Category: Tips and Tricks

English to Nepali Language Translation: Tips and Best Practices

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Translating English to Nepali is considered much trickier than translating English to Spanish or French, especially if you don’t have full command of either language.. Nepali is considered at category 4 language, meaning it’s equally difficult to translate words, phrases, and sentences from English to Nepali as it is English to Greek or English to Russian. But with the right tools and tips, you can improve the accuracy of your translations and become much more confident in your work. In this guide, we’ll explore different ways to effectively translate English to Nepali.

The good news is that it’s easier to translate English to Nepali than it is English to Chinese or Arabic.

Know the Context in Mind

Whenever you’re translating, it’s important to keep the context in mind and understand who your audience is. The English phrases you use may mean something different from their Nepali counterparts–or there could be multiple interpretations for the same sentence. By understanding the nuances of both languages, you can provide a more accurate translation that does justice to the original message.
 

Familiarize Yourself with Common English and Nepali Phrases and Terms

To achieve a more confident, fluent translation, it’s essential to be familiar with common phrases and terms in both English and Nepali. In some cases, the same phrase may have multiple meanings depending on its context. Taking the time to become familiar with such nuances of grammar and style will ensure that your translations are accurate, precise, and nuanced.

Respect the Cultural Preference in Localization

Localization is an important step for projects involving the translation of English to Nepali. For instance, when translating from English to Nepali, you must pay special attention to understanding the culture and its people in terms of their expectations and language preferences. That means taking into account intrinsic and extrinsic cultural factors like customs, traditions, beliefs and the local accent- and using this knowledge to ensure that your translations are received positively in the target market.

Nepali Language

The Nepali language is spoken throughout Nepal and is most locals’ first language. There are also 129 other languages spoken in the country, the majority are derived from the Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan languages.

While Nepali is the official language of Nepal, the other first languages in the country are also recognized as ‘first languages’ as well. It’s the most widely-spoken language in Nepal, as nearly half of residents speak it; Maithili is the second-most spoken language (though only a little more than 10% of locals speak it). Most of the languages in the country are in danger of dying out, as most languages aren’t spoken widely throughout the country.

Nepali was once called Khas-Kura and Gorkhali. 

 

English to Nepali Translation

Translating English to Nepali is trickier than with some other languages. The major dialects of Nepali include:

 

  • Acchami
  • Baitadeli
  • Bajhangi
  • Bajurali
  • Bheri
  • Dadeldhuri
  • Dailekhi
  • Darchulali
  • Darchuli
  • Doteli
  • Gandakeli
  • Humli
  • Purbeli
  • Soradi

 

English and Nepali share a few words — just over 100 in fact! If you are familiar with the Nepali alphabet and pronunciations, learning these words is easier than some others. 

Trying to learn Nepali online? We recommend using machine translation software that has a Nepali translation tool and can easily translate text to speech, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

Software such as Google Translate or Microsoft’s language learning app doesn’t offer the same English translation accuracy as paid apps. 

 

Nepali Dictionary

The Nepali dictionary contains more than 150,000 words. The letters are written in Devanagari script, derived from Brahmi script, and based on Sanskrit. Native English readers will be happy to learn that Nepali is read from left to right (like English). Capital letters are written the same as lower-case letters.

 

Nepali Translators

English Nepali translators and translation services often charge nearly $50 an hour. If you’re trying to translate simple texts, we recommend inputting the text into a language translation software program or app. 

Check out our online translation tool that can help you learn basic words and phrases, such as hello in other languages. 

 

More Online Translation 

We offer more online translation in the following languages:

 

  • Albanian
  • Android
  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • Burmese
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • Gujarati
  • Hindi
  • Korean
  • Malayalam
  • Marathi
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Swedish
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
  • Punjabi
  • Urdu

Problems With Translation

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Learning a new language? You may have encountered some common problems with translation — especially if English is your first language.

 

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below is a list of the most common problems with language translation (and a few easy fixes to help you out when you get stuck). 

 

While learning a new language isn’t easy, it doesn’t need to feel like a constant battle with words, either. 

Problems With Translation: Common Cultural & Structural Issues

One of the most common problems with translation when learning a new language is translating sentences and phrases word for word. Unfortunately, that’s just not how language translation works!

 

Each language has its own sentence structures, turns of phrases, idioms, and more. And each dialect of a language uses its own structures. 

 

Discover the most common issues with translation when it comes to communicating with other cultures and learning sentence structure and grammar. 

Common Cultural Translation Issues

The two most common issues language learners encounter when it comes to cultural differences is understanding different dialects.

 

Yes, if you learn European Spanish, you’ll be able to understand (for the most part) Latin American Spanish. But there are words and phrases that mean something completely different in each dialect.

 

Once you have a grasp of the language, you may want to learn how to differentiate between some of the most common words in major dialects. Some dialects also use different verb tenses (as with Mexican Spanish and Argentinian Spanish), and pronunciation often differs from dialect to dialect.

 

The good news is that your audience may still be able to understand you, as these differences are usually widely known between speakers of dialects. 

Structural Problems

Depending on the language you’re trying to learn and your first language, it may be easier than you might think to pick up a new language.

 

If you’re a native English speaker, learning Germanic languages might be easier because English is a Germanic language!

 

Yet, learning a Romance language might be a little trickier if English is your first language. And there are a few common mistakes English speakers make when learning new languages. 

Sentence Structure

Sentence structure problems are bound to trip you up from time to time when you’re learning a new language — and they’re one of the most common problems with translation. 

 

Some language sentence structures follow the subject, verb, object structure (SVO) and some follow the subject, object, verb sentence structure (SOV). Depending on your first language, you may find it difficult to switch between linguistic typology. 

 

If you’re used to saying, “Sam took the dog for a walk,” you might feel compelled to use the same typology when translating a sentence into Japanese (that uses the SOV typology). 

