About Helen Eby

Helen Eby grew up in Argentina, the land of the gauchos. She is certified as an English Spanish translator by ATA and as a Spanish interpreter by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts and by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters. She co-founded The Savvy Newcomer and the ¡Al rescate del español! blogs, both of which are team efforts to provide resources for other language professionals. She is also a founding board member of the Spanish Editors Association.

Translation or Transcreation?

Whether we provide a translation or a transcreation, at Gaucha Translations we always keep the end users of the translation in mind. Will this document be useful to them? Will it be useful to the people they interact with? Will it cause misunderstandings along the way? I, Helen Eby always ask clients questions based on [...]

By |2018-03-07T21:12:26-08:00March 7th, 2018|Transcreation, Translation, Translation Standards|

The Federal Government on Translation and Interpreting

Certification is key to quality language access. It includes both interpreting and translation. Poor quality translations and interpreting events lead to serious risks. When patients leave a doctor’s office, if they don’t understand the information they took home, they run serious risks. If a parent does not understand the Individualized Educational Plan for a student, [...]

Steps to translation certification

Passing a translation certification exam is a bit like winning an Olympics competition. They have low pass rates. So… how do we set ourselves up to win? First step. Be an excellent translator. Read the source text as unbiased readers, catching every nuance of the text. Translate it so the target audience in the target [...]

By |2019-02-03T17:25:07-08:00February 19th, 2018|Certification, Translation|

My personal style guide for the ATA translation exam into Spanish

Based on the comments from a failed exam. I am writing this to help others not fail the same way! Include necessary clarifying information to reduce ambiguity. (register former inmates/registrar para votar a los que habían sido...) (spread the word to thousands... /informarles la decisión a decenas de miles...) Keep it to a minimum. The [...]

By |2019-02-03T17:25:21-08:00February 12th, 2018|Certification, Translation|

What should a translator look for in their translation?

After studying with my colleagues for a few years, writing several book reviews, and analyzing our high points and low points, I have reached the conclusion that these are some of the key aspects of a good translation: Following our clients’ instructions. This is essential! Understanding and analyzing the source text. We just can’t translate [...]

By |2018-12-15T11:25:09-08:00February 12th, 2018|Translation|

Word tricks: Setting up a document as a table

How to convert text into a table Select all text. Under “Insert” tab, go to “table”, and select “convert text to table.” Number of columns: 1 Check how it will separate things, and mark what is most convenient according to your text. In most cases, choose by paragraph. If your text is one long paragraph, [...]

By |2018-01-04T17:37:07-08:00January 4th, 2018|Technology, Translation|

Translating a Song – Art and Science

There is more than one type of translation: Setting words to music Converting a message from one language to another In both cases, a translation must be accurate. Otherwise, it is a summary or a paraphrase. My voice teacher has frequently seen me dismiss the translations of the Spanish songs in her books! I just [...]

By |2019-02-03T16:35:37-08:00December 18th, 2017|Spanish, Translation|

English Style Guides: I love CMOS

The following three style guides are listed as options in the ATA Certification Into-English Grading Standards. Here is my opinion regarding their usefulness for different applications. I have adopted the Chicago Manual of Style for the translation training course I teach. Why? The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (I checked the 2016 [...]

By |2017-12-11T16:39:29-08:00December 11th, 2017|Language, Translation|

Books! Updated catalog for 2017

This was the second year I spoke at the Congreso San Jerónimo, hosted by the Feria Internacional del Libro (International Book Fair) in Guadalajara. My session was well received and I enjoyed developing relationships with colleagues and potential clients. This is also a Book Fair. The second largest in the world. Guadalajara pulls all the [...]

By |2017-12-08T19:31:36-08:00December 9th, 2017|Helen Eby, Language|

Terminología médica

On Saturday, November 25, I am presenting on medical terminology research at the San Jerónimo conference, in Guadalajara. Here are the slides. Terminología médica

By |2017-12-17T10:26:10-08:00November 25th, 2017|Presentations|
Go to Top