Linguist Spotlight Round-Up

Over the past month, we’ve been shining the linguist spotlight on some of the incredible freelance linguists who make our work possible!

From Mandarin to Friulian, software to fine art, and funny phrases to heartfelt career stories, our linguist spotlights have given us a behind-the-scenes look at the people, languages and lived experiences that shape high-quality translation.

A truly global community

One of the most inspiring things about our freelance network is its diversity. Over the course of one month alone, we heard from linguists based in France, Italy, China, Spain and beyond – each bringing their own cultural insight and linguistic nuance to the table.

Their specialisms ranged from luxury marketing to technical translation, indie games to academic research. And yet, they all shared a deep passion for language, communication and connection.

The paths that brought them here

Every linguist has a story. Echo started out tutoring English before going full-time as a freelance translator (while pregnant with her second child!). Mercedes got her start subtitling films in London. Basel was inspired by his mother’s English teaching, and Laura returned to translation after exploring several other roles.

Whether they stumbled into the profession or pursued it with purpose, one thing’s clear: being a linguist often means carving your own path.

Thoughts on the future

It’s no surprise that AI and machine translation came up more than once. While opinions vary, our contributors agreed on one thing – the future of translation lies in balance. Technology is here to stay, but human creativity, empathy and cultural know-how will always matter, especially in fields where nuance is key.

Favourite phrases and language quirks

We couldn’t wrap up without sharing a few more of our favourite linguistic gems…

From Arabic: تقبرني (taqburni) – “May you bury me.” A dramatic but affectionate way of saying “I love you so much I can’t bear to live without you.”
From Spanish: Estar en la edad del pavo – “To be in the turkey age.” A very visual way to describe the awkwardness of adolescence.
From Chinese: 啊，真香！(ā, zhēn xiāng!) – “Ah, this smells/tastes so good!” A viral expression used when someone ends up loving something they initially refused.
From Friulian: No varìn migo di lassâsi come cjans? – “Are we really going to part like dogs?” Perfect for persuading your friends to stay for one more drink.

Thank you!

We’re so grateful to all the linguists who took the time to share their stories with us this month. Whether you’re a client, a fellow translator or just curious about languages, we hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know the people behind the words.

Don’t worry if you missed our linguist spotlight posts – you can head over to our LinkedIn to check them out!

We love working with amazing linguists from all over the world. Got a translation project coming up? Contact us – we’d love to work with you!

Linguist Spotlight – 25th April 2025

For our final linguist spotlight post of the month, we’re shining a light on four more of our fantastic freelance linguists: Basel, Laura, Echo, and Mercedes. Working across Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Spanish, and more, their stories remind us of the passion and precision behind great translation. Read on to hear about their career journeys, language tips, and some of their favourite cultural quirks.

Basel

Basel is a talented Arabic linguist who translates both from and into English. His areas of expertise range from fine art and history to social media and marketing. A lifelong language enthusiast, Basel traces the roots of his career back to his mother, an English teacher. “From a young age, I saw her speaking English and thought – I want to do that too. It felt like opening a door to the world.”

When he first moved to France, Basel tackled a new linguistic challenge: French. “When I first arrived, I started listening to podcasts and TV in French, even if I didn’t understand much. With help from my teacher and some personal effort, I now understand almost everything!”

Asked about the future of the industry, Basel sees a hybrid path ahead. “The industry is moving towards more collaboration between human linguists and technology. Machine translation is widely used, but those who want quality content increasingly understand the value of human input.”

Fun facts from Arabic:

Hard to translate? Popular sayings and socially constructed mottos are very difficult to render well in English.
Interesting language fact: Arabic uses so many prefixes and suffixes that a single word can form a complete sentence. For example, كتبتها means “I wrote it”.
Funny phrase: تقبرني (ta’burni), common in the Levant, literally means “may you bury me”, but is actually an affectionate phrase expressing deep love – often from mothers to children.

Laura

Laura is a multilingual translator based in the UK, working mainly between English and Italian, with a soft spot for websites. She also translates from Russian and has a background in German. Her real mother tongue? Friulano – a Romance language spoken in the northeast of Italy. “It’s still my favourite language of all.”

Laura has had an inspiringly flexible career. “I’ve been a translator, interpreter, admin assistant, PA, business analyst… and translator again! I’m proud of being able to adapt to change, try new things, and reinvent myself.”

When it comes to the difference between translation and interpreting, Laura says: “Interpreting is fast-paced and demands quick thinking. You need to be good at letting go – you can’t beat yourself up for not thinking of a better phrasing on the spot. With translation, you have time to research and refine.”

Her advice for language learners? “Expose yourself to the language as much as possible, especially through things you enjoy like films and TV. And once you’re in the country, don’t worry about making a fool of yourself!”

As for the future, Laura offers a thoughtful perspective: “I probably wouldn’t pursue a translation degree in today’s climate. I’d recommend specialising in another field, and adding languages as a valuable extra.”

Fun facts from Italian (and Friulano!):

Hard to translate? The word simpatico doesn’t quite translate – it means someone who is pleasant, funny, and nice all in one. Russian has a similar word, симпатичный (simpatichnyi), which can mean cute or nice.
Funny phrase: In Friulian, at the end of a night out, you might say No varìn migo di lassâsi come cjans? – “Are we really going to part like dogs?” It means: one more drink before we go!

Echo

Echo has been a freelance Mandarin and Cantonese translator since 2009, working on everything from luxury branding to government initiatives. Based in China, she’s a native speaker of both Mandarin and Cantonese and specialises in creative, culturally sensitive content.

Her language career began with online tutoring in 2006. “Eventually, I offered editing and translation services too. One client, Dallas, became a regular and kindly introduced me to a whole network of freelance translators. (He’s now known as the brilliant mind behind GT4T!)” With regular work and a growing family, Echo made the leap to full-time freelancing in 2009 – and hasn’t looked back since.

Echo has interpreted once – “at a trade fair in Germany, back in 2017” – but prefers translation, which lets her work at her own pace. “Both require preparation and creativity. But interpreting, especially live, is definitely more challenging for me!”

For language learners, her advice is simple: “Immerse yourself daily – listen, speak, and watch things slightly above your level. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. I’ll take this advice myself when I finally try to learn French again!”

Looking ahead, Echo sees technology playing a bigger role. “AI tools will grow in use, but human translators will remain essential for capturing nuance and cultural depth.”

Fun facts from Chinese:

Hard to translate? 缘分 (yuán fèn) – a concept of fated connection. There’s no exact English equivalent.
Interesting language fact: Written Chinese is logographic, so it remains consistent across dialects even if spoken Mandarin and Cantonese are very different.
Funny phrase: 啊，真香！ (ā, zhēn xiāng!) means “Ah, this smells so good!” It’s used humorously when someone changes their mind and ends up loving something they originally rejected – a bit like “Okay, fine, I actually love this!”

Mercedes

Mercedes is a freelance translator and editor working between German, English and Spanish (Spain). She specialises in software localisation and technical translation – and she loves diving into all things tech.

She got her start in subtitling, translating film and TV in London, before joining a language services provider as a project manager. “The most rewarding part of my job has always been meeting people from all over the world and learning about such a wide range of topics.”

