>Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-53798203106379588262019-01-07T10:00:00.000+00:002019-01-08T09:19:39.223+00:00Top 10 Ways to Improve your Spoken English at Home by Emma Simmonds<div style="text-align: justify;">
Knowing how to speak English correctly is really rewarding and usually, the learning process is also straightforward too. But then again, not everyone has the time and patience to sit in a language class or do an English course, even if they are driven to improve their English skills.</div>
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If you fall into this category, you should know that there are numerous ways you can learn English and improve your language skills from the comfort of your home. The best thing is that you can learn either with or without the help of a partner.</div>
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Below are ten great ways you can improve your spoken English at home.</div>
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1. Get a Partner</h3>
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An easy way to learn and improve your spoken English at home is to start a conversation with someone who is fluent in the language. You could invite a friend or neighbour who speaks fluently over to your house. Of course, make sure that they understand your goals and have agreed to help. Otherwise, you are wasting time.</div>
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<i>Can't find a partner to speak with you in person?</i></div>
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Not a big deal.</div>
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Programs and apps like Skype, Facetime, Facebook and even phone calls will make that possible. These technologies will allow you to speak with anyone from anywhere in the world.</div>
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Just make sure that you have a good internet connection so the voice would clearer.</div>
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2. Watch Television Shows</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EStSxvgdwnQ/XDC0zSO7k2I/AAAAAAAA0w8/w-6iZG8gwkEB7z3Z7EDwCykxV65VZGhXACLcBGAs/s1600/improve-english-at-home-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EStSxvgdwnQ/XDC0zSO7k2I/AAAAAAAA0w8/w-6iZG8gwkEB7z3Z7EDwCykxV65VZGhXACLcBGAs/s320/improve-english-at-home-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The more you listen to people speak a specific language, the better you'll get at it and the more your interest in the language will grow so if you want to develop your spoken English at home, start watching television shows recorded in the English language. You should start with cartoons as they're usually aimed at younger viewers and use simple grammar that's easy to grasp.</div>
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3. Find Friends with Similar Goals</h3>
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Learning is simpler when you have a partner with the same interests. Both of you can motivate one another, swap lesson notes and set goals together. Also, during conversations, make sure that you speak only in the English language. You'll soon make a lot of progress.</div>
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4. Think and Speak in English</h3>
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Whether you are at home, work, or a gettogether, always think about the new things you've learned and speak to yourself from time to time. In other words, think aloud in English.</div>
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Don't wait for someone to correct your mistakes. Just by practicing like this, you'll gain more confidence and be more comfortable speaking the English language.</div>
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5. Listen to Songs and Sing Along</h3>
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Another effective way to improve your spoken English at home is through songs. You have to listen to them and sing along. While learning the lyrics may take some time, it'll worth the wait.</div>
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You can also learn with rap songs. Rappers use fast speed and stronger rhythm that will help you improve your fluency.</div>
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6. Write it Down</h3>
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Take the time to write down the new words, sentences, and phrases you come across. This will help you improve faster. You can also try using them in sentences throughout the week. The idea is to continue using your new vocabulary until you get used to them.</div>
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7. Play Word Games</h3>
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There are many word-related games you can play with other friends who want to learn English that are challenging and entertaining. Examples include games such as Boggle, Mad Grab and Scrabble. You will learn new words as you play and constantly be looking up new words in the dictionary.</div>
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8. Practice Tongue Twisters</h3>
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Tongue twisters are words and phrases that even fluent English speakers sometimes find difficult to say quickly. An example is: "The sun shall soon shine." Try saying this quickly over and over.</div>
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Others could be longer though.</div>
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While you need to work on your grammar and fluency if you want to improve your spoken English, tongue twisters can improve your fluency and pronunciation. You can practice these regularly.</div>
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9. Don't Beat Yourself Up</h3>
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Learning is a gradual process that also requires a lot of patience. It's good that you're eager to improve but you need also to take things slowly when you're a beginner.</div>
