Lost in translation

The field of translation from one language to another includes many nuances. It is not merely limited to knowledge of both English and Russian languages, which in itself may be quite overwhelming.The English language is the most widely spoken language all over the world and is currently accepted as the main business language in most countries. Some people start speaking English with the milk of their mothers, and many learn it as a second or third language as adults. English is spoken in many different accents and dialects, depending on a speaker's origin. English spoken in North America (USA and Canada) varies significantly from its British version. There are different accents inside American English: Boston, New York, southern accent is very distinct; it will be safe to say that African Americans have their own dialect. British accents are not as homogenized as American ones. There are more than 250 English accents, quite a few Scottish, Irish, Welsh and what's with this Cockney Rhyming slang? Let alone Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans. Indian English spoken by people from India has its own peculiar phonetics. Russian language is a Slavic language; it is wildly spoken on a vast territory which covers Russia and CIS countries: Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Tartar Stan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The fall of the Soviet Union happened more than two decades ago opening the borders of the former Evil Empire to the rest of the globe. However, to a common westerner this Russian speaking world still remains a huge mystery.Communication is the key part of any international business. A goal of a translator is to ensure that the communication process is smooth and successful. Together with pure linguistic proficiency we, as translators, bring to the table a deep understanding of world history and traditions. Understanding of our clients' mentality whether it be an American oil company, British Intelligence Agency or a Russian IT consultant, allows us to exercise better practices and higher standards of business ethics.