Students Of Success

Freelance translators make money obviously by selling their translation services for payment. However, one of the problems translators often face is how to continually find clients for their services.

Well, believe it or not, one of the ways you can increase your business as a freelance Spanish translator is to provide free Spanish translation online.

“What!”, you say. “If I offer free Spanish translation online, I won’t get paid and I won’t eat! How will that increase my business?” Well, at first, this seems counterintuitive. Providing free services costs you money as well as time that can be spent doing work that will bring in money for your wallet.

Well, let me take some time here to explain how taking some time out of your schedule doing paid translation work to provide free Spanish translation online can not only increase your business, but help you feel like your giving something back to the community.

First of all, freelance translators usually go through periods of “feast or famine” meaning that they don’t always have work. They might get a few jobs or a big job, finish it, and then have to wait a few days or weeks before another job comes in. Well, during this time, one of the things you can do as a translator is provide free Spanish translations online. By this I mean that there are a lot of organizations that do really great work and are often in need of translators to help them get their messages out to those who don’t speak English. These non-profit organizations, however, don’t often have the budget for this, so by providing your time and talents to help them out, you will be doing a great service.

So how can this help you increase business? Well, one of the best ways to get more business is word-of-mouth. By providing quality free Spanish translations to well-deserving organizations during your down time, you will advertise your business. While the person you translate for might not be a paying customer this time, if they are impressed with your work and your willingness to help them out, they will most likely tell others and pass your name around, which could very well lead to more paying work for you.

Another way you can help your business by providing free Spanish translation online is to ask for something such as a reciprocal link to your website from the non-profit organization’s website.

Giving back will not only help you feel good, but can also improve your business.

Without a doubt, words are the tools of your trade. Watching anglers on riverbanks, I liken entering competitions to fishing. You throw in bait for the fish and sooner or later you’ll hook one. Just like entering prize draws.

Post enough and sooner or later your entry will get picked. It’s the luck of the draw!

After a day’s fishing you may come back laden with small and medium size fish, perhaps one “whopper”, unless it was the one that got away!

Similarly, you win small prizes or the big fish - the car or holiday.

As many compers, as people who enter competitions are affectionately known, only enter prize draws to win the `whoppers’, there’s not so many entries for “tiddlers”, so there’s more chance of you netting these prize fish.

The serious angler doesn’t leave his hobby to chance. He carefully selects his bait. He studies the fishing ground and all other factors likely to enhance his chances of `landing the whopper’.

Even after careful planning he’s not going to hook every fish he goes after, but he has increased his chances of success.

You as a comper can be like our mythical angler. You prepare your bait, i.e. words to use in your slogans. You select your best fishing grounds, i.e. finding your entry forms, especially those elusive ones which may be hidden on tops of shelves, tucked in between display cabinets. Just because the entry forms aren’t displayed in prominent view with eye catching WIN to attract you, doesn’t mean to say there aren’t any competitions in that store.

You’ll find yourself becoming a `Sherlock Holmes’, tracking down the best competitions to enter and the thrill of the chase.

When our angler takes up his rod and settles down to a day’s fishing, or our “Sherlock’”comper sets out on an entry form safari, attitude is everything.

With a negative “the waters too high, temperatures wrong, won’t catch no fish today” or “expect I shan’t find any forms today”, “not in the mood to write tiebreaker slogans”, “I never win anyway”, one thing is certain. You’re right, you won’t!

Armed with a positive “What a wonderful hobby, I’ve won a first prize in a tiebreaker competition and I can do it again”, or a “I WILL win a car’”, one thing is certain. You will win. For you will put enthusiasm into your entries, spending time writing and perfecting - and eventually the prizes will come.

We often hear of people talk about “The Law of Averages”. Send in enough entries and sooner or later you win.

You may win one prize a month for a period, then not win anything for six months. Just when you wonder what you’re doing wrong, low and behold, three prizes arrive almost at once.

Following a lean spell, I won a five star health break, a holiday to Miami and a gleaming bright red car – all within ten days. On “average” the prizes even themselves out.

Interestingly then how many compers loose enthusiasm, feel defeated or just give up when they feel the postman has deserted them.

Take a tip. Enter every competition with enthusiasm. Give it your best shot. Post it. Forget about it. Move onto the next one and do the same. Do this and you increase your chances of success.

Must dash. Off to play the pools and reel in a few prizes!