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Try not to get frustrated about your mistakes or how terrible you sound as you're still learning.</div>
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If you get confused at any point, try to relax and then think about how to make things clearer. You should also reduce your speed maybe that could help.</div>
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10. Read, Read, and Read Some More!</h3>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2CDdCilJM/XDC07YmCVDI/AAAAAAAA0xA/ISROxQ24agcWeyaabBtKP8wpnqxyLPjlwCLcBGAs/s1600/improve-english-at-home-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX2CDdCilJM/XDC07YmCVDI/AAAAAAAA0xA/ISROxQ24agcWeyaabBtKP8wpnqxyLPjlwCLcBGAs/s320/improve-english-at-home-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Read anything you come across that is written in the English language. Visit websites and read articles, journals, and books written in the English language. You should also consider reading aloud so that you can hear yourself.</div>
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It's not difficult to learn and improve one's spoken English. You only need to show commitment and be consistent in whatever learning process you are using to develop your skills. However, these ten different tips should help you improve your spoken English more quickly. You can use all of them simultaneously. Just don't forget to monitor your progress and focus on the one that is most effective.</div>
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<i>Emma Simmonds is a passionate writer with an interest in <a href="https://ewritingservice.com/" target="_blank">custom writing</a>. She loves to share tips and easy ways people can do things and achieve great results. </i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-61481397035893391322018-12-17T10:00:00.000+00:002018-12-17T10:00:21.341+00:007 Mistakes Language Learners Make and How to Avoid Them by Sara Williams<div style="text-align: justify;">
Learning a language is never simple and most people consider it a challenge. To get started, many people go on the web and read articles on how to succeed in language learning and then try to discover the best methods.</div>
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That's all well and fine, <i>but can any anyone explain why such a significant number of language learning students don't achieve what they set out to do?</i></div>
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<i>Why do they continue making the same language-learning mistakes again and again until the point that they, in the long run, give up?</i></div>
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<i>What are these common mistakes that stop language learners achieving their objective?</i></div>
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Here are seven of the worst language learning mistakes and how you can stay away from them.</div>
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Setting Unrealistic Goals</h3>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7d_1-A7NUI/XBZyfiEpibI/AAAAAAAA0oA/eD62V1CvhywDPvnWYCt3TbCLFt88jPNuACLcBGAs/s1600/7%2BMistakes%2BLanguage%2BLearners%2BMake%2Band%2BHow%2Bto%2BAvoid%2BThem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1309" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l7d_1-A7NUI/XBZyfiEpibI/AAAAAAAA0oA/eD62V1CvhywDPvnWYCt3TbCLFt88jPNuACLcBGAs/s320/7%2BMistakes%2BLanguage%2BLearners%2BMake%2Band%2BHow%2Bto%2BAvoid%2BThem.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the most widely recognized language-learning errors is trying to achieve an objective too quickly.</div>
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Making a few mistakes can severely hinder your chance of learning a foreign language. Think of learning a foreign language more like a marathon than a sprint. Persevere, research what you need to accomplish, and carefully consider how long it'll take you.</div>
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Train each day by making little strides nearer to your objective.</div>
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Using Only One Learning Method</h3>
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Language learning mistakes are more common when you depend on only one learning technique.</div>
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There are plenty of ways to learn a language. Some people adapt their own strategies while others pick structured textbooks. You can also look for online mentors for help. Every one of these methodologies is fine, yet it would be a major mistake to only use one of them.</div>
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Since learning languages involves so many different skills to master, reading, writing, speaking, and listening, it makes sense to vary your learning approaches.</div>
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Avoiding Speaking</h3>
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Even the most confident people can get nervous when it comes to speaking their new language. You can't just memorize lists of words. The more you talk, the quicker you learn. </div>
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Not Listening Carefully</h3>
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Before you can write or speak a language, you'll need to read and listen to your new language.</div>
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Music, films, TV shows, and digital broadcasts in the target language should be your new favorite resources when learning a language. Tune in as regularly as you can to media in your new language...</div>
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Not Adapting Your Learning Approaches</h3>
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Not every technique will work for everyone. Pursue your interests while taking in a language to abstain from committing a similar language learning errors over once more.</div>
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<i>Do you like cooking?</i></div>
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Learn local recipes.</div>
