The new normal – Corona times in the translations world

Wonders never seize!  When the Covid-19 pandemic made face masks an everyday essential, Japanese startup Donut Robotics spotted an opportunity. As people around the world are being urged to wear face masks when out in public, it hasn’t taken long for the functionality of a mask to be greatly enhanced but thanks to technology. The Donut Robotics has created a smart mask (C-Face smart mask) – a high-tech upgrade to standard face coverings, designed to make communication and social distancing easier through translations.

How the smart face mask works in conjunction with the translations world

Conjointly with an app, the C-Face Smart mask can transcribe dictation amplify the wearer’s voice, and translate speech into eight different languages. As you’d expect, the mask doesn’t work on its own, its instead relying on a wireless link (Bluetooth) to a smartphone and Donut Robotics’ software. The associated app uses machine learning developed with the help of translation experts and specializes in the Japanese language to handle language translations. Most competitor apps focus on translating to and from English. Donut Robotics CEO Taisuke Ono claims it’s “better than Google API, or other popular technologies” for Japanese.

Donut Robotics first developed the translations software for a robot called Cinnamon but when the pandemic hit, the robot project was put on hold. That’s when the team’s engineers came up with the idea to use their software in a facemask.

The new normal corona times in the translations world

The cutouts on the front are vital for breathability, so the smart mask doesn’t offer protection against the corona virus. Instead, it is designed to be worn over a standard face mask, explains Donut Robotics CEO Taisuke Ono. Made of white plastic and silicone, it has an embedded microphone that connects to the wearer’s smartphone via Bluetooth. The system can translate between Japanese and Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian, English, Spanish and French.

The impact of Smart face masks in communication amidst Covid-19 Social distancing rules

The mask’s Bluetooth chip can connect to smartphones up to 32 feet (10 meters) away, says Ono. He hopes the mask will make new social distancing norms in locations including hospitals and offices easier, by enabling good communication.

“We still have many situations where we have to meet in person,” he says. “In this new normal … the mask and the app are very helpful.”

The future of these new normal smart face masks

The company is expecting to make the mask available from January 2021 at a cost of roughly $38. If you want to take advantage of the translations and dictation features, there’s going to be a monthly charged, but the ongoing cost has yet to be disclosed. It also seems likely this will be the first of many smart masks to appear in the coming months, because companies are now realizing this is a new category of wearable and there’s the potential for millions of customers.

Why your business shouldn’t lag behind in the new normal times – Covid-19 times

Simply take a look why you need language translations services even in the new normal era:

  • Due to the pandemic, most businesses have switched to online operation. And so, you need translations for the growth of your online business. Though online businesses generally target a particular group of people of a country sometimes it has been seen that visitors from other countries also visit your website. Language translation services provide a translator medium which translates your website into different languages.
  • Hiring language translation services helps you attract a large audience to your business. In business, the products should speak the language but to advertise your products and services and to reach a global audience, you need a medium. Translations will increase your business to an extent you wouldn’t have ever thought.
  • There are many companies that need a translation of the technical text. Outsourcing language translation services in Africa helps you concentrate on your business goals and the translation work to be done by the efficient team of translators. You invest a little money and in return, you get to expand your business globally.
  • Language translations are specially used in travel and tourism. Translators are required to translate the history of the nation to the tourists visiting the country for vacation.

Language translation services have a huge scope in every field.

  • Localization translators have an aim of spreading the product information in different languages and cultures. They possess a high degree of knowledge about the product and the local users of the product. The main aim of the localization translators is to adapt the product information from where it has been manufactured and spread it where it will be actually sold.
  • Then there are specialized business translators who translate the information of finance, e-commerce, marketing among others to the dealers from other corners of the world. The aim is to expand the business. They possess great knowledge of business as well as both the languages.
  • Medical translators and interpreters promote communication between the hospital management and the patients. Medical translators have strong knowledge of both medical as well as conversational terms in both the languages.
  • Conference interpreters generally work in international forums where the people come from all around the world. Conference interpreters are a pro at translating languages into active as well as passive form during this new normal era.

Language translation services in Africa are affordable and provide the best services for the expansion of all types of businesses whether small scale or large scale. Language translations are used everywhere, whether in tourism, business or medical department.

Take no chances!

You can’t afford to lose, adjust to the new normal just like Smart Face mask inventors did! Hire the best language translations services and reach a much wider audience in this new normal era, Covid-19 or Corona times!