False Friends

False friends are words that have one meaning in one language and a totally different meaning in another language.

 

Great examples of false friends in French would be bras (which means arm in French). In English, this is a word for a garment. Brasserie in French is a brewery. Monnaie in French is a word that sounds like the English word for money. While monnaie is indeed money, it means change (as in coins, not as in transformative change). 

Homonyms and Homophones

Homonyms are two words that are spelled or pronounced the same way — but have two totally different meanings. 

 

An example of a homonym in English would be Chile, chili, and chilly. All three have totally different meanings (one is a country, one a pepper, and the third an adjective for cool weather). 

 

Homophones are two words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings. An example of such words may be knows and nose. The first means “to know” both as in knowledge or as in familiarity; the latter is a body part found on the face. 

 

When learning a new language, these words can trip anyone up!

Literal Translations

Another common language mistake is using literal translations. There are many words and phrases that cannot be literally translated into other languages.

 

We don’t think about how often we use turns of phrases and figures of speech until we’re learning these phrases in another language! 

Poor Pronunciation

When it comes to learning a new language, pronunciation matters! 

 

English speakers have particular difficultly when learning how to pronounce words in the Romance languages. We were taught to “sound out words” when we were learning English. It should be that easy with other languages, too, right?

 

Wrong! 

 

Try to listen to a word’s proper pronunciation when learning new vocab. That way, you won’t get in the habit of mispronouncing words from the get-go. 

Gender Agreement

In English, we only assign gender to people. In other languages, gender is assigned to both animate and inanimate objects (though the genders of many objects in other languages are now up for debate!). 

 

Learn the gender of words when learning the vocab itself so you don’t assign the incorrect gender to them. 

Using the Wrong Language Translation App

Not all language translation apps were created equally! Using a free app, such as Google Translate, can help you in a pinch but might not be your best bet for accurate translations. 

 

How accurate is Google Translate? Not as accurate as many of the paid apps out there.

 

Language translation apps like Vocre can help you learn how to correctly pronounce words and phrases. 

Solving Translation Problems

Struggling to learn a new language? We have a few tips to make problems with translation a little less stressful. 

Use a Language Translation App

If you use the right language translation app, you can learn new vocab and discover how to correctly pronounce words.

 

Language translation apps, such as Vocre, have voice-to-text and voice output translation. Learn how to say good morning in French, hello in Chinese, and common words and phrases in other languages — as well as how to pronounce these words and phrases correctly.

 

Vocre is available for iPhone in the Apple Store and Android in the Google Play Store. Download the app and its dictionaries and you can even use the app offline. 

 

Use it when you need to find out how to spell a word or how to pronounce it. Or, use it for accurate in-person translation.

Learn the Most Common Words & Phrases

If you’re newly learning a language, you’ll want to learn the most common words and phrases first. Doing this can help you learn to effectively communicate as soon as possible. 

 

Some of the most common words and phrases used in many languages include:

 

  • Hello
  • Good morning
  • How are you?
  • What’s your name?
  • Do you speak English?

 

In many cultures, learning simple words in another language goes a long way. All you need to say is, “Hello, how are you?” in the language of the person you’re addressing, and you’ll garner a lot more respect than if you addressed them in English. 

Find a Language Exchange Buddy

Don’t spend all your time chatting with a computer! The best way to learn conversational languages is to practice with a live person. 

 

No matter what your first language happens to be, you’ll find someone who’s hoping to learn it. Language buddies are available on message boards (like Craigslist), social groups (like Meetup), and ex-pat groups. 

 

Even if you can’t meet in person, you can always meet in an internet chat room or through video conferencing apps. You’ll learn common idioms, the most commonly used words, and the grammar the locals use. 

Immerse Yourself in the Culture

Even if you can’t visit another country, there are ways to immerse yourself in other cultures. 

 

Visit a local cultural diaspora and speak to the locals in their language. Watch movies and TV shows in other languages (you can change the spoken language on most Netflix programs). Some of the best Spanish-language movies on Netflix are a great place to start!

 

Or, watch a movie or TV show that you’re already familiar with. You’ll have a gist of what the characters are saying, so learning how to say these words and phrases in another language will be much easier.

Don’t Give Up 

Learning a new language isn’t easy. There are going to be times you feel completely overwhelmed or frustrated.

 

Keeping up with people who’ve spoken a language their entire lives is hard! That’s why we recommend finding a language exchange partner; you won’t feel so bad asking them to slow down or explain a word you didn’t understand. 

 

You’ll also gain a little emotional support with a language buddy. Try to find one that is at the same skill level as you. That way, you won’t feel so discouraged if your buddy seems to grasp concepts in your first language faster than you’re grasping them in your new language.

 

And if you get stuck on a vocab word or pronunciation? Download a language translation app! While apps like Vocre won’t replace human interaction, they can help you learn new vocab words — fast. 

International Travel Planning: 6 Ways to Prepare for a Trip Abroad

Posted on by Alicia Butler

 

International travel planning is a must these days. Traveling abroad is an adventure, but make no mistake about it: You’ve got to be prepared. 

This is truer now than ever in the COVID era, when different countries pose different risks. Furthermore, new variants are making future travel as unpredictable as it has been since early 2020. 

But that doesn’t mean you should avoid foreign travel altogether (except in places where medical experts advise against it). You just have to know what you’re likely to face in your destination and what challenges you might encounter getting there.

International Travel Planning: Preparing for Your Trip

International travel planning requires a little more patience than planning for a domestic trip. Don’t forget to get a check-up, build a budget, pack the essentials — and (of course) learn the language with the help of a language translation app!

1. Get a Check-Up

The CDC recommends you make an appointment with your physician or a travel health specialist at least a month before you plan to depart. Don’t wait to get a check-up on the books. You never know how busy your healthcare provider might be or how far out you’ll need to schedule an appointment, so make one as soon as you know when you plan to leave. 

