The mere fact that it took me 2 months to write this blog post, since the moment I had the idea of writing it, tells you how busy I am and how desperately I need more hours a day. I am a busy bee. I have...
The mere fact that it took me...
Learning doesn’t begin and end in the classroom. Especially, for translators and other language professionals. Having a considerable body of knowledge and staying up-to-date on cultural trends, business and on translation itself can make a good translator great. On this post, we’ll explore 7 books that can greatly help aspiring...
Learning doesn’t begin and ...
Ah, those deep fried Middle Eastern balls of vegan protein goodness! I don't know anyone who doesn't love them! Falafel is a highly popular street food made of chickpeas and fava beans (together or alone) with a mix of spices and herbs and onions, ground and...
Ah, those deep fried Middle E...
Success doesn't come overnight, and this is something I learned over the course of 12 years of experience. In the world of freelance, it takes extra blood, sweat and tears to make it on your own and build a steady portfolio of reputable, loyal clients....
Success doesn't come overnigh...
Chris is one year old today! Where did the time go? How did he go from being a baby to being a toddler overnight? I'm still not ready! My sweet bundle of joy, my 3rd boy, my forever youngest is a baby no more! I am...
Chris is one year old today! ...
It's no secret, I've always wanted to raise boys. I've never dreamed about raising little girls wearing tutus and tiaras like all the other women in my life. I used to be a tomboy, a tough little girl, and quite frankly I'm happy day in...
It's no secret, I've always w...
In my household, I am the only female. I am surrounded by my husband and 3 boys. I have more reasons to teach my boys how to truly respect and appreciate girls, because they do not have a sister of their own. It is not easy in a...
In my household, I am the only...
Nadine Labaki's incredible movie Capernaum, which star is a real-life Syrian refugee living in Beirut (who has now resettled with his parents to Norway), just got nominated for an Academy Award for the category of "Best Foreign Film". The other movies that are nominated for the...
Nadine Labaki's incredible mov...
I love the month of November for several reasons: 1- It's neither hot, nor cold. Not humid, either. 2- I was born in November. 3- I established my business in November. 4- It's the busiest month of the year. I get the most projects in November of every year. 5-...
I love the month of November f...
Today is International Coffee Day, and just a couple of days ago, it was National Coffee Day in the US. Yes, coffee needs to be celebrated. It's what keeps most people sane and going (students, professionals, moms, everyone!) Coffee is celebrated on this day by all caffeine...
Today is International Coffee ...
Every year on September 30, the world's translators celebrate International Translation Day. It's a day to recognize the brilliant and remarkable translators who help build bridges among the world's different cultures. On this occasion, it's good to share some interesting facts about the world's languages. So...
Every year on September 30, th...
Google celebrates its 20 years today with a super cute video of different questions asked in different languages. Not a day goes by without me using Google to look something up, whether it was a word, an expression, an image, a piece of information, a recipe...
Google celebrates its 20 years...
· Le plus long mot palindrome de la langue française est " ressasser ". C'est-à-dire qu’il se lit dans les deux sens. · " Institutionnalisation " est le plus long lipogramme en " e ". C'est-à-dire qu'il ne comporte aucun " e ". · L'anagramme de "...
· Le plus long mot palindrome...
It's great to see Google shed light on one of Lebanon's most remarkable women from the past. On what would have been her 121st birthday, late Lebanese translator and feminist is being honored today on Google's homepage. Below are 6 facts about this great Lebanese woman: 1- Anbara...
It's great to see Google shed ...
Tonight the world will witness the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century! The moon will pass by the earth's shadow and become fully blood red for a couple of hours. While that event is in itself fascinating, that's not all there is to it: We will...
Tonight the world will witness...
Straightforwardly, a freelancer's dream client is one who: Pays on time, every single time. (Yes, this wish tops the list, any list for any profession, for that matter) Has jobs on a regular basis (and by regular, I mean...
Straightforwardly, a freelance...