Content that connects international audiences

In today’s world, content drives sales, marketing, user engagement, and even user experience. Most successful companies have stopped competing on features and now focus on brands, and brands are primarily driven by storytelling.

Did you know!

More than half of the purchase decisions are made before the customer even reaches out to the supplier! That is why, in the content economy, every company is a media company.

Having a translation and localization plan in place is a natural fit within an organization’s digital transformation strategy. Out of the world’s billion residents, just 20% – 1.5 billion – speak English. If you are only producing marketing and product copy in one language, you’re missing out on profitable new customer markets simply by not localizing your content.

 

Do you wish your potential local customers to know about you?

 

If you want your local customers to know about you, first you have to adapt yourself to the language they speak and the perspective they view things. Localization helps you break the linguistic and cultural boundaries, which allows your brand to blend in and then stand out. Hence, connecting to your international audiences with ease.

How important is localization of your marketing content?

Localization is no longer just an option for companies that want to go global; it is now becoming a must, a strategic plan that can help a brand survive abroad. By localizing your website, products or marketing campaigns, you are building a bridge to your target customers and making your brand more memorable in local markets/international audiences. So, here are some key benefits of content localization that are less obvious but also really important;

Market expansion

Localization helps you break the linguistic and cultural boundaries, which allows your brands to blend in and then stand out. It is true that market penetration success depends on other factors such as product, price, place and promotion; however, without the aid of localization, it is more likely that cultural conflicts will block your way before you can step into the market.

Sales growth

By communicating with your customers in their own language and creating mutual understanding, you are building trust and commitment with them. That will make them more comfortable when dealing with you and making a purchase. Research shows that 57% of customers said that to obtain information in their own language is more important than price. Therefore, with localization, you are to set a pace for your competitors.

Customer satisfaction

Localization is not just about translation. It is about thoughtfully refining and adapting the content to suit local culture. Without a careful localization plan, your million-dollar campaign can be turned into something hilarious or even offensive to the local customers. The unwanted effects of a localization fail can cause intensive damages to your brand image. Localization will help you avoid those damages and create appealing user experience for your diversified target customers. It is a way to show your customers that you care about them and truly understand what they need. Therefore, your overall customer conversion will increase significantly.

Risk Reduction

In some countries, certain colors or expression can bear the meaning of bad luck or insult. There are certain risks from cultural conflicts when you go global. Your localization agency can help you stay away from those possible blunders.

Localization acts as a precaution for you to ensure that your business runs smoothly in other country. The investment in localization will benefit you in both short-term and long-term. It would be a big loss if you have to spend money and time to fix the screw-ups caused by the lack of proper localization. That is why the importance of localization cannot be denied.

In conclusion

Remember, at the end of the day, people won’t buy a product if they can’t understand what they’re buying. Seems obvious, right? Investing in localized experiences is a proven way to drive your organization’s global growth. Create content that connects international audiences to your product or services.

Why is a Sworn translation important?

What is a sworn/certified/legal/notary public translation?

A Sworn translation simply refers to an authorized translation service, used to translate legal documents or certificates. The document is endorsed by the signature and seal of a sworn Translator who is authorized by the foreign office to translate official documents. This endorsement grants the document an official, formal status and a legal value that is equivalent to the original document. This means that the translator takes full responsibility for the accuracy of the document. This includes birth certificates, university degrees, academic records, certificates of incorporation, statutes and other official documents.

What is a certified translation?

Certified translation refers to a translation which fulfills the requirements in the country in question, enabling it to be used in formal procedures, with the translator accepting responsibility for its accuracy. These requirements vary widely from country to country. While some countries allow only state-appointed translators to produce such translations, others will accept those carried out by any competent bilingual individual. Between these two extremes are countries where a certified translation can be carried out by any professional translator with the correct credentials (which may include membership of specific translation associations or the holding qualifications). Certified translations are mandatory for legal documents such as immigration papers, birth certificates, business contracts, and court transcripts.

What is a legal translation?

A legal translation is the translation of texts within the field of law. As law is a culture-dependent subject field, legal translation is not necessarily linguistically transparent. In-transparency in translation can be avoided somewhat by use of Latin legal terminology, where possible.

What is a notary translation?

A notarized translation requires a notary public to witness the certification process. To acquire a notarized translation, the translator signs the certificate of authenticity in front of the notary. The notary then signs and stamps the document. This signed document becomes known as an affidavit, and can be used for any submission requiring this level of verification. A notarized translation is typically requested by various schools and universities for verification of application documents, previous courses taken, and diplomas in a language foreign to the school.