If she could instantly master another language? “Chinese – without a doubt. It’s so commercially relevant, and I’d love to be able to connect with that part of the world.”

Her advice for language learners is refreshingly simple: “Don’t feel silly. Own your mistakes and have fun. Enjoying yourself is half the battle.”

Mercedes sees a future where machine translation and AI are the norm, but not the whole story. “There will still be a real need for human insight – especially in areas like medtech, marketing and indie games. Clients who value cultural nuance will keep turning to real people.”

Fun facts from Spanish:
• Hard to translate? Estar en la edad del pavo – literally “to be in the turkey age”! It’s used to describe that awkward, emotional teenage phase when you’re figuring everything out.
• Funny phrase: Estar como una cabra – “to be like a goat”. It means someone’s acting totally wild or silly… in the most entertaining way!

We’re incredibly proud to work with such talented, passionate linguists from around the world. Need help with your next translation project? Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.

Linguist Spotlight: 18th April 2025

This week, we’re shining the linguist spotlight on three more brilliant linguists who bring curiosity, cultural sensitivity, and a love of language to every brief. Whether they’re translating complex IT materials or marketing content with a twist, these professionals are passionate about delivering work that truly resonates.

Eduan

Meet Eduan, a Brazilian Portuguese freelance translator and reviewer with a specialisation in technical content, IT, gaming, and general texts. With a background in computing and a flair for language, Eduan helps businesses communicate with clarity and natural fluency across borders.

His journey into translation started at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFSUL), where he studied computing. Over time, his interest in English grew – and as his language skills deepened, he discovered that translation was the perfect blend of his tech background and creative side. He now balances technical expertise with linguistic finesse, and is currently adding Japanese to his repertoire after spending two years living in Tokyo.

When asked what a typical day looks like, Eduan says experience has made the work flow smoothly – “as long as the client provides the correct instructions, it’s just fun!”

Looking ahead, Eduan sees AI as a helpful ally in streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. But for him, the heart of good translation still lies with the human touch: “AI can assist, but it can’t replicate cultural sensitivity or context. It’ll keep evolving, but humans are still essential for tone and quality.”

Eduan also shared some fun language facts and experiences:

A phrase that doesn’t translate well: Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha – literally “to have a flea behind your ear,” meaning to be suspicious.
An idiom that makes no sense in English: Chutar o balde – literally “kick the bucket,” but it actually means to give up or go wild.
Ever mixed up languages? Not really – Eduan keeps things pretty clear, though gaming lingo sometimes sneaks into his everyday speech!

Ingrid

Say hello to Ingrid, a French linguist who translates and reviews from English into French, with a special focus on IT, marketing, and medical content.

Ingrid’s linguistic journey spans continents – from studying in Australia to completing her PhD in the US. After returning to France, she taught English for three years before deciding that the classroom wasn’t quite her calling. Wanting more flexibility and independence, she made the leap into freelancing – and quickly found her feet as a professional translator.

While Ingrid primarily focuses on technical and marketing texts, she occasionally receives more unexpected assignments. One particularly memorable project involved translating a website for adult products – “quite… interesting and fun!” she recalls.

Her tool of choice? SDL Trados Studio. “It’s not as popular as it once was,” she says, “but to me, it’s still the best.”

Like many in the field, Ingrid has noticed changes brought on by AI. “It’s actually rather scary. Workloads have decreased, and tools like DeepL are very strong. But I still believe machines will never fully replace human translators – there’s a touch of nuance and emotion they just can’t reach.”

Ingrid’s favourite language quirks include:

A word she loves: Her children’s names – Loé (Hawaiian) and Miyo (Japanese). “They’re not French at all – the names, not my kids!”
A beautiful untranslatable: Komorebi – the Japanese word for sunlight filtering through trees.
Ever mixed up languages? “No, I don’t think so!”

Yinli

Meet Yinli, a Simplified Chinese linguist who works across technology, science, and the humanities. With a uniquely reflective perspective, Yinli brings insight and precision to every project she takes on.

Her path to linguistics is rooted in a broad academic background – one that she sees as more connected to her work than it might appear on paper. “I don’t see myself limited to a single discipline,” she says. For her, translation is less about rigid definitions and more about exploring the layers of meaning within and between languages.

Every project, she explains, offers a chance to gain new distinctions – both technical and philosophical. Her most trusted resources? “My old friends: paper dictionaries.”

On the future of translation, Yinli offers a poetic take: “AI can help gather symbols and their outer layers, if that’s what we’re looking for. But language is more than form – it’s about resonance.”

Here are a few of her favourite thoughts on language and culture:

A word she loves: “Brett” – “A beautiful name for a beautiful one.”
A unique insight: “It feels as though we grow into the language that precedes us, into every word and expression, finding our place within.”
Ever mixed up languages? “Yes, especially while typing. Different pronunciations from various languages can trip me up sometimes.”

Come back next week for more linguist spotlight content from our incredible linguists! Curious about working with our team? We’d love to hear about your project – get in touch for a quote today!

Linguist Spotlight: 10th April 2025

For this week’s Linguist Spotlight, we’re shining the spotlight on three more brilliant linguists who bring curiosity, cultural sensitivity, and a love of language to every brief. Whether they’re translating complex IT materials or marketing content with a twist, these professionals are passionate about delivering work that truly resonates.

Eduan

For our first linguist spotlight for this week, meet Eduan, a Brazilian Portuguese freelance translator and reviewer with a specialisation in technical content, IT, gaming, and general texts. With a background in computing and a flair for language, Eduan helps businesses communicate with clarity and natural fluency across borders.

His journey into translation started at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul (IFSUL), where he studied computing. Over time, his interest in English grew – and as his language skills deepened, he discovered that translation was the perfect blend of his tech background and creative side. He now balances technical expertise with linguistic finesse, and is currently adding Japanese to his repertoire after spending two years living in Tokyo.

When asked what a typical day looks like, Eduan says experience has made the work flow smoothly – “as long as the client provides the correct instructions, it’s just fun!”

Looking ahead, Eduan sees AI as a helpful ally in streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. But for him, the heart of good translation still lies with the human touch: “AI can assist, but it can’t replicate cultural sensitivity or context. It’ll keep evolving, but humans are still essential for tone and quality.”

Eduan also shared some fun language facts and experiences:

A phrase that doesn’t translate well: Ficar com a pulga atrás da orelha – literally “to have a flea behind your ear,” meaning to be suspicious.
An idiom that makes no sense in English: Chutar o balde – literally “kick the bucket,” but it actually means to give up or go wild.
Ever mixed up languages? Not really – Eduan keeps things pretty clear, though gaming lingo sometimes sneaks into his everyday speech!

Ingrid

A word she loves: Her children’s names – Loé (Hawaiian) and Miyo (Japanese). “They’re not French at all – the names, not my kids!”
A beautiful untranslatable: Komorebi – the Japanese word for sunlight filtering through trees.
Ever mixed up languages? “No, I don’t think so!”

