Of course, "flum" does not mean anything, but quite a few of us have been "Moxed". The purpose of this post is to get as many people Moxed as possible. The next mass Moxing will occur at the forthcoming TriKonf 2013 in Freiburg, Germany, 18-20 Ocober 2013, where in addition to attending some excellent workshops,... Continue Reading →
Your laundry is calling you
The other day, the poll on a translator forum asked how long we worked before taking a break. You will note that the question was not how often we take breaks. That would imply that most freelance translators stick to a rigid timetable. I, for one, cannot imagine that there are too many translators who... Continue Reading →
I have just being doing a bit of blog admin, and clicked on one of the search engine items used to find my site.To my horror, it opened up in the Google browser, and my blog had been translated into a mangled mess of what might be construed as Brazilian Portuguese in some weird sci-fi movie featuring... Continue Reading →
SDL Trados Studio: Emma hits the mark, once again
Shortcuts in SDL Trados Studio: the basics. Apart from her characteristic clarity and precision, one of the things I like about Emma Goldsmith is that she shares her knowledge so liberally. Of course, this knowledge is available in the SDL Trados help files and videos on Youtube, but if you are allergic to those two... Continue Reading →
Shoes, and translation
Translators know the affliction only too well: the compulsion to edit, edit, edit. We edit even when we are not called upon to do so. If I am that mythical being we call "the average translator", then I can safely assume I am not alone in this affliction. Portuguese television has many programmes with English... Continue Reading →
Strategic Siestas
Eventually - about half way down the page, you will be able to read about my freelance translation summer survival plan. But first, the historical preamble: I am relatively new to the whole experience of the European summer. As a recent immigrant to Portugal from Zimbabwe, this is only my fifth one. Southern African seasons... Continue Reading →
Cork insertion, Chapel of the Souls
I am feeling a little odd about publicising the translation guest blog I wrote for Moira Monney of Johnson Language Solutions entitled, Passionate about getting things right*. on my own blog, but did not really want to click on the "Press This" icon.* *Note added: Effective from November 2014, or thereabouts, Moira decided to no... Continue Reading →
Post-conference Post
Sometimes I wish there was a place to add a sub-title to one's post. In this case, mine would be: The Orgasmic Pancake This delightful crêpe with apple-filling garnished with a fruits of the forest sauce could be dismissed as pure indulgence. It certainly was an indulgence. All the more so because this particular pancake... Continue Reading →
Pre-conference pondering
ProZ has held an annual international conference for translators since 2001. I have wanted to attend one of these events since 2001. This is the first time it has been a reasonable proposition. For a start, I live in the country in which the conference is taking place. By some incredibly fortuitous set of circumstances, I... Continue Reading →
Time might as well take a cigarette
I am going to grease up an old four-inch pole, lay it horizontally on two posts about three feet above a body of psychedelic water and put it in an art gallery and call it "Time". Or, you can. Whoever gets to do it first, wins. That is one rule of time, by the way.
That elusive pair of jeans 