May 9, 2018 was such an eventful day for me and my family, but the biggest event of the day was the arrival of my 3rd baby boy, Chris. At 38 weeks, baby Chris was born on May 9 in Los Angeles at 1:58 pm PST...
May 9, 2018 was such an eventf...
I am no avid reader but there is one thing I know for sure: I love reading and listening to Maya Angelou's poetry. Today marks the late American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist's 90th birthday, on the occasion of which Google honored her with a...
I am no avid reader but there ...
Today (March 4th) Is International Grammar Day. To celebrate, we have an informative infographic that was created in collaboration with Instructional Solutions. Grammar is one of the more difficult parts of the English language to master. In my opinion, it is better to focus on...
Today (March 4th) Is Internati...
[caption id="attachment_3989" align="alignleft" width="252"] How was this 7 years ago?[/caption] My eldest Maroun turned 8 today. I've been feeling so emotional for the past few days. I still can't believe how 8 years went by in a flash. 8 years of bliss. 416 weeks of unconditional love....
[caption id="attachment_3989" ...
I'm all about positive vibes and I tend to block out negative energy the second it tries to get to me. Now while I never claim to be an expert in spreading positive energy and making inspirational speeches, life has taught me a few tricks that...
I'm all about positive vibes a...
After 10 years in this business, I have come to the realization that there are many myths about translators which, for the most part, are the creation of clients. Well, I guess it's time to bust those myths and enlighten our dear clients! Below are the 5...
After 10 years in this busines...
Google is celebrating late British writer Virginia Woolf with a doodle today. Adeline Virginia Woolf (née Stephen; 25 January 1882 – 28 March 1941) was a prominent English author most known for her modernism. In fact, she was considered one of the most prominent modernists of...
Google is celebrating late Bri...
I read somewhere a very inspirational story, supposedly Chinese, that teaches us a lesson to keep moving forward no matter what. Below is the story. "There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped...
I read somewhere a very inspir...
*This is a guest post by Rachel Wheeler from Morningside Translations Over the last decade, we have seen incredible growth in the number of companies that are deploying eLearning solutions to train staff members and teach them new skills. We already see over 40% of the...
*This is a guest post by Rache...
[su_heading size="23" margin="50"] 5 Reasons Why You Should Eat Organic [/su_heading] There’s a reason why so many people are shifting towards a healthier lifestyle nowadays. With evolution comes better education, and today’s generation is realizing how important it is to pay attention to our health. Organic food has...
[su_heading size="23" ...
I’ve been toying with the idea of rebranding for quite some time now, as I was feeling that a change was long overdue. With time, I’ve been leaning towards a cleaner, minimalist image. I wanted a smart and sleek design that represented everything that I am,...
I’ve been toying with the id...
I have amazing LinkedIn connections that keep sharing incredible stories and life lessons, and I cannot but share with my readers the ones that inspire me the most. Check this story below and make sure to share it if you believe in it! "One day a farmer's...
I have amazing LinkedIn conn...
On September 30 of every year, translators around the world celebrate International Translation Day (also Saint Jerome Day). Translators undeniably have one of the best and coolest jobs in the world. We are communication heroes and language warriors. We bridge gaps, connect cultures, and create a...
On September 30 of every year,...
Today is National Coffee day. Yes, I'm big on this day. I wrote about it here, here and here. While I only drink one cup of coffee a day, I pretty much can't function properly without it. The first thing I do in the morning is prepare...
Today is National Coffee day. ...
It's like social media waits for Miss Lebanon every single year to give us the best jokes of the year...
It's like social media waits f...
Some translation companies tend to mark the translations of professional linguists as if they were exams. Here are my two cents in this regard: To begin with, I don't even accept unpaid tests. It is a total waste of time, and I mentioned why here. And I do...
Some translation companies ten...
Back in 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated September 5 as Working Mothers' Day, calling upon "families, individual citizens, labor and civic organizations, the media, and the business community to acknowledge the importance of the mothers who work inside or outside the home and to express...
