Wondering about the punctuation differences between US and British English? Check out this expert article on punctuation.
The Translator’s Studio Blog
8 Best Books for Advanced English Learners 2023
Looking for the best books advanced English learners need to boost vocabulary and grammar? Become a successful advanced English learner.
Best Spanish-English Dictionaries (books) 2023
Looking for the best Spanish-English dictionary in 2022? Recommendations for the best Spanish-English bilingual dictionaries in book format.
Which is the Best Thesaurus Book 2023?
Looking for the best thesaurus for writers and translators in 2022? We’ve done the research for you. Check out this article.
About the CertTrans Exam — Ultimate Guide 2024
CertTrans certificate in translation is an official degree-level translation qualification from the CIOL. Read the ultimate CertTrans guide.
About the DipTrans Exam – Essential Guide 2024
Your essential guide to the DipTrans exam, the diploma in translation offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists. Updated for 2023.
How Do You Punctuate Question and Exclamation Marks?
Wondering about punctuation with question marks and exclamation marks? Try our fun quiz for punctuation gurus.
11 CertTrans Preparation Top Tips for 2024
CertTrans preparation is essential to pass the CertTrans exam. Check out this article for tips to help you prepare.
The Translator’s Studio Blog Index
Blog for translators and writers: translator certification, CertTrans exam, DipTrans exam, punctuation, style, fashion translation …
Do You Know How To Punctuate Numbers?
Do you know how to punctuate numbers correctly in English and Spanish? Give our quiz on number punctuation a try!
Make Your Writing Richer with Inversion
Understand inversion and improve your advanced English grammar with this fun grammar quiz for English learners and native English speakers.
Best Style Guide for English Writing 2023
Finding the best style guide is a must for translators, writers and editors. See our top free style guides and paid style guides in 2023.
Grammarly: Pros, Cons and Limitations
Grammarly pros, cons and limitations to consider if you think you need a computer program to help you write better.
The Best Books to Learn Advanced French 2024
Looking for the best book to learn advanced French? If you have an advanced (C1) or proficient (C2) level in French, these books are for you!
Are You a Serial Offender in Your Serial Comma Use?
Serial comma use can be confusing. Test your serial comma, aka Oxford comma, skills with this quiz and find out about our punctuation course.
Best Punctuation Book 2023
Guide to the best punctuation book 2023 for US English and British English. Check it out now and discover our excellent punctuation course.
Best Books for Translators 2023
Looking for the best books for translators in 2023? This article lists our top style guides, course books and dictionaries.
DipTrans 2023 Online Exam, What to Expect
All about the DipTrans 2022 online exams in January and July. Latest news on the platform, the resources you can use and preparation tips.
10 DipTrans Preparation Essentials 2024
Preparing for the DipTrans 2023? Check out this article by a past trainee on our DipTrans preparatory course to help you pass.
15 Best Gifts for a Translator or Writer Christmas 2023
Looking for the best gifts for a translator or writer? Whether they’re a linguist or a wordsmith, we’ve got ideas for presents that translators and writers are sure to love. Maybe you’re buying for a translator, or perhaps an interpreter or language student? If your...
9 Best Books to Learn Advanced Spanish 2023
Are you studying advanced Spanish? Looking for some suggestions of books that can help with your language learning? If you’re a budding translator or a student aiming at a language qualification, read on for our pick of the best books to learn advanced Spanish! What...
What’s the Difference between the DipTrans and CertTrans?
Want to be an officially certified translator? Check out this article for the difference between the DipTrans and CertTrans qualifications.
7 Rites of Passage towards Your Dream Job as a Translator
Seven rites of passage when you start out in your dream job as a translator. Practical solutions to help you become a successful translator.
Translation Workshops at The Translator’s Studio – A Review
Translation Workshops at The Translator’s Studio. Check out this review by a former student and come and join us on our online translation courses.
Translation Practice with a Study Buddy
A student review of our translation practice study buddy scheme for students on our online translation courses.