Consult on any medical conditions you have and how they may interact with the environment where you’re going. Allergies and asthma are a couple of examples. You don’t want to wind up somewhere that triggers severe allergic reactions, or with poor air quality that might contribute to breathing problems.

You’ll also want to be aware of any illnesses that may be problems in specific areas you plan to travel. Some places pose a greater risk for malaria or yellow fever, for example, and may even require vaccinations in order to enter the country. Be sure you’re up to date on routine vaccinations, as well as the COVID vaccine. 

Also, different countries have different travel restrictions, ranging from COVID testing requirements within a specific date of arrival to health insurance requirements and bans on travel from certain countries. Check on your planned destination to make sure it’s safe to travel there and what’s required for you to do so.

2. Build a Budget

Set a realistic budget for your trip, and start setting aside money well before you leave. Know that costs may change before you, and give yourself a cushion. Airfares are rising and so are gas prices.

One of the most important international travel planning tips is building a budget. 

You should also research the exchange rate and how to pay for products and services at your destination. The Federal Reserve has a table of exchange rates that shows current rates and which way they’re headed. Have some cash on hand in local currency; you can typically obtain some at your local bank before you leave.

Plastic is typically a great option because it reduces fraud liability, but some companies charge a fee of 1% to 3% for using credit cards abroad. So, check with your card issuer before you go. You’ll also need to let them know you’ll be traveling so your purchases don’t get flagged and your card doesn’t get canceled. 

If you need a credit card but don’t have the best credit history, consider getting a secured card. In exchange for a deposit, you’ll receive a line of credit. As an added bonus, you’ll also build your credit as you use the card and make your payments on time. 

3. Learn the Language

Communication is important, and when in Rome (or anywhere else a different language is spoken), it’s a good idea to learn how to understand others and be understood yourself.

Where’s the restroom? How much does this cost? Can you tell me how to get to my next destination? These are all questions you should know how to ask – and you’ll need to be able to understand the answers. 

You can get a handle on some basic words and phrases by looking in surprising places (like Netflix, YouTube, and podcasts) or even by listening to music. You won’t be able to learn any language overnight, so take a translation app like Vocre with you. It’s the no. 1 voice translation mobile app for Android and iOS phones.

4. Don’t Forget to Pack

Different kinds of trips require different methods of packing — especially when it comes to international travel planning. If you’re driving over a land border, you’ll probably be able to take more than you will if you’re flying overseas, for example.

Determine how much room you’ll have and map out a list of items, beginning with necessities first, followed by the stuff you just want to take for convenience or fun. Consider the climate where you’re going (do you need a sweater, sunscreen, or both?). And don’t forget important legal documents, such as your medical insurance and prescription information, as well as personal protective equipment like masks and antibacterial wipes. 

Speaking of masks, more than 80% of countries require masks. Even if you don’t need one to get into a foreign country, you’ll have to have one in order to get back into the United States. 

If you don’t have a passport, get one as soon as possible. There are also ways to get a passport quickly, but some countries require your passport to be valid for a minimum of three to six months (or longer) before you’ll be allowed to enter. You may also need extra documentation, such as a letter of consent from the second parent in the event a child is traveling with only one parent.

5. Prepare for Emergencies

The first rule of emergency preparedness for travelers is simple: Always have a first aid kit on hand. From minor injuries to more serious medical emergencies, a well-stocked kit is bound to come in handy. You can buy one or compile it yourself using an online checklist. The Red Cross is a good place to start.

Depending on what type of trip you’re taking, there are other kits you may need. For example, if you’re road-tripping across Europe, follow this road trip checklist to make sure you have everything you need to make the trek.

6. Open your mind

Part of the point of traveling abroad is seeing – and appreciating – how the rest of the world works. By keeping an open mind, you’ll be able to experience other cultures to their fullest. 

As Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things can not be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

By Molly Barnes, Digital Nomad Life

 

Spanish Verb Conjugation

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Learning Spanish verb conjugation isn’t easy.

 

We happen to think it’s easier to memorize a few words and phrases (like hello in other languages) and Spanish verbs than it is to learn the rules of conjugation. That’s why we made this handy cheat sheet and our free and paid language learning apps. 

 

Learning Spanish Verbs: Why Learn Spanish Verb Conjugation?

When it comes to Spanish language translation, it’s easier to learn the rules of Spanish verb conjugation than it is to memorize the conjugated forms of each verb (we’re talking thousands of verbs here) when learning Spanish verbs. Understanding the rules of a language can help you decipher the translation easier. 

 

Before you learn to conjugate verbs, you’ll need to learn pronouns and some of the infinitive forms of both regular and irregular verbs. Infinitive forms of verbs are essentially the words before you conjugate them.

 

Examples of infinitives include:

 

  • To be
  • To say
  • To speak
  • To take
  • To carry
  • To climb

 

In English, we place the word ‘to’ before the verb when we’re using the infinitive form of the word.

Spanish Pronouns

Pronouns are essentially words for people. They take the place of the name of a person. Instead of saying, “Alice went to the store,” you could say, “she went to the store.” Or even, “He went to the store,” when we’re talking about a man.

 

Yo = I

Tú, usted, ustedes = you, you (formal), you-all

Él, ella, usted = he, she, you 

Nosotros, nosotras = We (male and female)

 

These pronouns are used similarly to pronouns in English. I go to the store. You do the dishes. She plays the piano. 

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs are the easiest to conjugate in Spanish. Learning Spanish verbs and these conjugations are very straightforward and formulaic. 

 

How do you know which verbs are regular? You essentially need to memorize them. And there are a lot of them. There are essentially hundreds of regular Spanish verbs.