Why is a sworn translation important?

When certain types of documents are being translated, it is essential to have a guarantee of accuracy and legal recognition. More so if you need to present these documents to an official body, such as a court, university or a notary. In such cases, a Sworn translation is often mandatory.

A non-sworn translator cannot officially guarantee the accuracy of a translated document, as they are not qualified to do so. Thus, a regular translation of such documents will hold no value in the eyes of the authorities. A sworn translator officially guarantees the accuracy of the translated documents by signing and stamping the documents, and the assigning of a unique registration number. They also provide their credentials and contact details. When submitting legal documents, a certified translation is often obligatory.

Who is a sworn translator?

A sworn translator is a translator who has been officially sworn in by the court and is authorized to issue certified or sworn translation(s).

Is it worth paying extra for a sworn translation?

Oh yes, to a greater degree! In the translation industry, sworn translators are considered to possess the highest level of expertise. And more to that, a sworn translator is expected to be extra careful when working! More notably, a sworn translator never should he/she be slack when researching. If they are, they run the risk of being charged with negligence, perjury, or even contempt of court.

Sworn translators need to have a thorough understanding, of both the terminology and phrasing, of the languages they translate into. They agree to abide by precise rules, and to be bound by an ethical code.

Point to Note:

Sworn translation(s) can only be provided in hard copies, given that they need to be signed and stamped by the translator. However, the original documents can be passed on in any form (email, fax, among others).

As a result, Sworn translation(s) end-up more costly than any-other translation service. Nevertheless, if you need it, it’s worth extra penny!

In conclusion

Distinct countries have distinct regulations, but if you need to certify a document, usually you have to use a certified/sworn translator. You may also have to submit additional documents, such as The Hague Apostille. In some instances, you may need to get legal approval from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). (Chambers of commerce exist all over the world. They do no have a direct role in creating laws or regulations, though they may be effective in influencing regulators and legislators with their organized lobbying efforts). Regulations vary from country to country, so it is best to check with your Language Service Provider before proceeding.

All in all, Translate 4 Africa Limited prides oneself on having a number of qualified Certified Translators! For more info, please get in touch with us.

What is a Translation Service Company

As far as normal use, interpretation organization is a more established, progressively conventional term, while Language Service Provider (LSP) is an increasingly current, ordinarily utilized term for an organization or accomplice that gives an expansive scope of interpretation or etymological administrations.

In this time where interpretation organizations are duplicating continuously, it must test to search for an interpretation accomplice that meets your criteria. Each business has a one of a kind arrangement of necessities, and it is difficult to discover a specialist co-op that meets every one of the desires. When you settle on the choice to decipher your business, certain difficulties present themselves.  There is no uncertainty that machine interpretation offers a convenient solution. Not exclusively is it financially savvy, yet in addition it likewise moment and advantageous. Notwithstanding, it isn’t something solid. What’s more, on the off chance that you are searching for the best interpretation administrations for your business, at that point the strict interpretation by the machine may not be the best thought.

Businesses

The interpretation administrations spread significant businesses that include:

  • Retail and E-Commerce
  • Life Sciences
  • Lawful
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Money
  • Publicizing, Marketing, PR
  • Mechanical and Manufacturing
  • Travel and Hospitality
  • Vitality and Mining
  • Equipment, Software, Technology
  • Government

South African Translation Services Companies

Since we’re careful about the client’s venture, we require our interpreters to be better than the rest. So as to work well for the client’s, they should be local speakers of their dialects and have long stretches of involvement in the enterprises for which they perform authoritative archive interpretation. A few interpreters are lawyers who have lived and worked in different nations giving them direct involvement with the local language and lawful wording. The client likewise has the additional affirmation that all legitimate interpretation administrations are performed physically. The client will never endure on account of flawed, PC created interpretations that regularly have humiliating and expensive outcomes. Furnished with interpretation recollections, particular lawful word references and different guides; the client’s interpreter will fill in as a component of the group to create the exact interpretation of authoritative reports required. We comprehend the requirement for reason-ability and security when mentioning the interpretation of authoritative records. We’ll happily consent to privacy arrangements and take a particular estimate that the client esteems important to ensure delicate data.

