aLanguageBank NYC

OPI linguists needed!

We're expanding the search to other languages! (asterisk* = priority)
Akan, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Burmese, Cantonese, Creole/Haitian Creole*, Farsi-Afghani/Dari, Farsi-Iranian, Foo, Chow, French, Georgian, Gujarati, Hindi, Hmong, Hungarian, Indonesia/Bahasa, Konjobal, Korean, Kurdish, Lingala, Mam, Mandarin*, Nepali, Pashto/Pushtu, Portuguese, Punjabi, Quiche/K'iche, Romanian, Russian*, Serbian, Sinhalese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Vietnamese

Even if your language is not listed above, please feel free to send in your information if you meet the other requirements listed in the flyer here: https://bit.ly/44D389L

***Due to the volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to eligible applicants who send their information to the designated [email protected] address. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Do you want to help asylum-seekers?
Are you a native Spanish-speaker with a strong command of English?
Then please download our flyer at the link below for more information:

https://bit.ly/3oapHTw

If you think you'd be a good fit, please contact us at [email protected].

Please share with your friends and network!

Recruitment Outreach

Over-the-phone interpreters urgently needed!
Please click the link for more information.
https://conta.cc/3LYnhPL

Recruitment Outreach Over-the-phone interpreters wanted   RECRUITING FOR OVER-THE-PHONE INTERPRETATION (OPI) We are currently seeking qualified Over-the-Phone Interpreters for all languages, but especially: Spanish (highe

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!
https://conta.cc/3Gf0GwI

Happy Holidays!     Before the new year turns 2022 into a distant memory, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together, as a team and as a community, in the past 12 months. With aLB’s miss

aLanguageBank is ISO 17100 Certified!

We got another Certification!
https://conta.cc/3OUhGLq

aLanguageBank is ISO 17100 Certified! We Are ISO 17100:2015 Certified! After landing ISO 9001:2015 certification, aLB is excited to announce that we have successfully obtained ISO 17100:2015 certification! The ISO 17100:2015 is an interna

Translation or ? We're here to help you sort it out. 🙃😊✨

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/choose-your-words-wisely-translation-transcreation-alanguagebank/?trackingId=EXvEfiLOTROi1Z11WHdhAw%3D%3D

Small error in Arabic ballots points to bigger voting issues

Equitable language access is defined by ongoing diligence and oversight, not political gesture.

Small error in Arabic ballots points to bigger voting issues Ballots in Dearborn, Mich., had an error, the city announced, a spotlight on challenges that can come with providing voting access for non-English speakers.

aLanguageBank on LinkedIn: Here's what we mean when we talk about translating culture.

Here's what we mean when we talk about translating culture...

aLanguageBank on LinkedIn: Here's what we mean when we talk about translating culture. How do you sign for non hearing music lovers?...

It’s time for , you say? Music to our ears. 🎶 Take a minute to appreciate the thought that went into this joyful nonsense - 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢.⁣
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Aaaand for an extra tasty dose of language intrigue, go peek at our latest post on LinkedIn! 😋 ⁣
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Catch you next week for more goodies…

Like the sight of a lighthouse to a wandering ship, let these language memes be your beacon.

Granta names world’s best young Spanish-language writers

25 Spanish-language writers under 35

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we would like to recognize the work of 25 up-and-coming Hispanic writers under the age of 35. Eleven years after the first edition was published, Granta’s latest edition of “The Best of Young Spanish-language Novelists” features Cuban authors for the first time and a greater ratio of women to men than in the earlier version. Valerie Miles, who co-founded Granta’s Spanish-language program and served as editor for the collection, cites an increase in digital access to smaller, independent publishing houses among the reasons for the greater diversity in the second edition.

Narrowed down from 200 submissions to just 25, selections range from “a mystical murder story set to the rhythms of Inca ritual dancing” to “a psychedelic musing in exile in outer space” (Jones), the list includes writers from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Uruguay. What Miles herself calls “an extremely diverse list”, appropriately comprises Hispanic cultural themes as well as Hispanic literature (Jones).

