Quality vs. Quantity in Translation

When I explain to non-linguists that I work in a translation company, the first question is often something like: So how many languages do you speak then?

Now, I am impressed with people who speak many languages. When I heard that Denis Healey, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer who hails from a village near the Alexika office, speaks 7 languages, he certainly rose in my estimation. But for professional translators, one 'source' language and one mother tongue is often quite sufficient.

What I want to know about potential translators for Alexika is that they have mastery of their mother tongue, an extremely high level of professional proficiency in the language that they translate from and also, critically, current knowledge of their chosen field so that they keep up to date with terminology. Then there are other factors such a professionalism, knowledge of translation tools etc etc...but the number of languages spoken is not part of that conversation. We have other colleagues who cover other language combinations.

But we are based in the UK. Is it just that British people are often impressed with any foreign language ability? Which brings me back to my regular theme of how important it is that children learn a second language in school up to and ideally beyond the age 16...

Alexika featured in Yorkshire Post newspaper

As part of its reporting on the 2011 Yorkshire Business Market, Alexika is featured in an article in the Yorkshire Post newspaper today.

We were exhibiting at the very well attended exhibition for the third time, looking to promote our translation and interpreting service to local exporters. Yorkshire is home to many exporting companies, and the economy of Yorkshire is larger than that of Scotland.

Many thanks to the Harrogate Chamber of Commerce for the excellent organisation of the event.

The importance of studying languages!

Please follow the link to a BBC article - one of many reasons why children in the UK should study languages up to at least the age of 16! There is a direct link between a nation's international competitiveness and language competence.