South African Language translation services companies offer lawful interpretation administrations for both the private and the open part. With respect to business interpretations, in the private segment it is regularly about legitimate issues. The writings worried about lawful undertakings are amazingly perplexing and requesting. So as to accomplish the best outcome or the ideal interpretation report that compares to the first, master learning is required. Other than that, the present day interpretation innovation for making interpretation memory and industry explicit term-bases that assurance the consistency of the substance and the phrasing of client’s interpretations are utilized. Peruse progressively about wording the executives administration. Our lawful interpretation administrations incorporate deciphering:

  • Agreements and understandings
  • Court documentation
  • Enactment
  • Articles of affiliation
  • Organization rules
  • Guidelines and mandates
  • Licenses, items and administration diagrams
  • Field-tested strategies
  • EU documentation

Machine Translation Errors

Machine translation (MT) is still a huge challenge for both IT developers and users. From the initiation of machine translation, problems at the semantic levels have been faced. Machine translation can be referred to as the process by which computer software is used to translate a text from one natural language (such as English/Afrikaans) to another (such as French/Swahili).

Today despite progress in the development of MT, its systems still fail to recognize which synonym; collocation or word meaning that should be used. Although mobile apps are very popular among users, errors in their translation output create misunderstandings.

A brief history about machine translation

The origins of machine translation can be traced back to the work of Al-Kindi, a 9th-century Arabic cryptographer who developed techniques for systematic language translation, including crypt-analysis, frequency analysis, and probability and statistics, which are used in modern machine translation. The idea of machine translation later appeared in the 17th century. The field of machine translation was founded with Warren Weaver’s Memorandum on Translation (1949). The first researcher in the field, Yehosha Bar-Hillel, began his research at MIT (1951). A Georgetown University MT research team followed (1951) with a public demonstration of its Georgetown-IBM experiment system in 1954. MT research programs popped up in Japan and Russia (1955), and the first MT conference was held in London (1956).(wikipedia)

Can Machine translations out-compete professional translators too!

Although computer/technology has stolen the spotlight from humans in many sectors, they aren’t a threat to professional translators. Here are the main reasons why.

Today, we all have access to an automatic translator, and it is also true that we are often tempted to use this tool. But only a couple of uses are enough to realize that these tools are not always effective. This is because they provide literal translations in their raw state, without taking into account cultural and contextual factors, which is essential to any professional translation. This is the main reason why automatic translations often make mistakes.

Some sample machine translation error instances

The type of document

machine translation errors

Firstly, translation tools are very general. The reason is simple: they’re supposed to be useful with any type of document. This is where the worst enemy of machine translation tools comes in: ambiguity. You will find below a small example that should make you smile, where the computer obviously unwanted translated “female jacket” in Brazilian PT and into Spanish languages.

Translation model

Another flaw of translation tools lies in the translation model. These tools compare numerous collections of texts and draw translation rules from them. Despite these rules, for each new translation, the professional translator is faced with new issues which only they alone can solve by making choices. These choices cannot be made by the software.

Machine translation errors

Some examples of machine translation errors:

Machine translation errors

Here’s another example of a machine translation error of a sentence in French that was automatically translated into English

Here, ambiguity has led to a computer error still. The verb “sauter” in French can be translated as to jump, or to skip in English, depending on the context. Unluckily for these far-from-perfect tools, the verb “sauter” was used incorrectly. It should have been used to mean “skip” in order to conserve the original meaning of the sentence.

In addition, in a medical or legal context, a bad translation could have serious consequences.

In conclusion

The results are disappointing, because even after almost 70 years of MT research and improvement, researchers still cannot offer a system that would be able to translate with at least 50% correctness.

Always be cautious of these types of tools. They can be useful in some cases, but their limits must never be overlooked. Our advice to you is to always opt for professional translation services.

How to escape Cyber attacks by 2020!

With the number of cyber-attacks increasing across the globe day by day, businesses are seeking for new ways to ensure the cyber safety of their organizations. One way to double-check that cyber-security is the best it can be; is to seek assistance from companies that specialize in safeguarding systems and data. Regardless of the size of your business, enlisting a cyber-security firm’s help could be your best defense against a potentially devastating system attack or data breach. How about Cyber security localization!

Businesses large and small are at risk. To counteract this threat, companies need to invest in more sophisticated verification technologies, including AI and machine learning algorithms, as well as staff trained to identify the tiny details. However, results can be for sure if these are all fully localized! Cyber security localization solutions can help you strengthen your business security with less incurred.