Lynne Suzanne is a freelance writer and author of Win With Lynne Intaslogans, Pun-ch Lines! and Win Your Fortune in Prizes.
FREE Win With Lynne - How to Win guide.
http://www.win-with-lynne.co.uk

Why learn languages? Why would anyone want to learn someone else’s language? Obviously, there are a lot of reasons, and if the question is on your mind, then you probably have a desire or need to learn a language yourself. The answer is often different for people. Put 10 random people together who are learning another language and you will probably have 7 or 8 different reasons and 5 or 6 different languages. Every answer is valid. Every reason is the right reason for that person and every language is the right language. There is no wrong answer to the question ‘why learn a language?’ and there is no wrong language to learn.

The ability to learn another language is not limited by economic background, ethnic background, nationality, gender, race, religion, age or the grades you got (or are getting) in school. While everyone is different, and we all have differing abilities and strengths, we all have language ability to some degree. Maybe we all aren’t going to become great orators or novelists in another language, but we all have the ability to learn, and communicate in other languages.

There is no danger of learning ‘too much.’ You can’t fill up your head with too much language, and there’s no danger of you losing knowledge of the languages you already know. In fact, learning a foreign language (or more than one) improves memory, math skills, analytical skills, problem solving and increases critical thinking and creativity. Furthermore and most remarkably, learning a foreign language actually improves our reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English.

Languages don’t just pop up out of nowhere, they evolve from other languages and change over time. Many of the most widely spoken languages are related and share some vocabulary, and even if they aren’t, languages are always borrowing words from each other. English is full of words from many other
languages. Learning another language not only gives you new knowledge, but expands upon your existing knowledge of English and gives you a whole new way of understanding it. Furthermore, you begin to learn how to learn languages, making it easier to learn other languages and understand how language and
communication works in general. Other languages are not just a word for word translation of English, but an interpretation of events and opinions from a different point of view.

So, why learn languages? Ok, so there are some benefits. Can learning a language benefit everyone? In a word - Yes. I’m sure if you look around and evaluate your life you will see lots of opportunities to use different languages. We are all surrounded by people who use other languages, or opportunities we could
benefit from by using other languages. The possibilities are there if you look for them.

You may have relatives living in Japan, or you want to visit China. Perhaps you have a life-long desire to see Italy or you are planning a vacation in Argentina, or retirement in Costa Rica. All are valid reasons for learning a language. Learning for travel is one of the most common reasons to learn a language. There are more opportunities to travel today than there have ever been before, and they are likely to increase in the 21st century Global Village.

Many people learn a language to connect with their roots. You may still have relatives living in the ‘old country,’ or you may just want to define yourself a little bit. Learning the language of our ancestors can help bring us into better contact with ourselves and open up a whole new understanding of ourselves and how we got to be who and where we are.

Do you have a new addition to the family by marriage? Learning even a little of your new family members language can bring both families closer together. Or maybe you’re looking for love yourself. Think of the possibilities when you learn another language. The increase in possible social contacts is tremendous when you add a whole new way to communicate. That goes for love, friendship, travel or business.

Learning a language for business is a very common reason. The business opportunities that have arisen in the last few decades have made it almost imperative for a businessperson to have language skills. English may be spoken by many people and it is the language of the internet, but in order to really cultivate
business relationships and get ahead in the business world, language skills are a must. There are a wide variety of industries in which having language ability is a great advantage. It broadens our job skills and career options.

The reasons for students to learn languages are many, and not just because you need it to graduate or get a certain degree. Obviously, improving English skills and overall communication skills are both valuable to students. Improvement of memory, creativity, problem solving ability and analytical skills also are of significant importance to a student. Studies show that bilinguals routinely outperform monolinguals in all areas of testing. Scores for SATs and other tests are shown to be higher for foreign language students, and the longer the foreign language study the higher the average test scores. Having second language skills also makes a student more competitive in the job market.

Learning a language isn’t just learning some new grammar concepts, vocabulary and different sounds. It gives insights into other cultures. It creates a more positive attitude toward people who are culturally different and gives us a better understanding of what it’s like to be an immigrant. Accomplishing this life skill will give you increased prestige in your own culture and a markedly increased status in other cultures. It’s a required skill to become a World Citizen. Ultimately, learning other languages gives us a better
understanding of our own language and our own culture, and a new viewpoint to look at the world in which we live and define our place in it.