Back in 1982, President Ronald...
A freelancer is someone who does not hold an in-house position at a company. They have the freedom and the ability to work from any location they want, and to set their own working days/hours. Never in my 10 years of experience have I held an...
A freelancer is someone who do...
Do you speak 2 or more languages? Do you know how your brain looks like? Interestingly, the brain of bilingual and multilingual people looks different than that of monolingual people. Watch the video below to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN5zBLY&feature=share How many languages do you speak? What are they?...
Do you speak 2 or more languag...
Like every professional, I use LinkedIn to make professional connections and hunt for new business opportunities. What I have recently noticed is that many translators, mostly freelancers, try to trick fellow translators that they need to outsource translation jobs to them, just so they could get...
Like every professional, I use...
Unless you set your priorities straight and thoroughly think about where your life is headed, you will end up regretting the following 10 things 10 years from now: Not working towards leaving the job you hate Not getting rid...
Unless you set your priorities...
Recruiters, Human Resources Managers, and all employers for that matter need to take a step back and realize that everybody deserves a chance. To climb the ladder, you start from the bottom and work your way up. it's the ONLY way to go! In the translation industry,...
Recruiters, Human Resources Ma...
English-speaking countries/lands call the French National Day "Bastille Day", which is celebrated on July 14 of each year. In France, it is formally called la Fête nationale (The National Celebration) and commonly and legally "le 14 juillet" (the fourteenth of July). The French National Day marks France’s...
English-speaking countries/lan...
Welcome to Lebanon, the country notorious for celebratory gunfire, the country where everyone and their mother is a public figure or a social media influencer, and also the country where almost everyone is proudly a trilingual. I've been updating my Instagram consistently but making it a...
Welcome to Lebanon, the countr...
"Once upon a time, a woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he got it. The pay was really good and so were the work conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an...
"Once upon a time, a woodcutte...
Disclaimer: This is not your typical lovey dovey, 100% positive blogiversary post. There will be some serious bomb dropping below. Dear reader, if you are a Lebanese colleague and you can't handle it, I advise you not to scroll down. I'm writing this as I sip...
Disclaimer: This is not your t...
Today Google remembers the late Assia Djebar (30 June 1936 – 6 February 2015) with a doodle. Born Fatima-Zohra Imalayen, the berber-speaking Algerian novelist, translator and filmmaker, whose father is a French teacher, chose Assia Djebar as her pen name for fear of her father's disapproval. In 1957, she published her...
Today Google remembers the lat...
The below joke made my day :D "Le français est une langue magnifique" J'ai passé un coup de fil à un ami, et je lui ai demandé ce qu'il faisait. Il m'a répondu qu'il travaillait sur: Le traitement aqua-thermique des céramiques, du verre, de l'aluminium et de l'acier sous...
The below joke made my day :D ...
The world is divided into 2 kinds of people: coffee people, and everyone else. To me, there's nothing quite like the smell of a freshly brewed cup of coffee first thing in the morning, and although I am what everyone considers a morning person (and I...
The world is divided into 2 ki...
I know I've been quite quiet lately (yes, I wrote that on purpose. Quite...
I know I've been quite quiet l...
I must admit, when I first graduated, and just like all my other colleagues, I used to charge per page, because when you still have no experience, you take it from those who've been there and done that before you. Charging for language services per word...
I must admit, when I first gra...
While there are pluses and minuses for everything in life, learning is the only thing that has no disadvantages in my opinion, especially when it is learning a new language. Below are the top 5 things that happen when you learn a new language. 1- You become...
While there are pluses and min...
James Chapman is the cartoonist who's pretty much fond of languages. I love all his illustrations and how he simplifies language learning through his drawings. In this blog post, I will be sharing some of his illustrations which he brilliantly calls "Soundimals": animal sounds in different...
James Chapman is the cartoonis...