Volunteering as a TED Translator – My Experience
TED translators are volunteer linguists who transcribe, translate or edit subtitles for TED talks. Want to volunteer? Get the lowdown here.
Work as a Volunteer for Translators without Borders — My Experience
Volunteer translators can get experience while learning on the job. This article is all about working with Translators without Borders.
Who’s Afraid of Using the Semicolon?
Do you know how to use the semicolon? Test yourself with our semicolon quiz for translators and editors, with explanations provided.
When Does “North” Need a Capital Letter?
When do you capitalize the word north? Is it northern France or Northern France? Find some hints and tips here.
7 Best French-English Dictionaries (Books) 2023
Want to buy a French-English dictionary in book format? We’ve researched them all for you. Get help choosing your bilingual dictionary.
How Do You Use Em Dashes?
Dazzled by dashes? Test yourself with this quiz on em dashes, also known as em rules.
Are You an Expert on Phrasal Verbs?
How would you rate your knowledge of the grammar of phrasal verbs? Try your luck with our quiz to see if you’re a phrasal verb master!
Which is the Best CAT Tool 2023?
A freelance translator’s take on the best paid CAT tool and the best free CAT tool in 2022. Read before you buy your translation software!
Should I Give an Agency Translation Discounts for Regular Translation Work?
Is a translation agency promising you regular work in exchange for translation discounts? Should you agree? Find out here.
Should You Capitalise Units of Measurement Named After People?
What are the capitalisation rules for units of measurement named after people? Test yourself with this quiz on SI units named after people.
Why Every Translator on Social Media Should Care About Nikki Graham’s Twitter Suspension
12 years, 7,000 followers and 25,000 tweets. Well-known translator Nikki Graham was hacked and Twitter resolved it by suspending her account.
Bullet Point Punctuation: Can You Punctuate a List?
Bullet point punctuation and punctuating lists can be confusing. Test your knowledge with this quiz from The Translator’s Studio.
Should I do a free test translation for a potential translation client?
Free test translations are popular with agencies and clients. But should a freelance translator do a free translation test? Find out here.
Quiz: how much do you know about the CIOL DipTrans exam?
Interested in becoming a qualified translator? You’ve probably heard of the CIOL DipTrans exam. But how much do you know about it? Test yourself with our DipTrans quiz!
News for Translators June 2021 Literary Translation
News for translators June 2021 from The Translator’s Studio: summer reads, translated literature, Lisbon book fair, literary translation.
Quotes for Professional Translation Services, What’s Your Secret?
Quotes for translation services are part of the translator’s day-to-day. What’s your secret to make sure your quote is the one that gets picked?
The Price Difference Between Transcreation and Translation Explained
Price is one of the biggest differences between transcreation and translation. Why is transcreation priced differently?
What Transcreation Is and Why It’s No Gimmick
Why can’t people agree on what transcreation is? Is it just a gimmick to sell marketing translation? Where does transcreation diverge from bilingual copywriting? Find the answers and more in this article.
Judging by or judging from? Conflict over or conflict for?
Judging by or judging from? Conflict over or conflict for? This quiz explores these doubts from students on our DipTrans preparatory course.
CIOL DipTrans Exam 2021 and Beyond
The CIOL DipTrans exam has undergone several changes since 2021. This is a summary for translators interested in the CIOL DipTrans exam.
5 Reasons Why I Failed the CIOL Diploma in Translation (DipTrans exam)
Pass rates for the CIOL Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) exam in Spanish to English hover around 25%. Find out why I failed, to help you pass …
Quiz: shoe terminology translations (Spanish-English)
Ready to flex your fashion muscles and do some shoe terminology translations between Spanish and English? Check out our quiz. Which of these terms is not part of a shoe? a) Topline b) Vamp c) Heel counter d) Brim e) Midsole Match the Spanish to the...
News for Translators April 2021
News for translators from The Translator’s Studio: best young Spanish-language writers, language-mapping in NY, pandemic terms in Germany.