One of my favorite quotes about language by Ambrose Bierce :

Belladonna, n.: In Italian a beautiful lady; in English a deadly poison. A striking example of the essential identity of the two tongues.

It’s meant to be funny and it reminds us that languages really are different, but it makes me laugh every time I read it. This, to me, also reminds me why I like to learn languages. It’s fun! The inner workings of each language are full of little nuggets that are downright enjoyable to learn. So, why learn languages? Lots of the reasons above pertain to me, but my answer is much simpler - because I enjoy it.

Ron is a long-time language enthusiast, exploring Spanish, French, Swedish, Esperanto and others. Learn more about studying a language on your own at Language Learning Advisor

This guide for self-study language learners has reviews and recommendations of language learning methods and products, links to online learning resources, learning tips to maximize your study time and effectiveness and articles on language learning.

Why a Spanish Translation?
Over 350 million people in the world speak Spanish as their first language. If we include the number of people who are fluent in Spanish as a second language, the total number of Spanish speakers in the world is well over 400 million people. The Hispanic market is today the most rapidly expanding market in the United States. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be 56 million Hispanics/Latinos; by 2050, 30% of the entire U.S. population will be Hispanic.

Human Translation vs. Machine Translation?
Machine translation (MT) is a form of translation where a computer program analyses the text in one language — the “source text” — and then attempts to produce another, equivalent text in another language — the “target text” — without human intervention. Although this system can help with specific words and some phrases in much the same way as a dictionary, it shouldn’t be used to replace a human translator. Computers do not have the ability to deal appropriately with the complexities of a language such as ambiguity, syntactic irregularity, anglicisms, false cognates, context, etc. A machine translation is similar to the one made by a human who lacks a deep knowledge of the target language.

Translation agency or independent translator?
Spanish Translation agencies provide a number advantages, and services that individuals cannot:
Screening of translators: While some Spanish translation companies maintain an in-house team of native Spanish speakers, others create a network of freelance translators who they employ on a per-project basis. As long as the projects are coordinated and managed efficiently, this allow a Spanish translation company to match projects with translators who have relevant knowledge or experience.
Proofreading: Most agencies have a proofreader other than the translator to review the translation prior to delivery at no extra cost. In this way, you can rest assured that the target document is error-free and is thoroughly checked for uniformity.
Meeting tight deadlines: Because of their pool of translators, agencies have the resources to take on complex projects and deliver them in a timely manner.

Things you should keep in mind when selecting a Spanish Translation Agency
There are thousands of translation agencies and identifying a good English-Spanish translation supplier is a big task. Translation clients usually don’t know what they are paying for, especially when they don’t know the target language (the language into which a text written in another language is to be translated).
Are translations handled by Spanish Native Speakers?
The language translator should always translate INTO his or her mother tongue. Only a native speaker can come closest to creating a translation that “sounds” so natural that the reader is not even aware that it is a translation. Mistakes can have ruinous consequences.
Two Examples:
When Chevrolet introduced the Nova to the South American market, sales were dismal. Intended buyers in these countries were perplexed when the car went on the market because “No va” in Spanish means “it won’t go”
An American T-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market which promoted the Pope’s visit. Instead of “I saw the Pope” (el Papa), the shirts read “I Saw the Potato” (la papa).
How much will the translation cost?
Translations are usually charged per word. Be sure that the Spanish translation provider charges the job based on the number of words in the source text. Many companies give you an estimate and the final quote is based on the target document. With this method you never know the final quote until the job is done and this may lead into abuse on the part of the translator as he/she can use longer sentences on purpose, degrading the quality of the target text and increasing your price.
References and samples
Don’t be afraid to ask for references or samples. References are perhaps the most important way to ensure a quality job. If you have knowledge of the target language or know someone who does, samples may also be good. A reputable agency will not hesitate to give you references and show you samples of previous English-Spanish translations.

Transpanish - English-Spanish Translation Services. http://www.transpanish.biz

When I asked, “Has anyone ever tried Saino?”; having tasted this species of wild pig called Peccary in English and native to many of the jungles of South America, I did regain a little respect for my “adventuresome” eating. But what brought the house down was my tale of breakfasts in America’s south with fried pork brains scrambled with eggs along with fried slices of pig testicles, known as “mountain oysters” in states like South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia. Mouths dropped open and glazed-over eyes seemed to double in size. Then they started talking.

