May 20 2013

The History of Translation

The History of Translation

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The need for translation is ever-increasing as globalisation moves forward, the internet spreads and world culture develops. Many theorists throughout the ages insist that a good translator must both know the language fluently and also understand the culture they are translating.

The word translation derives itself from a Latin term meaning ‘to bring or carry across’. The first ever known translations were those of the Sumerian epic Gilgamesh into Asian languages from around the second millennium BC. One of the earliest English translations was that of the Bible in 1100 AD.

When talking about the history of translation, it is important to remember the theories and names that emerged at its different periods, each era has been characterised by changes in translation history.

For centuries, people believed in the story of the tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis, this story showed descendants of Noah building a tower so that they could reach Heaven, God however caused them to speak different languages so they couldn’t understand each other and to regain control. He then scattered the descendants all over the earth, which caused a number of languages to increase through diversion, making people look for ways to communicate resulting in translation.

After people started to move away from this story of Babel, they began to look for specific dates and figures that mark the periods of translation history.

The history of translation shows a constant movement of ideas and forms with new influences being absorb because of the work of translators. There are some periods of translation history that are very distinct but relatively unknown, such as the work of the missionaries, the translation of the Bible and the Orientalist translators in India. Some researchers believe that writings on translations go back to the Romans and that Cicero and Horace from first century BC where the first theorists who distinguished between word for word and sense for sense translation.

In the sixth century BC medical theories found in Greek thinkers originate from India and India began trading and creating ties with Mediterranean countries. In Baghdad, the philosophical and scientific works of Ancient Greece were translated into Arabic in the ninth and tenth century this learning then spread through Spain into Europe. Later Roman poets adapted Greek texts and in 645 AD Buddhist monks translated Indian sutras into Chinese. In 1085 AD, The School of Toledo was responsible from translations from Arabic to Latin and then to Spanish.

In the latter half of the twentieth century translation studies became an important subject in schools and language teaching. With technological advances and developments of digital materials and the internet, cultural exchange has increased. This has led to the need to not only translate more, but also increase the accuracy of the translation. Audio-visual and cinematographic translation marks a changing ear in translation.

The history of translation is characterized by the emergence of new theorists and improvements in research creating a very wide and rich history and being a consequent reason for many conflicts.

In the 21 century, translation occurs now more than ever as business, tourism and emigration continue to expand and develop.

If you are looking for a high quality language translation service, contact WORDtrans who have over 20 years of extensive experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurence_Knopf

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May 12 2013

Writing Your First Poem

Writing Your First Poem

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The best way to write your first poem is to just do it. There are no magic formulas, secret incantations, or special recipes to help you out. Writing your first poem is about putting pen to the paper and getting it done, the old-fashioned way, writing it down. It doesn’t have to be written in stanzas the way poems were done in the distant past. It doesn’t have to follow strict styles or rigid patterns of rhyme or rhythm, or in any particular order;it just has to be written.

For many years poems were written in very strict order. This order had to be carefully adhered to or it was not considered acceptable by the poetic powers that be. Today, however, poems can be a little more cavalier and do not have to be written in stuffy traditional styles.

Writing a poem in this day and age is more about images and ideas mixed in with feelings, thoughts, and experiences. You see something, you think about it, and you get ideas based on your own personal associations with that something. These connections bring certain words to mind and you write those words down. When filtered through your imagination, these words will be expressed in a new and different way. Different from anyone else.

These words become your poem.

The key to writing a really good poem is in choosing the best words and images to describe what you’re trying to say. Every word is important and must create clear mental pictures for your audience. A truly good poem is all about the arrangement of words in a rhythmical pattern on the paper. It is also about the images and objects that you select. If you choose the right ones, words won’t even matter, the images will speak for themselves. Images are like pictures. In order to make strong images you must be very observant of what goes all around you. When a good reader absorbs these images he re-enacts the experiences the poem contains. The poem doesn’t always have to make total sense in what the words and images portray, but it must make immediate rhythmic sense to the reader when read aloud.

A good poem depends on all of these things in order to work, but it also depends on emotion. When your poem shows strong feelings and honesty it makes your readers feel it deep within their heart when they read it. That is the essence of a good poem.

In writing your first poem you must make good use of your writing tools. These tools are your five senses. If you are to capture the views of the world around you, you must look,listen,smell, taste and touch it.