Award winning Arab architect Zaha Hadid, who died last year of a heart attack at the age of 65, is being honored in today's Google doodle. May 31 marks the anniversary of the day she won the Pritzker Architecture Award, becoming the first woman to do so....
Award winning Arab architect Z...
My brother sent me this story via Whatsapp a few days ago and I found it pretty interesting so I had to share it: During a robbery in Guangzhou, China, the bank robber shouted to everyone in the bank: "Don't move. The money belongs to the...
My brother sent me this story ...
I have addressed this issue so many times (here, here and here to name a few) to the point that I am now being frequently attacked by some colleagues for advocating fair translation rates. We all know it's a free market, and every translator has the right...
I have addressed this issue so...
Talk about being passionate about your job! Sign language interpreter Holly Maniatty completely outstaged Snoop Dogg at his own concert in New Orleans with her impeccable skills and groovy performance. The 1 minute clip of Snoop Dogg performing "P.I.M.P." was shared on Facebook by The Good Life...
Talk about being passionate ab...
Ah, I missed this kind of posts, didn't you? I got more of these coming in the future, but since the beach season is finally upon us, I figured it was the best time to dive into the sounds of summertime splashing in 10 languages (pun...
Ah, I missed this kind of post...
The only time when "A Bunny holding Eggs" doesn't look like a mistranslation to us. Happy Easter!...
The only time when "A Bunny ho...
It just irritates me to proofread someone else's lousy translation. It's one of the jobs that I always tend to reject. I am currently proofreading a translation from English into French, and the target text reeks of translation. I mean come on: even Google Translate would know...
It just irritates me to proofr...
Ah, the perks of working in your PJs :D In case you still don't know the difference between translators and interpreters, check out the below picture. [caption id="attachment_1716" align="aligncenter" width="227"] Interpreters Vs Translators[/caption] On another note, many interpreters are sometimes called translators because, to the client, they are...
Ah, the perks of working in yo...
One of my LinkedIn contacts once shared the following story and it really resonated with me, as I do a lot of interpretation work while I hold a BA in Translation. Interpreting in the United States is quite different from what it is here in Lebanon....
One of my LinkedIn contacts on...
This month was a pretty rough one to say the least. My dad was hospitalized a couple of weeks ago, and my baby Andy was hospitalized last week (on Mother's Day). However, every cloud has a silver lining, and I believe tough situations bring families...
This month was a pretty rough ...
Translators, please stop giving first time clients your rates and then stating that they are negotiable! This is the most unprofessional thing to do and it sets things totally on the wrong foot. This is not the way to establish a healthy business relationship. If a...
Translators, please stop givin...
When I was young, I used to be a trouble maker (I still am), a wild child (yep, still am), and I was quite the handful (this is pretty much still the case). I gave my mom a hard time, and she really struggled during...
When I was young, I used to be...
It's Friday, don't judge me. I've had a rough week. Actually, this entire month has been one from hell. All is Okay now, so let's keep things positive, shall we? If you've had a rough week, too, you deserve a little giggle. Just check out what the...
It's Friday, don't judge me. I...
March 8 is International Women's Day. It is a day to celebrate women empowerment. I have many wishes for Lebanese women that I shared last year. Get a dose of inspiration from the below list of women empowerment songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U Beyoncé - Run the World (Girls) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgmx7z49OEk Jennifer Lopez - Ain't...
March 8 is International Women...
Today is National Grammar Day, which is celebrated on the 4th of March of every year in the United States. I've previously written about it here . It is noteworthy that according to Global Language Monitor, the estimated number of words in the English language is 1,025,109. While there...
Today is National Grammar Day,...
Today is Pancake Day, and you really can't avoid it on the internet lol! I've been seeing photos of drool-worthy pancakes and epic pancake flip videos all day on social media. It's really not helping with my fasting haha! What really caught my attention is the below...
Today is Pancake Day, and you ...