How to Write an Effective Translator Cover Letter for a Translation Agency
A strong translator cover letter for your resume is essential to get work. Get a translator cover letter example to help you get responses.
Hyphenating Adjectives and Adverbs
How is your knowledge on hyphenating adjectives and adverbs? Try this quick quiz with answers and explanations.
News for Translators March-April 2021
News for translators March-April 2021 from The Translator’s Studio: gender stereotyping and malpractice suit related to machine translation.
Free Translation of General DipTrans Past Paper (Spanish-to-English Translators)
Looking for a general DipTrans past paper? Get a mock general DipTrans past paper translation for Spanish-to-English translators.
Capitals with Job Titles (According to Chicago)
Do you know the Chicago rules for job title capitalisation? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz for translators, editors, proofreaders …
News for Translators March 2021
News for translators March 2021 from The Translator’s Studio: CIOL DipTrans exam, voice recognition software, literary translation and more.
CIOL DipTrans Exam Online Platform: the Lowdown
The CIOL DipTrans exam online platform came into being in 2021. Find out everything you need to know about sitting the exam remotely.
DipTrans Exam January 2021 Report and Our Candidates’ Results
Find out the content of the CIOL Spanish-to-English DipTrans exam that took place online in January 2021 and see our candidates’ results.
Italics, Inverted Commas or Underline?
Check out this quiz from our newsletter on italics, inverted commas or underlining. It’ll help you remember the basic rules under Chicago.
Eight Ways to Get Translator Certification
Getting certified as a translator is one of the best ways to attract better clients and higher rates. This post gives you seven possibilities for getting certified or qualified as a translator.
Spanish-English Fashion: Pockets, Cuffs, and Collars
Puzzled by pockets? Confused by cuffs and collars? For Spanish-English fashion translation they are essential terms, get the lowdown here.
Does it Normally Take Subjunctive or Indicative?
A tough quiz for students of C1 and C2 Spanish on whether certain adverbial expressions take the subjunctive or the indicative.
Are You Ready for the CIOL Diploma in Translation Exam?
Wondering whether you’re ready for the CIOL Diploma in Translation exam? Avoid making the mistake described in this article to save time and money.
How to Get DipTrans Past Papers for the Diploma in Translation Exam
Find out how to get DipTrans past papers for the CIOL DipTrans Diploma in Translation exam. Get free DipTrans test papers.
How to Become an Accredited Translator to Get More Work
Accredited translators generate more trust among their customers. Find out your options for translation accreditation, to get more work.
How Translators Showcase Their Talent to Translation Agencies
Methods freelance translators have used to showcase their talent when sending us their CVs. Knowing them will help you have more success with agencies.
What’s the Difference Between Translation and Transcreation?
The difference between translation and transcreation is that translations are accurate and idiomatic. Transcreations involve artistic licence.
DipTrans Exam 2020 Report
Get the gossip on the DipTrans exam 2020 and find out what was in the Spanish-to-English exam papers.
Translation Degree, MA in Translation Studies or DipTrans?
Want translator certification? Unsure whether to do a translation degree, MA in translation or the DipTrans? This guide is for you.
Translation Study Plan for the CIOL DipTrans Exam
The July 2022 CIOL DipTrans exam is on 5, 6 and 7 July. This article will help you make a Diploma in Translation exam study plan.
Translating Spanish-English Fabrics and Patterns
Translating Spanish-English fabrics and patterns is confusing. Read this for an introduction to the terms you need to know.
Spanish-English Shoe Terms: Men’s Dress Shoes
Interested in Spanish-English shoe terms? You’ll love this introduction, with explanations and important terminology. It’s a must-read.
2019 DipTrans Exam Report (Spanish to English)
The 2019 DipTrans exam, run by the CIoL, took place in Spanish to English on 15 Jan 2019. This article will tell you about what was in the papers, with tips for 2020.
Business Planning for Freelance Translators – Finances
In this article on financial business planning for freelance translators, find out how to plan your freelance business based on facts.