 

What’s the meaning of Cyber-security!

Cyber-security refers to the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It’s also known as information technology security or electronic information security. The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories, namely:-

  • Network security which refers to the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.
  • Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to data it’s designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.
  • Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.
  • Operational security includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fans under this umbrella.
  • Disaster recovery and business community define how an organization responds to a cyber-security incident or any other event that causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery polices dictate how the organization restores its operations and information to return to the same operating capacity as before the event. Business continuity is the plan the organization falls back on while trying to operate without certain resources.
  • End-user education addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: People. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.

Check out the common Cyber-security threats

Along with the increase in the number of cyber-security attacks that are occurring worldwide, the implementation of these attacks has become more sophisticated, meaning that businesses cannot simply count on standard software to ensure that they are protected. Some of the types of cyber-security threats that companies face include:

Phishing: Scammers will use social media or emails to persuade users to click on misleading links and give sensitive information, such as financial data.

Malware: By inadvertently downloading malware, users give access to their computer systems, which cyber-criminals can use as a basis to spy or initiate a virus.

Password theft: When cyber attackers are able to determine the password of a network, they can gain access to a grave amount of important and sensitive information.

Ransomware: With this type of malware, cyber-criminals can lock down a system and encrypt a device, rendering it unusable. To regain access, the user might have to pay a large sum of money to the attacker.

Distributed denial of service (DDoS): By flooding a server with requests from numerous sources, attackers cause the server to crash or slow down considerably.

Considering that half of these attacks are aimed at small businesses! Every company, regardless of their size, should have a localized approached to cyber-security.

Here’s an insight of how Cyber Security Localization can help

Since language and cultural barriers can prevent the user from recognizing a potential cyber-attack, multilingual training and localized products from cyber-security companies are critical to heading off cyber threats. Whether used by a large corporation or an individual, ensuring that the product is understandable to everyone is a vital step toward prevention. Here are some ways that cyber-security firms can ensure that their products and services are used to their full potential:

  • Provide product training in all regions that the company serves. This multilingual approach will give users the information they need without language barriers interfering.
  • Make certain that the users interface resonates with customers in their language. If someone doesn’t understand the symbols or text used to explain the product, then the user will not be able to prevent an impending attack. Understanding what a particular action entails is vital to using the cyber-security system properly.
  • Ensure that any region where the product is used has a localized website that provides important information and delivers the tools necessary for the product.
  • Offer localized instruction documents that include step by step descriptions of how to use the cyber-security product. With the help of localized brochures, user manuals, websites, and videos, employees in each region that your company is located will be able to participate in helping to protect your systems and data.
  • Work with a professional translation services company to make certain that the cyber-security product training and documentation is the best it can possibly be. Cyber-security companies provide a crucial service to their clients, so it is vital that the information is translated and localized properly. One mistake in the language or cultural nuances can make a huge difference for a client, as well as cause future customers not to have confidence in the product.

“2020 will be the year of 5G, bringing with it not only faster speeds and bandwidth capabilities to our mobile devices, but also making them highly coveted targets by DDoS attackers. While mobile devices have always been targeted by financial or personal data thieves, 5G’s increased bandwidth allows attackers to take control over a relatively small number of mobile handsets and unleash a tremendous amount of damage. A potential DDoS attack may be distributed via an innocent-looking app on the Play or App store and an attacker just needs a few hundred installs to create a massive outbreak”-Hagai Shapira, Research Team Lead, SAM

In the final analysis

With the above in mind, every company, especially those that handle sensitive customer information, should have a plan in place to prevent such attacks in each region it serves. Get in touch with a professional translation services company to help you with your Cyber Security Localization Solutions.

2020 Magical travel tips to a Swahili land

Are you planning for a trip to a Swahili speaking country? Yes! Whether you’re travelling to Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda or any-other Swahili speaking country, you’ll need a couple of useful phrases with you to enjoy your travels.

About Swahili language

Swahili, also known as Kiswahili (translation: language of the Swahili people), is a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and south-eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, some parts of Malawi, Somalia and Zambia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Comorian, spoken in the Comoros Islands, is sometimes considered to be a dialect of Swahili, though other authorities consider it a distinct language.

Here are some of the Basic phrases to make your trip magical

Whether you want to learn how to ask for directions or order a delicious meal, we’ve put together a list of the common Swahili phrases you’ll need to have a relaxing, enjoyable and thoroughly unforgettable trip!