 

The most common regular verbs include:

 

  • To speak: hablar
  • To call: llamar
  • To drink (or take): tomar
  • To live: vivir
  • To pass (as in pass the time): pasar
  • To wait: esperar
  • To receive: recibir
  • To work: trabajar
  • To finish: terminar
  • To need: necesitar

 

You’re actually better off memorizing irregular Spanish verb conjugation because there is somewhat fewer irregular than regular verbs.

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs are easier to remember because there are fewer irregular than learning Spanish verbs that are regular. Just some irregular verbs include:

 

  • To be: ser
  • To feel: estar
  • To have: tener
  • To be able to: poder
  • To go: ir
  • To place: poner

 

As you can see, many of these irregular verbs are some of the most commonly used verbs. What is more common than ‘to be’ and ‘to feel?’ We all talk about who we are and how we feel all the time.

 

Conjugating Present Tense

Conjugating Spanish verbs is easiest in the present tense. That’s because we use the present most. 

 

“I go to the store.” 

 

“She rides her bike.”

 

“He takes a cookie.”

 

Of course, we do use past and future tenses often as well. But learning present tense first can help you conjugate future and past tenses easier.

 

Let’s start with an easy regular verb: 

 

To talk: hablar.

 

Yo habl-o

Tú habla-s

Él, ella, usted habla

Nosotros habla-mos

 

You replace the r (or ar in some cases) with o, s and mos.

 

Let’s try a verb that ends in ir: vivir (or, to live).

 

Yo viv-o

Tú viv-es

Él, ella, usted viv-e

Nosotros vivimos

 

You can see in this case that you replace the ir (or in one case, the r) with o, e, es or mos. 

 

Conjugating Past Tense

Now that you’re a pro at conjugating the present tense, let’s move on to the past and learn Spanish verbs in the past tense. (or, go back to the past as it were). 

 

Let’s start with our easy regular verb: 

 

To talk: hablar.

 

Yo habl-é

Tú habla-ste

Él, ella, usted habló

Nosotros habla-mos

 

You replace the ar (or just the r in one case) with é, ste, ó and mos.

 

Let’s try our verb that ends in ir: vivir (or, to live).

 

Yo viv-í

Tú viv-iste

Él, ella, usted viv-ió

Nosotros vivimos

 

You can see in this case that you replace the r with ste, ó or mos (and in the case of yo viv-í, you remove the r altogether). 

 

It is important to know that this is the most basic past tense Spanish verb conjugation. In Spanish, you also have the preterite and imperfect past tenses as well.

 

Conjugating Future Tense

Now that we know how to conjugate present and past tense, let’s travel to the future. 

 

Let’s start with our easy regular verb: 

 

To talk: hablar.

 

Yo hablar-é

Tú hablar-ás

Él, ella, usted hablar-a

Nosotros hablar-emos

 

Instead of replacing the r, you keep the infinitive form of the verb and add é, ás, a and emos.

 

Tips for Spanish Verb Conjugation

Learning Spanish verbs and their conjugation isn’t always easy. That’s why we recommend taking things slow and going at your own pace. We also recommend downloading a language translation app to help you hear the pronunciation and determine if verbs are regular or irregular at first.

One of the best language translation apps is Vocre.

Voce offers language translation assistance with common words and phrases such as English-to-Farsi translation, Malay-to-English translation, Telugu translation, translating English to Khmer, English-to-Punjabi translation, and more.

 

English-to-Punjabi Voice Translation

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Communicating with other cultures isn’t always easy. Translating English to Punjabi is as difficult as any Germanic-to-Eastern language translation. If you need English-to-Punjabi voice or text translation, we’ve got you covered. 

 

The Punjabi language is spoken throughout Pakistan and is the most popular language in the country. In Punjabi, the sentence structure follows a subject, object, verb format. The alphabet contains 35 letters and the alphabet is different, depending on whether you’re traveling to Pakistan or India. 

Punjabi Language

Punjabi (also spelled Panjabi) is a language spoken in Pakistan and India. More than 125 million native speakers call Punjabi their first language. It is the 11th-most spoken language in India. 130 million people speak the language throughout the world. There are more than 250,000 Punjabi-speaking Americans living in the U.S. 

English to Punjabi Translation

Translating English-to-Punjabi voice translation is trickier than with some other languages. It’s not as straightforward as translating two Germanic languages — or even a Germanic and romantic language. 

 

The major dialects of Punjabi include:

 

  • Chenavari
  • Doabi
  • Jatki, Jangli, and Rachnavi
  • Jhangochi and Jhangvi
  • Majhi 
  • Malwai
  • Puadhi
  • Shahpuri

 

Punjabi students may recognize words, as many English words are derived from Hindu and Urdu words, including banana, jungle, and nirvana. Though, the words that Hindu and Urdu and English share are few and far between. The alphabet is completely different from English’s alphabet, so you’ll need to learn new letters in addition to new words. 

 

English-to-Punjabi Voice Translation

Trying to learn Punjabi online? We recommend using machine translation software that can easily translate via English-to-Punjabi voice or text, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

 

Software such as Google Translate or Microsoft’s language learning app doesn’t offer the same English translation accuracy as paid apps. 

 

Punjabi Dictionary

The Punjabi dictionary contains millions of words. The alphabet is called the Gurmukhi alphabet and has 35 letters. The word Gurmukhi translates to, “From the mouth of the guru,” and is derived from the Punjabi word, ‘guramukhī’.

Punjabi Translators

English Punjabi translators often charge nearly $100 an hour. If you need large texts translated, the cost can be extremely expensive. If you’re trying to translate simple texts or need English-to-Punjabi voice translation, we recommend inputting the text into a language translation software program or app. 

 

Check out our online translation tool that can help you learn basic words and phrases, such as hello in other languages. 