Yinli

A word she loves: “Brett” – “A beautiful name for a beautiful one.”
A unique insight: “It feels as though we grow into the language that precedes us, into every word and expression, finding our place within.”
Ever mixed up languages? “Yes, especially while typing. Different pronunciations from various languages can trip me up sometimes.”

Come back next week for more linguist spotlight content! Curious about working with our team? We’d love to hear about your project – get in touch for a quote today!

Linguist Spotlight: 4th April 2025

At Web-Translations, we’re fortunate to work with a team of talented linguists who bring their expertise and passion to every project. Kicking off our Linguist Spotlight series for April, we’re excited to introduce three amazing linguists: Axel, Lucia, and Ángela. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing more stories from our linguists, highlighting their journeys, insights, and favourite language facts. Let’s get started!

Axel

Meet Axel, a super versatile English and Spanish into French freelance translator who’s all about marketing, IT, and medical content.

Axel has always had a thing for languages. He even considered being an interpreter before realising he preferred the life of a project manager and translator. His days? Non-stop. Most of his work’s due within 24 hours. “I start with overnight requests and knock out the quick stuff first. I hate procrastinating.”

One of Axel’s biggest challenges? Tackling a massive website localisation project early on – tens of thousands of words on a tight deadline. “I pulled a few all-nighters, but the client loved it.”

When it comes to AI, Axel sees it as a handy tool but keeps his guard up. “AI makes mistakes, just like people. You can’t rely on it completely.”

Favourite word: “Tatsumaki” (Japanese for tornado). Axel just loves how it sounds.
Interesting fact: Japanese has no plurals or subjects in sentences. It’s all about context: poetic and open to interpretation.
Funny phrase: French: “Y’a pas le feu au lac” (The lake isn’t on fire). Basically, “No need to rush.”

Lucia

Now, let’s talk about Lucia, a freelance translator handling English, French, and Spanish into Portuguese (Brazilian and European). Her expertise? Basically everything from IT and marketing to medical instrumentation and gas & oil.

Lucia actually started out in Statistics but quickly realised it wasn’t her thing. Teaching English to kids sparked her passion for languages, and she’s been translating since 1990.

Her daily routine? Pretty chilled. She’s got pets to feed, breakfast to enjoy, and sometimes a cosy coffee shop to work from. When she’s not translating, Lucia’s out walking her dog, playing the piano, or squeezing in a yoga or dance session.

Toughest project? Translating for an oil and gas company. She had to dive deep into material properties and chemical reactions. “It required super careful, detailed research.”

Lucia’s noticed AI is changing the game. “People are trying to translate themselves with AI, but that’s not the best approach. Humans still need to check and polish everything.”

Favourite word: “Resilient” / “Resiliente” (in Portuguese). It just feels like her.
Interesting fact: Living in both Brazil and Portugal, Lucia’s noticed tons of differences in language use – especially when it comes to formality.
Funny phrase: In Brazil, “Show de bola!” means something’s awesome. In Portugal, double negatives are common, like “Não seria pior se…” (It wouldn’t be worse if…). It’s a way of suggesting something’s actually a good idea!

Ángela

Meet Ángela, a Spanish freelance translator and subtitler working from English and French into Spanish. She’s all about marketing, tourism, and beauty and cosmetics.

Ángela’s journey started at 16 when she found out Translation and Interpreting was a real university degree. Her passion for languages made it an easy choice, and she hasn’t looked back.

Morning person alert! Ángela gets her best work done early, fuelled by coffee and motivation. After lunch, she keeps going until the afternoon, then hits the gym or enjoys a long walk by the river.

The trickiest project she’s tackled? An IT marketing ebook about cybersecurity – super technical but also creative. “It was tough, but my background in IT-cybersecurity texts made it a win.”

Ángela’s take on AI? It’ll boost productivity but risks creating dull, soulless texts – especially in her creative niches.

Favourite word: “Chouette” (French for “owl” or “nice”). It’s one of the first words she learned in French, and she loves how it sounds.
Interesting fact: Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 different languages, which blows her mind.
Funny phrase:
Spanish: “Eres más pesado que un collar de calabazas.”
Literal translation: “You’re heavier than a necklace made of pumpkins.”
This funny phrase is used to describe someone who’s especially annoying or persistent – like a cumbersome, heavy necklace.

Check back next week for our next Linguist Spotlight to learn more about our talented translators! Want to work with our expert team? Our team can handle almost any project! Contact us for a quote today!

Women in Translation: Celebrating Their Impact on Literature and Culture

For Women’s History Month, we’ve been showcasing the remarkable contributions of women in translation on our LinkedIn page. Translators do far more than simply convert words – they bring entire cultures, stories, and ideas to new audiences. Central to shaping our understanding of world literature, women have often played a crucial yet overlooked role.

Women are Pioneers in Translation

Women translators have long been instrumental in bridging linguistic and cultural divides. Some notable figures that we mentioned on LinkedIn include:

Constance Garnett: In the late 19th century, she introduced English readers to Russian classics by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, revolutionising how these works are perceived in the West.
Edith Grossman: Her translations of Gabriel García Márquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera and Cervantes’ Don Quixote have been celebrated for their clarity and faithfulness to the original texts.
Margaret Jull Costa: Known for her translations of Nobel Prize-winner José Saramago and Spanish author Javier Marías, Costa has been a key figure in introducing Iberian literature to English readers.
Anthea Bell: Famous for her translation of the Asterix comics and literary works by Stefan Zweig, Bell’s career showed incredible versatility. She also founded the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators to inspire future linguists.

These pioneers are just a few of the many women whose work has reshaped our engagement with world literature. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we invite you to discover and support the amazing women in translation.

Breaking Cultural Barriers

These women translators have made world literature accessible, fostering cultural exchange and broadening our understanding. Their work not only bridges languages but also helps foster greater empathy and awareness. Women have often faced a lack of recognition in this field, but their perseverance has ensured that important global voices are heard.

Inspiring Future Translators

Today, initiatives like the Anthea Bell Prize continue to encourage young people to explore careers in translation. The legacy of women in translation endures, keeping translation central to our engagement with global literature.

Honouring Women in Translation

This Women’s History Month, we honour trailblazers and countless women whose translation work shapes the world.

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the incredible female translators we work with every day. Their talent, professionalism, and dedication ensure that language barriers are broken, and that ideas can be shared across borders. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate their vital contributions to our projects and the wider industry.

Their work shows that translation goes beyond words – it connects cultures, preserves stories, and broadens our understanding.

If you think translation might be the best next step in developing your website or business, contact us for a quote today!

AI Translation and Website Localisation: How Open-Source Models are Transforming the Industry

Recently, Tradutor, an AI translation model, was developed to enhance European Portuguese localisation. In the rapidly evolving world of AI translation, advancements like this are continually improving accuracy and usability for businesses. Open-source models like Tradutor are expanding language access, particularly for niche or underrepresented languages, creating exciting new opportunities for website localisation. But what does this mean for businesses looking to localise their websites effectively?

Tradutor AI: A Game-Changer for European Portuguese

Tradutor is a ground-breaking AI translation model, specifically developed for European Portuguese. Historically, businesses have faced challenges in finding high-quality machine translation (MT) options for this language variant, which differs significantly from Brazilian Portuguese in vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances. This is where Tradutor steps in.

