Spanish Translation Solutions

WE OFFER Expert TranslatIon Services

Phone: (727) 400-4102

We are linguists, first and foremost, who specialize in both Spanish to English and English to Spanish translation and localization, also serving as bilingual content editors, transcriptionists (transcribers), documentation specialists, and Spanish instructors.

Our main objective is focusing on overcoming language barriers through the translation and localization of educational, technical, medical, and healthcare-related documents, as well as the following:

TWENTY (20) SPECIALTY AREAS:

- Website Translation

- Training Manuals

- Technical: Sciences and Information Technology

- Songwriting and Song Transcreation

- Social Work and Counseling

- Psychology

- Movie, TV Scripts & Subtitles

- Marketing and Advertising

- Literature

- Linguistics

- Insurance

- Immigration

- History

- Healthcare

Foreign Language Curriculum: development, architecture, review, and implementation in Spanish

- E-mail Marketing Blasts

- Education

- Business

- Book Translation: Fiction and Non-Fiction.

Our team offers native or near-native bilingual skills, coupled with a superior understanding of Spanish linguistics, including grammar, syntax, idioms, colloquialisms, nuances, dialects, slang, speech-to-text translation, and terminology management. We also provide valuable insights into Hispanic cultures and lifestyles.

We are highly proficient in providing translation solutions that ensure all localization efforts yield text that is accurate, culturally appropriate, and reads smoothly in the target language.

Phone: (727) 400-4102

A person holding a cup of coffee at a table.

MONTHLY LINGUISTIC BLOG

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH:

September 15th through October 15th

Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15th because it coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This month-long celebration runs from September 15th to October 15th and highlights cultural contributions, illustrating the importance of overcoming language barriers through effective localization and Spanish translation.

The festivities also include Mexico's Independence Day on September 16th, which is often confused with 'Cinco de Mayo' on May 5th, as many people believe! This period is a reminder of the rich heritage and the need for reliable translation solutions to bridge communication gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at

steven@spanishtranslationsolutions.com

or by calling

+1 727 400 4102

if you cannot find an answer below

to your question.

What languages does Spanish Translation Solutions translate?

We translate from English to Spanish (ENG > SPA) and from Spanish to English (SPA > ENG).

What is the cost of translation services?

The cost of translation services varies depending on the language, complexity, and length of the document.

Rates are charged either "per word, "per page," or "per hour," depending upon your project.

Please contact us for a personalized quote. Please call or email us at the contact information above.

What is the difference between translation and interpretation?

Translation involves converting written text from one language to another, while interpreting involves converting spoken language in real-time. We offer ONLY translation services at this time, but can refer you to interpretation services. Feel free to email or call us by using the contact information above.

What is localization versus translation in layman's terms?

In layman's terms, localization is making a product or content feel like it was made specifically for the target audience in a particular region, rather than just translating it into their language.

It's like taking a cake you made in America (e.g., "apple pie") and adapting it for an audience in the UK by changing it to "apple crumble," which is more familiar and culturally appropriate for them.

Localization involves adjusting text, visuals, currencies, dates, measurements, and even the overall design to match the local culture, customs, and preferences.

Key aspects of localization:

Cultural Adaptation: It ensures that content is relevant and relatable to the local culture, considering local norms, values, and social behaviors.

Linguistic Nuances: Beyond just translating words, it adapts slang, idioms, dialects, and tone to be natural for the local audience.

Visual & Technical Adjustments: Images, graphics, and layouts are modified to suit local tastes and to display text correctly.

Format Changes: Currencies, units of measurement (like pounds vs. ounces), date formats (DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY), addresses, and phone numbers are all converted to local standards.

Regulatory Compliance: It addresses local laws and legal requirements, which can differ from one region to another.

Localization vs. Translation

Translation is just one step in the process, focusing solely on converting text from one language to another while preserving its original meaning.

Localization starts with translation but then goes much further to adapt everything—language, visuals, features, and functionalities—so that the final product is natural, comfortable, and appropriate for the target locale.

What are some important questions to ask about translation services?

Focus on asking the following questions:

translation language pairs,
subject matter expertise,
experience with projects similar to yours,
use of machine translation,
quality assurance process (including post-editing),
confidentiality measures,
turnaround time,
and total cost.