For the full list of writers and more information, check out the link here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/apr/07/granta-names-world-best-young-spanish-language-writers

Granta names world’s best young Spanish-language writers List celebrating authors under-35 includes Cubans for first time and more authors of colour

A Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2022 - The White House

September is National Hispanic Heritage Month. As an organization that is built upon diversity, aLB recognizes the value and necessity of embracing other cultures. To learn more, check out this statement from the White House below:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/09/14/a-proclamation-on-national-hispanic-heritage-month-2022/

A Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2022 - The White House           Hispanic heritage holds an indelible place in the heart and soul of our Nation, and National Hispanic

What’s in a (Brand) Name? 
 
1. (U.S) Dove -> (U.K) Galaxy 
2. (U.S) Lay’s -> (U.K) Walkers 
3. (U.S) Budweiser -> (EU) Bud 
4. (U.S) Burger King -> (AU) Hungry Jacks 
5. (U.S) Smarties -> (CA) Rockets 
 
Though it might be counterintuitive, it is not uncommon to see a well-known brands using an “alias” in a different locale. This is often due to companies buying up other companies as a strategy to retain customer loyalty as brands are merged. When Dove's parent company Mars acquired the Galaxy brand in 1986, they chose to retain Galaxy’s well-known name and just slightly alter its packaging so as to hold onto its devout customer base. A similar instance occurred when PepsiCo, parent company of the well-known potato chip brand Lay’s, acquired the U.K.-based snack company Walkers in 1989. Walkers had already been a long-time favorite among crisp lovers locally, so PepsiCo decided that it made good business sense to keep the Walkers name and re-tailor the logo with the look and feel of Lay's.  
 
Along with brand recognition, a company’s marketing team may rename their products to appeal to different markets, avoid conflicts, and even prevent awkward language mix-ups. 
 
Click the link below see what other U.S. brands might be called in your country and around the world! 

https://lnkd.in/eJwibVyQ

What’s in a (Brand) Name?

1. (U.S) Dove -> (U.K) Galaxy
2. (U.S) Lay’s -> (U.K) Walkers
3. (U.S) Budweiser -> (EU) Bud
4. (U.S) Burger King -> (AU) Hungry Jacks
5. (U.S) Smarties -> (CA) Rockets

Though it might be counterintuitive, it is not uncommon to see a well-known brands using an “alias” in a different locale. This is often due to companies buying up other companies as a strategy to retain customer loyalty as brands are merged. When Dove's parent company Mars acquired the Galaxy brand in 1986, they chose to retain Galaxy’s well-known name and just slightly alter its packaging so as to hold onto its devout customer base. A similar instance occurred when PepsiCo, parent company of the well-known potato chip brand Lay’s, acquired the U.K.-based snack company Walkers in 1989. Walkers had already been a long-time favorite among crisp lovers locally, so PepsiCo decided that it made good business sense to keep the Walkers name and re-tailor the logo with the look and feel of Lay's.

Along with brand recognition, a company’s marketing team may rename their products to appeal to different markets, avoid conflicts, and even prevent awkward language mix-ups.

Click the link below see what other U.S. brands might be called in your country and around the world!

https://bestlifeonline.com/brands-different-names-abroad/

Es viernes!!! Enjoy the gorgeous weather and see you next week!

Es viernes!!! Enjoy the gorgeous weather, see ya next week!

Happy Friday everyone! In the spirit of Gunnen, we hope today’s content brings you some happiness ☺️

We hope everyone is having a great -- and, as we just learned from one of our colleagues, National Dog Day! In English, there's a common saying: "Two wrongs don't make a right." In this case, two cats don't make a dog! 😄We hope you enjoy this (mostly) cat-themed language content and have a meowvelous weekend as always. Catch you next week!

Is it possible to wake up speaking another language?