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<i>Are you learning a language for work?</i></div>
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Adjust your learning to suit the field you work in.</div>
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Translating</h3>
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When learning a foreign language, make sure that you understand it as it's spoken by natives. listen to local speakers and take on board when they explain how to use their languages,</div>
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Studying at the Wrong Level</h3>
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One mistake you can make is thinking that the harder a course is, the better it is. At the end of the day, you should learn at a level that suits you. Don't make your learning process a nightmare.</div>
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Learning a language is very important in our globalized world. Although we now have access to many different sources, language learning is a challenge that many people still face.</div>
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<i>Sara Williams is an editor, journalist, writer from San Jose. She likes to read the classics, travel, yoga. She spends almost all her free time reading. Connect with her on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-williams-625a33172/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/William84863171">Twitter</a>.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-3697014324661704812018-11-26T10:00:00.000+00:002018-11-26T10:00:05.621+00:00The Dispute between British English and American English by Eugene Eaton<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Have you ever heard people arguing passionately about the smallest details such as auxiliary verbs or prepositions? How many times have you seen one person warning another for not using a proper grammar norm or pronunciation?</i></div>
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I bet it happens to you all the time! As a matter of fact, I believe this happens to everyone.</div>
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It seems like there are millions of language puritans all around who can’t stand people taking a single step away from the Oxford English Dictionary. They're the true followers of “genuine” English. They are the people who adore textbook rules and correct speech. Such folks enjoy making objections and reminding everyone to speak flawlessly.</div>
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<i>What do they consider to be the proper English and what is the so-called correct version of English language?</i></div>
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My answer is that there's is no such thing as correct English and that it’s just an imaginary construct that serves as the general outline for language learners.</div>
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Correct English Is an Imaginary Concept</h3>
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I’ve seen so many people who live in the US who don’t understand the colloquialisms and local expressions. It’s just way too different from things they used to learn in school so they start complaining and saying that Americans can’t speak English properly. Rest assured this is mostly an excuse for individuals who are having a hard time improving English proficiency.</div>
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ESL expert James Hatfield says that the vast majority of students believe Oxford English is the single most important learning model:</div>
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“This is why they neglect the importance of all those other accents and dialects. I’m not saying that I don’t understand their problem. After all, it’s much easier to follow the textbook rules and expect everyone to speak the same way, but it’s simply not the reality.”</blockquote>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8b3mkjTOgc/W9y4SjmpqzI/AAAAAAAAwPE/S2dOiRszqAYQWE7Rv6vo_GmpaFu1nAP-gCLcBGAs/s1600/british-english-american-english-differences.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8b3mkjTOgc/W9y4SjmpqzI/AAAAAAAAwPE/S2dOiRszqAYQWE7Rv6vo_GmpaFu1nAP-gCLcBGAs/s320/british-english-american-english-differences.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For instance, followers of the correct English movement object when you say: “I’m gonna grab a drink.”</div>
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They don’t recognise it as the textbook example so they automatically have a problem with what they believe is an unusual phrase. In other words, they label it wrong. There are tons of similar examples, but you get the idea</div>
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Grammar is not the only issue here. On the contrary, language puritans also pay attention to your pronunciation, and they're more than willing to make comments about it.</div>
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For example, they'll say something like this: “I went to Dublin last week and couldn’t understand a word they were saying! It’s not English! It's a completely different language!”</div>
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You don’t have to be a language expert to disprove their claims. All it takes is logical thinking to explain how things work in this field. Regardless of your mother tongue, I'm sure you can think of many regions or counties where people speak differently. It’s a matter of natural diversity, and that’s exactly what makes languages so beautiful.</div>
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For example, you can find maps online showing how Americans alone have 24 different English dialects - not to mention in the UK, Australia, or Ireland for that matter!</div>
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The illusion of correct English is probably the result of the mass media influence. People all around the world watch the same movies and listen to the same music so they start believing there are only two good options when speaking English – British English or American English.</div>