10 Secrets for Freelance Translators for Success with Agencies
10 things freelance translators can do to make sure they’re desirable collaborators for translation agencies.
Essentials for DipTrans Exam Unit 3E Social Science
Preparing for the IoLET DipTrans exam unit 3E Social Science? Here is an overview of what to expect, with handy tips and reference sources.
Spanish-English Fashion Translators: Weddings
It’s not just the bride and the wedding dress. Spanish-English fashion translators also need to know other wedding terminology
Translating Spanish-English Fashion: Bridalwear
If you’re translating Spanish-English fashion, you’ll know bridalwear is a growing market. Brush up on your terminology here.
10 Basics for Help Choosing a CAT Tool
Need help choosing a CAT tool? Here are 10 basics to help you make the right investment. (CAT = computer-aided translation).
Spanish and English Punctuation Differences
A professional analysis of Spanish and English punctuation differences. Learn the names for the punctuation marks in Spanish!
Spanish-English Translation Style Guide
The Translator’s Studio “Spanish-English Translation Style Guide” is a collection of the guidelines we prefer to follow for Spanish-to-English translation.
Spanish-English Fashion Translation: Personal Tailoring
Discover important terminology for Spanish-English fashion translation with this introduction to personal tailoring.
Why Copywriting Is a Key Part of Marketing Translation
The aim of marketing translation is to produce persuasive copy for other languages and cultures. Find out why copywriting is a key part of that.
A Translator’s DipTrans Exam Experience
Gwenydd Jones describes her personal experience of sitting and resitting the Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) exam offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
How to Choose a Translation Specialisation
New to translation and reading about how you should specialise? Not sure how? Read on for tips on how to develop your own specialist fields.
Advanced Translation Course Review
Preparing for the DipTrans exam? Don’t miss this review of the Advanced Spanish-to-English Translation Course with DipTrans Preparation.
How Do You Manage a Work-Life Balance as a Translator?
It can be hard juggling family and freelance translation. A good work-life balance isn’t easy. Here’s how this #translator makes it work.
5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Buy Professional Translation Services Online
Buying professional translation services online? Make sure you get a translation that sells with these five tips.
Useful App for Pro Translators: Boomerang for Gmail Review
Pro translators can focus and disconnect better using freemium app Boomerang for Gmail. This article describes three of the best features.
How to Become a Translator: One Translator’s Story
If you want to become a professional translator there are many roads you can take. Read about my slightly unorthodox route to the profession.
What to Do with Format When You Translate a Website
When you translate a website, text format affects price and quality. This article will help you choose the best formatting option.
How SEO Translators Can Help You Get More Website Traffic
Find out how SEO translators can help you get more website traffic, helping your brand reach its target markets more easily.
How To Calculate Transcreation Prices
Read this article for guidance on calculating translation prices. It’ll help you set rates based on the big picture.
23 Questions to Help You Make a Good Transcreator Brief
Here are 23 questions to inspire you when you produce your transcreator brief. A good brief will help you make sure you get the results you want.
What Marketing Translators Can Offer the Travel and Tourism Industry
Marketing translators have many skills that are transferable to the tourism industry. Read this article for ways to appeal to new customers in this growing sector.
5 Hacks on LinkedIn for Freelance Translators
Are you a freelance translator who wants to harness the power of LinkedIn? This guest article by Genevieve Shaw about LinkedIn for freelance translators will help you get started or make your profile even stronger.
8 Questions to Help You Get the Best Marketing Translations
Marketing translations are an important part of how you promote your business abroad. Ask yourself these eight questions to help you get a result that sells.
Is Fashion Translation a Good Fit for You?
Is it worth specialising in fashion translation? This article looks at the what, the who and the why of fashion translation.
What’s Involved in SEO Website Translation?
In SEO website translation, the translator makes sure your website translation gets found on search engines. If you’re planning to have a multilingual website, read this article to make sure you get an SEO website translation that ranks.