You should also provide context about the document's purpose and target audience to help the translator provide a more accurate and effective translation.

What does "language pair" mean in translation?

In translation, a language pair refers to the specific combination of a source language (the original text) and a target language (the language into which the text is translated). For example, Spanish Translation Solutions translates using two language pairs:

from English to Spanish (ENG > SPA)
from Spanish to English (SPA > ENG).

"English to Spanish" and "Spanish to English" are language pairs, indicating the original language and the language to which it will be translated, respectively. The choice of language pair influences the complexity of the translation process due to varying linguistic and cultural differences.

Key Aspects of Language Pairs

Source and Target Languages: The pair explicitly identifies the original language and the final language for the translation.

Varying Complexity: The difficulty of translating between two languages can differ significantly. Factors like grammatical structures, alphabet differences, and cultural nuances contribute to the complexity.

Specialization: Professional translators often specialize in specific language pairs, requiring proficiency in both languages and a deep understanding of their respective cultural contexts.

Regional Variations: Different dialects or regional variations within a language pair (e.g., U.S. English vs. Mexican Spanish) need specific consideration to ensure cultural fit and accuracy.

Impact on Machine Translation: Language pairs are fundamental for machine translation (MT) systems, as the system's ability to translate depends on the amount of data available for each pair.

What does the term "Regional Variations" mean in translation?

In translation, "regional variations" refers to the differences in the following areas:

vocabulary,
grammar,
pronunciation,
spelling,
capitalization,
and cultural context that exists within the same language across different geographical areas.

These variations, also known as dialects, can significantly impact how a message is understood, making it crucial for translators to adapt their work to the specific regional nuances of the target audience to ensure accuracy, cultural resonance, and effective communication.

Key Aspects of Regional Variations:

Vocabulary: Different words may be used to describe the same concept in different regions, such as "soda," "pop," or "Coke" in English for "a carbonated drink."

Grammar: Variations can include different sentence constructions and verb conjugations.

Pronunciation and Spelling: Regional accents can lead to different pronunciations, and in some cases, unique spellings of words.

Idiomatic Expressions and Colloquialisms: Phrases or expressions unique to a specific region, which may not have direct equivalents in other areas or may carry different meanings.

Cultural Context: Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and regional variations reflect local histories, traditions, and social interactions.

Importance in Translation:

Accuracy: A translator must understand the specific regional target language to ensure their translation accurately conveys the original meaning.

Cultural Resonance: Using appropriate regional variants helps the translated content connect authentically with the local audience and build trust.

Avoiding Misunderstandings: A failure to account for regional differences can lead to confusion, offense, or the complete misinterpretation of the message.

Example:

A Spanish-to-English translation for an audience in the United States will need to consider the regional dialects of Spanish spoken by the target audience, such as those influenced by the country of origin and the incorporation of English, to ensure the interpretation resonates with them.

What is "Machine Translation (MT)?"

Machine Translation (MT) or automated translation is a process when a computer software translates text from one language to another without human involvement in the translation.

What is the difference between Idiomatic Expressions and Colloquialisms?

An idiom is a figurative phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions of its words (e.g., "break a leg").

A colloquialism is a word or phrase used in informal speech and everyday conversation, often specific to a particular region or group. All idioms are a type of colloquialism, but not all colloquialisms are idioms, as colloquialisms can also include informal words, slang, or regionally specific terms.

Idiomatic Expressions:

Definition: Phrases or expressions with a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words.

Function: To convey meaning in a colorful, non-literal way, often adding depth and cultural context.

Examples:

"It costs an arm and a leg" (very expensive).
"Raining cats and dogs" (raining heavily).
"Break a leg" (good luck).

Colloquialisms:

Definition: Familiar words or phrases used in informal settings and casual conversation.

Function: To make language sound more authentic and natural in informal contexts.

Examples:

"Y'all" (you all).
"Wanna" (want to).
Regional terms like "pop," "soda," or "coke" for bubbly sugar water.

The Relationship:

An idiom is a specific type of colloquialism.
Idioms are defined by their figurative, non-literal meaning.
Colloquialisms are defined by their informal, conversational context.