Developed to address these very challenges, Tradutor offers a more culturally and linguistically accurate translation than generic AI models. This advancement signals a significant shift in the AI translation landscape, expanding and improving language coverage, and delving into regional language variants with a level of precision that was previously difficult to achieve.

As AI continues to evolve, tools like Tradutor are making it possible for businesses to create more engaging, accurate, and cost-effective multilingual websites. However, it’s important to remember that while AI can improve speed and scalability, human input remains essential for ensuring cultural and linguistic accuracy.

AI & Website Localisation: A Perfect Match?

AI-driven translations are undoubtedly transforming website localisation by speeding up workflows, making it easier and faster to cater to a global audience. However, AI alone cannot guarantee the success of localisation efforts. Human expertise is still crucial when it comes to ensuring that the translations resonate with local audiences, capturing cultural context, and providing an authentic user experience. This is particularly significant, as studies show that consumers are far more likely to purchase a product or service when the website is presented in their native language.

Custom AI models, like Tradutor for European Portuguese, can enhance regional accuracy, ensuring that website content is tailored to the specific dialect and cultural preferences of the target audience. This is particularly important when dealing with markets that have distinct linguistic differences, such as the various Portuguese-speaking regions, like Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique.

For businesses targeting these diverse markets, the key to success lies in recognising the linguistic and cultural nuances between different Portuguese-speaking regions. Customised AI models for specific variations make website content more relevant and engaging, enhancing customer experience and brand perception.

The Future of AI in Localisation

Looking ahead, AI will continue to improve, and its role in localisation will only grow. However, AI models must be context-aware and tailored to specific industries and languages to truly meet the needs of businesses. This is where open-source initiatives like Tradutor can play a pivotal role. They allow companies to customise translation models to suit their requirements, ensuring that the translation process is more aligned with business goals and localised needs.

AI is undeniably a powerful tool for localisation, offering significant benefits in terms of speed, efficiency, and scalability. However, to achieve success in website localisation, businesses must combine the power of AI with the expertise of professional translators. By embracing AI advancements while ensuring cultural relevance in their localised content, companies can create more engaging, accurate, and cost-effective multilingual websites.

As AI models continue to specialise and improve, businesses will have more opportunities to leverage these technologies to enhance their website localisation efforts. With the right balance of AI and human input, the future of localisation looks brighter than ever.

At Web-Translations, we specialise in website localisation. Contact us today to find out how we can enhance your multilingual website!

Preserving Endangered Languages: The Role of Translation in Global Efforts

Languages are more than just communication tools—they carry unique cultural identities and oral traditions. Language preservation efforts help safeguard a community’s heritage, ensuring that its way of life endures for generations.

Yet, the world faces an alarming decline in linguistic diversity. Of the 7,000 languages spoken today, nearly half are expected to disappear by the end of this century. Globalisation and the dominance of a few major languages contribute heavily to this trend.

Language Preservation Strategies

Revitalisation efforts are essential in preserving these languages, and translation plays a pivotal role in these initiatives. Hawaiian and Welsh language programs show that integrating languages into daily life and education aids in language restoration. But translation technologies are also key in these efforts, helping endangered languages reach a global stage.

Tools like Google Translate and other translation software allow these languages to be understood by broader audiences. This promotes cross-cultural engagement and raising awareness about their significance. This exposure can fuel interest in preserving and learning these languages, offering new life to those that are fading.

Technology, in general, is a powerful ally in language preservation. Apps like Duolingo and AI platforms like Endangered Languages Project teach and preserve languages for future generations.

Linguists and anthropologists work with native speakers to document languages, recording oral histories, songs, and traditions. These efforts ensure that even as the number of speakers diminishes, the cultural wealth embedded in these languages is preserved. Through translation, much of this cultural heritage can be shared with the world, ensuring it is understood and appreciated across borders.

Recent initiatives, such as the UN’s Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) and funding from organisations like the Endangered Language Fund provide resources to support efforts and global partnerships. With translation at the heart of these programs, languages are not only preserved but also given new pathways to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Translation is more than just a tool—it’s a lifeline for endangered languages. By making these languages accessible to a global audience, we can help preserve the richness of human diversity and cultural history for generations to come.

If you think translation might be the best next step in developing your website or business, contact us for a quote today!

Chinese New Year 2025

Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is rich in symbolism and tradition. As we begin the Year of the Snake, it’s fascinating to see how these customs continue to evolve in a fast-paced, modern world. Let’s explore some key traditions and how they’ve adapted, plus tips on celebrating at home or in your community.

Traditional Customs

House Cleaning: Before New Year’s Eve, people thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and welcome good fortune. The Chinese term for this practice is “扫尘” (sǎo chén), symbolising the clearing of old energy for a fresh start.

Red Envelopes (Hongbao ): Traditionally, adults gift red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried individuals for luck. Digital red envelopes via apps like WeChat have gained popularity, making it easy to send blessings even to those far away.

Reunion Dinner: Families gather for a feast on New Year’s Eve to celebrate unity. Symbolic dishes like dumplings (wealth) and fish (prosperity) are served. With modern families often spread out globally, many opt for virtual reunions or dining out as an alternative to the traditional at home meal.

Fireworks: Traditionally, people set off fireworks to ward off bad spirits, with large displays being commonplace. This year, Beijing celebrated the New Year with a spectacular fireworks show, lighting up the sky to welcome good fortune.

The Year of the Snake

2025, the Year of the Snake, symbolises wisdom, transformation, and healing. The Snake encourages personal growth and thoughtful decision-making, making it a great time to set goals for the year ahead. Incorporating Snake symbols in your home is also said to promote prosperity, particularly in business and relationships.

Chinese New Year continues to adapt to the modern world while preserving its deep-rooted traditions. Whether you’re hosting a reunion dinner at home, attending local events, or connecting with loved ones virtually, the Year of the Snake reminds us to embrace wisdom and transformation as we move forward into 2025.

For more insights into the Year of the Snake, read this overview.

If you need translation services for your business, contact us for a quote today!

Most Valuable Translator Awards 2024

We hope 2025 has started off well for you! As the New Year gets underway, it can only mean one thing… it’s time to announce our Most Valuable Translator Awards 2024!

Every January, we love taking a moment to show our appreciation for our amazing linguists by announcing our Most Valuable Translator Awards. These awards go to translators who’ve consistently gone the extra mile and have been incredibly hard working.

We can’t say enough how much we appreciate the hard work and dedication of all our freelance translators – they’re always quick to respond, consistently deliver excellent translations, and are a joy to work with. It’s such a privilege to collaborate with them, which makes it incredibly tough to pick just a few. Every single one of you gives your best, and we truly enjoy working with you. So, thank you to everyone!

That said, the Web-Translations team has been especially impressed by this group of linguists over the past year. Some have been absolute lifesavers on urgent projects, while others have consistently delivered top-notch work for our key client accounts. Their professionalism, communication skills, and translation expertise are outstanding and we would like to offer our thanks for their efforts.

Here are our most Valuable Translators for 2024….