One of the language aspects of most interest to your English language students will be conversation practice. As a native speaker, you represent the best that English has to offer in pronunciation, grammar usage, idioms and expressions, vocabulary, fluency and communicative ability. You are the ultimate example of English in use. But how can you regularly stimulate your English language students to speak spontaneously without timidity or fear of making mistakes?

The use of controversial questions and topics can help. In class ask something like: “What’s the most unusual or strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?” You can then give the answer for yourself first as an example. When I said the strangest thing I’d ever eaten was toasted or fried ants (called Hormigas Culonas here in Colombia) the students weren’t impressed. In areas of Mexico, insects like Agave worms (used in tequila), shiny, iridescent Humiles beetles, and leaf cutter ants and their eggs, are eaten as a matter of course. “I ate flowers once”, I piped up trying to regain some ground. Still no good. Flor de Calabaza, the bright orange flowers of a pumpkin plant, is passé in the areas around Tepoztlan, south of Mexico City. As a matter of fact, they’re delicious sautéed and wrapped in a hot, blue corn tortilla. Did I mention that I frequently dine on the deadly, fear-inspiring, razor-toothed Piranha? But that’s no big deal here.

It was the students’ turn and each had stories to tell. And tell them they did. “My aunt likes iguana”, one student blurted out. “Have you tried iguana eggs? another asked. “Yes, I have”, I smirked. Stories began to flow. Slowly at first, then faster as memories and emotions mounted. Tales of iguana, turtles, caimans (a species of alligator), donkey meat, reptile eggs, armadillo, a Guinea Pig relative called “Cuy” and Dagger fish emerged enthusiastically - bursting with anecdotes, humor and sometimes a bit of disgust. It not only got them speaking fluently, but was quite informative too. “You can always tell a dagger fisherman”, one Mexican student explained, “because of the strange scars they get from the fish.” I wanted to know more and they obliged. They spoke not only of things they’d tried, but of meats and meals they’d heard of others eating. Opinions of what, where and why added richness, depth and flow to the conversation. In the end I had to halt the session which ran well overtime with no indication of ending anytime soon.

Other topic questions might address places visited or dreamed of, an imagined conversation or date with a famous person, or what students imagine it’s like to do or be any number of occupations, people or things. “If Latin pop singer Alejandro Sanz or actor Brad Pitt called you on the phone, what would you say?” I asked. Giggles erupted from girls around the room, then responses began to trickle out. For the boys’ question it was Mexican singer Thalia, American actresses Pamela Anderson or Julia Roberts. Role plays, interviews, chain stories, social issues, drugs, crime, even proverbs and superstitions all have their place in stimulating the students as speaking activities. Ideas for questions and topics abound. Conversation references can be helpful too. One I use, “Conversation Inspirations for ESL” by Nancy Ellen Zellerman (published by Pro Lingua Associates) has been around for years. Try a controversial conversation question or two in your classes, it’s almost guaranteed to get and keep your students talking.

Oh yeah, I still haven’t tried the “Cow’s Eye soup” in Colombia or the steamy, animal-blood-sprinkled “Yaguarlocro” of Ecuador. But the chicken feet often found in “Sancocho”, Colombia’s national dish, don’t get even the smaller rise out of me anymore. And earlier this year, I sampled a hearty stew of Three-toed Sloth. They’re cute. They’re cuddly. They’re delicious. By the way, what’s the strangest, most unique food that YOU have ever eaten?

Prof Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer specializing in business and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He teaches at a university in Cali, Colombia. To get original, exclusive articles and content for your newsletter, blog or website contact him at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com. For a free copy of the full version of this article including eye-popping photos , e-mail your request to: pentagon_elsb@hotmail.com.

‘You Are What You Believe’

You’re probably familiar with some of these clichés: You are
what you eat. You are what you read. You are who you spend time
with. There are a lot of ideas and sayings out there about who
you are, and although some of them hold a great deal of wisdom,
the one that rings true for me is, you are what you believe
yourself to be.

Your beliefs about yourself and your abilities are either the
dealmakers or the deal breakers.

No matter how great a language program you are in, no matter how
hard you try, no matter how many things you do great to master a
foreign language, if you don’t truly believe you have the
ability and the tenacity to do whatever it takes to master the
language, you are fighting a losing battle, uphill both ways,
barefoot, in the snow.

