Languages -What we do

LANGUAGES WHAT WE DO

TRANSLATIONS



As you all know, we deal with any translation requests you might have.



However, it is not only translations of meeting documents and circulars that are sent to us.

A quick overview of what we have worked on so far this year.

Source word count

7%

7%

20%

45% 15% 5%

Circulars Documents Letters Other Publications/Graphics Website

Type Circulars Documents Letters Other Publications/Graphics Website Total

As you can see, the translation of meeting documents represents just under 50% of our workload.

Source words 31321 191179 22693 65252 83943 29490 423878

Words translated under each category Words translated

13%

11%

Circulars Documents Letters Other Publications/Graphics Website

17%

9%

48% 3%

Type Circulars Documents Letters Other Publications/Graphics Website Total

Target translation word count 167066 726143 40293 134997 259186 195667 1523352

Preparing text for translation

Preparing the translation projects before sending to external translators…

•

Those of you who have been with the ITF for a long time might remember the endless sourcing and tracking of documents that had to be done if you were reusing previously translated text.

•

Extremely time-consuming both for the sections and the languages team…

…but today things are different We

now work with a Translation Memory Software – SDL Trados - which stores most of our translated texts. This

means that sentences, paragraphs or segments of text that have been previously translated will normally not have to be translated again. Today,

most of our regular freelance translators also work with Trados or another compatible translation software. This

means that we can send the projects that we create in Trados directly to them for translation. They will then have access to what has been translated previously, which ensures consistency. Costs

for translations can also be reduced if text is re-used.

This is how it might look if we receive a document with only minor changes:

Once translations are complete and returned to us, it is our job to proofread, quality check, format and finalize the translations.

Delivery of final translations means we have to work in many different programs. Not only the usual Microsoft Office programs…

We also handle the lay-out of all translated publications/leaflets/graphics etc., working with many of the design programs in the Adobe Suite

Website translations

The

team is responsible for updating all language pages on the Global & Seafarers Websites as well as any Congress Websites. This includes all the main pages as well as uploading weekly news articles/press releases that are published.

“Other” types of work… 

This can include work such as translation of transcripts and subtitles. This is not always textheavy translations but more time consuming work.

What else do we do?

Interpretation Since

the 2018 Congress we have seen an increase in

requests for interpretation – something that the languages team have not provided for a long time. Sections/committees/chairs

etc. want to stay in touch on a

regular basis without having to fly over to London for meetings, and the ability to now hold virtual meetings has made it easier for regular catch-ups. Because

of the volume of these requests that we receive,

the team has now got two positions for which interpretation is included as part of their job description. It does not mean, however, that they will take the place of the interpreters who cover the governance or higher level meetings. Today,

the most used languages are French and Spanish, but

this could change in the future…

Language trends and changes over the years

2001

2011

2021

700000 600000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 0

i ab r A

c

e e es es n m i r Ch Bu

En

ish gl

h an nc m e r Fr Ge

n lia a It

e es n pa Ja

e n n sh ish es ea sia ni d r u s a e g Ko Ru Sp tu Sw r Po

ai h T

i rk u T

Quick glance at what has been done over the past 20 years in the most used languages…

sh

2001

2011

2021

400000 350000 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0

Arabic

Burmese

Italian

Korean

Portuguese

… and these are the languages where we have seen the biggest increase in recent years

Thai

… and finally, what we need from you… 

Please send all translation requests to: requesttranslation@itf.org.uk rather than to our individual e-mail addresses



Include the cost centre/project code and any deadlines you might have



Make sure the text has been checked/proofed properly before sending it to us (this will enable us to process and deliver the translations faster)

& 

FEEDBACK! We welcome any feedback you might have! Positive or negative. For us to be able to improve we need to know if there are certain terms/words you would prefer us to use. Perhaps we translate things differently to what is used in the regions. Please let us know!

Tack

с Спа

Merci

ибо

e i z a r G

Thank you!

s

と う

‫شكرا‬ ً

あ り が

Gracia

Obrigados

Danke