Tuesday, June 30, 2009

There might be some light at the end of the tunnel

Translation has always been a bit underrated. It's not a major degree in many countries, people tend to think that studying languages is enough and companies are definitely not willing to pay for translation services when "there's someone at the office who studied in England for two months and can translate what I need with no extra charge".

Hence, my disillusionment. I have been job hunting for the last two months and the job offerings are just ridiculous: "Native of English, Spanish and German needed" (all three?), "Minimum required: ESO level (equivalent to Middle School level in the US)". Seriously? Is the World joking?

However, and this is good news, I found this Recommendation on the Legal Protection of Translators and Translations and the Practical Means to improve the Status of Translators written by the UNESCO in 1976. Too bad it's just a recommendation, but it has some good points that I wanted to share with you:

About the importance of Translation:

"Noting the extremely important rôle played by translators and translations in international exchanges in culture, art and science, particularly in the case of works written or translated in less widely spoken languages,"

About Translation training (no, knowing a language does not make you a translator):

"
11. Member States should recognize in principle that translation is an independent discipline requiring an education distinct from exclusively language teaching and that this discipline requires special training. [...]"

I recommend that you read the whole text here.


Hopefully Translation will get the recognition it deserves soon enough. Just think for a second about all the things you would have not been able to get to know or to do if it wasn't for translators (some easy ones: the Bible, instructions for a gadget made in Japan, etc.)

I really hope I did my bit here.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Really?

Michael Jackson died?

I'm in shock... Rest In Peace Michael.



ps. Farrah Fawcett also passed away yesterday... RIP you too Farrah.

No comprendo...

Maybe learning a new language is not that good at the end haha:

A New Language Barrier: Why Learning A New Language May Make You Forget Your Old One


Story of my life... And although I'm just exaggerating a bit (I love languages!) I thought this was interesting and you might like it.


pd. I might start a new blog in Spanish, I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Coffee and words

I truly am a coffee addict. It is not only its bitter flavor and warm aroma that amuse me, but the moments that coffee usually involves. Most of the time a good cup of coffee is accompanied by friendship, love declarations, tears or philosophical conversations. All these make coffee times definitely worthy for those who seek the beauty of life behind the most simple things.

Starbucks knew about this and created "The Way I See It": a series of inspirational cups for restless minds and hearts. Here's one of their quotes:

The Way I See It #17:

"The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you're not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job: ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don't take it personally when they say "no"- they may not be smart enough to say "yes".

--Keith Olbermann, Broadcast journalist and host of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.


Such a good quote for this specific moment in time. Thanks Starbucks and coffee for making my days nicer :)

Monday, June 22, 2009

Yes I had a dream I stood beneath an orange sky...


I just decided to spend the day at the beach and thought that I'd love to share the sunset with you.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Oh la música

When I was on the train heading to Granada and listening to my iPod, this song suddenly played, and it made me go back to California and feel what I felt when I was there. My mind flew away and I was in San Diego again, driving my car while watching the sunset in La Jolla Shores Dr.

All my life I have been trying to find a way to "store" memories and feelings... and then I found music.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Can society be mass produced?

I have always felt intrigued by the human being, and mostly, by how difficult it is to measure it both as an individual or as a group. I guess that is one of the reasons why I love living abroad so much. You get to know a different culture, different costumes and different people. All of them have something you can learn from. And everyone is worth getting to know, because everyone can enrich your life with new perspectives and ways of thinking.

However, I have been back home in Spain for longer than a month and I am impressed by how different I am from the rest and, specially, by how different they make me feel because I simply do not do "what everyone does."

I am starting to think that society may be mass produced. Or maybe that's not society?