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Don’t Think about Correctness – Think about Usefulness</h3>
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The reality, however, is totally different. Language learners should stop thinking about the correct version of English and begin focusing on how useful it is for them. The best solution is to practice conversational English in a real-life environment.</div>
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If you are about to spend the next five years in Ireland, <i>why would you stick to Oxford English?</i></div>
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It would be both impractical and time-wasting. The same goes for individuals residing in the States, England, or Australia.</div>
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I can even show you <a href="https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/what-are-the-differences-between-american-and-british-english/">the most common differences between British and American English</a>:</div>
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<li><b>Spelling:</b> colour (British) vs color (American)</li>
<li><b>Vocabulary:</b> trainers vs sneakers</li>
<li><b>Grammar:</b> at the weekend vs on the weekend</li>
<li><b>Past perfect/past simple:</b> I’ve been to the vs I went to the…</li>
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As you can see, all these (and many other) differences are so minor that they really don’t make much of a difference to your everyday lives so you might as well pick the one that works for you.</div>
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The Bottom Line</h3>
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Keep in mind that English – just like all other languages – is a means of communication. It's supposed to help you establish new friendships and professional relationships</div>
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<i>So why would you use the kind of language that makes this process longer and more difficult?</i></div>
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If you want to start a new life abroad in the English-speaking country, you better prepare for it properly.</div>
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Ask yourself one question:</div>
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<i>Will I look like a weirdo walking around with the Oxford English dictionary and speaking words no one understands?</i></div>
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Unless you are going to enrol in a prestigious prep school, the answer is probably "yes". Therefore, be ready to learn real everyday English. Pick a dialect that suits your needs the most and allows you to build a career in the local environment.</div>
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When you look for the studying materials online, don’t type in inquiries such as: <i>Should I learn British or American English?</i></div>
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Instead, try to find resources that can teach you how to use the local dialect and understand the local accent.</div>
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You could even forget about all these differences and learn English as it's spoken where you are, picking up all the fascinating colloquialisms along the way. After all, it’s not a rocket science and not everything has to be by the book so feel free to learn your own way.</div>
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<i>Eugene is an Australian-based blogger for <a href="https://uk.careersbooster.com/">UK Careers Booster</a> who's into stand-up comedy. His favorite comedians are Louis CK and George Carlin. A good laugh in the morning is what keeps Eugene upbeat and motivated throughout the day.</i></div>
Guest Postshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04090826632447242171noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5177089889223551852.post-51143387899918405182018-11-05T10:00:00.000+00:002018-11-06T11:21:42.626+00:00The Best Languages to Learn for English Speakers by Jack White<div style="text-align: justify;">
Believe it or not, English is one of the hardest languages to learn. Most of us are either native speakers or have learned it at a young age. Because of this, we don’t notice these difficulties due to the everyday role of English in our lives.<br />
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While being difficult for beginners, English is a gateway to learning other languages and mastering them with ease. As language enthusiasts, we’ve discussed this topic with many linguists and grammar experts.</div>
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After doing some research, we’ve determined that these nine languages are the best English speakers to learn. While some may surprise you, but all of them are useful and entertaining.</div>
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1. Norwegian</h3>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_De-2N3_qQ/W9y3R6utjXI/AAAAAAAAwOw/xs6KxZp1uvwtvwthBm2S_8_waJWQ9jq4ACLcBGAs/s1600/easiest-languages-for-english-speakers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_De-2N3_qQ/W9y3R6utjXI/AAAAAAAAwOw/xs6KxZp1uvwtvwthBm2S_8_waJWQ9jq4ACLcBGAs/s320/easiest-languages-for-english-speakers-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>As surprising as it sounds, Norwegian is by far the easiest language for English speakers to learn. A member of the Germanic family, Norwegian shares many of the same grammatical mechanics and words with English.</div>
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The word order closely mimics that of English. An also interesting fact is that Norwegian has many different accents and there aren’t strict rules about pronunciation. Under the Vikings, Norwegians ruled England for a certain period of time so a lot of English words originated in Norwegian.</div>
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2. Swedish</h3>
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Norwegian’s close cousin and Scandinavian neighbor Swedish is also incredibly easy for English speakers to learn and master.<br />
