Translation_Tips – Page 2 – Dragoman Transcreation

Avoiding Long Sentences

Posted on April 12, 2020May 3, 2020 Sentences

Writing long sentences will alienate your readers and would even cost you your customers. Try to shorten your sentences whenever possible: Long: The company will invest $2billion in a new semi-conductor manufacturing plant in San Jose, California, which will have living quarters for engineers, a school, a swimming pool and a recreation center. Better: The company will invest $2billion in a new semi-conductor manufacturing plant in San Jose, California. The plant will have living quarters for engineers, […]

Remote simultaneous interpreting on Zoom video meetings and webinars

Posted on April 12, 2020September 16, 2020 conference interpreting

Dragoman is a leading interpreting agency for Zoom meetings and webinars of any size and for any language combination. Our office can provide you with some of the very best conference interpreters from dozens of countries and in over 100 languages. We constantly test and vet our resources not only for their experience and interpreting skills, but also for their online-readiness. It is critical that interpreters work on decent computers, use broadband internet and high-quality headsets. Zoom has become an […]

as – Misused Words

Posted on December 21, 2019December 19, 2019 Translation_Tips

This article series aims to eliminate usage errors and help non-native speakers to write clearly and fluently. We suggest that you always do proper research and use style guides effectively. For anything you are not sure of, feel free to ask us. Misused word as Alternatives because Explanation “As” is sometimes used to mean “because.” But do not use it if there is any chance of ambiguity. In the example below, “as” could mean “because” or “when.” Example Avoid “We […]

while – Misused Words

Posted on December 20, 2019December 11, 2019 Translation_Tips

since – Misused Words

Posted on December 20, 2019December 11, 2019 Translation_Tips

actual – Misused Words

Posted on December 20, 2019December 19, 2019 Translation_Tips

This article series aims to eliminate usage errors and help non-native speakers to write clearly and fluently. We suggest that you always do proper research and use style guides effectively. For anything you are not sure of, feel free to ask us. Misused word actual Alternatives current, present. Explanation “Actual” is sometimes used to refer to something that is happening now. However, in English it means “real” or “existing”. Example Avoid “This appropriation is intended to cover basic salaries of […]

to blaze a (new) trail

Posted on December 19, 2019December 11, 2019 Translation_Tips

Are you as old as I am and therefore able to name the NBA team the legendary basketball player Clyde Drexler is most commonly associated with? If you are getting somewhat on in years and you also follow NBA basketball, then you would answer: Portland Trail Blazers. What I will focus on throughout the rest of my entry is the verb “to blaze a (new) trail.” If you set an example by being the first to do something, you blaze […]

deepen – Misused Words

Posted on December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 Translation_Tips

This article series aims to eliminate usage errors and help non-native speakers to write clearly and fluently. We suggest that you always do proper research and use style guides effectively. For anything you are not sure of, feel free to ask us. Misused word deepen Alternatives improve, increase, bolster, boost, develop. Explanation “Deepen” is a difficult word to use correctly. In addition to its literal meaning (e.g., deepen a well), it can also be used figuratively to mean “to increase,” […]

to empower

Posted on December 18, 2019December 11, 2019 Translation_Tips

to empower If you empower someone, you give that person authority or power to do something (The Oxford English Dictionary). Here is an example sentence: The prime minister said, “We have to give more power to women to create a more equitable society.” The prime minister said, “We need to empower women to create a more equitable society.” Which sentence would you and, most importantly, your reader prefer? You’ve guessed it right if you have chosen the second one. Why […]

aim (with the aim to) – Misused Words

Posted on December 17, 2019December 19, 2019 Translation_Tips

This article series aims to eliminate usage errors and help non-native speakers to write clearly and fluently. We suggest that you always do proper research and use style guides effectively. For anything you are not sure of, feel free to ask us. Misused word: aim (with the aim to) Alternatives with the aim of (doing something), with a view to (doing something, not do something). Explanation This expression actually takes of + the gerund. Example Avoid “List of specific recommendations […]