So, please join us in congratulating the following 21 linguists (listed in alphabetical order):

Ángela Arribas Ramírez
Axel Couton
Carles Hernandez
Eduan Moraes
Gisella Giarrusso
Hanae Matsumura
Ingrid Devanne
Katrin Jarvis
Laura Mussutto
Lúcia Barbosa
Marco Ramon
Mercedes Acosta
Nanda Weiland
Pablo Montero Llano
Rafael Molina Pulgar
Thomas Carlsen
Tine Wanning
Ulrike Franz-Weall
Yaotl Altan
Yinli Zhuang
Yookyeng Jeon

A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you! We can’t wait to continue working with you and all our amazing linguists in the coming year. Here’s to another great year together—see you next January for the next Most Valuable Translator Awards!

Love,
The Web-Translations Team

To see our Most Valuable Translators from 2023, read here!

The Importance of Professional Subtitling for Your Business

In today’s fast-paced digital world, video content has become a cornerstone of communication for businesses across the globe. Whether it’s promotional material, educational resources, or entertainment, video is a powerful tool for reaching diverse audiences. But have you ever stopped to think about the role professional subtitling plays in making that content accessible and impactful?

Subtitles and captions are not just about adding text to a screen; they’re about bridging gaps – be it linguistic, cultural, or accessibility-related. Interestingly, many people use the terms ‘captions’ and ‘subtitles’ interchangeably, but they serve different purposes. So, what’s the difference, and why does it matter for your business? Let’s dive in.

Subtitles vs. Captions: What’s the Difference?

Subtitles are designed to translate spoken dialogue from one language to another. They’re primarily targeted at viewers who don’t understand the language being spoken. By breaking down language barriers, subtitles help businesses reach a global audience and make their content accessible to non-native speakers.

Captions, on the other hand, are more comprehensive. They provide a full transcription of all dialogue, along with descriptions of relevant sounds, such as background music or environmental noises. Captions are essential for hearing-impaired viewers and ensure inclusivity by conveying the full auditory experience in text form.

Understanding these distinctions is the first step in recognising their value for your business. If you have further queries, gov.uk has a clear guide to help you tell the difference.

Why Subtitles and Captions Are Crucial for Modern Businesses

Increased Accessibility
Accessibility is no longer optional; it’s a necessity. Captions ensure that individuals with hearing impairments can engage with your content, while subtitles allow you to connect with audiences who speak different languages. Inclusivity broadens your reach and helps build a diverse, loyal customer base.

Improved User Engagement
Subtitled and captioned videos aren’t just for accessibility – they’re also incredibly engaging. According to the BBC, studies show that viewers are more likely to watch a video to the end when it includes subtitles or captions. These features also allow users to consume content in sound-sensitive environments, such as libraries, offices, or public transport.

Enhanced SEO and Global Reach
According to LinkedIn, amongst other sources, adding captions improves your video’s discoverability on search engines, as the text can be indexed, making your content easier to find. Additionally, Subtitled videos are more accessible to international audiences, helping your business expand its reach across borders.

The Risks of Relying on Automated Subtitling and Captioning

While technology has made auto-captioning tools readily available, they come with significant pitfalls. Automated systems often struggle with interpreting accents, differentiating homophones, or understanding contextual nuances. The result? Subtitles riddled with errors or captions that fail to accurately represent what’s being said.

This lack of accuracy can lead to poor viewer experiences, frustration, and even damage to your brand’s reputation. Imagine a marketing video with poorly translated subtitles that misrepresent your product or message – this can have serious consequences for your credibility.

Why Professional Subtitling Services Make All the Difference

Investing in professional subtitling and captioning services ensures your content is accurate, reliable, and polished. Here’s why it’s worth the investment:

Precision and Context
Professional subtitlers consider cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and the tone of your content. They don’t just translate words; they ensure the meaning and intent are preserved across languages.

Customisable Formatting
Different platforms have unique requirements for subtitling and captioning. Professionals tailor the formatting to suit your needs, ensuring your content looks and feels right no matter where it’s viewed.

Compliance with Accessibility Standards
Professionally crafted captions help your content meet legal accessibility requirements, such as WCAG. This guidance ensures that your business achieves its commitment to inclusivity.

Get Subtitles Done Right

In a world where accessibility and global reach are more important than ever, high-quality subtitles and captions are non-negotiable. They enhance user engagement, broaden your audience, and protect your brand’s reputation.

Rather than relying on error-prone automated tools, trust professionals to deliver subtitling and captioning services that meet the highest standards of accuracy and quality.

Ready to elevate your video content? Contact us today for a personalised quote, and let us help you create videos that speak to everyone, everywhere.

December Discount 2024

To celebrate the holiday season, we are offering a 15% December Discount on all translation projects! So, if you have some content that you’d like to translate, get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation quote!

We can offer you:

A Dedicated Project Manager
Competitive Translation Rates
Flexible Payment Terms

What’s more, we have a great track record working for clients in a wide range of industries. You can read all about our experience on our portfolio page! If you’d like to get to know us more, why not get in touch with our team to find out what we could do for you?

Terms:

15% discount will be applied to our standard rates of translation and proofreading
Discounts will only be applied to projects exceeding our minimum charge of £60
This discount cannot be applied to Pay-As-You-Go accounts
This offer is restricted to the first order in December per client
This offer cannot be combined with any other discount
This offer will expire at 17:00 GMT, 31st December 2024

However, if your content isn’t ready for translation just yet, keep an eye out on our social media for future offers. Also, while you’re there, you can also check out our Christmas countdown – we have lots of fun content in store with our very own advent calendar!

Translation as a Journey: The Path From One Language to Another

Translation is more than just swapping words between languages; it’s a journey where each stage represents a different part of moving from the source language to the target language. After all, the Oxford English Dictionary states that the word translation can also be used to describe moving an object from one place to another.

Understanding the Terrain

The journey starts with deeply understanding the source text, much like studying a map before setting off. This involves grasping not just the words, but the cultural and contextual nuances that will guide the translation.

Charting the Course

Next comes planning the translation strategy, deciding whether to stick closely to the original or adapt it more freely. This stage is like choosing the best route on a trip, ensuring the message travels well to the new language.

Embarking on the Journey

The translation process itself is where the text moves from one language to another. The translator carefully navigates linguistic and cultural differences to ensure the final product is fluent and accurate.

Overcoming Obstacles

Challenges like untranslatable words or cultural references are the rough patches on the journey. Translators must creatively solve these issues, ensuring the translation remains true to the original while making sense in the target language.

Reaching the Destination

The journey ends with reviewing and refining the translation, much like a traveller reflecting on their trip. This final step ensures the translation is polished and ready for its audience.

Reflecting on the Journey

Just as experienced travellers make for better journeys, professional translators bring the expertise needed to navigate the complexities of translation, ensuring the final text is accurate and culturally appropriate.

In essence, translation is a complex journey requiring skill, planning, and adaptability to successfully convey a message across languages and cultures.

If you think translation might be the best next step in developing your website or business, contact us for a quote today!

