Google looking for translators/Google sucht Übersetzer

One fears the worst. Alison Penfold on FLEFO pointed out that Google is looking for volunteer translators to localize its site(s).

Translation guidelines include:

bq. It is very important to us that all translations maintain the appropriate Google tone. Our site in English is written in a tech- and web-savvy, upbeat and friendly style. We want all our non-English content to reflect this style; however, we recognize that what is considered polite and appropriate varies by culture. Therefore, we want the translator to understand the English content and style first, and then rewrite it such that the tone is maintained within the framework of the particular language/culture.

bq. Do not translate proper names or product names. Examples of these include “Google” and “SafeSearch”.

FAQ

Legal

Discussion group for Google translators

I gather from an answer on that forum that Google has paid translators for the higher-volume languages.

As amended/In der Fassung von

Sind die Wörter “in der jeweiligen Fassung” bei einem Gesetz notwendig (auf Englisch)?

Corp Law Blog
has another interesting entry on language. The question is: If you quote a statute ‘as amended’, what do the words ‘as amended’ add?

And how do you interpret Section 1 of the Securities Act of 1933, which tells us that the short title of the Securities Act of 1933 is the “Securities Act of 1933” (no reference to “as amended”)?

The comments are interesting too – and even Sydney Carton contributed.

The question is whether a short title means the statute at the date of a contract, for example, or the statute in all its subsequent amendments.

Robert Schwartz’s comment ends:

Clients just hate hearing lawyers argue about shit like that at $500 @ hr. Another reason I have forbiden my children from going to law school.
Have you noticed that secretaries often corect the title of the Act to The Securities Act of 1993?

And Gary comments, inter alia:

It is interesting to note that most “sophisticated” transaction documents have a lengthy section of defined terms but they often give short shrift to rules of construction. In particularly complex transactions, I include the following within a section containing rules of construction:

“Any reference to any federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law includes (1) all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (2) such statute or law as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (including any successor statute or law).”

New weblog on languages and technology/Neues Weblog zu Sprachen und Technik

Yet another blog with a translation connection is Blogos, subtitled ‘News and views on languages and technology’. It seems to have a connection to Multilingual Computing. It is run by Andrew Joscelyne.

Interestingly, the blog is run on ExpressionEngine. It unfortunately has no newsfeed (or none yet – ?), although it has a mailing list. Interesting entries since April 5th.

Thanks to Robin Bonthrone for the tip-off.

It remains to be seen this blog soon overtakes its namesake , a religious blog, in Google. And here’s another. But they will not be read by the same people (although I have taken note of the Bible one for future research purposes).

Advice to judges on language/Englische Richter bekommen Empfehlungen zur Ausdrucksweise

Ein Buch für Richter ist in England veröffentlicht worden mit Vorschlägen zur korrekten Ausdrucksweise, berichtet die Guardian (Englisch). Sogar der Ausdruck asylum seeker (Asylbewerber) wird meist negativ benutzt.

Das Buch ist kostenlos online zu bekommen.

The Guardian reported on Thursday that the Judicial Studies Board has issued a book with recommendations on the sensitive use of language.

Frowned upon are asylum seeker, man and wife, girl (except for children) and businessman. A black should be called a black person (says the Guardian).

The book is available free of charge online.

It is not only about language. I have not looked at much. There is something about interpreters in the first section:

bq. An interpreter may be necessary even if the witness is able to communicate in English / Welsh to some degree: the language employed in judicial proceedings is so specialised in comparison to communicating in adequate English/Welsh in order to get by on a daily basis.

bq. Common words may have different meanings according to the understanding of the speaker.

bq. Always establish that the interpreter speaks not only the language but the dialect of the witness.

bq. The same interpreter may no longer be appropriate for opposing parties.

bq. There are serious dangers in allowing an advocate, friend or family member to act as an interpreter and whenever possible the interpreter must be
professionally engaged and ideally from an officially approved list.

bq It should not be assumed that an interpreter can continue without regular breaks: it is a very demanding process if done correctly, so allow an opportunity to indicate when a break is needed.

bq. A party may need the assistance of an interpreter throughout the proceedings, beforehand when giving instructions and afterwards when receiving an explanation as to what has transpired. An interpreter or translation of documents may be required to understand the documentation in proceedings. Failure to ensure this could amount to a denial of justice.

bq. To the extent that it is difficult for those with learning difficulties or inadequate language skills to understand the language employed in the court room, all efforts should be made to communicate in a manner comprehensible to the parties before you.

(Thanks to Maurice H. Varney for the links)