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Translations
Many people are great with languages and some have
the gumption to use the little they do know to get their idea across. Most
often it's not enough. The dictionary isn't either: Every once in a while we'll
all have a good belly laugh at the results of an inept attempt at translation.
The truth is translating is a learned skill as well as an art. It is a profession and probably the world's second oldest one. It means thatas professionals we belong to professional organizations and groups, keep informed (including attending professional conferences), update our specialties, improve our skills, and integrate the latest modern tools in our work process.
It means being a professional and acting professionally. That is what creates a reputation over the years. As professionals we price our services fairly, produce a quality product, and deliver it on time. We also use modern computer programs to assist in translating your material to assure a consistently excellent translation.
The truth is translating is a learned skill as well as an art. It is a profession and probably the world's second oldest one. It means thatas professionals we belong to professional organizations and groups, keep informed (including attending professional conferences), update our specialties, improve our skills, and integrate the latest modern tools in our work process.
It means being a professional and acting professionally. That is what creates a reputation over the years. As professionals we price our services fairly, produce a quality product, and deliver it on time. We also use modern computer programs to assist in translating your material to assure a consistently excellent translation.
Judaica Translations
Judaica texts are not simple or easy to
translate. The Bible has been translated over the past 2,500 years into almost
the same number of languages. But even this prime text has suffered in
translation. Even Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus (Jerome of Stridon,
canonized by the Roman Catholic Church), the patron saint of translators, sadly
blundered, translating the, "The skin of his face shone;" which in
Hebrew could be read karan, shining, or keren, horn and decided
on using the Latin cornutus, horn, instead of resplenderet. So
what you may ask? Well, in the end, this translation became an idée fixe in the Christian world to the extent that the great Michelangelo sculpted
Moses' head with a lovely pair of horn buds.
And this is only one of many other instances of mistakes or misunderstandings made by translators in the Bible text. But when it comes to more esoteric texts such as the Talmud, Midrash, etc., the possibilities for misunderstanding and the consequential mistakes are innumerable. This type of text is a record of discussions among Jewish scholars, spanning hundreds of years, and ranging over a vast number of subjects. It is written in short, terse phrases, and in an Aramaic that is not spoken today. However, its terminology, ideas, expressions live on in Rabbinic literature of the past 1500 years. It is called lashon hakhamim, Rabbinic Hebrew, a mélange of Hebrew and Aramaic.
Without an excellent grounding in this literature, attempting to translate it would be a disaster. Without an understanding of the methodology of Talmudic discourse, what is read can be, and has been completely misconstrued, despite available modern translation.
Translating a work such as Rabbi Abraham Zacuto's magnum opus, Sefer Yohassin, The Book of Lineage, is just such an instance. This project, edited by Israel Shamir, was completed in time for the 500-year anniversary of its completion in 1505.
Rabbi Zacuto cites Talmudic sources by chapter. A Midrash is only hinted at. An idea or concept is only laconically stated. Any of these concepts require pages to explain. So, the reader need to know the material by rote to understand what was related. This translation project ran into trouble trying to locate scholars capable of understanding the material.
We translated the most difficult portions of this text. Afterwards we were commissioned to do a check edit of the entire book, adding hundreds upon hundreds of footnotes to the body this text. This work is not complete: it is sorely missing an index of the sources.
And this is only one of many other instances of mistakes or misunderstandings made by translators in the Bible text. But when it comes to more esoteric texts such as the Talmud, Midrash, etc., the possibilities for misunderstanding and the consequential mistakes are innumerable. This type of text is a record of discussions among Jewish scholars, spanning hundreds of years, and ranging over a vast number of subjects. It is written in short, terse phrases, and in an Aramaic that is not spoken today. However, its terminology, ideas, expressions live on in Rabbinic literature of the past 1500 years. It is called lashon hakhamim, Rabbinic Hebrew, a mélange of Hebrew and Aramaic.
Without an excellent grounding in this literature, attempting to translate it would be a disaster. Without an understanding of the methodology of Talmudic discourse, what is read can be, and has been completely misconstrued, despite available modern translation.
