Tuesday, July 16, 2013

All About Learning Another Language

By Daniel Crosby


Often it seems as though the world is becoming smaller every day, and globalization has become a major part of our lives. The Internet and other improvements in communication have made a big impact on the way that we do business and communicate with others and one of the results of all this is that learning another language has become extremely beneficial. Whether you simply want to communicate with people in another country or want to have better employment or business opportunities, speaking a second language can be an invaluable skill.

Increasing globalization means there is more need for translation, and there seems to be no sign of this need slowing down. The increased need for translation services means that there are numerous opportunities for jobs in this field, although you will need to be fluent in two languages in order to translate a document or carry on a conversation. If this is something that interests you, the right education and training are both essential and can open up the doors to a career in translating.

Moreover, this undertaking can be tricky as people commit common errors wherein meanings are lost in translation. This is mainly the result of word-for-word translation, rather than translating per the actual meaning of a text or sentence. This is similar to the manner in which software might translate text that leads to misrepresented meaning, as many words or phrases can have multiple meanings in a given language.

Learning another language for the purpose of becoming qualified to work in the translation field requires one to speak a language as its native speakers do -- not as a second language. In other words, a good translator must exhibit several attributes, including:

- You will need to be bilingual, or at least have a thorough grasp of both languages, written and spoken.

- Knowledge of the subject matter being translated;

- Knowing when to metaphrase or paraphrase.

- Knowledge of both cultures.

Language is much more than a large set of words and grammatical rules. Instead, it encompasses cultural references and means of interconnecting expressions and secondary meanings. Consequently, lots of experience is necessary to excel and provide outstanding service in the translation field. Thus, one must not misunderstand that bilingualism alone is sufficient to be a competent translator. Thus, one may safely say that the world has a critical need for experienced translators who can help people translate their documents or communications into other languages.

There is an essential need to learn new languages, and the average person has access to many resources that help them do just that. For one thing, a person may enroll in private tutoring sessions where they can receive assistance from an experienced teacher on a one-on-one basis. They might learn verbal communications very quickly in this manner, as well as learning to write a language faster than they would in a traditional classroom. Naturally, this method is quite expensive and is therefore not suitable for everybody. A similar but more economical solution is online instruction. It can be in a one-on-one format or in a virtual classroom. The latter alternative is the more affordable of the two options.

There is also a range of software available to help anyone trying to learn a second language, and this can be a useful way to learn for anyone looking to further their career or perhaps become a translator. This method of learning has the big advantage of allowing you to learn at your own pace, and it is generally more affordable than other types of instruction. You can go back to a topic or section if you are having difficulty; on the other hand if you have mastered something, you can move ahead in the course more quickly.

The most important thing to really understand is that translation skills in one or more languages is a "must have" skill in today's world, as globalization has proven and continues to prove every day. Selecting a second language to learn is critical, because you want one that imparts value to your everyday life, whether for business or pleasure. It also requires you to think "outside the box," such as adjusting your own habits and lifestyle to become more attuned to the traditions and culture of those whose language you are working to learn.




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