Author Archives: ALTA Language Services
Recent Blog Posts
Why are Foreign Language Tattoos so Popular?
February 19, 2019
When translations are in the news, it’s rarely for their stunning accuracy. In one of the most recent translation-related news blunders, famous American singer Ariana Grande found herself on the wrong side of viral fame after Instagramming a picture of her new tattoo. When Grande uploaded a photo of the […]
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The Language and Casting of Oscar-Nominated Roma
February 14, 2019
The Oscar nominations are out and, as language-lovers, we’d be remiss not to talk about one of the front-runners for Best Picture, Roma, which has also garnered nominations in the categories of Best Foreign Language Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Roma, a mixed Spanish and Mixtec-language […]
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10 Tips for Choosing an Online Medical Interpreter Training Course
February 7, 2019
1) Qualification vs certification There is universal confusion about the difference between the word “certified” and the word “qualified”. When you sign up for a 40-hour medical interpreter training course, think of it as an entry level credential for interpreters. Graduating from a 40-hour training course will qualify you to […]
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Why is Spelling So Confusing in English?
February 1, 2019
English is often said to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. But why? Well, for starters, English is not phonetic, meaning that there is not necessarily a direct relationship between the way that a word is spelled and the way that it is said. If this comes […]
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Top U.S. Translation Schools: Master’s and PhD Programs
January 24, 2019
So, you’ve decided to take the next big step and pursue a Master’s or PhD with a focus in translation and/or interpreting. Finding the program that’s right for you can be exhausting and time consuming, so we’ve put together this list to help you get started. In this article, you’ll […]
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The Metaphor Next Door: Metaphor is Ordinary Language
January 17, 2019
Why do we spend time instead of letting it pass? In English, we think of time as money: “The dog wasted 15 minutes smelling bushes this morning instead of peeing. Then I had to spend 30 minutes looking for my keys, and on top of that traffic today cost me […]
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Best Language Learning Methods
January 4, 2019
So, the New Year is here, and you’ve decided to take the plunge. This year, you’re finally going to learn another language. That’s great – speaking a second language can help you get jobs, make you better at understanding your own language, strengthen your memory, and can even protect against […]
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2019 Brings Focus on Indigenous Languages Around the World
January 2, 2019
Did you know that 2019 has been designated the International Year of Indigenous Languages? The recognition comes as a result of a United Nations resolution, which was adopted in 2016. According to official IYIL website the purpose is to “raise awareness of them [indigenous languages], not only to benefit the […]
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Essential Phrases to Know When Traveling to a French-speaking Country
December 27, 2018
French is one of the most beautiful and widely spoken languages around the world. It is considered one of the “Romance languages”, along with Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian. Today, French is spoken in 29 countries on nearly every continent, including Europe (France, Belgium, Luxembourg and parts of Switzerland), North […]
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How College Graduates Can Benefit from Learning a Foreign Language
December 19, 2018
Fluency in a second language is highly beneficial for recent college graduates in key industries such as administrative services, healthcare, wholesale trade, travel and tourism, and finance. One recruiter, B. Max Dubroff, from an HR advisory firm, elaborated on the benefits of language training when he said, “In many ways, […]
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