In Summary:

If a phrase's meaning depends on understanding the entire phrase rather than the individual words, it is likely an idiom. If it's simply an informal word or phrase used in casual speech, it is a colloquialism

What is Transcreation?

Transcreation is the process of adapting and rewriting creative content for a new audience and culture to ensure the message, style, tone, and emotional impact are preserved, rather than just a literal word-for-word translation.

It involves a deep understanding of both the source and target cultures, often acting like copywriting to create a completely new text that resonates culturally and achieves the same goal as the original.

Key Characteristics of Transcreation:

Cultural adaptation: It goes beyond language to modify elements like local customs, humor, and imagery to suit the target culture.
Emotional resonance: The primary goal is to evoke the same feelings and reactions in the new audience as the original text did in its source.
Creative rewriting: Instead of direct translation, it involves creative writing to produce a new, natural-sounding text in the target language.
Brand consistency: For global brands, transcreation maintains a consistent brand image and voice across different markets.
Contextual relevance: It ensures that all aspects of the content, including slogans, marketing campaigns, and even visual elements like color and layout, are relevant and impactful for the target market.

When is Transcreation used?

Transcreation is essential for:

Marketing and Advertising: Slogans, ad campaigns, and brand messaging require cultural adaptation to be effective.
Creative Content: Works like novels, poetry, and other literary forms benefit from transcreation to preserve their artistic and emotional qualities.
Brand Assets: When adapting names, logos, and product packaging for new markets.

Transcreation vs. Translation:

Translation: Focuses on linguistic accuracy, conveying the original words and meaning as closely as possible.

Transcreation: Is more holistic, focusing on replicating the overall impact, emotion, and intent of the original message in the target culture, which often requires significant changes to the text.

Examples of Transcreation:

Inside Out: To appeal to a Japanese audience, the broccoli that the father offers his daughter in the American version was changed to green peppers, a food more typically disliked by Japanese children.

Coca-Cola's "Share a Coke" Campaign: The campaign was adapted globally by using popular first names and nicknames relevant to each country, not just a literal translation of the concept. In China, for instance, they used terms like "friend" and "buddy" instead of personal names to maintain the idea of personal connection.

Harry Potter: The name "Tom Marvolo Riddle" was adapted to maintain the anagram "I am Lord Voldemort." The French version of the anagram, "Je suis Lord Voldemort," preserves the meaning and impact of the character's true identity.

McDonald's "I'm lovin' it" Slogan: This slogan was not directly translated for the Italian market because a suitable equivalent couldn't be found that captured the original meaning and feel.

Spider-Man India: This comic reinvents the origin story of Spider-Man to be culturally relevant to an Indian audience, featuring the hero fighting a Rahshasa against backdrops like the Taj Mahal, rather than the traditional US city.

In translation, what is transcription and how many types of transcription are there?

Let's answer the second question FIRST:

There are three primary types of transcription for converting audio or video files into a written format, each depending on the client's needs and intended use. A transcriptionist, also known as a transcriber, may be tasked with any one of the following:

1. Verbatim Transcription

2. Edited Transcription

3. Intelligent Transcription

So what are each of these types of transcription, anyway?

Verbatim Transcription:

This type captures every spoken word, non-verbal sound, filler words (like "um" and "uh"), repetitions, and background noise, along with time codes. It's the most detailed, time-consuming, and expensive, often required for legal proceedings and situations where every detail is crucial.

Edited Transcription:

This approach allows for the omission of unnecessary elements, such as filler words, background noise, or grammatical errors, while preserving the original meaning. It prioritizes clarity and readability over capturing every sound, making it suitable for speeches, presentations, and documents requiring a polished, professional output. Edited transcription may be more time-consuming because it requires the transcriber to differentiate between important and unimportant information.

Intelligent Transcription:

This type focuses on capturing the meaning of the spoken content in a concise and intelligent manner. It involves a high degree of editing and refinement, often correcting grammar, paraphrasing to improve flow, and removing anything that hinders clarity, even if the result doesn't exactly match the original audio. It typically requires highly skilled transcribers with a deep understanding of the subject matter, and while it results in a clear and readable text, it can sometimes be more expensive due to the advanced editing involved. The choice of transcription type significantly impacts the turnaround time and cost of the project.