Translating a work such as Rabbi Abraham Zacuto's magnum opus, Sefer Yohassin, The Book of Lineage, is just such an instance. This project, edited by Israel Shamir, was completed in time for the 500-year anniversary of its completion in 1505.
Rabbi Zacuto cites Talmudic sources by chapter. A Midrash is only hinted at. An idea or concept is only laconically stated. Any of these concepts require pages to explain. So, the reader need to know the material by rote to understand what was related. This translation project ran into trouble trying to locate scholars capable of understanding the material.
We translated the most difficult portions of this text. Afterwards we were commissioned to do a check edit of the entire book, adding hundreds upon hundreds of footnotes to the body this text. This work is not complete: it is sorely missing an index of the sources.
Technical and Scientific Translations
Make sure your customer will really understand
your instructions. Make sure your employees get it right too. Mistakes can be
funny at best; at worst it could be disastrous. Whichever it is, a mistake will
always cost you time and money. Our rich background in technology assures you a
document you can trust.
A technical or scientific document requires accurate and consistent terminology. It also requires knowledge and experience. With many years of hands-on field experience in industrial environments, we can provide a translation that will be at the high standard you require.
A technical or scientific document requires accurate and consistent terminology. It also requires knowledge and experience. With many years of hands-on field experience in industrial environments, we can provide a translation that will be at the high standard you require.
Editing
Don't try to do it all by yourself!
You finally got your project finished. Whatever you do, don't hand it in or send it off just yet! You're just too close to your work to see a mistake, even simple ones, such as a missing comma, apostrophe or a spelling error, or even how it all hangs together.
Always give it to someone else to look at. That's the way we work in our office: Any translation or written work, be it a report, an expert opinion, whatever; it's edited by someone else, a third party. You'll be surprised at what slips through even after you let it "sleep" until the next day (and if you don't have the time?).
We can raise the quality of your work so that it will be polished and appreciated by the reader, be it your lecturer, thesis mentor, or superior.
You finally got your project finished. Whatever you do, don't hand it in or send it off just yet! You're just too close to your work to see a mistake, even simple ones, such as a missing comma, apostrophe or a spelling error, or even how it all hangs together.
Always give it to someone else to look at. That's the way we work in our office: Any translation or written work, be it a report, an expert opinion, whatever; it's edited by someone else, a third party. You'll be surprised at what slips through even after you let it "sleep" until the next day (and if you don't have the time?).
We can raise the quality of your work so that it will be polished and appreciated by the reader, be it your lecturer, thesis mentor, or superior.
Financial Translation
Israel is part of the “global village,” and many companies here need
their reports properly translated into English. With experience and using the
latest technology we can provide a quality service at a consistently high
level. Past translations can be leveraged for the new reports so the client can
save on costs and cut delivery time.
Personal Documents, IRS
Everybody has documents that need translating and we provide this
service:
New immigrants, olim, need transcripts, certificates, marriage licenses, police character reports, etc. to be translated for local authorities. New olim also need to send properly translated CVs that will be appreciated and in the manner expected by a potential employer.
Often enough, a ketubah and other religious documents need to be translated for a rabbinic or even a civil authority abroad.
American olim who are assessed by the IRS (for whatever the reason) are required to have documents such as bank statements, invoices from schools, city tax reports, schools, etc. to be translated to match the originals as closely as possible. Over the years we have provided this service in full compliance with IRS requirements: confirmed and signed translations, cover letters and declarations.
New immigrants, olim, need transcripts, certificates, marriage licenses, police character reports, etc. to be translated for local authorities. New olim also need to send properly translated CVs that will be appreciated and in the manner expected by a potential employer.
Often enough, a ketubah and other religious documents need to be translated for a rabbinic or even a civil authority abroad.
American olim who are assessed by the IRS (for whatever the reason) are required to have documents such as bank statements, invoices from schools, city tax reports, schools, etc. to be translated to match the originals as closely as possible. Over the years we have provided this service in full compliance with IRS requirements: confirmed and signed translations, cover letters and declarations.