What Do Translators Actually Learn at University? – Why the Professionals Are Better

For some, what translators learn at university is a bit of a mystery – here we hope to clear things up! When it comes to translation, many might assume that if you speak two languages, you’re qualified to translate between them. However, the reality is far more complex. Professional translators undergo rigorous training and studies at university. Here they learn not just the languages, but skills that ensure their translations are accurate, culturally appropriate, and effective. This training is what sets professional translators apart from those who may be bilingual but lack formal education in translation.

The Foundations of Studying Translation

At university, translators begin with deep dives into the languages they will work with. This isn’t just about fluency in speaking and writing, but about understanding the subtleties and nuances of each language. They study a range of linguistic skills including grammar, syntax, and semantics in detail, allowing them to grasp the intricate differences in how meaning is constructed. This linguistic knowledge is crucial for producing translations that accurately capture the original text’s true meaning.

Learning Cultural Competence

Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and professional translators learn this first-hand. Translators learn at university to study the cultural contexts of the languages they work with, understanding how history, society, and traditions influence language use. This cultural competence is crucial when translating texts that are intended for a specific audience, as it allows the translator to adapt the message in a way that resonates culturally, avoiding misunderstandings or offence.

Specialised Knowledge

Another key component of a translator’s university education is the acquisition of specialised knowledge in various fields. Many texts that require translation are technical, legal, medical, or scientific, each with its own jargon and conventions. Universities often offer modules or courses in these specialised areas, enabling translators to understand and accurately translate complex terminology. This specialised knowledge ensures that translations are not just linguistically accurate but are also correct within the context of the specific field.

Research Skills

Translators must also be skilled researchers. At university, they learn how to conduct thorough research to understand unfamiliar terms, concepts, or cultural references. They are trained to consult dictionaries, databases, and other resources to find the most accurate translations. This research ability is especially important in fields where language is constantly evolving, such as technology or medicine.

Studying Translation Theory and Practice

University courses in translation theory provide students with a framework for understanding the various approaches to translation. They learn about different translation strategies, such as literal versus idiomatic translation, and when to use each. Practical translation exercises complement this theoretical knowledge, allowing students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. This combination of theory and practice helps translators make informed decisions about how to approach each translation task.

Graduation cap and scroll being held aloft (translators learn at university)

Learning the Ethics

Professional translators are also trained in the ethical aspects of their work. They learn about the importance of confidentiality, especially when dealing with sensitive documents. They are also taught to avoid conflicts of interest and to ensure that their work is impartial and unbiased. These ethical considerations are vital in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the translation profession. For example, the Institute of Translation and Interpreting has an ethics guide that many professional translators refer to.

Studying the Technology

In today’s digital age, translators must be proficient in using technology. University courses often include training in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, which help translators manage large projects, ensure consistency, and work more efficiently. They also learn about the limitations of machine translation and how to use it appropriately, often in combination with human expertise.

Why Professionals Are Better

The comprehensive training that professional translators receive at university is what makes them the best choice for translation work. They bring not only their linguistic skills but also a deep understanding of cultural nuances, specialised knowledge, and the ability to conduct thorough research. Their grounding in translation theory, coupled with practical experience, allows them to approach each project with a well-rounded skill set that ensures the final translation is accurate, culturally appropriate, and of the highest quality.

In contrast, someone who is simply bilingual may lack the depth of knowledge required to handle complex or specialised texts effectively. Professional translators are trained to go beyond mere word-for-word translation, ensuring that the meaning, tone, and intent of the original text are fully conveyed in the target language. This level of expertise is particularly important in fields where precision is crucial, such as legal, medical, or technical translations.

In summary, while being bilingual is a great asset, it’s the comprehensive education and training that translators receive at university that truly equips them to deliver high-quality, professional translations. When accuracy and cultural sensitivity matter, turning to a professional translator is the best decision.

For all of your professional translation needs, contact us!

The Need for Translation in an International Market

In this post we will be discussing the need for translation in an international market. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is becoming more and more necessary to have your business accessible in a variety of languages. Imagine going to browse a website only to find that you can’t find the information you need because it’s not in your language – it would be pretty frustrating!

If you want to send your business into the international sphere, you need to be able to appeal to an international audience, but there is no such thing as an international language. You can’t assume that your clients will understand English. Nor can you expect your customers to put all of the information they need into online translation software. Often it won’t be accurate and will create a barrier between you and your clientele.

In the sales process, you want to avoid creating obstacles between your customers and their products.

So where do I start?

Once you’ve established your target market country, your best bet is to contact a translation or localisation agency to ask them to work with you to produce the most accurate and appropriate webpage in the target language.

This of course, costs money, so it is important to weigh up the risk vs. benefits of this investment. There are ways to mitigate the cost too: for example, common website features, like a page to check out a purchase, use similar, if not the same language. In some cases, this is a potential candidate for machine translation, which is often cheaper. Machine translation, however, won’t quite cover all situations.

So when can’t I use MT?

Machine translation can’t take into account the context of the translations – see our post on this here. In addition, most machine translation software doesn’t account for regional language variants. For languages like Spanish where there are such a wide range of dialects across the globe, the language will need to be translated differently for each as different terminology is used.

To summarise, having your website and products translated into the target language can improve international connections and give your customers a better impression – after all, if the customers can see the effort you put into making the website easy for them to use, they are much more likely to have a better impression of your business.

How Translation Audits Can Benefit your Business

At Web-Translations we offer a comprehensive translation audit service, but what exactly does that entail? Let’s take a look at how our audits work and why they’re a valuable investment for you and your business.

What is a translation audit?

A translation audit involves selecting various sections of a document or website and asking a native linguist to review them. This is done in order to ensure that your translations have both high quality and fluency. During this process, the translator provides detailed feedback on multiple aspects of your text, including fluency, word choice, grammatical accuracy, and overall coherence, ensuring your content meets the highest standards.

Why invest in one?

Ensuring that your customers feel acknowledged and catered for is absolutely essential. Errors in your website text can negatively affect customer perception. This in turn can make them feel that you’re not putting in the necessary effort. By accommodating foreign language customers, you can expand your business and make your existing customers feel truly appreciated.

The statistics back this up too. According to the CSA, 76% of customers prefer purchasing products with information in their own language. Furthermore, their research shows that 75% of respondents are more likely to buy from the same brand again if customer care is provided in their language. Clearly, catering to your customers’ language preferences can significantly enhance their experience and boost your business.

Who is it right for?

If your company has relied on Machine Translation in the past, investing in a translation audit can be incredibly beneficial. It’s a smart move to ensure your website meets the highest standards of accuracy and quality. With a thorough review by native linguists, you can identify and fix any issues, making sure your content truly resonates with your audience and reflects your brand’s professionalism.

Our audits can also help you check if your previous translations are up to scratch. Even if they were completed by a professional linguist! This can ensure that your translations are accurate and up to date – after all, translators are only human!

How does a translation audit work?

There are 3 main steps to a Translation Audit

1. Initial Review: Once you choose your audit plan, you’ll provide us with the specific pages you want reviewed—whether it’s top-level web pages or more detailed content. We then distribute these to our team of native linguists who assess the quality and accuracy of your texts.

