December 2009

Thumbnail image for Translator Helps Deliver Baby

Translator Helps Deliver Baby

by Richard Brooks December 30, 2009 Interpreting

In Tucson, Arizona, a Language Line translator helped deliver a baby over the phone last weekend. The baby’s family all spoke Spanish, so when the father-to-be called 911 to report that his wife was about to give birth, the language barrier made an already nerve-wracking situation even more complicated.

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The Spanish-Language Rule Book Gets a Much-Needed Update

by Richard Brooks December 21, 2009 Languages

Spanish is spoken all over the world. It is the official national language in 21 countries, but in each of those countries, it sounds just a little bit different. For example, according to Wikipedia, in Spain, butter is called mantequilla. In Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, it is called manteca. Coche means car in Spain [...]

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Slades Seasonal Chart Topper Gets Translated Into Welsh

by Richard Brooks December 18, 2009 Translation

The BBC has reported that Slades Christmas hit ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ has been translated into Welsh. Nevarro, from Cardiff and Llanelli got permission to translate and perform the some from original 70’s rocker Noddy Holder. The cover of the 1973 number one will be played on music strand C2 on BBC radio Cymru on Christmas [...]

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Google Fined Over French Books

by Richard Brooks December 18, 2009 Publishing

According to the BBC a Paris court has fined Google 300,000 euros (£266,000) in damages and interest for copyright infringement of books owned by French publisher La Martiniere. La Martiniere was one of many publishers to take Google to court for digitising books without explicit permission. Google have also been told that they will have [...]

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Thumbnail image for Microblogging Service Plurk Attracts Asian Users

Microblogging Service Plurk Attracts Asian Users

by Richard Brooks December 14, 2009 Free Translation

When it comes to microblogging, Twitter is king. However, according to this article on PC World, its sovereignty is being threatened in several Asian countries by upstart microblogging service Plurk, which offers the support for local languages and alphabets that Twitter largely lacks.

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Cornell Develops Sign-Language Mobile Phones

by Richard Brooks December 7, 2009 Languages

These days, almost everyone has a mobile phone. But what about people who are deaf or hearing-impaired? Until now, deaf people have been able to able to use cell phones in a limited fashion, for texting only. Texting is a valuable communication option, and providers like T-Mobile have long offered “data-only” plans aimed at the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Microsoft to Translate Windows 7 into 10 African Languages

Microsoft to Translate Windows 7 into 10 African Languages

by Richard Brooks December 1, 2009 Localization

Microsoft has joined the cause of linguistic diversity. The software giant just announced that it will be releasing its new product, Windows 7, in 10 different African languages by 2011.

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