More Online Translation 

Want more than just English to Punjabi translations? We offer more online translation in the following languages:

 

  • Albanian
  • Android
  • Arabic
  • Azerbaijani
  • Basque
  • Bengali
  • Bosnian
  • Burmese
  • Georgian
  • Gujarati
  • Gurmukhi
  • Hindi
  • Macedonian
  • Malayalam
  • Marathi
  • Nepali
  • Tamil
  • Telugu

 

Spanish Language Translation

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Looking for Spanish-language translation or a Spanish-speaking translator? Whether you’re trying to learn business Englishing phrases or need education translation, we’ve got you covered. 

 

Spanish is a romance language (the language family derived from Vulgar Latin). It is the fourth most common language in the world and is spoken on four continents. Spanish is the official language or national language of a whopping 21 countries, including:

 

  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Mexico
  • Nicaragua
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Puerto Rico
  • Spain
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela

 

437 million people speak Spanish as a native language, and there are more than 522 million total Spanish speakers around the world. The United States alone is home to 41 million people that speak Spanish as a first language as well as 12 million bilingual speakers. 

 

In 2004, several areas of the U.S. were home to concentrated pockets of Spanish speakers, including:

 

  • Hialeah, FL
  • Laredo, TX
  • Brownsville, TX 
  • East L.A., CA
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • El Paso, TX 
  • Miami, FL
  • El Monte, CA

 

The most concentrated areas of Spanish speakers throughout the world include North, Central, and South America. 

History of the Spanish Language

Spanish originated in the Iberian Peninsula (the current location of modern-day Spain and Portugal). 

 

It comes from Vulgar Latin, specifically the type of Vulgar Latin spoken in the Castile region of Spain. This language eventually mixed with Moorish Arabic and transformed into the version of the language we hear most commonly today. Other variations of Spanish came from Andalusia (and Andalusian Spanish is still spoken in southern parts of the country). 

 

As the Spanish explored and conquered other areas of the world, the language continued to transform (which is why Latin American Spanish differs from European Spanish). For example, Argentinians and Uruguayans speak the Rioplatense dialect (which originated from Castilian Spanish). This dialect uses the pronoun vos instead of tu. 

English to Spanish Language Translation

Translating English to Spanish isn’t as easy as translating English to German (or another Germanic language). Yet, the jump from English to Spanish isn’t as difficult as the jump from English to a language with a different alphabet, like Mandarin.

 

Since Spanish is so widely spoken in the Americas, most locals are used to hearing common words. Spanglish (a variation of Spanish and English) is also used more commonly in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the U.S.

 

The seven most common dialects of Spanish include:

 

  • Andean-Pacific (Andean Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and West Bolivia)
  • Caribbean (Cuba, Caribbean Colombia, Caribbean Mexico, Dominican Republic, Gulf Coast Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Venezuela)
  • Central American
  • Chilean (Chile and Cuyo)
  • Mexican
  • New Mexican
  • Rioplatense (Argentina, Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay)

 

If you’re planning on translating English to Spanish, you’ll need to know which dialect you’re dealing with. 

 

The Spanish sentence structure also differs from English. Unlike in English, the Spanish sentence structure dictates that the adjectives follow nouns — not the other way around. 

 

There are over 150,000 Spanish words in the dictionary, yet many of these words are similar to English ones. 

 

Trying to learn Spanish online? Need the best language translation app for travel, school, or business? We recommend using machine translation software that has a Spanish translation tool and can easily translate text to speech, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

 

Software such as Google Translate or Microsoft’s language learning app doesn’t offer the same English translation accuracy as paid apps. 

Spanish-Speaking Translators

Compared to other language translators, English-to-Spanish-speaking translators and translation services don’t often charge as much. While some language translators may charge nearly $100 an hour, there are plenty of Spanish-speaking translators that only charge around $25 an hour.

 

Why the difference in cost? There are tons of apps, programs, and tools that automate English/Spanish translation for you — meaning you can get an accurate translation without hiring a human to follow you around and translate text and audio. 

 

Even if you’re trying to translate longer texts, a language translation software program or app is a great cost-effective solution.  

 

Check out our online translation tool that can help you learn basic words and phrases, such as hello in other languages. 

Free Vs Paid Apps for Spanish Translation

There are plenty of free apps available for Spanish language translation. In fact, Vocre’s MyLanguage app is just one of those free apps. 

 

The biggest difference between paid and free apps? The features.

 

Most free apps offer basic text Spanish language translation, while paid apps and upgrades offer voice translation, voice input, and voice output. These features allow you to speak directly into an app and get audio output in real-time. Some apps allow you to input text into the interface and get audio output and vice versa. 

Tips for Spanish Language Translation

If you’re trying to learn Spanish for business, travel, or education, you might want to take advantage of a few tips for learning a new language fast. Watch a few Spanish movies on Netflix to start using your vocab in action, or use a language translation app to nail your pronunciation.  

More Online Translation 

At Vocre, we believe that you shouldn’t need to hire a pricey Spanish-speaking translator to simply communicate with someone. Our automated translation app can translate both written and oral communication.

 

We offer more online translation in the following languages:

 

  • Afrikaans
  • Albanian
  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Azerbaijani
  • Basque
  • Bengali
  • Bosnian
  • Cambodian
  • Cebuano
  • Chinese
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • Esperanto
  • Estonian
  • French
  • Gujarati
  • Hindi
  • Icelandic
  • Kannada
  • Khmer
  • Korean
  • Kurdish
  • Kyrgyz
  • Lao
  • Lithuanian
  • Luxembourgish
  • Macedonian
  • Malay
  • Malayalam
  • Marathi
  • Nepali
  • Pashto
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Romanian
  • Serbian
  • Swedish
  • Tamil
  • Thai

Common French Phrases

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Even if you don’t even know how to say hello in other languages, these most common French phrases will at least get you through the door of your favorite French restaurant.

 

Learning French (especially as a native English speaker) is a little daunting. Unlike Germanic languages, French draws from Latin, the same as most romantic languages. Luckily, you don’t need to learn every word and phrase before heading to a French-speaking nation. 

