Dragoman Transcreation

Wikipedia’s entry on sex and gender distinction reads as follows: “The distinction between sex and gender differentiates a person’s biological sex (the anatomy of an individual’s reproductive system, and secondary sex characteristics) from that person’s gender, which can refer to either social roles based on the sex of the person (gender role) or personal identification of one’s own gender based on an internal awareness (gender identity). In this model, the idea of a “biological gender” is an oxymoron: the biological […]

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Although only and alone have similar meanings, we cannot always use them interchangeably when translating into English. When we use alone to mean without including anything else, it comes right after the noun it modifies. Incorrect:   Minnesota only exports more than $2 billion in soybeans annually, with China as the state’s top export market. Correct:       Minnesota alone exports more than $2 billion in soybeans annually, with China as the state’s top export market. Incorrect:   The U.S. Department of Agriculture, for […]

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The AP Stylebook recommends avoiding excessive use of contractions. Yet, it all depends on the context. If we are translating formal documents such as contracts, financial reports, user guides, journal articles and so on, we must never use contractions. Incorrect: The Parties agree that they shan’t discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, sex or national origin. Correct:     The Parties agree that they shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because […]

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Turkish to English translators frequently confuse invitation (davet) with reception. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines invitation and reception as follows: Invitation:   A written or spoken request to someone, inviting them to go somewhere or do something or a card inviting someone to attend a party, wedding etc. Reception:  A large formal party to celebrate an event or to welcome someone. Dragoman prefers translating davet into English not as invitation but as reception. Depending on the context, we can […]

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This is our second piece on how to write headlines in English. Please read the following examples carefully and get back to ask if you have any further questions.  4. Headlines use infinitives to refer to future events. Incorrect:  TRUMP WILL VISIT FRANCE Correct:     TRUMP TO VISIT FRANCE 5. Headlines often contain a string of nouns. Incorrect:   LOCKOUT IS DECLARED AT A CAR PLANT OVER A LABOR DISPUTE Correct:      CAR PLANT LABOR DISPUTE LOCKOUT 6. Headlines often make use of […]

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Do not capitalize disease names or medical terms. AP Style suggests that: “Do not capitalize arthritis, emphysema, leukemia, pneumonia, etc. When a disease is known by the name of a person or geographical area identified with it, capitalize only the proper noun element: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Ebola virus, etc.” Capitalization is tricky even for native speakers. You can learn why Ebola is capitalized and further explore capitalization topic here.    

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Dragoman and Associated Press (AP) Stylebook prefers e-mail over email. We use a hyphen with other e- terms: e-book, e-reader, e-commerce. Source: AP Stylebook

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Dragoman prefers over, not above to talk about ages and to mean more than. I know this may sound like a minor detail but for us Dragomans, the beauty is right there in the details. Incorrect:  There are above 60,000 screaming fans in the stadium this afternoon. Correct:      There are over 60,000 screaming fans in the stadium this afternoon. Incorrect:   You have to be above 35 to run for president. Correct:       You have to be over 35 to run for […]

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Press releases and headlines account for a big part of Dragoman‘s daily business volume. Headlines are written in a style of their own, and we have to know how to translate them. 1. Headlines often leave out articles and the verb be. Incorrect:  MAN LANDS ON THE MOON Correct:      MAN LANDS ON MOON Incorrect:  U.S. SANCTIONS ARE UNJUSTIFIED SAYS ROHANI Correct:      U.S. SANCTIONS UNJUSTIFIED SAYS ROHANI 2. Headlines are rarely complete sentences. Incorrect:  MORE WARMING IS ON THE WAY. Correct:      […]

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English writers and translators often confuse when and how to use a definite article. We have several tips for translators on our knowledge base and We precede any country with “the” whose name is plural or includes state, union, republic, and kingdom. Incorrect:   The Dutch famine of 1944–45 is known in Netherlands as the Hongerwinter (literal translation: hunger winter). Correct:       The Dutch famine of 1944–45 is known in the Netherlands as the Hongerwinter (literal translation: hunger winter). Incorrect:    Philippines is […]

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