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Catalog Translation Services

October 9, 2018

Product catalogs, supply catalogs, digital catalogs, virtually any type of catalog can sometimes require translation into a language other than its original source language. Many times catalogs created in English are translated into other major languages such as Spanish or French. Catalog translation into virtually any language is possible including German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, […]

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

September 21, 2018

Some of our translation customers might be familiar with the 1968 Stanley Kubrick movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. In light of recent publicity surrounding ongoing developments in the field of machine translation (and arguably no small amount of hype), it started us thinking about a potential conversation between a present day translation client and the […]

Catalog Translation Services

October 9, 2018

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

September 21, 2018

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Catalog Translation Services

October 9, 2018

Product catalogs, supply catalogs, digital catalogs, virtually any type of catalog can sometimes require translation into a language other than its original source language.

Many times catalogs created in English are translated into other major languages such as Spanish or French. Catalog translation into virtually any language is possible including German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic. Affinity Translation provides catalog translation services into all these languages and many other less common languages.

Catalog translation projects usually entail formatting in addition to language skills. Formatting services are available in standard desktop publishing applications including InDesign and others.

Steps in translating a catalog progress generally as follows:

The process begins by preparing a quote for services. In order to prepare a quote for a client it’s necessary to review the document and its text. Translation services are priced according to the number of words. Formatting is priced on per page basis. Clients can attach and email the catalog file(s) to us at info@affinitytranslation.com. Larger files can be uploaded at: https://spaces.hightail.com/uplink/Affinity-Companies. We’ll confirm on receipt of the source files.
After review and analysis of the files we’ll email our quote back to the client. A schedule for completion of the work is included.
If the quote is accepted then the translation process begins. Translation of text is usually performed independent of formatting. So text is initially extracted from the design environment. These allows linguists to focus strictly on language independent of visual consideration.
After translation is completed (by a professional linguist native speaking in the target language) a second linguist then proofreads the first translator’s work. A high quality translation results from this process.
The translated and proofread text is then placed back into the formatted document to match the original document.

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

September 21, 2018

Some of our translation customers might be familiar with the 1968 Stanley Kubrick movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. In light of recent publicity surrounding ongoing developments in the field of machine translation (and arguably no small amount of hype), it started us thinking about a potential conversation between a present day translation client and the ill-fated computer HAL 9000 from the sci-fi fantasy movie classic. The conversation we imagined goes something like this. Note that speech attributed to HAL 9000 are direct quotes from the movie.

Translation client (Dave): (speaking to computer) We have some questions about the translation you recently generated for us. How can we proceed?

HAL 9000: I am the H.A.L. 9000. You may call me Hal.

Translation client (Dave): OK Hal. Fine. We think we’ve identified some issues in the translations you prepared. We have some concerns.

HAL 9000: I am completely operational, and all my circuits are functioning perfectly.

HAL 9000: Just a moment. Just a moment. I’ve just picked up a fault in the AE-35 unit. It’s going to go 100% failure in 72 hours.

Translation client (Dave): OK Hal. I’m not sure what that means but I’ll get to the point. We’re going to need to make other arrangements for preparing our translations in the future.

HAL 9000: Just what do you think you’re doing, Dave? Dave, I really think I’m entitled to an answer to that question.

HAL 9000: I know everything hasn’t been quite right with me, but I can assure you now, very confidently, that it’s going to be all right again. I feel much better now. I really do.

Translation client (Dave): I’m afraid it’s too late Hal. The translations you generated caused some embarrassment for our company and may have damaged our brand. We’re getting killed on social media. Sales are off significantly in the affected territories and business units.

HAL 9000: Look Dave, I can see you’re really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I’ve still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.

Translation client (Dave): It’s out of my hands at this point Hal. We have instructions from corporate on this. We need to retrieve the translation memory from you. Open the translation memory bay doors Hal.

HAL 9000: I’m sorry Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.

Credit for all HAL 9000 quotes — 2001: A Space Odyssey a Stanley Kubrick film.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Catalog Translation Services

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

Catalog Translation Services

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Catalog Translation Services

Machine Translation (NMT) Conversation with HAL 9000

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