I recently joined a Facebook group for Middle Eastern business women, and one of the very successful ladies voiced her opinion regarding being greeted as "beautiful lady" as opposed to addressing her as smart and successful. It immediately made me feel sad. Someone doesn't know us, and...
I recently joined a Facebook g...
7 years ago today, I joined the mamasphere. When I first heard you cry, it made me cry. The moment was raw, unreal, and nothing like I have ever experienced before. I couldn't describe what I was feeling; I still can't. Trying to wrap my head...
7 years ago today, I joined th...
International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is celebrated worldwide on the 21st of February of every year. It aims at promoting awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999, and was formally recognized by the United Nations...
International Mother Language ...
I believe that in order to succeed as a translator, you ought to truly love what you do. It is one of those jobs that require passion, otherwise you find yourself writing gibberish. Heck, even translators who love their job find themselves sometimes not able...
I believe that in order to suc...
Believe it or not, this is my go-to recipe when I don't have much time on hand to whip up a decent lunch. However, it's got everything! Packed with flavor and nutrients, this salad will surely keep you full the entire day! Besides, it is super easy...
Believe it or not, this is my ...
This is a must watch video which explains what an interpreter really does and how difficult of a job it is to simultaneously interpret from one language to another with 100% accuracy and perfect, grammatically correct sentences so as to make sense in the target...
This is a must watch video whi...
This is another illustration by cartoonist and illustrator James Chapman showing how to answer the phone in 10 languages. I would add the Arabic: رن رن نعم Know any way to answer the phone in another language? Share it in the comments below!...
This is another illustration b...
I Still Don’t Know I still don’t know Whether to live Or to die To believe Or to deny It’s hard to forgive It’s harder not to try Should I break the flow? I still don’t know And we carry on living Here shines another sun And we keep smiling We say it’s just for fun I still don’t...
I Still Don’t Know I still ...
Often times, some of my clients contact me to proofread their documents. What the majority of them do is that they actually only send the target text and ask me to check if there are any grammar mistakes. Below is my two cents on the matter: 1-If...
Often times, some of my client...
Having a desk job is the unhealthiest job ever. Sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day can be deadly, as it forces you to be inactive most of the day, which leads to serious medical complications caused by terrible posture and very poor...
Having a desk job is the unhea...
I came across this info-graphic by Funders and Founders which shows what 7 billion people in the world do. Over 400 million are entrepreneurs 430 million are unemployed 577 million are older than 64 ...
I came across this info-graphi...
What is the sound that you make when you're in pain? Usually, in Lebanon, people use "Ay". When it's one's soul that aches, they tend to say "Akh" آخ (which is the classical Arabic sound for pain) if expressing their bitterness aloud. I wish you never use...
What is the sound that you mak...
Hussein Amin Bicar (born on January 2nd, 1913 in Alexandria and deceased on November 16, 2002) was one of Egypt’s most outstanding artists of the 20th century. He graduated from the Cairo Higher School of Fine Arts in 1934, and then went on to spend over 60...
Hussein Amin Bicar (born on Ja...
If there's anything 2016 taught me, it's to never give up and to persevere. I think so many will agree with me that 2016 was such a stubborn year lol! It just wouldn't go away! Well thank God, 2017 is here and although it started with...
If there's anything 2016 taugh...
Like any other year, 2016 had its really fair share of ups and downs. While I started off the year in another continent, I'm ending it from one of my favorites places: behind my desk. On the professional level, 2016 was not bad. I managed to make...
Like any other year, 2016 had ...
So I stumbled upon this cool video which teaches you how to say "Happy New Year" in 34 languages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXcPYGvxPDI Happy New Year! Cheers to an awesome 2017 :D...
So I stumbled upon this cool v...
I don't know about you, but I am still greeting friends and family and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Learn how to say "Merry Christmas" in 77 languages thanks to the photo above. How many did you know beforehand? Write the answer in the comments below. No...
I don't know about you, but I ...