First choose a topic. Next brainstorm (think) of all the words you can that describe this topic. As you continue to think, add your personal feelings and experiences into the mix. Then add more lines and write away. As you continue to write, decide which words and phrases make the best sense together. You can use the same words over and over if you like. If the words don’t flow easily, don’t worry. Most of us were not born with a pen in our hands, so the words may take their time. Writing is something you have to work at, so keep these 4 rules in mind:

1- Don’t worry about spelling-JUST WRITE!

2- Don’t worry about being neat-JUST WRITE!

3- You can always fix it later-JUST WRITE!

4- JUST WRITE!

As with all activities practice makes perfect. You learn by doing. So after you’ve written that first poem, don’t stop. Keep your writing tools sharp. Remember that besides verse, poetry can also include jokes, riddles, jingles, chants, puns, and songs. The more you write, the more you will begin to see yourself as a poet. So after you’ve written that first poem, don’t stop. Write on!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_C_Dudley

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May 5 2013

Ideas For Creating A Needs Statement

Ideas For Creating a Needs Statement?

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Your needs statement is the part of the grant where you tell your story of what is wrong or what your opportunity is. It is one of the most important, if not the most important part of the grant. Funders want proof that there is a need and that you are the organization to handle the project with new innovative ideas, by partnering or by your past successes.

Before you can get to your needs statement you have to conduct a needs assessment. What is a needs assessment you ask? This is the fact finding portion of the grant where you gather the information that validates the need for project. This can be done many ways.

A few of them include:

• Surveys: Developing a survey that you can handout to a certain portion of the area’s population. This could be done in the following ways – going door to door, send it out to your target population, send it home with your children, etc…

• US Census Bureau: The Census Bureau is a very good source of information and it should be accurate. They even have their own easy to navigate website. http://www.census.gov)

• Newspaper articles: Make sure that you read your local and state newspapers. If your cause is important it will be in the newspaper and the newspaper reporter often interviews experts in the field as well as those in need.
If you can’t find news paper articles on your need, take matters into your own hands and write an article for news release in all of your local newspapers. You can also get a statement for your article from an expert on the subject just by picking up the phone and telling them about your proposed project and need.

• Conduct meetings: Conduct a few meetings in different locations and times within your service area. Make sure that you have someone there taking notes and have a questionnaire for the participants to fill out. Since it is hard to get people to come to meetings try serving cookies and coffee/punch and try to include a guest speaker on the subject.

Here are some other methods that you can use – observations, small group assessments, problem indicator data, mapping, case studies, tests, experiments and projections or futures methods.

When you are creating your needs statement it is important to prove your need. This is going to take more than one of the above sources. Try to utilize at least two of these sources in your needs assessment and don’t forget to tell a story!

If you need help writing your needs statement or finding documentation for your need contact me at http://www.communityfundingsolutions.com I will be happy to help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheila_M_Barsness

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Apr 28 2013

Do You Need Expert Help?

Question mark in Esbjerg

Question mark in Esbjerg (Photo credit: alexanderdrachmann)

Have you ever needed some expert advice? I’m talking about advice from a real expert, not a relative or friend who claims to be all-knowing about everything. I have plenty of those folks in my world. What I am referring to is a person who from experience, research and someone who has spent a great deal of their time studying a particular subject. Writing an article or book may require asking an expert. Perhaps you need some clarity on a subject that has left you in a fog of questions. I have visited a site that has experts on every subject you can imagine. Have you ever heard of ExpertClick.com?

The experts found on this site are all categorized in a free pdf download titled “The Yearbook of Experts.” Categories range from blogging, self healing, media coaching, massage and so many other areas that it can be a bit overwhelming. The directory holds 324 pages of information with reference to bios, links, images and more.

If you are an expert, journalist, writer or just simply curious, I would recommend checking this out. If you know of any other sites where writers can find an expert please let me know. As always, happy writing and researching.

Apr 21 2013

Are You Writing With Government Help?

The western front of the United States Capitol...

The western front of the United States Capitol. The Capitol serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is located in Washington, D.C., on top of Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall. The building is marked by its central dome above a rotunda and two wings. It is an exemplar of the Neoclassical architecture style. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I love to research, which is one reason why I love to write. I discovered that finding the right resources will help me get the most accurate information on any given topic. I never thought that turning to the government for help would even be an option. When I viewed the website I found so many cool things.

Reference Center and General Government

Find U.S. government common abbreviations, calendars, contact information, forms, photos, maps, news and more.

Other useful sites are:

U.S. Government Printing Office – http://www.gpoaccess.gov

The World Factbook – http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html

What unexpected sites have you found for your writing project?