What you believe and what you expect are going to determine your
outcome. This is because what you believe determines what you
do. It determines what decisions to make, and what actions you
will take that will ultimately lead to your success or lack
thereof.

If you believe that you are capable of being a brilliant speaker
of a foreign language, and it is something you truly want to do, you
will automatically take steps that create that reality for
yourself. You will choose certain classes, materials,
friendships, practice patterns, strategies and behaviors that
make you into a brilliant speaker of that foreign language. The
outcome of becoming a brilliant speaker of that language is
inevitable! It will be as if being anything less than brilliant
mastery isn’t even an option for you.

This is one of the main reasons why envisioning
your way to fluency as discussed in Part 4 is such a powerful
success training tool, because when you use it you are training
your beliefs and expectations. You are training yourself to
expect the success that you desire and deserve.

What do you currently believe about your ability to master a
foreign language? How would you like to see that change? It all
starts with you.

Here’s to Your Success!

Copyright 2006 by Teresa Bolen. All rights reserved.

Teresa Bolen is a teacher at Todaiji Academy, one of the top 5
schools in Japan, and the author of Master Plan to Master Exams:
How to Discover Your Hidden Abilities to Create the Success You
Desire. You can get her ‘Academic Excellence Report’ at
http://www.MasterPlanToMasterExams.com

‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life
you have imagined.’
— Henry David Thoreau –

The Russian language is the most commonly spoken language in Europe. It is a Slavic language whose roots can be traced to Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. Though not as internationally prominent as its days as the official language of the former Soviet Union, it is still the official language of such countries as Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Russian is a language of dignity, but can seem intimidating to learn. If you have considered learning a second language, the Russian language will prove to be a challenging yet rewarding achievement.

As a student of the Russian language, you have several alternatives by which you can learn it. If you choose to study Russian at the college level, and receive your degree in it, you will acquire an expertise in the language that can provide you with several career opportunities. With a degree in Russian, one career option for you is as a foreign language translator. Foreign language translation firms employ people who are fluent in many different languages, including Russian. Coupled with knowledge in another field (such as law or medicine), you would have the opportunity to work to bridge the gap between English-speaking and Russian-speaking business contacts by translating websites and documents for them. Another career opportunity would be as a teacher of English as a second language in a Russian-speaking country. After receiving your teaching certification, you could work for a language school in Russia teaching students how to speak, read, and write English. With a solid knowledge of Russian, you would be able to work and live alongside native Russian speakers with ease.

If you are interested in learning the Russian language for travel purposes, you can opt to enroll in an accelerated course online. You can learn basic Russian at your own pace, and you will feel more comfortable when you travel to Russian speaking countries if you know how to communicate you basic needs (such as asking for directions) to Russian residents. If you have the time and the financial resources, another option is to learn the Russian language by enrolling in an immersion program in Russia. An immersion program lasts anywhere from two to six weeks. By doing this, you will not only learn the Russian language, but you will also experience the Russian way of life. You will become part of the life and culture, and you will learn the language quickly, despite your uncertainties.

Through intensive group and individual training, you will learn the conversational and colloquial styles of Russian. You will interact on a daily basis with people who are native speakers of the Russian language, and you will have no choice but to communicate with them in their native tongue. You will be captivated by the everyday life of Moscow or St. Petersburg. You will grow to understand and appreciate the Russian culture: the history, the art, the culture (the ballet!), the architecture, the food, and the people. You will attend courses in which you will learn the Russian alphabet, and learn how to read and write in Russian as well. Learning the Russian language in an immersion program is an exciting way to broaden you horizons and vacation all at the same time.

By learning to speak, read, and write the Russian language, you have the potential to one day embark on a career as a foreign language translator, providing an invaluable service to global corporations. You can live abroad and teach English to Russian students, while experiencing a new culture. Learning Russian will make you a more sophisticated traveler as well. You will be able to show more appreciation, and enjoy the Russian culture more when you can communicate with the residents. By learning the Russian language, you have the knowledge of another language, another history, another culture, and your scope of the world will be broadened just a little bit more. http://www.foreign-languages-school.com

Russian Language

John is a director of numerous Internet companies and is a published author. Many articles have been produced on a variety of subjects with excellent content and depth. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to http://www.foreign-languages-school.com