Imagine waking up one morning and suddenly having the ability to speak a new language! It sounds too good to be true, right? In a podcast interview with the BBC, Ben McMahon from Melbourne, Australia, recounts how he began his career in Chinese reality TV after waking up from a coma speaking Mandarin. While in the early stages of recovery from head trauma inflicted during a car accident, he was dismayed to find that he was unable to communicate in English, his native language; even more bewildering, he found that he was able to communicate in Mandarin, a language he’d briefly studied in high school. McMahon eventually regained his English, but stayed strong with Mandarin, which eventually help him land a spot on a popular Chinese dating show. Since then, he continues to create content on YouTube that revolves around Chinese and Australian culture. Pretty wild, huh?

Check out the podcast of his interview with the BBC to find out more!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct41ds

Freelance Job Opportunity: Seasoned Transcriptionists Apply Here!

aLanguageBank is currently looking to hire experienced, US-based English transcriptionists! If this is you, please scan the QR code above, submit your application along with the requested documents, and someone will be in touch shortly

aLB is on the hunt for seasoned, meticulous transcriptionists of content in English and other languages!

If interested, please reach out with your current resume and responses to the questions below:

Please describe your transcription experience. (How many years, what kind of content, etc.)
What is your standard turnaround for a 20-minute English-only audio file with 2 speakers (assuming decent audio quality)?
How are you with accents? (Please explain.)
Would this be a part-time situation for you, or are you a full-time contract transcriptionist?
What languages do you work in, other than English? If applicable, please share your standard rates (for transcription/translation, translation only, editing, etc.)

PLEASE NOTE: Legal US work status is required, and citizenship may also be required on a project-to-project basis.

We look forward to hearing from you!

https://lnkd.in/eb8_qNDQ

Happy Friday to all our fellow language lovers! Just like clockwork⏰ it’s time for your weekly dose of content. And please spread the joy by sharing our page with your friends and family!

Freelance Job Opportunity: Seasoned Transcriptionists Apply Here!

aLanguageBank is currently looking to hire experienced, US-based English transcriptionists! If this is you, please scan the QR code above, submit your application along with the requested documents, and someone will be in touch shortly!

Why Should You Learn a New Language?

Learning a new language can offer many personal benefits, such as improving your cognitive ability or even opening new doors in your career. But one of the most rewarding aspects of learning a new language is that it exposes us to other cultures. From the way people joke and laugh, to the way they express gratitude and love, language is a gateway to understanding different cultures and the people within them. Perhaps learning a new language will motivate you to travel to other countries, try their cuisine, or dive into their arts and history - the possibilities are endless!

So, what language do you want to learn? Comment below!

Why Should You Learn a New Language? 

Learning a new language can offer many personal benefits, such as improving your cognitive ability or even opening new doors in your career. But one of the most rewarding aspects of learning a new language is that it exposes us to other cultures. From the way people joke and laugh, to the way they express gratitude and love, language is a gateway to understanding different cultures and the people within them. Perhaps learning a new language will motivate you to travel to other countries, try their cuisine, or dive into their arts and history - the possibilities are endless! 

So, what language do you want to learn? Comment below!

Fun Fact: Did you know today is National Gooey Butter Cake Day 😆 Its also , which is probably a good sign as any to eat some delicious cake while enjoying this weeks content. We hope you enjoy!!

In case you haven’t had your dose of laughter yet, here’s this week's post! Hope everyone is keeping it cool, this summer 😎

How can language access improve patient care?

Regardless of English proficiency, patients ought to have access to proper medical care and treatment Unfortunately, that is frequently not the case; there are many factors that affect the quality of communication in a healthcare setting, which can make all the difference when it comes to patient care and medical outcomes. Here are some of the most common pitfalls medical professionals must avoid in order to “Do no harm” while treating limited English proficient (LEP) patients:

1. Relying on untrained bilingual speakers, such as the patient’s friends or family members: Professional interpreters are experts in the industry and trained to deal with many scenarios involving LEP patients. In addition to the sensitive nature of healthcare matters, friends or family members are usually not the best option, as they may not be medically trained or experienced, which can lead not only to emotional distress for the supporting loved one but also to communication errors that may adversely affect the patient’s care or treatment – a responsibility that no one except a medical professional should bear

Key takeaway: Working with a trained medical interpreter will help to avoid tragic mishaps resulting from poor communication.

