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Translation & Writing Articles
Best Books for Translators 2022
Looking for the best books for translators in 2022? This article lists our top style guides, course books and dictionaries.
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.
Best Spanish-English Dictionaries (books) 2022
Looking for the best Spanish-English dictionary in 2022? Recommendations for the best Spanish-English bilingual dictionaries in book format.
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.
Which is the Best Thesaurus Book 2022?
Looking for the best thesaurus for writers and translators in 2022? We’ve done the research for you. Check out this article.
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) 2022
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? Test yourself!
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!
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.
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.
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!
DipTrans Essential Guide 2022
Your essential guide to the DipTrans exam, the diploma in translation offered by the Chartered Institute of Linguists. Updated for 2022.
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...
Hyphenating adjectives and adverbs
How is your knowledge on hyphenating adjectives and adverbs? Try this quick quiz with answers and explanations.
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.
Job Title Capitalisation According to Chicago
Do you know the Chicago rules for job title capitalisation? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz for translators, editors, proofreaders …
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.
DipTrans 2022 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.
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.
10 DipTrans Preparation Essentials 2022
Preparing for the DipTrans 2022? Check out this article by a past trainee on our DipTrans preparatory course to help you pass.
Seven Ways to Get Certified as a Translator
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
How to get DipTrans past papers for the IoLET Diploma in Translation exam. And free mock Spanish-to-English DipTrans exam 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.
What’s the Difference Between Translation and Transcreation?
he difference between translation and transcreation is that translation is about producing an accurate and idiomatic rendering of the original text. Transcreation, on the other hand, involves translating with more 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.
Translator Training Articles on The Translator’s Studio
Find great content on translator training with this index of all our articles. Topics: Spanish-to-English translation, DipTrans exam, specialisation, pricing, software . . .
Translation Study Plan for the July 2022 IOLET 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.
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 — the Little Differences
Analysis of differences between Spanish and English punctuation. Explanation of the main reasons behind them. Filled with practical examples.
Translation Services Articles on The Translator’s Studio
Find useful content to help you get the right professional translation services, with this index of all our articles.
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 Spanish-to-English Translation Course Review
Preparing for the DipTrans exam? Don’t miss this review of the Advanced Spanish-to-English Translation Course with DipTrans Preparation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Language Degree to Full-Time Professional Translator, How?
To become a full-time professional translator, a language degree is a good starting point. But where do you go from there? This article will point you in the right direction on getting experience, and thinking about specialisation and further qualifications.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
Why Use Accredited Translation Services?
Why you should use accredited translation services. And how to find them.
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.
10 Proofreading Mistakes by Trainees on My DipTrans Online Course
Discover how translators on my Diploma in Translation online course improve their proofreading, to be the translator every agency pursues.
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 Give Translation Instructions for Results That Sell
Detailed translation instructions help a professional translator understand what you need. The more you tell the...
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.