A Customer Guide to Transcreation Rates
Get the lowdown on transcreation rates: how they’re calculated, what’s included and how to make them work for you.
CIoL Diploma in Translation: Focus on Exam Paper 1 General
Preparing to sit the CIoL Diploma in Translation? This article outlines the translation challenges of DipTrans paper 1, the general paper. It’ll help you in your preparations to sit the exam.
How to Negotiate the Jungle of Social Media for Translators
Feeling lost in a vast jungle of social media? In this article you’ll get 11 ways to negotiate the jungle of social media for translators. The focus is on LinkedIn.
Press Release Translation — Why, How and Who?
Find out why press release translation is an important part of a multilingual marketing strategy and how to find the right translator.
Why I Specialised in Fashion Translation
As a translator, you’ve probably read a lot about the need to specialise. But what should you choose? Over time, fashion translation has become one of my specialist fields. This article explains why. Why I work in fashion. Sounds...
Language Degree to Full-Time Professional Translator, How?
To become a full-time professional translator a good place to start is with the CertTrans exam and our Translation Conversion Course.
How to Get the Best Out of Your Transcreator. Mapping Out the Perfect Brief
Your transcreator needs a good brief to help them get the best results. Here’s how to map out clear instructions for them.
Website Translations: the Perfect Contact Us Page
Website translations involve lots of details. If you can get your website translation right first time, you’ll save hassle and money later on. This article explains how to get the most out of the contact page. To generate trust and improve the contact process.
Transcreation Services for the Creative Industries: What, Who and How
Get the lowdown on transcreation services for creative industries: what they are, who needs them and where to find them.
Don’t Make This Rookie Error with Your Marketing Translator
When it comes to finding a marketing translator, lots of clients make a rookie error that destroys all their hard work. This article will help you make sure you’re not one of them.
9 Favourite Mistakes by Spanish-English Translators on Our Translation Courses
This article describes 9 favourite mistakes among trainees on my Advanced Spanish-to-English Translation Course with DipTrans Preparation. How many do you make?
Freelance Translator Visibility, Do You Do All This?
As a freelance translator you need customers to be able to find you. What are the best ways to increase your market visibility? How many of them do you use?
Transcreation Examples: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
A look at the best and worst transcreation examples and tips to help you get it right when it comes to localising your marketing content.
Multilingual Websites: Single or Multiple Domains?
Planning a multilingual website? Then it’ll pay to think carefully about whether to have one or multiple domains. Have you thought about translation practicalities and cost? If not, read this article now.
How to Train to Be an SEO Translator
SEO translators are in increasing demand among translation clients. This article explains the process to follow to train to become one.
Why Not Using Professional Translators is a False Economy
Using professional translators means you communicate your message effectively across cultures. There are cheap and even free translation tools and services, but here’s why bargain-basement translations are false economy.
Human Translation vs Machine Translation
What makes people think that Google Translate is as good as a human translator? This article takes a light-hearted look at human translation vs machine translation.
Time Management for a Professional Translator: Tracking
This article will tell you about how a professional translator tracks her time. Find out why doing this is essential to make sure you’re profitable in your work.
DipTrans Exam 2018 Report
Want the lowdown on the Spanish-to-English DipTrans exam 2018? Read this post by an ex-trainee on our DipTrans preparation course.
What Is Transcreation? Is It Different to Marketing Translation?
What is transcreation? A combination of translation and copywriting. If you need a marketing translation, transcreation is where it’s at.
10 Reasons Why You Should Use Professional Translation Services and not Google Translate
You want your text to work for you. Here are 10 reasons why you should use professional translation services.
How to Show the Customer You’re the Best Translation Service Provider
Buying translation can be hard for customers. How do they know which translation service providers are the best? There are ways to gain the customer’s trust. This article will tell you how. In a crowded marketplace, it can be difficult for the customer to know who to...
How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Translation Services
How do you know if a translation is good if you can’t understand it? Find out how to make sure you’re getting the best translation services.