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First of all, Swedish and English share a lot of cognates. A cognate is a word that a language shares with another, mostly due to a common ancestor.<br />
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If you’re interested in immersing yourself in a vibrant and interesting culture, Sweden is the country you want to focus on. Also, there are a lot of summer schools for Swedish learners of all levels.</div>
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3. Spanish</h3>
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While we all know that Spanish has an incredibly wide reach and is practical to study, there are even more benefits. For a couple of centuries, Britain was ruled by the Romans. Most of the legal systems, the administrative rules, and even some towns are leftovers from that period.</div>
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The Romans spoke Latin, an ancestor of all Romance languages, amongst which we have Spanish. Used by many cultures, Spanish has a lot in common with English in terms of mechanisms and vocabulary.</div>
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4. Dutch</h3>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3jFvglTlA0/W9y3S3TzQ0I/AAAAAAAAwO4/No_KVgesaawPEV467Jz-hUWOSCC7lNSOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/easiest-languages-for-english-speakers-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3jFvglTlA0/W9y3S3TzQ0I/AAAAAAAAwO4/No_KVgesaawPEV467Jz-hUWOSCC7lNSOgCEwYBhgL/s320/easiest-languages-for-english-speakers-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Because English is a Germanic language, it’s not surprising that Dutch is the 3rd Germanic language in our top 4. After German and English, it’s the third most spoken language in the family.</div>
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The shared vocabulary along with the similar grammatical characteristics is why it features in this list.</div>
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<i>Why are Danish and German left out?</i><br />
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German has some of the most difficult grammar in the world and Danish pronunciation is even scary for some Danes.<br />
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Dutch is challenging, but more in an entertaining way.</div>
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5. Portuguese</h3>
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One of the most popular languages for English speakers is, of course, Portuguese. Another Romance language, Portuguese is spoken by hundreds of millions of people in Portugal Brazil, the Portuguese port of Goa in India, and many other places.</div>
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The one thing to be wary of is that there’s a difference in dialects. At certain times, Portuguese and Brazilian people might not understand each other, but knowing one dialect will allow you to master the other. The cultural diversity is also astonishing.</div>
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6. Indonesian</h3>
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Surprise! For language enthusiasts, Indonesian is a bit of an unknown. If you are proficient in English, you will find Indonesian a great choice. Most choose to learn it because it’s one of the rare Asian languages that use a Latin script.</div>
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Furthermore, 23 million people speak it so you can utilize it in the country any way you want. There are almost no grammatical rules. For example, you don’t have to remember cases if you want to use the plural – repeat the same word twice, and you’re good to go.</div>
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7. Italian</h3>
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Even though isn't as widely spoken as Portuguese or Spanish, there are 63 million native speakers, plus even more non-native speakers. Perhaps the most enticing property of Italian is that it’s the closest living relative to Latin, mostly because it’s considered its direct descendant.</div>
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A lot of Italian and English words share the same roots while the grammatical rules aren't too hard. Additionally, you will get to experience one of the most amazing cultures in the world.</div>
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8. French</h3>
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French is perhaps the favorite Romance language of all English speakers. Even though it’s not easier than the others, it has a distinct sound that gives the speaker a sophisticated sound. The Norman conquest of England resulted in English and French sharing many words.</div>
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Another benefit of learning French is that it’s spoken on every continent and by an incredibly large number of people. The easy vocabulary and an incredible culture make it a popular learning choice.</div>
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9. Swahili</h3>
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A bit less conventional than other languages on this list, Swahili is an excellent option for those looking to learn something different. The easiest African language, Swahili shares a lot of words with English and is used as a lingua franca between different African tribes and countries.<br />
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Many linguists have concluded that it’s one of the most logical languages in existence. If you’re looking for an interesting cultural experience, start learning Swahili.</div>
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Learning new languages is a key factor in becoming a more knowledgeable and happier person. Getting to know different cultures through these easy languages is an incredible privilege and pleasure. If you want, you can combine several and challenge yourself like never before.</div>
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