 

Common French Greetings

Some of the most common French phrases are greetings. Greetings are commonly the most-used phrases when traveling in France. Most travelers claim that after greeting someone, they often default back to their native languages (as long as the French speaker knows said language). 

 

If your native language is English and you are heading to a major city where French is widely spoken, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to bypass French altogether — as long as you approach the French speaker with French greetings. 

 

Hello In French

Some common greetings include:

Good day: Bonjour

Hi: Salut

Hey there: Coucou

Hello: Allô

 

Depending on how well you know the person, you could shake hands or offer a kiss on each of his cheeks.

 

French Pleasantries

Pleasantries in French-speaking countries are much more important than in countries where Germanic languages are spoken. You need to acknowledge the other person in a positive manner — no matter your relationship.

 

One example of when Americans get this wrong is when entering a business. In the states, we always assume ‘the customer is always right’ and ‘it’s the salesperson’s job to greet me.’ 

 

In many French-speaking countries, it’s polite not only to say hello to a salesperson when you enter a business — but you should also ask, “How are you?” as well. Entering a store and shopping without acknowledging the proprietor is considered extremely rude.

 

Hello, how are you?: Bonjour, comment allez-vous?

 

How is your mother?: Comment va ta mère?

 

Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup

 

You’re welcome: Je vous en prie

 

In addition to asking how someone is doing, you might even ask how that person’s family is that day, too. 

 

Most Common French Phrases for Traveling

One of our best tips for learning a new language? Go with the most common phrases first. When it comes to traveling, you’ll also want to have a few words in your arsenal to get you from place to place — and know what to say at a hotel or Airbnb. These most common French phrases for traveling will help get you in, around and back out of any French-speaking country.

 

Transportation

Getting around a French-speaking country is harder when you don’t have the right vocabulary to get you where you want to go. You’ll want to memorize these most common French phrases and French words if you’re planning on traveling without an interpreter.

 

Train: Train

Plane: Avion

Airport: Aéroport

Car: Voiture

Van: Camionette

Bus: Autobus

Boat: Bateau

Ferry: Ferry

Taxi: Taxi (easy one, right?)

Gas station: Station-essence

Train station: Gare

Subway: Métro

 

Lodging

These days, most hotels hire English-speaking staff. English has become the universal language of travel, so you can probably check in to your hotel without any problems. 

 

But if you’re staying in a homestay or an Airbnb, you’ll want to make note of a few of these vocab words — or download a translator app that can easily translate text to speech, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

French Lodging Phrases

Hello, I have a reservation: Bonjour, j’ai un réservation.

 

I’d like a no-smoking room: Je voudrais une chambre non-fumeur.

 

What time is check-out?: A quelle heure dois-je libérer la chambre?

 

French Lodging Vocabulary

Suitcase: Valise

Bed: Lit, couche, bâti

Toilet paper: Papier toilette

Shower: Douche

Hot water: D’eau chaude

 

Eating at a Restaurant

Luckily, most waitstaff in large, French-speaking cities understand English. But again, it’s considered good manners to try to speak french to your waiter before throwing in the towel and defaulting to English.

 

Table for one, please: Bonjour, une table pour une, s’il vous plaît.

I need a menu please: La carte, s’il vous plaît?

Water, please: Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît?

Restroom: Toilettes or WC

 

French Figures of Speech

Just like with every language, French has its own figures of speech. It can be extremely confusing (and somewhat comical) to try to figure out what people are saying!

 

We have eyes bigger than our stomaches: Nous avions les yeux plus gros que le ventre.

 

The ticket cost me an arm: ce billet m’a coûté un bras.

(In English, we say ‘an arm and a leg,’ but it’s just an arm in French!)

 

To get broken up with (or dumped): Se faire larguer.

 

Formal Vs. Informal French Phrases

In French, it’s common to use slightly different words and phrases when you’re speaking to a stranger than you would when speaking to your best friend. 

 

The word for ‘you’ in French is ‘tu’ if you’re speaking to someone you know. If you’re speaking to someone you want to show respect to or a stranger, you would use the formal word for ‘you,’ which is ‘vous.’

 

Heading to France last minute? Check out our list of the best travel apps for last-minute travel! Headed to other destinations? Find out how to say common Chinese phrases or common Spanish phrases.

 

Good Morning in Greek

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Learn how to say good morning in Greek, when to say it, and what to avoid doing if you don’t want to look like a Greek-speaking novice. Good morning is one of the most popular phrases that you can learn to say in pretty much any Western language. 

 

Facts About Greek

Greek is an Indo-European language that claims the title of the longest documented history of this family of languages. The Greek alphabet has been used for nearly 3,000 years, and it’s more than 3,000 years old. 

 

Here are a few fun facts about Greek and a few reasons why you might want to learn Greek yourself. 

Who speaks Greek?

More than 13 million people speak Greek all over the world. It’s the main language of the Mediterranean. 

 

About 365,000 people in the U.S. speak Greek, and the country saw a large wave of immigration during the 1800s and 1900s. Tens of thousands of Greeks flocked here to escape poverty back home.

 

Today, the largest population of Greek citizens in the U.S. live in New York (particularly in Queens in New York City) and New Jersey. 

Why learn Greek?

Greek is an important language! Many of our words and letters in English come from Greek, and many great works of literature were written in Greek.

 

If you want to read The Illiad, Medea, The Poetics, or other famous Greek works as they were written — in Greek — you’ll need to learn how to speak the language. 

 

Greek is the alpha and omega of the alphabet: the word alphabet means alpha plus beta! Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet (A) and beta is the second letter in their alphabet (B). 

 

While not all English letters correspond so closely with Greek letters (the last letter in the Greek alphabet isn’t Z — it’s omega, which means the end of everything). 

 

The New Testament was even originally written in Greek (not Latin or Italian!). 

How hard is Greek for English speakers?

