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On December 15, 2020, in the midst of the coldest and darkest days of the Covid pandemic, the energy in the Midlothian, Virginia neighborhood of Hallsley could have lit up a city. Over 150 residents lined the street to recognize and celebrate a symbol of joy. A simple and safe gathering had been suggested to honor and thank Anthony Gaskin, the neighborhood’s UPS driver for the past 5 years.

Throughout the pandemic, Anthony had approached the doors of these homes with a beaming smile and a friendly, joyous attitude. He exuded warmth and gave people hope. While most remained behind their doors for months, this essential worker took on holiday level volume, working long days like fellow drivers for his and other delivery services around the country. Anthony approached this time with the same professionalism and friendliness that he was known for and the response to take part in a celebration for him was nearly across-the-board. Testimonials were requested and they came pouring in. He had done so many good deeds, made new neighbors feel at home and others feel protected. He doted on children and made many folks feel as if they were his favorite.

Photo Credit: Lexi Hanrahan Photography

In the afternoon, with a plan set to have Anthony come at a certain time, nearly 80 cars, numerous walkers and people on bikes lined both sides of the main road and waited with signs and noisemakers in hand for Anthony to approach. When he did, this humble man drove slowly through the gauntlet, a happy cacophony of voices, bells, whistles and horns. The experience was so overwhelming for him that he could not control his tears when approached by his supervisors at the end of the road. They presented him a lovely token and he received an overflowing basket of gifts from hundreds of neighbors. When he spoke, it was brief; he teased about not wanting those gathered to see him cry, and then he went on to finish his route. The feeling in the air was magical, everyone was smiling and laughing and while less than 20 minutes, it was a simply wonderful and memorable experience for all involved.

The story was sent to news outlets, shared by neighbors on social media and ultimately covered by WRTV-6, CBS Richmond. What happened next was really astounding. A country which was clearly hungry for something happy, people longing to be with the ones they love, eager to celebrate joyfully, and to feel hopeful, was overwhelmed by the story. It spread like wildfire. The story was picked up by every major network and cable news outlet and was ultimately shared on every social media platform. This viral spread has continued around the world.

The main road of Hallsley, lined with its grateful residents, was the backdrop to the biggest national lifestyle story in recent history. This celebration was said to have been seen by over 150 million people by the time Anthony Gaskin sat down and watched his first live broadcast a week later.

Just before Christmas, Anthony and the event’s organizer met briefly to talk about the many continued requests for interviews and quotes. They agreed that encouraging readers to change their likes and shares to donations of money or time for their local food banks would make this simple story of kindness even more powerful. That evening their request was made on ABC’s World News Tonight, where 10 million people were watching.

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With the proliferation of automated, online translation tools, there is an increasing temptation to eliminate the human element from the translation process.  In cases where stakes are relatively low, namely personal matters that have no legal or commercial implications (writing a casual letter to a pen pal in a foreign country, for example) — these online translation tools can be an invaluable resource toward bridging the communication gap and eliminating the language barrier.  These automated tools, however, are far from perfect, and very often result in translation errors that can alter the meaning of the intended message in a way that’s either incorrect or plain unintelligible.  Here are just a few of the potential problems that may occur when using an automated translation tool:

1. Polysemous words are frequently mistranslated. ‘Polysemous’ describes a word or expression with multiple meanings.  While determining which meaning is intended is a relatively easy task for a human translator (they simply rely on context) — the same task is not as easy for automated translation tools.  As a result, polysemous words and phrases are often mistranslated, or translated in such a way that makes no sense given the context.
2. Irony and sarcasm are often misconveyed. While the nuances or irony and sarcasm are easily picked up by a human translation team, these concepts are often incompatible with the programming of an automated translation tool.  This incompatibility often results in the nuances of irony and sarcasm being lost entirely when translated, thus drastically altering the intended meaning of a message.
3. Confidentiality is potentially at stake when automated translation tools are used. Google Translate, for instance, will not provide any kind of non-disclosure guarantee to its users.  On the contrary, Google’s terms of use state that Google has the right to “use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content”.  In other words, users of the service have no real ownership or confidentiality guarantees.  On the other hand, when you engage the professional services of a language service provider such as Language Innovations, we’re ready and willing to enter into a non-disclosure agreement prior to beginning any work.  When you work with Language Innovations you can rest assured that your documents will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
4. Most organizations and agencies that receive translated documents in an official capacity require that the translations be accompanied by a certification document attesting to the translation’s accuracy and outlining the credentials of the translator.  Language Innovations provides a signed, stamped, and notarized translation certification for each document we translate at no additional charge.

In situations where miscommunication can have serious consequences, the importance of a multi-tiered translation, editing, and proofreading process with professional, (human!) linguists cannot be stressed enough.  Have materials for translation and would like to receive a quote?  Click here to contact us with your request.  We’re ready to answer any questions you may have!

When it comes to any matter involving international attorneys, courts, and case law, obtaining professional legal translation and legal interpretation services is important, as any inaccurately communicated speech or mistranslated documents may lead to serious miscommunications and legal jeopardy. As both linguistic professionals have the ability to convey meaning from one language into another, translators and interpreters provide it in two differing mediums and work with different types of source materials. In legal matters consisting of international affairs, it’s crucial that you find the language support you need to bridge the gap in your legal situation.

At Language Innovations, our legal translation and legal interpretation services, including Spanish interpreter services, are provided by expert linguists who have the professional experience with a number of the United States’ most prominent law firms, corporate legal departments, and organizations both large and small. To give you a better idea of the differences between legal translation and legal interpretation, we have provided more information below to help you distinguish which one will work best for your particular legal situation:

What is Legal Interpretation?

In the world of legal interpretation, interpreters are responsible for conveying a person’s speech verbally in a live setting from one language to another. Legal interpretation may take place during depositions, in court, over-the-phone, within video conferences, and simultaneously at industry/trade conferences and symposia. With that in mind, legal interpreters have to be quick, experienced, and informed on the specific subject matter and legal terminology in both the source and target languages, especially when it comes to making the correct judgement calls about certain words to ensure they best mirror a deponent’s or interviewee’s precise meaning and intentions.

What is Legal Translation?

Legal translators handle translations of written documents, such as contracts, articles of incorporation, discovery documentation, transcripts and much more. It is their responsibility to produce an accurate translation of the provided documents into the target language, accurately reflecting the meaning and nuances of the legal matter at hand.

The Skill Set Requirements of Both

Legal interpreters and legal translators must be fully fluent in both languages in which they are interpreting or translating. In addition, they also need to have a firm grasp on the topics and jargon involved in the legal realms in which they are working. Lastly, their accuracy and attention to detail must always be spot-on to ensure that the final product precisely follows the tone and tenor of source document or spoken word.  

Invest in Professional Legal Spanish Interpretation Services in Washington D.C.

Whether you need interpretation services for legal trade conferences and conventions, depositions, or state and federal court proceedings, Language Innovations can cater our services to suit your needs. We offer document translation and on-site interpretation services, including Spanish interpretation services, as well as Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Portuguese, French and Japanese interpretation (not to mention many, many other languages!). When you work with us, you will have peace of mind knowing that you are receiving the highest quality of communication support, whether your needs are verbal or written.
Learn more about our legal Spanish interpreter services here. Contact us at (202) 349-4180 to receive a free on-site interpretation or document translation quote today!

The busy summer season for international conferences in Washington, DC is fast approaching and in this blog we’re highlighting the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine which will be attended by representatives from at least 10 different countries from around the world!

The International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine is a unique event which will feature prominent speakers delivering both powerful and practical information, as well as tools for the attendees to enhance their practices, maximize networking opportunities, and persue continuing education credits all while featuring heart-healthy menus.