Swahili greetings

A good first impression always starts with an opener that is, a small gesture, to show some willingness. So if you only learn one phrase before your trip, make sure it’s one of these.

Here are a few conversation openers:

  • Jambo! – Hello!
  • Habari za asubuhi – Good morning
  • Alasiri nzuri – Good afternoon
  • Habari ya Jioni! – Good evening
  • Habari! – Hi there!

And here’s a couple more to say Goodbye:

  • Kwaheri – Goodbye
  • Tutaonana baadaye – See you later

 

How to be polite in Swahili

“Please” and “thank you” are two magical words that go along way in English speaking countries. Especially in the UK: day to day, you end up saying “sorry” here and another “sorry” there – sometimes, you even say it when you don’t actually mean it, or when it’s not really your fault. That’s why it’s important for to learn them too in Swahili!

  • Asante – Thank you
  • Asante Sana – Thank you so much
  • Karibu – You’re welcome
  • Tafadhali – Please
  • Samahani – Excuse me / I’m sorry
  • Samahani Sana – I’m very sorry

 

Essential Swahili phrases (For when you get stuck!)

It’ll be an inevitable eventuality on your trip. You’ll start off the conversation with a common Swahili phrase (Hello!, nice work!). You’ll then get a response that’s either delivered so fast that you didn’t quite catch it, or that uses structures and vocabularies that are currently a little too advanced for your liking. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed. But it’s okay not to understand everything you hear.

Here’s how you can ask someone to repeat what they said or say it slower. I’ve also tossed in one when you have no clue of what to say.

  • Sielewi – I don’t understand
  • Pole pole, tafadhali – Slower, please
  • Tafadhali sema polepole – Please speak more slowly
  • Unaweza Kurudia? – can you repeat?
  • Sijui – I don’t know
  • Je!… maana? – What does … mean?

And failing these suggestions, there’s no sin in confessing to them that you don’t speak Swahili, and ask them if they speak English:

  • Sisemi Kiswahili – I don’t speak Swahili
  • Unazungumza Kingereza? – Do you speak English?

 

Getting you around

Let’s get to explore your surroundings.

With so much to take in and so little time to do it in, at some point or another during your trip you’re going to get lost – and you’re going to need to ask for directions.

To ask where something is just say, what you’re trying to find followed by “wapi?”

Use this question when you’re looking for something specific.

Forexample:

  • Choo kiko wapi? – Where’s the toilet/bathroom?
  • Mkahawa uko wapi? – Where’s the restaurant?
  • Iko wapi … mitaani? – Where’s the … street?

Of course, you won’t find these questions useful unless you understand the sorts of common Swahili phrases people will offer in response. Here’s a few phrases locals will use when trying to point you in the right direction:

  • Upande wa kulia – on the right
  • Kushoto – on the left
  • Mwishoni – at the end
  • Kwenye kona – In the corner
  • Hapa – Here
  • Huko – There

 

At the restaurant

Eating out and trying local delicacies are precious moments worth sovouring. From ordering food and drink to asking for the bill, here are some of the most useful phrases you will need in any restaurant:

  • Nataka – I want

The simplest way of ordering at the restaurant is by using “Nataka” (I want). I know what you’re thinking: you’ve got your english hat on and you’re wondering, “But isn’t that terribly rude?” But it’s not as rude as it sounds.

Swahili speakers use it all the time when ordering food and drink, or even when they’re buying something in a shop. If you’d rather stick to the more formal version of the verb, you can say Ningependa (“I’d like”).

Forexample:

Ningependa kahawa – I’d like a coffee.

Ningependa tiketi ya kurudi – I’d like a return ticket.

There’s also an even easier option: you can simply say what you’d like, followed by a Tafadhali.

For example:

  • Kahawa, tafadhali. – Coffee, please.
  • Maji, tafadhali. – Water, please.

Keep your shirt on, we’re not done yet: I’ve got a few more common Swahili phrases for you to cover:

Naweza kupata …? – Can I have …?

Here’s a language tip:

Finish the question Naweza kupata …? By adding the drink or what you you’d like at the end. If you’re really going out of your way to impress locals, try this out next time you are in a café.
Forexample:

    1. Naweza Kupata kikombe cha kahawa? – Can I have a cup of coffee?
    2. Naweza kupata Maji? – Can I have water?

 

    • Nitakayo bili, tafadhali. – I’ll have the bill, please.
    • Kiasi gani? – How much is it?