We’re not gonna sugarcoat it for you: Greek isn’t an easy language to learn if your first language is English. 

 

Yes, we share a lot of words (and letters), but the two languages come from completely separate language families (English is a Germanic language). 

 

Experts believe that learning Greek for an English speaker is just as difficult as learning Hindi or Farsi. Of course, the Greek alphabet is totally different than the English alphabet, so you’ll need to learn a separate alphabet in addition to new vocab, grammar, and sentence structure. 

 

Check out our tips on how to learn Greek down below, should learning the ins and outs of this language get you down. 

How to Say Good Morning in Greek

Good morning is a very common phrase to say in Greece! You can use this phrase much of the day (not just first thing in the morning or before noon as we do in English-speaking countries).

 

To say good morning in Greek, you’d say, “Kaliméra!”

 

Since the Greek alphabet is different than the English alphabet, you’ll see the word kaliméra written like this: Καλημέρα. 

Kaliméra Pronunciation

Most English speakers find it easier to pronounce Greek words than words in languages that weren’t derived from Latin.

 

Of course, you wouldn’t pronounce everything in Greek the same as you would in English! The good news is that pronouncing Greek words is slightly easier than pronouncing words in some other languages (such as English).

 

Want even more good news? There are no silent letters in Greek! That means that you won’t need to worry if a letter is pronounced or not — unlike in English where words like gnome, name, or even bomb. 

 

When saying good morning in Greek, you could sort of sound out the word and say, “kah-lee-meh-rah.” 

 

Just make sure to take note of the accent above the e and emphasize the “meh” when pronouncing this word. 

 

If you really want to sound like a local, you may want to practice saying Greek words with a language translation app, like Vocre.

 

Vocre offers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and even voice-to-voice translation. The best part is that you can download the app on your phone when you have wifi or cell service and continue to use it even if your signal is lost. 

 

Vocre is one of the best language translation apps available in the Apple Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android.

When to Say Kaliméra

For many of us English speakers, knowing when to say good morning is a little confusing. Different cultures use this phrase much differently than we do in the U.S.

 

You can use kaliméra to greet someone first thing in the morning or anytime in the morning really. You can also use this phrase in the afternoon.

 

When combined with the word yassas, kaliméra simply means hello. If you combine kaliméra with yassas, you’ll be greeting someone with more formality (which is ideal if you want to pay respect to someone, as with someone older or someone with more authority). 

 

Yassas on its own is a very informal greeting. 

 

If you want to greet someone in the afternoon, you could say, “kalo mesimeri.” Though, many Greek speakers do not use this phrase, so steer clear of it if you want others to think you’re a local or fluent in Greek.

 

You can use kalispera to say good evening or kalinychta to say good night. 

Greek Greetings

Don’t want to say good morning when you greet someone? Learning how to say hello in other languages can help you get a leg up on learning the language.

 

There are plenty of Greek greetings you can use to say hi, hey, how are you, nice to meet you, and much more! They include:

 

  • Yassas: hello
  • Ti kaneisi?: how are you doing?
  • Chárika gia ti gnorimía: nice to meet you

 

If you’re wandering the streets of Greece and you’re obviously a foreigner, there’s a good chance that you’ll hear the most common Greek greetings. Though, you may want to familiarize yourself with as many Greek greetings as possible!

 

The good news is that if you don’t already know many of these words before your trip, you will probably know them by the time you return home. 

Kalimena/Kalo Mena

One tradition in Greece that we don’t practice in the U.S. is to wish someone a happy month on the first day of the month. It’s kind of like saying, Happy New Year!” But you say it on the first day of each month — not just the first few days of January. 

 

Back in ancient times, the first day of each month was considered a mini holiday (like Saturdays or Sundays in the U.S., depending on your culture). 

 

We know we’d like to take a vote to go back to celebrating the first day of each month as a holiday!

Antío Sas/Kalinychta/Kalispera

If you want to use the evening equivalent of kaliméra, you could say, “Kalispera,” (to say good evening) or, “kalinychta,” (to say good night), or you could say… “kaliméra!”

 

Kalispera can be used at any time throughout the evening (after 5 p.m.), but kalinychta is only used as a way to say good night before you go to bed. 

 

You could also simply say goodbye or, “Antío sas.”

Kalo̱sórisma

καλωσόρισμα noun. welcome

Another common greeting in Greek is kalo̱sórisma, which simply means welcome.

 

Another way to say hello to someone who is arriving at your home is, “Kalo̱sórisma,” or welcome. You may also hear this word when you first arrive in the country or get to your hotel. You may also hear this word at restaurants or stores, too. 

Greek Untranslatables

There are many words and phrases that simply cannot be translated from other languages into English. 

 

Because of cultural differences, many words in other languages don’t have a purpose in English (though we happen to think we should jump on this bandwagon and create some English translations of these super cool words!).

 

Some of our favorite Greek words that cannot be translated into English include:

 

Meraki: When you do something with so much soul, love, or flow state that a little piece of you is infused into what you’re doing. 

 

Philoxenia: Admiration for someone you don’t know; love for a stranger in a welcoming manner.

 

Nepenthe: A thing or action that helps you forget your suffering, anxiety, stress, or other negative feelings.

 

Eudaimonia: Feeling happy and content during travel.

 

We happen to love that last one — but then again, we may just be biased!

Good Morning in Tamil

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Tamil is spoken by 77 million people in the world, including 68 million people who speak it as a first language and 9 million people who speak it as a second language.

 

In the U.S., 250,000 people speak this language. There are pockets of Tamil speakers in California, Texas, and New Jersey.

How to Say Good Morning in Tamil

Across the globe, people say good morning when they want to greet someone first thing in the morning (and sometimes it can be used anytime before evening!), to say hello, or to acknowledge a passerby.

 

To say good morning in Tamil, you’d say, “Kālai vaṇakkam!”