International Conferences and Knocking Down Foreign Language Barriers

As the world is becoming smaller, businesses, people and communities that do not have a shared language rely more and more on language service providers to help ensure effective communication through the hiring of conference interpreters as well as written translations of prepared materials. Imagine a conference with participants from around the world, multiple languages spoken and nothing done to bridge the language barrier… not a good result, right? Right.

Professional interpretation and document translation services, like Language Innovations, have close relationships with hotel venues and convention centers, as well as the technical expertise to provide the infrastructure for international conferences, to ensure that each participant is able to deliver and receive communications, written and spoken, in any language. Whether it’s a keynote address, presentation for a breakout session, a walking tour or working dinner, Language Innovations has the resources to deliver expert language services for each instance and everything in between!

Let Language Innovations Assist You with Expert Document Translation & Interpretation Services in Washington D.C., Nationally and Abroad

Whether you need written document translation or spoken interpretation (either by phone or in-person), Language Innovations is here to help. Language Innovations has been providing reliable document translation and interpreting services into and from 200+ languages for over twenty years. Language Innovations can help you determine the best course of action to most effectively reach your target audience to make sure the message is conveyed in a way that is clear and easily understood no matter who the reader might be.

Get started on translating your documents and interpretation needs and contact us today! Receive a free quote right now!

Over the phone interpreting (OPI) gives you the freedom to bridge the language barrier at a moment’s notice. Whether your need for an interpreter is personal or professional, OPI allows you to instantly open lines of communication with another party in the absence of a common language. Consider working together with a trusted professional to ensure you are receiving the most out of your interpretation experience.

Language Innovations’ over the phone interpreting service is here to  help you converse in 200+ languages. Our OPI presents you with a quick, confidential, and convenient way to facilitate interpreting services at your convenience. To give you a better idea of what professional over-the-phone interpretation is, we have provided more information below:

What Should You Expect From A Professional Over-the-Phone Interpreter?

When it comes to interpretation services, it is very important to listen comprehensively without interrupting, and interpreting without addition or omission of any detail. In order for businesses to thrive, we provide value to our customers by giving them a reliable service that specifically meets their needs. Here are some things you can expect using our service:

• Professionalism & courteousness
• Confidentiality
• Expertise in subject matter
• Clear and concise interpretation
• Fast response time

What Are The Benefits?

Many businesses are able to grow and build stronger relationships with their clients and even their community with interpretation services that adapt to their customer’s needs, such as:

• Convenience
• 24/7 Availability
• Cost-effective
• Precise
• Confidential
• Affordable pricing

Industries that Benefit From Our Services:

Legal: Lawyers, Consultations, Official documents.

Medical: Medical/Dental Examinations/Informed Consent

Business: Conference calls/International Relations/Interviews

General: Parent/Teacher School Meetings

Bridge the Communication Gap with Language Innovations in Washington D.C.

At Language Innovations, our over-the-phone interpretation services allows organizations and people to effectively communicate in more than 200 different languages. When you call for an interpretation service, we will make sure to understand your needs quickly and get you in contact with an experienced interpreter in the language and industry that you are requesting. We know how time sensitive things can be, so we are available 24/7 for your convenience. Our interpreters are highly knowledgeable in all subject matters, such as legal and medical terminology that help you receive precise translations at your convenience.

Does your business need over the phone interpretation services? Request a free phone interpreting quote now, it’s fast, easy, and secure.

Nonprofit organizations play a firm role in the social and economic well-being of the United States and foreign nations around the globe and continue to grow. They are businesses, most often charitable, that assist other businesses, governments, and communities to drive economic development, health, political reform, education, and the arts — virtually every sector of society. As government agencies and the private sector have scaled back their charitable giving in recent years, nonprofits have become indispensable. As a result, nonprofits have a much greater need for international outreach and related foreign language services, such as document translation and interpreting.

