The Language Blog

Published On - December 29, 2008

Malaysians Debate Language

Malaysian politicians, schools, activists and parents have been engaged in a furious debate over what language to use for instructing the nation’s schoolchildren in math and science. Now, MSNBC reports that negotiations between the different camps have reached a standstill. The issue is emotio...

Published On - December 19, 2008

Alicja Brady Language Blog, Machine TranslationTags: Arabic, Hebrew

Online Social Site Offers Machine Translation

One of the earliest Utopian promises of the Internet was that it would connect the world and give different cultures a greater understanding of each other. Imagine if you could sit at a coffee shop and talk to people from across the world, and hear what they have to say. In theory, at least, everyon...

Published On - December 12, 2008

Alicja Brady Language Blog

Don’t Jump…. Get yourself a donkey!

Translating documents is not an easy business, a word can mean one thing in one language but something different in another if translated literally. When translating important life saving information leaflets it is essential to proofread the text to make sure it reads correctly and fluently....

Published On - December 12, 2008

Alicja Brady Language BlogTags: German

Germany Seeks to Enshrine the German Language

What could be more German than the German language? At least, that’s the question being asked by members of the German Christian Democrat political party, which is seeking to change the German Constitution to include the following 6 words: “The language of the Federal Republic of Germany...

Published On - December 10, 2008

Alicja Brady Language BlogTags: Conference

The whole world speaks Engrish

At a conference in Germany last week I was talking to a Japanese guy who worked for a manufacturer of medical equipment… This is how the conversation went....

Published On - December 8, 2008

Alicja Brady Christmas, Language BlogTags: Translation

Free Translation of Merry Christmas

Every year we get asked to supply the translation for 'Merry Christmas' (people like to put it in their xmas cards). To make 2008 a truly multilingual festive season we have included the most popular languages in this post....

In a Global World, Localization Still Matters

Published On - December 5, 2008

Alicja Brady Language Blog, Software Localisation

In a Global World, Localization Still Matters

English is the most widely taught second language around the world. However, new research from Common Sense Advisory has confirmed that even when people are confident speaking English as a second language, they feel more comfortable buying products with labels and instructions in their own language...

Published On - December 1, 2008

Alicja Brady Language Blog

Saving India’s Traditional Languages

India is a large country that contains an incredible amount of cultural diversity. As the country continues its growth into a major economic power, the modern world has begun to creep into its small, traditional villages....

Published On - November 21, 2008

Alicja Brady Culture, Language BlogTags: Language

Small Talk- More than Just Monkey Business

For most primates, grooming is the number-one social behaviour. We’ve all seen nature shows on TV that show a band of chimps combing through one another’s other’s fur. However, among humans, picking fleas off your neighbour’s scalp is generally considered anti-social behaviour. Instead, we b...

Published On - November 14, 2008

Alicja Brady Language Blog

Chicago Red Jackets

The Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday that 29 “airport customer service representatives” may lose their jobs as part of the City of Chicago’s effort to reduce its spending....