 

The English-to-Tamil translation of kālai is morning, and vaṇakkam means greetings; so, the literal translation of kālai vaṇakkam is morning greetings!

 

If you wanted to write this phrase, you’d do so like this: காலை வணக்கம். 

 

You can also just use vaṇakkam as a greeting — without even bringing kālai into the sentence! In India, people don’t really say good morning; they simply say, “Greetings.” 

Kālai Vaṇakkam Pronunciation

Want to learn how to pronounce kālai vaṇakkam? Just say, “Kah-lee vah-nah-kum.” 

 

If you want to hear someone speak this greeting, you might want to download a language translation app that offers speech-to-text translation. 

 

Vocre offers text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and even voice-to-voice translation. The best part is that you can download the app on your phone when you have wifi or cell service and continue to use it even if your signal is lost. 

 

Vocre is one of the best language translation apps available in the Apple Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android.

Tamil Language: A History

The Tamil language comes from the Dravidian family of languages (70 languages spoken mostly in  Southeast Indian and Sri Lanka)

 

You’ll find the largest populations of Tamil speakers in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. It is the official language of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Puducherry (an Indian union).

 

Tamil is an Indian classical language and a scheduled language of the Indian Consitution and is one of the oldest languages in the world!

 

The language is also spoken in the following countries around the world:

 

  • Fiji
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Puducherry (Pondicherry)
  • Singapore 
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tamil Nadu

Tamil Dialects

The dialects of Tamil include:

 

  • Batticaloa Tamil
  • Central Tamil
  • Jaffna Tamil
  • Kongu Tamil
  • Kumari Tamil
  • Madras Bashai
  • Madurai Tamil
  • Negombo Tamil
  • Nellai Tamil
  • Sankethi

 

Check out our online translation tool that can help you learn basic words and phrases, such as hello in other languages. 

 

Need the best language translation app for education translation, school, or business Englishing phrases? We recommend using machine translation software that has a Tamil translation tool and can easily translate text to speech, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

What’s the Difference Between a Translator and an Interpreter

Posted on by Alicia Butler

Translators and interpreters perform similar job functions. Both need to translate words and phrases from one language to the other — but there’s an even clearer distinction between the translators and interpreters. 

Do you need a translator or an interpreter? Discover the difference between a translator and an interpreter and explore a few options for hiring both translators and interpreters. 

What Is a Translator?

Translators translate text from one language to another. This often includes large bodies of text (such as books or manuscripts), but the written text may also be a shorter piece (such as a restaurant menu or flyer). 

 

Translators may use reference materials to translate the source language to the target language. This is a complex process where he or she needs to be sure of the exact meaning of the written word or phrase before choosing a translation. 

 

Some of the most common professional translation services are technical translation and medical translation. 

What Is an Interpreter?

Interpreters are similar to translators as they translate one language to another. The biggest difference is that interpreters translate spoken word and spoken language — often in real-time.

 

Whether interpreting a different language for a diplomat, politician, or business associate, interpreters need to be able to think quickly and digest lots of information very fast. They need to have a deep understanding of colloquialisms and figures of speech and be able to translate a phrase’s non-literal meaning into a different language.

 

Interpretation services can be pretty expensive as a result. 

 

Difference Between a Translator and Interpreter

The main difference between a translator and an interpreter is the way language is translated — oral or written. 

 

While these are two very different skill sets, the jobs are often confused for each other or considered more similar than they actually are. 

 

The key differences are that translators work independently (usually alone) and aren’t often worried about the same challenges interpreters may face in a live setting. 

 

Key differences between translators and interpreters include:

 

  • Translators often work independently
  • Translators translate written words — not spoken ones
  • Translators don’t need to work on the spot; they can take their time referencing figures of speech
  • Interpreters need to translate words, phrases, and colloquialisms at a moment’s notice
  • Interpreters work with oral language (as opposed to language in its written form)
  • Interpreters work closely with the people they’re translating for and often interact with clients on a personal level

 

Appreciation for these different skills is often overlooked! Yet, understanding the difference before hiring a translator or interpreter is obviously extremely important!

When Would You Need a Translator Vs. an Interpreter?

The largest industries that hire translators and interpreters are:

 

  • Educational institutions
  • International organizations
  • Large corporations (usually international) 
  • Government organizations
  • Healthcare providers

 

Educational institutions often need to hire both translators and interpreters. They often need to provide both oral services for students (translating oral lessons) and written translation (translating textbooks into a different language).

 

Many educational institutions are required to hire translators and interpreters for students that don’t speak the local language.

 

International organizations often need to hire both translators and interpreters because of the very nature of their business. They often need to communicate with people who live in all areas of the world. These organizations generally need both translators and interpreters.

 

Large corporations that do business throughout the world often need to hire professionals to translate business English into other languages. 

 

Both government organizations and healthcare providers need both types of language translation — oral and written. These organizations often need to communicate with people that don’t speak English as a first language and need brochures, flyers, texts, and ads translated. 

Machine Translation Software

Finding a good translator and professional interpreters for high-quality translation can be pretty tricky. Depending on the subject matter and the native language of the reader or listener, translation services can cost hundreds of dollars. 

 

Our advice? Opt for computer-aided translation programs. These programs can translate and interpret languages quickly and accurately. 

 

We recommend using machine translation software that can easily translate text to speech, such as the Vocre app, available on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iOS. 

 

Software such as Google Translate or Microsoft’s language learning app doesn’t offer the same accuracy as paid apps. 

 

Most paid programs allow you to type in the words you want to translate (or copy and paste them) and some even allow you to speak into the app to get an oral translation. This is especially useful when translating for educational purposes (especially if the educational institution doesn’t have enough money to hire a translator or interpreter) and translating less-common languages, such as Khmer, Punjabi, or Bengali. 

While the differences between translators and interpreters may seem subtle, they’re very important when trying to determine which to hire.




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