2. Attempting to use novice language skills or Google translate to “get by” rather than ensuring full comprehension of their patient’s needs: Using minimal language skills or relying on machine translation is unprofessional and dangerous when it concerns a patient’s medical care.

Key takeaway: Working with a trained medical interpreter will ensure that they have the necessary knowledge of medical terminology as well as a neutral relationship with the patient.

3. Attempting patient care without awareness of their patient’s cultural beliefs and traditions around health care and medicine: Values and beliefs vary when it comes to medical treatment and understanding them is ultimately critical to determining the best option for the patient.

Key takeaway: Working with a trained medical interpreter will help ensure that the patient’s beliefs are recognized and considered in the development of their treatment plan.

The bottom line: Commitment to “doing no harm” means leveraging the appropriate resources, including working with trained medical interpreters, to ensure proper patient care.

Happy everyone😄 Here are our top picks for this week, we hope you enjoy!

What Could Be Lost in Translation?

As we mentioned in our previous post on Coca-Cola, localization is a crucial part of any growing business. There was a time when Mercedes-Benz, one of the largest automakers in the world, was eager to win over the Chinese market. The luxury car company wanted to make their brand stand out from the crowd, so they shortened their name to fit in with the Chinese dialect… Or so they thought.

In the end, they settled on the name “Bensi” which felt close enough to their full name while being short, catchy, and easy to remember. They were right, but not in the way they had hoped.

In Chinese, the word “Bensi” means “rush to die”. Not exactly the message you want to send when you’re trying to sell luxury priced automobiles. This resulted in a halt of sales in the Chinese market and forced Mercedes-Benz to rebrand themselves as “Benchi”, which translates to “running as fast as flying”. Their sales soon picked back up, with some customers having a laugh over the situation and others left unimpressed with their localization efforts.

This shows that any branded content can be affected by the smallest translation errors. Furthermore, these marketing translation errors can have disastrous consequences on brand sales, or worse, a company’s brand image. Companies must keep in mind not only translation, but transcreation, in order to preserve the original intent, context, emotion, and tone. There’s nothing wrong with a good laugh, but business is business, and its efficiency depends on due research and a professional approach to the localization process.

Stay tuned and be ready for our next post on localization!

What Could Be Lost in Translation? 
 
As we mentioned in our previous post on Coca-Cola, localization is a crucial part of any growing business. There was a time when Mercedes-Benz, one of the largest automakers in the world, was eager to win over the Chinese market. The luxury car company wanted to make their brand stand out from the crowd, so they shortened their name to fit in with the Chinese dialect… Or so they thought. 
 
In the end, they settled on the name “Bensi” which felt close enough to their full name while being short, catchy, and easy to remember. They were right, but not in the way they had hoped.  
 
In Chinese, the word “Bensi” means “rush to die”. Not exactly the message you want to send when you’re trying to sell luxury priced automobiles. This resulted in a halt of sales in the Chinese market and forced Mercedes-Benz to rebrand themselves as “Benchi”, which translates to “running as fast as flying”. Their sales soon picked back up, with some customers having a laugh over the situation and others left unimpressed with their localization efforts.  
 
This shows that any branded content can be affected by the smallest translation errors. Furthermore, these marketing translation errors can have disastrous consequences on brand sales, or worse, a company’s brand image. Companies must keep in mind not only translation, but transcreation, in order to preserve the original intent, context, emotion, and tone. There’s nothing wrong with a good laugh, but business is business, and its efficiency depends on due research and a professional approach to the localization process. 
 
Stay tuned and be ready for our next post on localization!