Comment on Five Things Lona Said

  1. My_Semi_Generic_Pseud (Enjolras_The_Survivor) Mon 25 Feb 2019 03:53PM UTC

    Women's Rights - Angelica

    For a language learner (midteens) who thinks she might like to do a similar job later on, what tips would you have?

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    1. Ilona_writes Mon 25 Feb 2019 05:58PM UTC

      Hiya! Lona here. Let me start by saying that I love your icon <3

      And, oh man.. tips. Let me think.

      To be very honest, all the tips I have to share are the ones you've probably already heard a millions times before. But here they are:

      Read books, watch movies, watch series, read (and if you like, write!) all the fic. Consume all the media. Not just in your own language, but also in the language you prefer to translate from. Learn the ins and outs. Obscure grammar rules. Not so obscure grammar rules. Learn all about idioms, where they originated from and what they mean. Be on the constant lookout for new words! Look up words you don't know and how/when those words are used.

      Having a preferred field and trying to keep up to date with slang in that field is something that's really important, and not just if you're looking to go freelance.

      Keep in mind that you're trying to translate a meaning, not just a literal sentence. Play with the text, shuffle words around, use more words if your language doesn't have a good translation for one.

      And the best tip: try to find people with the same passion for language. Nothing has taught me more about language and translating than talking to my peers, complaining about idioms, celebrating awesome translations and comparing linguistic things in other languages. Great people help make great translators.

      Whelp, I hope I've been of some use to you with this rambling. Good luck with your studies!

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      1. My_Semi_Generic_Pseud (Enjolras_The_Survivor) Tue 26 Feb 2019 07:35AM UTC

        Women's Rights - Angelica

        Thanks - I am unfortunate enough to live in a country where languages are viewed as an "inferior" subject (it's tosh, of course - LANGUAGES R BEST!) so there aren't many people who have a second language. However, I'm lucky enough to live in a village where there is another Spanish speaker (One who is actually fluent, not like me - I'm @ school). How could I get French Speaking practice?

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        1. Ilona_writes Tue 26 Feb 2019 08:54AM UTC

          I am probably not the best person to ask about that, because I only translate from English. But as an addition to actually studying the language? I'd say online communities are your best bet. LinkedIn, Tumblr, DeviantArt. In my case I came into contact with a lot of different languages through World of Warcraft, with plenty of people from different countries on the European servers. I'd talk to them over Ventrilo or TeamSpeak and later Skype. And then of course the OTW with all the different language teams in the Translation Committee!

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          1. My_Semi_Generic_Pseud (Enjolras_The_Survivor) Tue 26 Feb 2019 07:59PM UTC

            Women's Rights - Angelica

            Thanks!

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