Hello again! 🙂 Last week we went through parallel texts, monolinguals dictionaries and Wikipedia – now it’s time to discover more tips for easier translations. Let’s go!
1. Use Google Graphics.
So now you know how to look for equivalents in the target language, but what about situations when you don’t even know the word in your native language? The picture or photo you’re seeing doesn’t tell you anything, but the client’s getting impatient? Don’t worry, there’s a simple trick to go around the problem.
Just simply use Google Graphics to find that item. I recommend you to do in the target language in order to find the equivalent at the same time. The easiest way to do it is to use Google in your target language, for example google.es, .fr, nl etc., open Google Graphics and paste image URL or upload an image from your computer.
Pro-tip: if you use Google.es, but the results still appear in your mother tongue, you can change it by opening the setting in Google and then changing the country, in this case we should choose Spain. And voilà – you hit two birds with one stone. 🙂
2. Use dictionaries with a large terminology database.
Translation programs such as SDL Trados or MemoQ already have a vast terminology database that we can easily use, but the access to them is very pricey and many companies do not provide us those tools.
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of online tools that you can use for free without limits – Linguee, Glosbe, Reverso Context, you can also try a 45 trial version of MemoQ before you decide to buy it. Here\’s a list of the most common online translation tools: 16 online translation tools recommended by translators .
Glosbe is very helpful if you’re translating documents from areas such as law, economy, IT, because it shows results from EUR-lex – a glossary with access to European Union law documents translated by experienced professionals. You can also use EUR-lex directly – EUR-lex online glossary.
Those tools are extremely easy to use, and they’re available in many languages (and combinations). You can look for words, expressions, sayings, proverbs – anything.
3. Create your own terminology database or glossary.
As we translate daily, we go through a lot of information and vocabulary that sometimes won’t stay for long in our memory or that simply isn’t worth memorizing. That’s why we should create our own terminology database with words or expressions we’ve already found! 🙂
A simple MS Office Excel or Google spreadsheet will do. Add new vocabulary daily and then when needed – just look for it with F5. Easy, right? You’re welcome!
I hope you enjoyed today’s tips and tricks. I hope that they will make your work easier and more pleasant. Have a nice week! 💓
Polishglot 