2. Checks by Native Linguists: Our skilled native linguists thoroughly check your content, proving detailed analysis and insight into improvements they suggest. This ensures that every nuance and detail is spot on.

3. Feedback and Refinement:
If No Errors are Found: If everything is perfect and no changes are needed, great! Your text stays as it is, and you can be confident that it’s performing well.
If Changes are Required: If there are any issues, we’ll work with you to refine and correct your texts, making sure your publications are polished and effective.

Investing in a translation audit guarantees that your content is of the highest quality, significantly enhancing your credibility and strengthening your connection with your audience. By ensuring your texts are accurate, fluent, and culturally appropriate, you demonstrate a commitment to excellence that resonates with customers and sets your brand apart.

If you think a Translation Audit might be the best next step in developing your website, contact us for a quote today!

Machine Translation – What’s the Fuss About?

As you may have seen online, or on some of our other blog posts, people like to talk about how machine translation (MT) will never live up to human translation. But with the cost of human translation being so much higher, is it worth the investment?

Context is King

One of the biggest reasons to choose human translators is that they can interpret context in translations far better than machines. But just how important is context in translation?

If you imagine that one day you turned on the television to watch a crime documentary. But then realised that it was written in the tone and style of Peppa Pig – suited for young children. You would probably be very confused (and probably also a little bit amused).

This is where MT often makes errors: it doesn’t know the context that the translated text will be used in. It simply sees the words, and connects them with the correlating, often dictionary, term in the new language.

Another good example of this comes from the German language. Das Haus is used to mean both home and house in German. But to an English speaker, these are not often interchangeable terms. A human translator would have the ability to read into the context clues in the text and decide which term to use based on the way that the writing was being used. After all, in English we wouldn’t say “I’m going house.”

Knowing Your Audience

Going back to Peppa Pig for a moment – did you know that the episodes even have to be localised between different English-speaking countries? Some episodes have been removed from Australian television after problems were noticed. In this case, season 4, episode 22, “Spider’s Web,” was removed from Australian TV for depicting spiders as harmless and friendly. This is the truth in the UK – in Australia? Not so much!

A translator adapts texts or programmes for their audience, using their insight and knowledge. You have to know your audience to produce a successful translation.

Often, Machine Translation can’t do this – you can’t tell it who will be looking at the end-product. A human, however, can translate with this in mind.

So is Machine Translation Ever Useful?

Machine Translation does have a time and a place. For example, in translating a company’s internal documents where the aim of the translation is to convey the gist of the message, rather than the nuances.

Choosing the best approach for your business needs ultimately comes down to what the purpose of the translation is and the budget available. Contact us for advice and answers to your translation request queries!

Colours in Translation

As we’ve talked about on other posts, having a native linguist translate your texts is crucial to an accurate and fluent end product. However, this need for a native speaker may extend further than you expected. Have you ever considered the complexity of colours in translation?

ROYGBIV?

This is probably the rainbow as you know it: Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo and Violet. But not everyone across the globe divides the colour spectrum up in the same way!
For example, in Russian these two are considered to be distinct colours:

You might be thinking: of course they are! One’s light blue and one’s dark blue! But in the Russian language, they have entirely different names! “голубой” (goluboy) to describe light blue and “синий” (siniy) for dark blue. This might seem simple enough, but if you were given a colour spectrum like the one below, would you know where to draw the line?

In situations like this you need a native speaker who does know how to tackle such challenges! Colour naming language is something that will happen more naturally for someone that is raised in the corresponding language.

Surely everyone sees the rainbow the same?

Some languages and cultures don’t have specific terms for what we would deem the ‘basic’ colours. Instead the language of the Himba people in Namibia focuses on the light and dark of colours, categorising them into four groups:

Zuzu: dark shades of blue, red, green and purples

Vapa: white, yellows

Buru: shades of green and blue

Dambu: other shades of red, green and brown.

This isn’t a one off either – the Hanunoo people of the Philippines also group their colours into entirely different categories. Their colour spectrum focuses on light vs. dark, dry vs. wet/fresh and strong vs. weak!

Colour and Symbolism

Beyond colour naming, colours often carry cultural significance. For example, in many Western cultures, the colour white is associated with purity, and by extension, weddings. Whereas in some Eastern cultures, such as in China, white symbolises mourning and death. The cultural significance of these colours is something that may be missed in a text translation by someone who doesn’t know that they can carry different meanings across the globe.

This is one example why a translator who knows the ins and outs of both the source and target language cultures is vital. A translator needs to know their audience to convey the message fully and accurately for them.

We’ve discussed the need for a native translator many times on our blog. Why not read this blog about the need for native linguists in translation?

The Booker Prize Shortlist 2024

The Booker Prize is a literary award scheme which started in 1969. Originally, the Prize was a way to highlight Commonwealth writers, but now spans literature from across the globe. The Booker Prize winner earns the winning author a sum of £50,000. Winning books, according to the Booker Website, will “not only speak to our current times, but also one that will endure and join the pantheon of great literature.”

The Shortlist was announced earlier this week and the winner will be announced on 21^st May.

Now, let’s take a look at the nominees! (Synopses taken from the Booker Prize Website).

Mater 2-10

This book is by South Korean author, Hwang Sok-yong and translated by Sora Kim-Russell. According to the Booker website, Hwang Sok-yong is one of South Korea’s most revered authors and “was imprisoned for five years for travelling to North Korea to promote exchange between artists in the two Koreas.” He has been the recipient and nominee of several international book prizes.

An epic, multi-generational tale that threads together a century of Korean history. Centred on three generations of a family of rail workers and a laid-off factory employee staging a high-altitude sit-in, Mater 2-10 vividly depicts the lives of ordinary working Koreans, starting from the Japanese colonial era, continuing through Liberation, and right up to the twenty-first century.

Crooked Plow

From Salvador, Brazil, the author Itamar Vieira Junior’s book, translated by Johnny Lorenz, tells the tale of the lives of farmers from one of the poorest areas of Brazil. Vieira Juniro holds a doctorate in Ethnic and African Studies and has previously published a series of short stories.

Deep in Brazil’s neglected Bahia hinterland, two sisters find an ancient knife beneath their grandmother’s bed and, momentarily mystified by its power, decide to taste its metal. The shuddering violence that follows marks their lives and binds them together forever.

Not a River

This Argentinian book is by Selva Almada, known as a powerful voice within Latin American and Argentinian literature. Annie McDermott translated this book from Spanish. Not a River is a powerful novel that poetically portrays the characters and their surroundings well. We’ll certainly be giving this book a read!

Three men go out fishing, returning to a favourite spot on a river in Argentina, despite their memories of a terrible accident there years earlier. As a long, sultry day passes, they drink and cook and talk and dance, and try to overcome the ghosts of their past. But they are outsiders, and this intimate, peculiar moment also puts them at odds with the inhabitants of this watery universe, both human and otherwise. The forest presses close, and violence seems inevitable, but can another tragedy be avoided?

Kairos

We now head over to Germany, thanks to the well-known author Jenny Erpenbeck. She is the author of many successful books. This book in particular was translated by Michael Hoffman. Kairos is a love-story that pulls between pain and pleasure! This sounds like a real page turner!