 

Want more than just a few common Swahili phrases so you can live like a local on your travels? Contact us for your Swahili course for a more thorough crash course.

I now pronounce you officially ready for your trip! Pack up those common Swahili phrases, and we at Translate 4 Africa Ltd wish you a wonderful trip.

Or, as any Swahili speaker would say:

Safari salama! (Safe trip!).

Remember

With a few of the right phrases, you’ll find that people are friendlier and more helpful everywhere you go. Locals always appreciate travelers making an effort. However, you don’t need to be fluent in Swahili to get by. Learning even just a couple of basic Swahili phrases will go a long way. Tunakupenda hivyo, Asante sana (We love you so, thank you very much).

International Mother Language Day – Languages Spoken in South Africa

The International Mother Language Day is celebrated each year on 21 February. UNESCO emphasizes its pledge to etymological decent variety and welcomes its member states to praise the day in whatever number dialects as could be expected under the circumstances as an update that phonetic assorted variety and multilingualism are basic for economic development. UNESCO has been observing International Mother Language Day for about 20 years with the point of protecting semantic assorted variety and advancing native language based multilingual instruction.

 Languages of South Africa 

The most widely recognized language communicated considered as a first language by South Africans is Zulu (23 percent), trailed by Xhosa (16 percent), and Afrikaans (14 percent). English is the fourth most basic first language in the nation (9.6%). Most of South Africans communicate in a language from one of the two chief parts of the Bantu dialects that are spoken in South Africa: the Sotho–Tswana branch (which incorporates Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho and Tswana dialects formally), or the Nguni branch (which incorporates Zulu, Xhosa, Swati and Ndebele dialects authoritatively). For every one of the two gatherings, the dialects inside that gathering are generally clear to a local speaker of some other language inside that gathering. The South Africa national hymn is included two tunes combined. They are Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (Lord, Bless Africa) – the African National Congress’ legitimate song of praise – and Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa) which was the national hymn during Apartheid. At this point, when the two melodies were perceived as national hymns with equivalent standing and played in the competition, before they were converted into one in the year 1997. Despite the fact that the song of praise is regularly alluded to as basically Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, it’s legitimate name is the National Anthem of South Africa.

South African Sign Language

South African Sign Language (SASL) is the essential gesture based communication utilized by the deaf in South Africa. The South African government included a National Language Unit for South African Sign Language in 2001. SASL isn’t the main manual language utilized in South Africa, yet the language is being elevated as the language to be utilized by all Deaf in South Africa, albeit Deaf people groups in South Africa verifiably don’t frame a solitary group. SASL is the gesture based communication that is utilized during TV news in South Africa. Communication via gestures is additionally utilized in the South African parliament, yet unique gesture based communication translators are known to utilize various signs for the equivalent concepts. There are around 40 schools for the Deaf in South Africa, most utilizing an assortment of SASL. Communication via gestures is expressly referenced in the South African constitution, and the South African Schools Act allows the investigation of the language in lieu of another official language at school.

What is a Language Translator

A Language translator/interpreter is a programming language processor that changes over a PC program starting with one language then onto the next. It takes a program written in source code and changes over it into machine code. It finds and recognizes the mistake during interpretation.

The IBM Watson Language Translator administration changes over content contribution to one language into a goal language for the end-client utilizing foundation from space explicit models. Interpretation is accessible among Arabic, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Catalan, Czech, Dutch, Danish, English, Finnish, French, Hindi, Hungarian, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

Different types of translators

The various kinds of translators are as per the following:

Compiler

A compiler is an interpreter used to change over significant level programming language to low-level programming language. It changes over the entire program in one session and reports blunders distinguished after the transformation. Compiler sets aside some effort to do its work as it makes an interpretation of significant level code to bring down level code at the same time and after that spares it to memory. A compiler is processor-ward and stage subordinate. Yet, it has been tended to by an exceptional compiler, a cross-compiler and a source-to-source compiler.

Translator

Much the same as a compiler, is an interpreter used to change over significant level programming language to low-level programming language. It changes over the program each in turn and reports blunders recognized without a moment’s delay, while doing the transformation. With this, it is simpler to identify mistakes than in a compiler. A translator is quicker than a compiler as it promptly executes the code after perusing the code. It is regularly utilized as a troubleshooting device for programming advancement as it can execute a solitary line of code at once. A translator is likewise more compact than a compiler as it isn’t processor-subordinate, you can work between equipment models.

