Signage translation

This in the Tapei Times today (8/2): DPP councilor slams Taipei bus signs Apparently the trouble started when somebody noticed strange English translations on signs for a local bus line. When the company who made the signs learned of the problem, they said they were going to fix it right away, but how would they even know [...]

Effectiveness of evaluating translation quality through trial translations

Generally speaking, here at Pristine Communications we find that “trial translations” are not necessarily an effective  means of evaluating the quality of a translation agency’s work. Much of our work is online, and a better example of the breadth and depth of our capabilities. For individual translators with a limited portfolio of work, however, trial [...]

Pristine Soapbox: Latest post

Urban Irving

A very large Ferris Wheel at the southern end of Shanghai. Dusty Venus — most of the dust is a result of construction/demolition. This little boy was making so much noise that at first I thought his life was in danger, but he was simply one of those kids who is very loud while having a [...]

Sexist nature of the Chinese language?

It’s not surprising to me that the Chinese language exhibits sexist attitudes towards women, given the historically dominant patriarchal family structure in China. http://www.chinasmack.com/stories/sexist-chinese-characters-discriminate-against-women/

Pristine Soapbox: Latest post

To A Small Town In Eastern Gansu

The typhoon that tried to dissolve Taiwan is now in Nanjing, washing the city in a manner that is downright obsessive/compulsive. Even this far inland, the wind is strong enough to overturn a baby carriage. I care enough about you to hope that you are not out there tonight pushing a baby around Nanjing. Escape from [...]

Asides

  • Although Lohas is the consumer-friendly soft-sell version of social and environmental responsible living, the Chinese 樂活 often completely ditches the pesky environmental consciousness usually attached to the Lohas mindset. Although dedicated Chinese Lohas/樂活 sites still attach some importance to green consumption and living, when referred to by more mainstream media, especially lifestyle product advertisers, the term 樂活 more often than not just connotes "good living" without any of the socially progressive baggage. With slow living having established the similar conceptual construct of 慢活, 樂活 was ripe for the 'if it feels good do it" kind of marketing. Come to think of it, that's kind of happened with Lohas as well... #

Welcome to Pristine Soapbox

This is where Pristine people sound off on the cool, quirky, frustrating, and inspirational world around us from a distinctly cultural and linguistic perspective.