Berlin. 11 July 1986. They meet by chance on a bus. She is a young student, he is older and married. Theirs is an intense and sudden attraction, fuelled by a shared passion for music and art, and heightened by the secrecy they must maintain. But when she strays for a single night he cannot forgive her and a dangerous crack forms between them, opening up a space for cruelty, punishment and the exertion of power. An intimate and devastating story of the path of two lovers through the ruins of a relationship, set against the backdrop of a seismic period in European history.

What I’d Rather Not Think About

By Dutch author Jente Posthuma, and translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey, What I’d Rather Not Think About tells the story of a pair of twins intertwined in an emotional struggle. This is not her first successful novel. Her 2016 debut novel received critical acclaim and three literary prize nominations.

What if one half of a pair of twins no longer wants to live? What if the other can’t live without them? This question lies at the heart of Jente Posthuma’s deceptively simple What I’d Rather Not Think About. The narrator is a twin whose brother has recently taken his own life. She looks back on their childhood, and tells of their adult lives: how her brother tried to find happiness, but lost himself in various men and the Bhagwan movement, though never completely.

The Details

The next book on the Longlist is The Details by la Genberg. This Swedish book, translated by Kira Josefsson, is the author’s first book to be translated into English. The book is relatively short at 150 pages but has been described as like reading ‘a fever dream’. From the synopsis alone, this is certainly going onto our to read list!

A famous broadcaster writes a forgotten love letter; a friend abruptly disappears; a lover leaves something unexpected behind; a traumatised woman is consumed by her own anxiety. In the throes of a high fever, a woman lies bedridden.

Suddenly, she is struck with an urge to revisit a particular novel from her past. Inside the book is an inscription: a message from an ex-girlfriend. Pages from her past begin to flip, full of things she cannot forget and people who cannot be forgotten. Johanna, that same ex-girlfriend, now a famous TV host. Niki, the friend who disappeared all those years ago. Alejandro, who appears like a storm in precisely the right moment. And Birgitte, whose elusive qualities shield a painful secret. Who is the real subject of a portrait, the person being painted or the one holding the brush?

Even though these next entries didn’t quite make the shortlist, we’re really excited to check them out!

Simpatía – by Rodrigo Blanco Calderón and translated by Noel Hernández González and Daniel Hahn

White Nights – by Urszula Honek and translated by Kate Webster

The House on Via Gemito – by Domenico Starnone and translated by Oonagh Stransky

Lost On Me – by Veronica Raimo and translated by Leah Janeczko

A Dictator Calls – by Ismail Kadare and translated by John Hodgson

The Silver Bone – by Andrey Kurkov and translated by Boris Dralyuk

Undiscovered – by Gabriela Wiener and translated by Julia Sanches

Here at Web-Translations, we would like to congratulate all long- and shortlisted nominees and wish the authors luck in the final stage of the awards!

We’d love to hear which of the nominees have caught your eye! Let us know your favourite picks on Twitter and LinkedIn! Don’t forget to check out some of our other literature in translation blog posts as well!

Stress Awareness Month: Learning To Live With Stress

Stress is something that all of us experience. Sometimes it can be caused by a major change at work or an ill relative. Other times it can just stem from something as simple as a cluttered house or noisy neighbours! However, learning to live with and manage stress is not so simple. It’s an ever-changing learning curve, but here are some useful tips and practices to help make things that little bit easier!

Making It Make Sense

It’s very easy for stress to take over everything. Often being caused by anxiety, it won’t magically disappear, but it can be managed. The first step to making sense of stress is understanding what it is, and what is causing it at that time. Being able to rationalise it will help massively. This can help you learn to make sense of it. X is causing you stress, so you can do Y and Z to reduce your stress levels. With this in mind, it’s still important to allow yourself to feel. It will allow you to get it out of your system, and it’s much better than bottling it up.

Confiding in someone you trust will also help you manage your stress. An outside perspective can help you make sense of things, and you’ll often feel a weight lifted off your mind afterwards. Since the cost of living crisis, it’s much more acceptable to discuss financial worries than before. I’ve found talking to someone about it to be really helpful in managing financial stress. Even though it won’t magically fix everything, a second perspective can help you make sense of things.

Find a Routine

Creating a sense of structure can be really helpful in isolating and containing the stresses of the day. Small morning and evening routines act as book-ends which stop stress carrying over to the next day. Keeping the day’s stress contained makes it easier to manage, and prevents it from snowballing and overwhelming you.

Having a routine on both sides of your day will help you think of them as reset buttons. For example, making a coffee in the morning to start, and having a cup of tea and a snack when you finish for the day to end the shift. Personally, I find this close down routine really helps me deal with stress, especially if my workspace is messy.

Doing a close and reset as part of a routine is great for peace of mind. You’ll also have less worry about the next day, so you can to start with a clean slate.

If you work from home, having your break completely detached from your workspace is incredibly helpful in cementing the bookend idea to your routine. Leaving your desk or office for the full duration of your break allows you to properly relax. Before coming back, making yourself a drink can help get you back into work mode as well.

Be Kind to Yourself

Hobbies are a great example of distractions you can find to take your mind off things, especially if you’ve had a stressful day. A tried and tested method is reading. It’s a fantastic way of helping you relax, and it gives you something to focus on, so you can put the stresses of the day out of your mind. Using hobbies to treat yourself is another good practice. You can do something you enjoy, and in a way, it’s a reward to yourself for getting through the day.

I find painting models a fantastic stress relief. I started after a friend recommended it. This allows me to be more mindful by focusing entirely on my painting. Granted, it can be fiddly, but the rewarding feeling once I’ve finished is more than worth it!

Going outside for exercise, or even just to be in nature is proven to help relieve stress. Even for just 15 minutes a day, this can really help improve mental health. It is, unfortunately, weather-dependant, particularly in the UK, but being able to leave the house and just be in nature really can be revolutionary.

If a friend or family member’s situation is worrying you, you can meet up with them and go for a walk in a local park. Seeing them will put your mind at ease. You can both help each other, and you’ll both be able to enjoy the benefits of being outside. Also pairing it with a task that requires you to leave the house is also helpful to tick something off your list. If I have to return a parcel, I’ll often go on my lunch break, as the fresh air and exercise are great for breaking up the day and resetting myself for the afternoon.

Don’t Be Scared of Help

It’s important to remember that when it comes to stress, don’t keep trying to push through it. If help is available to you, make the most of it!

You shouldn’t be scared or worried about asking someone for help – they will almost always say yes. You will realise that you’re not alone, and it will help you feel less overwhelmed. It will feel scary at the time, but you’ll soon find out that you it’s not as bad as you thought.

Living with stress isn’t easy. Some days are much harder than others, but it isn’t the end of the world even if it feels that way. Friends, family, and even your employer can offer advice and resources to help when things are getting too much. Just remember that help is there for you, so don’t be afraid to ask for it.

What helped you learn to live with stress? We’d love to hear if you have any tips! Get in touch with us on our Twitter or LinkedIn pages and let us know! You can also check out our previous mental health blogs here!

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