Constructing agent

A constructing agent is an interpreter used to make an interpretation of low level computing construct to machine language. It resembles a compiler for the low level computing construct however intuitive like a translator. Low level computing construct is hard to comprehend as it is a low-level programming language. A constructing agent interprets a low-level language, a low level computing construct to an even lower-level language, which is the machine code.

Some Online Tools

Lingoes – an unreservedly downloadable simple and natural lexicon and content interpretation programming which offers query lexicons, and way to express words in more than 80 dialects.

Leo – a free online word reference, for the most part valuable for German interpreters, with an all around utilized gathering for interpreters where trickier cases are being talked about.

Wordreference – a free online lexicon that offers exact interpretations in the absolute most broadly utilized European dialects, with a well-utilized gathering where you can request counsel from the network.

Go Global! The Best Things For Language Learners Are Apps!

You have the essentials down, you can conjugate without an excess of issue and you feel almost certain you’re headed for progress.

Is it accurate to say that you are perusing like a star? Or then again perhaps a section to a great extent simply doesn’t bode well?

Furthermore, would you say you are absolutely into watching motion pictures in your new dialect? Or on the other hand did that super-significant trade simply pass you by?

In some cases it’s about the instruments you need to get familiar with a language—and for this situation, I’m discussing one device specifically: interpretation applications.

Kinyarwanda as a Language of the African Nation

The start from the introduction to the Kinyarwanda language. Kinyarwanda, called Urufumbira in Kisoro, Uganda, is a political candidate language of African nation and a vernacular of the African nation-Rundi language spoken by, at any rate, twelve million people in Rwanda, Japanese, Democratic Republic of the Congo and contiguous items of southern African country (the usually comprehensible  Kirundi vernacular is that the official language of neighboring Burundi). Kinyabwisha and Kinyamulenge area unit the usually fathomable tongues spoken in North Lake Kivu and South Kivu regions of neighboring DR Congo. Kinyarwanda is one in every of the four authority dialects of African nation (alongside English, French and Kiswahili) and is spoken by much the bulk of the native people. That seems otherwise in reference to most current African expresses, whose outskirts were drawn by pioneer controls and do not compare to ethnic limits or precolonial kingdoms. Kinyarwanda could be a natural language. Within the same means as alternative Bantu dialects, it’s a two-route differentiates among high tones and low tones (low-tone syllables may be examined as toneless). The acknowledgment of tones in Kinyarwanda is littered with a remarkable set of descriptive linguistics pointers.

Rwanda marks the International Day of language

As African nation joins the remainder of the planet to mark the International Day of Sign Languages, that the method to provide a replacement national language lexicon has reached the ultimate stages, with Associate in nursing calculable eighty per cent of the work done, a political candidate has aforementioned. The lexicon, which can be the second of its kind in African nation, has been within the works since 2014.The project is being together undertaken by National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and African nation National Union of the Deaf (RNUD), with support from Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the manager Secretary of NCPD, aforementioned that the analysis section terminated and consultants area unit currently putt the lexicon along. “The project is currently at concerning eighty per cent. We tend to visited all provinces across the country to gather information, and area unit currently within the final section of writing” the official aforementioned. Language differs from country to country because of cultural variations. Ndayisaba noted that the analysis was aimed toward knowing totally (completely different) and customary sign languages utilized by different individuals within the country, thus on come back up with Associate in Nursing inclusive lexicon. NCPD says that the lexicon is anticipated to be printed in June 2020. The 2012 population and social unit census by the National Institute of Statistics African nation (NISR) discovered that there have been over thirty three thousand Rwandans with speaking.

Rwanda makes Swahili a political candidate language

Rwanda’s members of parliament have passed Associate in nursing constitution that established Swahili as a political candidate language within the geographic area nation. The languages are going to be used for body functions, utilized in official languages in some official documents. Swahili becomes the fourth language once Kinyarwanda, English and French. “Rwanda joined the geographic area Community (EAC) in 2007 and within the statute that establishes this coalition, Swahili is universally utilized in the region and members area unit requested to form Swahili one in every of their official languages,” aforementioned Minister for Sports and Culture, cut Uwacu. “Swahili as a political candidate language is, on one hand, fulfilling what we tend to area unit needed to try and do as a member country however, on the opposite hand, it’s how to extend the advantages that Rwandans will reap from economic integration.” aforementioned Ms Uwacu.