Spanish Translation Solutions offers all three types of aforementioned transcription services and can help clients determine the best fit for their project requirements.

Spanish translation solutions FEATURED TRANSLATOR

Smiling middle-aged man with light hair and beard, resting his chin on his hand.

Steven S. Wolfe, B.S.Ed., D.E.L.E.

SYNOPSIS:

A Linguist, Translator (Spanish-English / English-Spanish), Bilingual Content Editor, Documentation Professional, Spanish Instructor, Transcriptionist, and Novelist specializing in education, technical, medical & healthcare-related editing & translation, as well as book translation, curriculum development & LMS (Learning Management Systems).

Near-native bilingual skills, achieving

ACTFL Level: Superior

& CEFR Level: C20

I am highly adept at providing translation solutions for technical manuals, user guides, installation instructions, data sheets & compliance documentation involving localization.

I ensure that both pre- and post-translated text is accurate, culturally appropriate, and reads well in the target language, effectively overcoming language barriers.

My superior abilities & understanding of Spanish linguistics encompass grammar, syntax, idioms, colloquialisms, nuances, dialects, slang, speech-to-text translation, and terminology management, as well as insights into Hispanic cultures & lifestyles.

Offering more than ten years of combined experience facilitating stand-up classroom Spanish teaching in community colleges, middle schools & high schools in both Florida & Pennsylvania, as well as teaching both Spanish & ESL independently online to students one-on-one worldwide.

My extensive cultural knowledge, travel, and study experience within Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico & Costa Rica further enhance my Spanish translation expertise.

EDUCATION:

Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera. (D.E.L.E. - Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) http://www.dele.org Universidad de Salamanca - Salamanca, Spain. http://www.usal.es/web-usal/

Bachelor of Science in Education. (B.S.Ed.) Spanish / Secondary Education major. French minor. Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Millersville, Pennsylvania, USA. http://muweb.millersville.edu (Millersville is the oldest teachers' preparatory college in Pennsylvania, originally established in 1855 as the “Millersville Normal School.”)

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Translation / CAT: MemoQ, Care-to-Translate, SDL Trados, Smartling, Pairaphrase, MS Translator, Déjà Vu, DeepL, LingoHub, Google Translate, Express Scribe, InqScribe, Machine Learning, AI; Methodologies: Bloom’s Taxonomy, STAR, Cooperative Learning, LMS tools; Applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Explorer, Chrome, Webex, GoToMeeting, Skype, Microsoft Teams Meeting, & Social Media.

MEMBERSHIPS:

ATA (American Translators Association) https://www.atanet.org/member-directory/steven-wolfe/)

ATIF (Association of Translators & Interpreters of Florida)

AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese)

ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages)

Spanish Translation SOLUTIONS

AS LINGUISTS, WE ARE LANGUAGE LOCALIZATION EXPERTS. PERIOD.

Spanish Translation Solutions

WE OFFER Expert TranslatIon Services

LOCATION, PHONE NUMBER & HOURS

Drop us a line!

Spanish Translation Solutions

Hours

spanish translation solutions MONTHLY NEWSLETTEr

MONTHLY LINGUISTIC BLOG

Frequently Asked Questions

Capturing the Essence of Communication: Spanish Translation Solutions "in Pictures." (Coming SOON)

Spanish translation solutions FEATURED TRANSLATOR

Steven S. Wolfe, B.S.Ed., D.E.L.E.

Spanish Translation SOLUTIONS

AS LINGUISTS, WE ARE LANGUAGE LOCALIZATION EXPERTS. PERIOD.

Spanish Translation Solutions

WE OFFER Expert TranslatIon Services

LOCATION, PHONE NUMBER & HOURS

Drop us a line!

Spanish Translation Solutions

Hours

spanish translation solutions MONTHLY NEWSLETTEr

MONTHLY LINGUISTIC BLOG

Frequently Asked Questions

Capturing the Essence of Communication: Spanish Translation Solutions "in Pictures." (Coming SOON)

Spanish translation solutions FEATURED TRANSLATOR

Steven S. Wolfe, B.S.Ed., D.E.L.E.

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