MAGAZINE

#209 – November

The Magic of Machine Translation

We all depend on technology to make our work more efficient and achieve new levels of productivity. But when it comes to language-related tech, what are the limits, and what is the human role? In this issue, we examine that question.

POSTEDITING

w

e’re nearing the end of the year 2022, and what a year it’s been. I don’t know about you, but it feels to me like it was just a few months ago when we were celebrating the beginning of a new year.

For me, it’s also been a remarkable year as my first editing MultiLingual magazine full time. It’s been a roller coaster ride to say the least, and as someone who came into the language industry from a background in print journalism, I’ve definitely experienced a learning curve over the past several months and very much appreciate everyone who took time out of their day to help educate me about the ins and outs of the language-related professions.

In the US, we are anticipating our Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November. I am certainly grateful to be working in an area of coverage that intersects with so many of my personal interests, from arts and entertainment to geopolitics to international culture and travel. No doubt, I still have much to learn, but I’m thankful to have the capacity and opportunity to grow every day.

I hope this November finds you in a similarly optimistic mind set, and of course, that you enjoy the latest magazine.

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FEATURE

The Magic of Machine Translation and the Future of Translation

By Christopher Reid

Though some might describe machine translation as magic, academic translator and entrepreneur Christopher Reid pushes back on this notion. In his latest for MultiLingual, Reid warns readers of the dangers of viewing machine translation with an overly mystical vision and proposes a more level-headed and down-to-earth way of talking about it.

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PERSPECTIVE

Increasing Localization Value as Global Language Operations

By Bruno Herrmann

Bruno Hermann prefers to refer to localization as “global language operations,” a tendency that he says raises some eyebrows when he discusses it with other folks in the language service industry. In this piece, Hermann explains what he means by “global language operations” and why he thinks we should be using this term more often in the industry.

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COLUMNS

Closing the Gap

By Tim Brookes

It can be easy to take our writing systems for granted — we don’t often have to think all that critically about the letters we use on a day-to-day basis, in part because they’ve been around for thousands of years. But that’s not the case for every language — in his latest column, Tim Brookes discusses the process of developing the Gʋlse alphabet for speakers of the Kasem language.

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SALES

Making the Most of Trends in Sales

By Richard Brooks

After he attended the ALC Summit in Las Vegas and Elia Networking Days in Vilnius, business leader and consultant Richard Brooks found himself reflecting on the sales-focused conversations he had with fellow attendees. Here, he’s shared some of the insights he gained at these conferences and some tips of his own.

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SPONSORED

Olivier Marcheteau – Acolad CEO

Interview by Cameron Rasmusson

In conversation with MultiLingual editor-in-chief Cameron Rasmusson, CEO of Acolad Olivier Marcheteau talks a bit about what’s been keeping him and the company busy over the last few years.

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MARKETING

Native, Hybrid, or Localized? HubSpot’s framework for marketing in many languages

By Nataly Kelly

If you’re a marketer who is tasked with building international marketing programs in many languages and finding it difficult, you’re definitely not alone. In her latest for MultiLingual, HubSpot VP of localization Nataly Kelly talks to colleague Susanne Rönnqvist-Ahmadi to share advice on international marketing strategies.

BOOK REVIEW

The Alien Communication Handbook

Reviewed by Cameron Rasmusson

Have you ever wondered how humans would communicate with extraterrestrial beings in an encounter between the two? Well, now you don’t have to wonder — Brian S. McConnell’s book The Alien Communication Handbook provides a fascinating and analytical answer to that very question. Read Cameron Rasmusson’s review of this intriguing work.

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LINGUISTICS

Media Access Services: What is so important about them?

By Areti Papanikolaou

Every day, we listen to music, enjoy our favorite shows, watch the news, listen to audiobooks and podcasts while driving or going to work — but these forms of media are not accessible for everyone. In this piece for MultiLingual, Areti Papanikolaou explains the importance of making content accessible for all, outlining methods for various types of media.

How Does Language Shape the Way we Perceive the World?

By Mladen Stojak

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis is usually reserved for introductory college linguistics courses — but the debate surrounding it is an undeniably fascinating conversation for language professionals as well. Here, founder and CEO of Ciklopea, Mladen Stojak, discusses the hypothesis’ merits.

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LIST

Top 4 Canine Localization Experts

By Óscar Curros

In September, staff writer Óscar Curros rounded up some of the top cat-bassadors of the localization industry right meow. In the latest issue of MultiLingual, Curros is back at it with another pet-centric round-up — this time, he’s found four of the cutest doggone pups in the language industry.

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