Marketing and promotional videos are more popular than ever in this age of digital media. It used to be that only big-budget businesses could afford the cost of producing a slick marketing video touting all the advantages of their products or services.
Not anymore.
Today, many organizations have their own in-house video production teams equipped with low-cost but high-quality cameras and editing software that almost anyone with a basic knowledge of computers can use. Even more appealing to cost-conscious marketing managers is the array of social media sites that feature videos produced inexpensively on mobile devices and shared easily across multiple user platforms. A study by Cisco estimates that by 2020, video will account for 75 percent of all mobile data traffic! (Our previous blog highlights more fully the impact and opportunities of video marketing.)
The role of interpreter has changed much over the years. Gone are the days when an interpreter just had to know how to verbally translate words from one language into another. In addition to language skills, professional interpreters undergo extensive training to refine their skills, and they must adhere to mandatory requirements that vary by client, such as background checks, drug tests and even immunization for those within the healthcare industry. Additionally, interpreters must follow a strict code of ethics and are expected to be well-versed—if not experts—in the specific fields for which they are working.
It used to be that translating the printed word was the preferred way to communicate with clients and customers speaking other languages. While still popular, print is quickly being rivaled by electronic media when trying to get your multilingual message out. Due largely to the internet and the social media explosion, audio and video files are being viewed and shared around the world in staggering numbers.
Consider these facts and projections:
- Facebook is generating eight billion video views per day! The number of video posts per person has increased 75 percent globally and 94 percent in the United States. The amount of video from people and brands in News Feed has increased 3.6 times year-over-year. More than half the people who visit Facebook in the U.S. every day watch at least one video.
In the language services field, translators and interpreters play similar but different roles. Translators deal primarily with the written word while interpreters work with the spoken word. Both are integral to bringing people of different languages and cultures together, but more recently the interpreting function has gained increasing traction. The trend is one you should pay attention to.
We live in an interconnected world. Lightning-fast communication and modern modes of transportation mean that our interconnectedness will only increase. Of course, some isolated areas will remain, but they will grow smaller and smaller with time. Any industry that wants to expand internationally (or reach new domestic markets) will have…
Because of Elena Tsinman, over 100 interpreters every day help non-English speaking or Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals communicate with local police, teachers, lawyers, doctors, and in various other settings. Tsinman is the owner and founder of ASIST Translation Services, which employs more than 2000 interpreters from all over the…
ASIST Translation Services: voiceover recording in foreign languages, voice talent, video dubbing, narrations, etc. for multimedia, electronic media.
When producing a video that you know will be translated to other languages, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind: Translations often have larger word counts; as much as 25% more in Romance languages, for example. Plan ahead by leaving more space around your onscreen text. If…
First question: Where is the recorded audio going to be used? In the United States, Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Central America, South America… or some combination of the above? Choosing an appropriate accent is extremely important. Audiences can easily be distracted when a narrator’s accent seems “out of place,” and…