Intercultural Communication and Translation News

One of the ways to do this easily and inexpensively (even free!) is to go online and find a translation tool for your Web site, such as AltaVista’s Babel Fish (www.altavista.com/help/free/free_searchbox_transl). This tool will translate to/from up to nine languages. Adding the tool to your site enables users to translate your Web pages into their language of choice with just one click. Simply ask your Web site developer to put the translation tool onto your site – and off you go! It’s a simple thing to do, and it’s just a small logo-like button added to your Web site.

There are other benefits to adding a translation tool to your site. For starters, it is a positive reflection on your business. It makes you look tech savvy and, believe me, there are very few kitchen and bath dealers out there who have added this option to their Web sites. It will put you ahead of the pack! Even if someone doesn’t need the tool, they will see it and subconsciously be aware that you stay on top of the latest technology.

Read more: Website additions 

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time – redesigning the UN logo to mark the 60th anniversary of the world’s most translated document, the UN Human Rights declaration.

After a long search for a new design, a South African artist was commissioned after the UN decided to ditch its blue and white logo in favour of one which the high commissioner for human rights, Louise Arbour, believed would have more resonance in the developing world.

The successful design was unveiled in December last year, when the UN launched a year-long promotion for the 60th anniversary, which is to culminate with ceremonies on 10 December. Nobody noticed any particular significance of the orange and amber logo, showing a person with outstretched arms. When the design was unveiled the artist, Yolande Mulke, said: “I think what the UN likes about it is the continuity of using the wreath device from the UN logo and the feeling of peace and welcoming that the man with his arms wide open projects.”

But four months later, after weeks of protests by the amber-robed Buddhist monks in Tibet as China prepares to hold the Beijing Olympics, the UN has been embarrassed by the logo’s distinctive colours which are also those favoured by the Dalai Lama, the symbol of Tibetan resistance. “It’s a complete accident, we had no idea that the colours were those of Tibet,” said a UN official. The problem for the UN – which recognises China as the ruler of Tibet – is that the logo has been chosen to replace the official UN Human Rights one not only throughout this year but on a permanent basis.

Read more > The Independent 

A charity that campaigns to provide a “secure base for Britain’s minority ethnic communities” has called for effective leadership to promote diversity, after a poll revealed that almost nine in 10 recent graduates have experienced some kind of discrimination at work.

The Ethnic Minority Foundation, called for leaders to be held accountable for discrimination which, it says is “ruining the life chances of young people”.

It follows a survey of 200 graduates by recruitment site Milkround.com which found that 86% of had faced discrimination while working.

Race discrimination affected two in five respondents, with age discrimination affecting 14% and gender 12%. Other reasons for unfair treatment included sexual orientation and height.

One respondent said: “People like me coming from a different country or continent to study and then try to get a work placement here are very vulnerable, particularly if they are unfortunate enough to have employers or managers as ignorant as the one I [worked for].”

Read more > Diversity 

Facebook isn’t just messing around with a few European language translations any more. They’re using their new user-powered translation engine to get Facebook into 22 more languages, on top of English, French, German and Spanish.

It will take some time for users to translate the sites, and Facebook likes to stagger launches to maximize PR. If you want to help out with the project, the application is here.