Assisting Mission-Driven Organizations

Nonprofit organizations are mission-driven entities that must rely on the assistance of professional services, such as document translation providers, like Language Innovations, to effectively deliver their mission, content, and strategic planning in countless languages. It is a great responsibility and privilege working with nonprofit organizations, and Language Innovations has first-hand experience in supporting these organizations with translation and interpretation services in an effort to help them achieve their goals, share their mission, and continue the work they do around the world.

Why Inspiration is Contagious

It can’t be stated strongly enough the importance of inspiring your workforce around common goals. And the importance of having a trusted and reliable resource to translate the volumes of materials associated with those goals and mission is incredibly important to ensure the information, data, and objectives are properly and effectively translated into the foreign languages understood by the intended audiences. The same is true in spoken forums in having a professional service provide you with experienced and industry-seasoned foreign language interpreters.

Cultural Sensitivity to Your Audiences

Working with vendors and service providers that share the values of an organization’s mission is very important. Common principles that take parallel streams will naturally dovetail into a laser-like focus on achieving like-minded goals. Nonprofit organizations seek to partner with people and companies who possesses cultural sensitivity, empathy and on-the-ground experience. Language Innovations is one of those companies.

Let Language Innovations Assist You with Expert Document Translation & Interpretation Services in Washington D.C., Nationally and Abroad

Whether you need written document translation or spoken interpretation (either by phone or in-person), Language Innovations is here to help. Language Innovations has been providing reliable document translation and interpreting services into and from 200+ languages for over twenty years. Language Innovations can help you determine the best course of action to most effectively reach your target audience to make sure the message is conveyed in a way that is clear and easily understood no matter who the reader might be.

Get started on translating your documents and interpretation needs and contact us today! Receive a free document translation quote right now!

Everyday people ask us, “How much is it to translate my document?” and while that is the right question to ask, it’s like asking a mechanic how much it will cost to fix your car before he has  even had a chance to look at it.

To be sure you are getting the professional document translation services you need at the right price, it’s a good idea for you to answer the following questions first:

• Who is the target audience? Is the translation intended for a broad audience or for a specific/smaller group?
• Do I need a nonprofessional or professional translation?
• When do I need the translation to be completed?

A Little Preparation Goes A Long Way

Knowing the intended audience for your translated document will help you in the following ways: 1) it will establish trust, 2) the translated information will be easier to understand, and 3) adding images into the document will further enhance your audience reach.

Also, if your translation is to be used in a business, legal, governmental or other official manner, you may want to consider hiring a professional translation service provider (psst… like Language Innovations!). On the other hand, if the translation is for personal use, such as sending a letter to a friend, you can probably get away using a nonprofessional translator (maybe even free machine based/Internet translation). However, keep in mind the free translation applications are often not very reliable or accurate. Professional document translation allows for intricate proofreading and editing, which will benefit the overall quality and accuracy of the translation.

Brass Tacks– How Much Will It Cost?

Now that we’ve spent some time discussing the factors and influences on document translation, let’s get into some of the numbers. We’ve seen customers pay as little as $50 and as much as six figures. However, many customers fall between a range of $95 and $550.

For example:

• Personal documents such as a birth certificate or diploma: $65 – $125
• 10 page contract: $350 – $600
• 100 page infrastructure proposal: $3500 – $6000

The type of document and its length will determine the total cost of your document translation services. If you need a little more information about having your personal documents translated, work with industry-leading translators at Language Innovations who are known for their accuracy and professionalism.

Language Innovations – Your Trusted Document Translation Service Provider in Washington D.C.

Language Innovations is a valuable sounding board to the buying public for translation services. Ask us a question and receive a prompt and straightforward answer shortly! Have a brochure or personal document that needs to be translated? Contact us at (202) 349-4180 or email us at ContactLI@languageinnovations.com to learn more about our document translation services.