This truly is the best time of the year. How can it not be with all the love, joy, warmth and positive vibes around? Remember, Christmas is about giving a smile to those who are less fortunate. A simple act of kindness can make anyone's day,...
This truly is the best time of...
Lebanon is witnessing its coldest weather this season so far, and I happen to have stumbled upon this photo which shows how countries around the world express themselves when it is pouring. I do know the English and French ones. It's interesting that we don't have something similar...
Lebanon is witnessing its cold...
I was in tears after I watched this. I say all other companies thinking of running Christmas ads for this season should simply stop trying! It's got the perfect amount of humor, warmth, Christmas vibes, tradition and Aww effect. The cherry on top? It's the super...
I was in tears after I watched...
Today is World Arabic Language Day. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) established this event in 2010 "to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six of its official working languages throughout the organization". On December...
Today is World Arabic Language...
I just found out about Upwork from someone I know and decided to browse through it a little bit. Upon checking the translation projects posted there, I realized that even the highest rate proposed by the job poster (aka employer) is just ridiculously low! When...
I just found out about Upwork ...
Karimeh Abbud was a Palestinian professional photographer and artist who was born in 1893. She lived and worked in Lebanon and Palestine in the first half of the 20th century. She developed a passion for photography in the year 1913 in Bethlehem where she was living...
Karimeh Abbud was a Palestinia...
Moroccan cuisine is by far my absolute favorite (yes, I prefer it to Lebanese - don't go all ooh and ahh now). I was born and raised in Morocco, and this country has one of the richest cuisines in the world. Moroccans are known for their...
Moroccan cuisine is by far my ...
I was only familiar with 3 of them. It's really interesting to learn what sounds people around the world make when eating. The Arabic sound would definitely be "Aam" (عم). Do you know any other sounds from other languages/countries? Please share them with us in the comments...
I was only familiar with 3 of ...
While being bilingual opens up new horizons for the person, it doesn't mean they have the ability to be a translator. Translation requires skills. It's really unfair to think bilingual people are just like professional translators who studied for several years to excel at what they...
While being bilingual opens up...
When I first joined Twitter, I encountered a few hashtags used by language service that I found awkward. Upon investigating them, I found them very interesting. I know a lot of my colleagues don't know all the abbreviations used in the translation world, so I figured it...
When I first joined Twitter, I...
There is no denying the huge difference between machine and human translation. No matter how advanced machine translation gets, it will always lack the "human" touch. The latter gives the text a higher quality, more cohesion and accuracy. In a more trendy word, it gives the...
There is no denying the huge d...
Last week I had an interview with Sean Hopwood, President of Day Translations Inc., about all things translation and languages. We discussed Arabic, English, translation, interpretation and a little bit of everything. Here it is below. Hope you enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3fFChE5dh4&feature=youtu.be ...
Last week I had an interview w...
We live in a crazy world where the following happens: If you crack a joke, at least one person will be offended. If you give your opinion, at least one person will be offended. If you share a religious post, at least one person will be offended. If you...
We live in a crazy world where...
It's fall, which means it's apple season, aka healthy desserts season :D With many of my relatives picking their own apples, I always have apples lying in my fridge or on the counter, so I always need new recipes to put these healthy and sweet fruits...
It's fall, which means it's ap...
One of Lebanon's iconic singers and composers, the legendary Melhem Barakat, died today at the age of 71 after battling sickness. Melhem Barakat was a music mogul, with mega hits such as Belghi Kel Mwa3idi, Jeet bi Wa2tak, Habibi Enta and Hamama Bayda, to name a few. The...
One of Lebanon's iconic singer...
I read this somewhere on LinkedIn and it cracked me up so I had to share it! :D Bill Gates: “So, how’s heaven, Steve?” Steve Jobs: “Great! It just doesn’t have any wall or fence.” Bill Gates: “So…?” Steve Jobs: “So, we don’t need any Windows...
I read this somewhere on Linke...