What If You Don’t Understand Something in the CIOL Diploma in Translation Exam?
Trainees on my DipTrans course worry about what to do if they don’t understand in the IoLET Diploma in Translation. This article will help.
39 of the Worst Pitfalls to Avoid With Translation Pricing
The ultimate not-to-do list of translation pricing. Read this article to make sure you avoid these 39 worst pricing mistakes.
How to Defend Urgency Surcharges in Your Freelance Translation Service
Are you a translator? Get a list of reasons to defend urgency surcharges in your freelance translation service.
8 Ways to Get the Best Freelance Translation Services
Make sure you follow these 8 golden rules to get the best freelance translation services, and find the right provider.
Why SEO Is the Future for Business Document Translators
Business document translators can’t afford to rest on their laurels. The future is here and the key to broadening your income stream is SEO.
Business Document Translation Services Explained
This article discusses the different types of business document translation services. It helps you know where to spend, and where to save.
Business Translation Services – 6 Questions to Ask Your Client
If you offer business translation services, what questions do you need to ask before taking a project? Read these 6 ideas before you quote.
11 Quick Questions to Get the Right Business Translation Services
What does a pro translator have in common with the best builder in town? Find out what to ask to get the right business translation services.
9 Secrets Most Customers Don’t Know About Quotes for Translation Services
The information that isn’t on your quotation for translation services. Make sure you know what you’re getting for your buck!
What Does a Transcreation Service Look Like for a Freelance Translator?
Creativity in translation differentiates humans from machines. What does a transcreation service look like for a freelance translator?
Why Use Accredited Translation Services?
Why you should use accredited translation services. And how to find them.
5 Mistakes to Avoid When You Sell a Professional Translation Service Online
Clients buying a professional translation service online may not know how to get the best translation. Here are 5 ways to help them!
A Slogan Transcreation Example and How It Affects Pricing
A transcreation example that highlights several issues translators face when it comes to charging for transcreation.
5 Websites for Free Practice Texts for the Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation
This article will tell you where to find free quality translations to help you practise for the Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation.
Learn to Proofread: 10 Proofreading Mistakes by our Students
Learn to proofread! Discover how students on our online translation courses improve their proofreading. Be the proofreader every agency wants!
10 Crucial Questions to Choose the Best Spanish Translation Qualification
This article will help you think about the best study program for you. Before you commit to your Spanish translation qualification.
How to Translate a PDF and PDF Translation Pricing
Want to know how to translate a PDF? This article will help you translate PDFs and price your translation services profitably.
How to Give Translation Instructions for Results That Sell
Detailed translation instructions help a professional translator understand what you need. The more you tell the translator, the better they’ll be able to adapt. In this article, I’ll tell you about different ways you can instruct your translator. To get the best...
How This Freelance Translator Makes Washing Up an Exciting Learning Experience
Sick of seeing your valuable time sucked up by household chores? Find out how this freelance translator makes chore time into fun time.
12 Myths Busted to Help You Buy a Quality Translation
Avoid the trap of mistaking translation myths for facts. This article will help you make sure you invest in a quality translation.
DipTrans Exam 2017 Report
Find out about the papers from the DipTrans exam 2017. Discover strategies my course trainees used in the Diploma in Translation exam.
How to Get a Translation – Complete Customer Guide
Wondering how to get a translation? All your questions answered here: finding the translator, the translation process and post-delivery.
Translation Quote Guide for Customers
Feeling confused by your translation quote? This article will help you choose the best translator and get a translation that sells.
History of Machine Translation
This article explores the developments of machine translation, including rule-based MT systems, statistical systems, hybrid MT systems and neural machine translation systems.
10 Essential Questions For When You Buy a CAT Tool
TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSLATORS Ten basic questions to ask when buying a CAT tool Gwenydd Jones, translator and copywriter, UK. It can be tough to know where to invest your money when buying a CAT (computer-aided translation) tool. Here are ten questions to ask, to...