Many people are not aware of the distinction between Spanish as spoken and written in Spain as compared to their Latin American counterparts. Whether you have a need for English to Spanish document translation or spoken interpretation, the differences between European Spanish and Spanish for Latin America are not something that should be overlooked!

What Are the Correct Terms for the Different Forms of Spanish?

Spanish as spoken in Latin America is known simply as Latin American Spanish — easy enough, right? A term that many people are less familiar with, however, is Castilian which refers to the Castile province in Central Spain. Castilian is the formal term for Spanish as spoken in Spain.  The equivalent Spanish term Castellano translates literally to “Spanish language”.

So What’s the Difference?  

The differences between Latin American Spanish and Castilian are numerous and range from nuanced to quite distinctive. Perhaps the most distinct difference is the presence of the “vosotros” form in European (Castilian) Spanish. Spaniards (those who are native to Spain) use the word “vosotros” (you, plural) when addressing a group of people. On the other hand, Latin Americans use the term “ustedes”.

When it comes to the comprehension of a translated document or spoken interpretation by your target audience, there are some distinct differences in vocabulary that are quite relevant. While a Spanish speaker from Spain might refer to a cellphone as a móvil, the same device is more commonly known as a celular among Latin American Spanish speakers. Similarly, while a car is known as an automovil in Spain, the same vehicle is more commonly referred to as coche or carro in Latin America.

There are also various differences in pronunciation depending on the origin of the Spanish speaker. Spanish speakers from the country of Spain tend to pronounce the letter ‘z’, when it comes before any vowel, with a ‘th’ sound. In Latin American Spanish, by comparison, ‘z’ is almost always pronounced as an ‘s’.

Let Language Innovations Assist You with Expert Document Translation Services in Washington D.C.

Whether you need written document translation or spoken interpretation, either by phone or in-person, Language Innovations is here to help. Language Innovations has been providing reliable document translation services into and from Spanish, for European, Latin American, and U.S. audiences alike for over twenty years. Language Innovations can help you determine the best form of Spanish translation for your target audience and make sure the message is conveyed in a way that is clear and easily understood no matter who the reader might be.
Get started on translating your documents and contact us today! Receive a free document translation quote.

When you first consider translating your business documents, you may look into free online translation tools, such as Google Translate. However, you might notice it isn’t providing the accuracy and efficiency that you need. If you are looking to obtain translated documents of the highest quality for your business, work together with a professional company to help create content that is clear and easy to interpret for your staff, and most importantly, your audience.  

For over 22 years, Language Innovations has been recognized for providing trusted and reliable document translation services throughout the Greater Washington Metropolitan area. To keep your company on top, here are three reasons why professional document translation will help your company grow and succeed.    

Audience Expansion

The Greater Washington D.C. Metro area is a melting pot with many individuals whose native language isn’t English. With professional document translation at your disposal, it will encourage these individuals to use your services. There may also be people who are more willing to utilize your services if it is offered in their native language since it’s likely that they are comfortable in speaking their first language. Showing bilingual or multilingual individuals that you cater to various languages will demonstrate your dedication to serving everyone in your community.

Improved Translation Accuracy

With professional translation services, your own offerings will attain more clarity to a variety of potential clients you are aiming to draw in. Language Innovations has a native speaking lead translator on a team of expert editors and proofreaders to obtain the highest level of accuracy with your documents.

Increased Productivity

When you have poorly translated documents, this may cause readers to feel confused as they go through it. This will lead to your staff or your audience to spend more time asking questions and preventing them from starting on their tasks due to their need to attain clear objectives. Choosing professional document translation will save you more time and increase productivity in the workplace.

Your One-Stop Source for Expert Document Translation in Washington D.C.

At Language Innovations in Washington D.C., our document translation professionals follow systematic processes and intricate Quality Control because we are committed to completing your project with the best results. We will work with you through each step of the document translation process to make sure your project produces success and is geared toward the proper audience.
Need your latest brochure or business documents translated? Request a free quote on our document translation services.