Global Multilingual Translation - Blog

Theatre performances available in eight languages

editor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:09:05 +0000

A new device which enables theatregoers to read live captions of a performance in eight different languages has launched.

AirScript’s developers, Cambridge Consultants, hope the handsets will attract more tourists to theatres.

The captions, received over wifi, scroll throughout live performances.

Microsoft launches Indian language supporting software

editor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:06:12 +0000

HYDERABAD: Microsoft on Wednesday showcased a set of tools that will enable users enter text in six Indian languages into computers easily.

The beta version of the tools will be made available as a free download soon and will initially support Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. The technology can be leveraged to support other syllabic languages.

Renowned Chinese translator Yang Xianyi dies

editor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:04:08 +0000

BEIJING — Renowned Chinese literature translator Yang Xianyi has died, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday. He was 94.

Together with his British wife, Gladys Taylor, Yang translated classics such as the 18th century “A Dream of Red Mansions” as well as more modern works by 20th century writers such Lu Xun.

Pauline Marois says Charest not protecting French language, culture

editor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:03:28 +0000

MONTREAL Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois has accused Jean Charest’s Liberal government of shirking its responsibilities when it comes to protecting the French language and culture.

In a speech kicking off a day long workshop on language and culture at the Palais des congrès Saturday morning, Marois said while the PQ embraces the idea of protecting and promoting French culture, the Liberals fear the issue and consider the Charter of the French Language more of a “thorn in its side,” than a useful tool.

Major talks on minority languages

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:36 +0000

Northern Ireland’s first and deputy first ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are in Jersey for the 13th British-Irish Council summit.

The theme of the summit is indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages.

First ministers, chief ministers and ministers from eight jurisdictions will hear more about the importance of Jersey’s traditional language Jèrriais.

No foreign language on holiday please, we’re British

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:06 +0000

LONDON (Reuters Life!) – Britons love to travel to exotic destinations, but don’t expect them to speak the local lingo, a new study reveals.

The survey by online travel service travelsupermarket.com showed that more than half of Brits going abroad on holiday refuse to embrace local languages.

More than one in 10 of the 2,012 respondents said that they felt there was no point in learning foreign languages as everyone speaks English anyway.

‘Language gene’ effects explored

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:39:30 +0000

A gene that has long been implicated in the evolution of speech and language has given up more of its secrets.

A study of the effects of two versions of the FOXP2 gene, one from chimpanzees and one from humans, showed marked differences in their effects.

Human FOXP2 triggered changes in genes known to affect the growth of brain areas related to language and also, more generally, to higher thought.

The findings, published in Nature, could aid diagnosis of mental diseases.

Iranian translator Mehdi Sahabi dies at 66

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:37:35 +0000

Prominent Iranian writer, painter and translator Mehdi Sahabi has died at the age of 66 in the French capital of Paris.

Known for his brilliant translations of English, French and Italian novels, Sahabi passed away after a heart attack on Monday.

Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time is Sahabi’s best known translation on which he spent nearly 11 years of his life.

Chinese language studies becoming popular in France

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:34:56 +0000

PARIS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) — The study of Chinese has become increasingly popular in France, says a French sinologist.

More and more middle schools and universities in France have begun to offer Chinese classes, Joel Bellassen said during a recent talk with Kong Quan, the Chinese ambassador to France.

Among the 30 school districts across France, 27 now offer Chinese classes, including some in the remote areas, said Bellassen, the Chinese learning inspector in the Education Ministry.

Translation Error Results in Russian Gift of Tigers

editor — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:34:13 +0000

Russia has agreed to donate three Siberian tigers to Korea, the Environment Ministry announced Monday. Siberian tigers, also known as Manchurian or Korean tigers, once widely inhabited the Korean Peninsula but the species is now on the verge of extinction with only a small number living in the wild in the Russian Far East. Korea currently has 51 of the tigers living in captivity which came from the United States and North Korea. Of them, 24 are in the Seoul Zoo.