About Pieter Beens

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xl8 review

4 September, 2017

Finding your unique voice in translations

It is a simple rule of thumb for communicating: if you want to convey your message, you should find the right tone of voice. Have you ever imagined a grumpy voice-over for a nappies brand or a tired voice-over selling city trips? Chances are great that you would shake your head in disbelief and never decide to buy those nappies or book that city trip again.
Tone of voice is a powerful tool for selling products and services, but finding your unique voice in translations also comes with some considerations worth sharing.

by Pieter Beens

30 August, 2017

xl8 review

CZUR scanner review

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When it comes to receiving texts for translations, we often get them as a digital file by email. For situations in which there is no digital file type available or when parts of books need to be scanned before they can used in CAT tools the CZUR scanner is a reliable partner. In this xl8 review the CZUR scanner is put to the test.

by Pieter Beens

Why the translation industry is not dead yet

21 August, 2017

Translation practice

Why our industry is not dead (yet)

Technology has opened a whole new world of endless possibilities. That not only applies to the manufacturing industry, but modern developments show us that technology is shaping the future of the industry as well. Many translators have ambiguous feelings about these developments as they seem disruptive to a great extent. However, there are clear signs that the industries of translation and interpretation are not dead yet.

by Pieter Beens

14 August, 2017

Book reviews

Learning Dutch grammar an easier way

People learning to speak and write Dutch have a hard time in mastering their second or new native language. They not only find it difficult to learn specific Dutch expressions or to get to know Dutch habits, but the weak and strong verbs, in particular, are hard to master. Dutch publishing house Van Dale has introduced a step-by-step approach to grammar for learners of Dutch to help them.

by Pieter Beens

xl8 review - product reviews for translators

10 August, 2017

Kitchen sink, xl8 review

xl8 review to put translator’s gadgets to the test

ELSPEET, THE NETHERLANDS, AUGUST 10th 2017 – Pieter Beens, freelance translator and owner of Dutch translation company Vertaalt.nu, introduces xl8 review. This new review project focuses on products that will bring health and productivity improvements for translators. The project initially starts with a monthly review, but inventors and manufacturers are already eager to participate.

by Pieter Beens

How the new Google Translate is smarter than we think

7 August, 2017

Translation practice

How the new Google Translate is smarter than we think

On April 19 Google announced the introduction of the new Google Translate algorithm for English to Dutch translations. Soon it was flooded with critics from industry professionals and media alike. There seems, however, to be one point that is often overlooked: Google Translate now understands the art of merging words better than many Dutch-speaking citizens.

by Pieter Beens

25 July, 2017

Translation practice

The Devaluation of Urgency

The ever faster pace at which the world evolves seems to have its influence on every aspect of the translation business. Nowadays, clients seem to have translations within a shorter deadline everytime. But by calling each and every job ‘urgent’ they are undermining the real meaning of an urgent job. The aspects that make an job urgent are changing – and so is the workflow of translators.

by Pieter Beens

Why some project managers fail at delivering translation quality

7 July, 2017

Translation practice

Guardians of translation quality

If translations are a hammer, then language skills are the nails – indispensable to convey a message from one language in another. Of course translators should master a couple of languages in order to deliver the best possible translations. At the same time PMs should be the guardians of a translation’s quality. And that is where many project managers fail.

Continue reading

by Pieter Beens

26 June, 2017

Translation practice

Market share vs translation quality

Since I have been in business as a translator I have had the honour to work as a translator for many different manufacturers of smart devices. In those eight years I have seen smartphone brands rising and falling, and witnessed the successes and failures of different marketing campaigns and products. If there is one lesson I have learned, it is that market share and translation quality* are more intertwined than I ever supposed.

by Pieter Beens

Atlas van de Nederlandse Taal - Recensie

12 June, 2017

Book reviews, xl8 review

A monument to the Dutch language

Languages, including their histories, developments and mutual relationships, are often admired only by a handful of people. Although youngsters at school often show interest in unknown or exotic languages, they mostly do not love the ins and outs of spelling and grammar in their native language. However, all those detailed and advanced ‘rules of the game’ for languages, as well as lots of other linguistic tricks and trends, deserve attention. That is why the new Atlas van de Nederlandse Taal (‘Atlas of the Dutch Language’) is a welcome addition to the existing literature about the Dutch language.

by Pieter Beens

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