News

Will speaking English make you poor when you retire?

New findings by a Yale University researcher, Keith Chen, support the controversial theory that our finances and our health may be dictated by the grammar of the language we speak.The theory is centred around how each language treats the concept of t...

Getting a good translation of your message is not just about finding a translator who speaks the language

The definition of a good translator is someone who is passionate about their gift - and translation is part of their life, not just 9 to 5.Our MD Ian demonstrated this recently following a once in a lifetime flying holiday in New Zealand. He naturall...

Revival of whistling language, Silbo Gomero

An article from BBC Mundo reports that an ancient whistling language is undergoing a revivial on the Spanish island of La Gomera, on of the smallest Canary Islands.According to the report, "This method of communication, in which the Spanish lang...

Bible translator keeping Doromu-Koki alive

Robert Bradshaw, a linguist-translator has just mastered another vulnerable language in Papua New Guinea - Doromu-Koki.According to the Australian report "the language is spoken by just 750 people in a dozen villages in mountains south east of P...

Who, what, why: Why did Joey Barton put on a French accent?

The online BBC News magazine reports that "English footballer Joey Barton has been much mocked for conducting a press conference in Marseille in a French accent."It then goes on to ask "But why do some English speakers p...

UKTI launches language workshops

Last month, UKTI launched a series of language workshops across the East Midlands to help companies boost their export sales.According to the Insider Media article, UKTI language and culture adviser, Suzannah Hutton, reported that "statistics sh...

Ten concepts that are surprisingly difficult to translate

In Nataly Kelly's article in the Huffington Post, she highlights 10 concepts in various languages that pose a problem when it comes to translating them in other languages. She explains that this could be due to the concept itself or the combination o...

English language originated in Turkey

According to a recent BBC online news article, researchers believe that the English language originated in Turkey many years ago.The article reports that "Modern Indo-European languages - which include English - originated in Turkey about 9,000 ...

Language Solutions - Issue 2

 Welcome to our Olympic edition of "Language Solutions" for 2012 where you will find hints and tips on how to check if your language requirements are really being met, as well as useful insights into the industry: Langua...

Language Solutions - 1st Issue 2012

 In our first issue of "Language Solutions" for 2012, you will find hints and tips to help answer the important questions in order to be successful using foreign languages:why can't we just do business in English?how do I know it says ...

No Olympics disruption at Peak Translations

You will have heard of fears of disruption for companies based in London, with staff suffering from travel problems and increasing frustration. We are pleased to confirm that clients of Peak Translations will benefit from the usual high quality of se...

English pupils are worst for using languages

The BBC has recently reported that pupils in England are the worst across 14 EU countries that were studied when it comes to successfully using a second language.The study found that just 9% of English pupils were able to use their first foreign lang...

Will the Russian language be granted official status in the EU?

"The Voice of Russia" has reported that Russian compatriots abroad are calling on the EU to grant their language the status of an official working language.It goes on to state that the "Russian language is the native language of 6.5 mi...

Translation tools could save less-used languages

Google and Microsoft have developed translation technology that could help to save some of the less-used languages in the world.Whilst speakers of English and other more common languages can enjoy a large amount of information to read on the internet...

Bloody Scotland - festival celebrating crime writing

Fife Today recently reported that the programme for Scotland's first crime writing festival has been announced, which takes place in Stirling between 14th and 16th September.Bloody Scotland will put on events exploring topics such as forensics, ebook...

The need for translation in Africa

Common Sense Advisory conducted a report on behalf of Translators without Borders looking at the need for translation in Africa. The results of the report have been published in a blog on Global Watchtower, which can be read here.The blog articl...

Being bilingual boosts brain power

Scientists who have carried out research into the effects of being bilingual have discovered that bilingualists appear to have a highly efficient auditory system, according to a BBC report.Student volunteers were tested on their responses to differen...

37 Shakespeare plays in 37 different languages

The first of Shakespeare's 37 plays to be performed in a different language opens tonight at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre."The Maori version of Troilus and Cressida begins the six-week Globe to Globe season on Monday, which is also Shak...

Moorland fire closes Lyme Park

A fire on moorland in Lyme Park, Cheshire, yesterday caused the park to be closed whilst firefighters tackled the blaze.The park, which is situated close to Peak Translations' offices, has now reopened to the public and we are pleased to confirm that...

Language skills are being lost in translation

The art of diplomacy lies in a person's ability to use the right words at the right time and in the right way. So, when it comes to being diplomatic in a foreign culture, surely foreign language skills are a must?You may well think so, but a report i...

World's biggest industrial fair, Hannover Messe, opens its doors on 23 April 2012

Hannover Industry Fair (Hannover Messe) is a major event for the Mechanical, Electrical & Process Engineering sector.This year it will showcase ground-breaking innovations in the context of 8 international flagship fairs. 2012 sees the ...

Commission to boost protection for posted workers

The EU Commission has recently announced better protection for posted workers in relation to such rights as pay and holidays. Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion reports:"To make the EU single market work better for workers and for b...

Queen addresses Parliament to mark her Diamond Jubilee

Today, the BBC reported "In a speech to both Houses of Parliament, [the Queen] said the commemoration of her 60 years on the throne was a chance "to come together in a spirit of neighbourliness and celebration"."For a fu...

Russian rejected as second official language of Latvia

The Public Service Europe website reported last week on the problems in Latvia with the rights of the Russian minority coming increasingly under threat.And, the article goes on to explain, the "debate over the status and use of the Russian langu...

The cult of the hyperpolyglot

The BBC has reported this week that more and more children are giving up languages in schools from the age of 14. But for some people, learning languages comes very naturally and this article explores what makes them want to learn more and more."...

Digital tools to save languages

The BBC has reported that digital tools, such as Facebook, YouTube, iPhone apps and even texting, may help to save endangered languages the world over, scientists believe.The article describes how "North American tribes use social media to re-en...

Pashto Poet, Murad Shinwari, dies at 85

The Oman Tribune has paid its respects to the Pashto poet, Murad Shinwari, who has died at the age of 85.The paper reports "Acclaimed Pashto poet and writer Murad Shinwari died of multiple medical problems in his home in Khyber Agency late on Sa...

Peak People - We're Famous!

"Peak People" is a term that has been coined in recent years. We knew it wouldn't be long before we received the global recognition we deserve.On closer inspection though, it seems that actually reporters coining this phrase are not referri...

Welsh Language in Crisis

The BBC has reported that, according to Meirion Prys Jones, head of the Welsh Language Board, the Welsh language is still in crisis and would not survive without a cash injection and change in attitude in the Welsh government.So, with the Welsh ...

Interpreter change causes chaos in court

With the government aiming to reduce spend and save £18m per year on court interpreting services, new arrangements have been put in place for the provision of interpreters. However, the BBC reports that these changes are proving costly and caus...

How do you translate Diesel Fuel and No Smoking in Arabic?

So, have you seen the latest translation blunder that's appeared on Facebook?  If only they'd invested a little more time and money into the translation work and particularly the proofreading stage, this costly mistake could have been avert...

Going Global - Healthcare for everyone

UK Trade and Investment recently reported on the success of a Canadian company they had assisted in setting up their European headquarters in London.  The company, PharmaTrust, provide remote pharmacy dispensing technology which allows people to...

NHS spends millions on translation and interpreting

According to a BBC news article published today, the NHS in England spends £59,000 a day on translation and interpreting services.  The government reportedly stated that the NHS has a duty to ensure patients and doctors could communicate w...

Wrexham pub's new start as Welsh centre Saith Seren

The BBC has recently reported that "a former Wrexham pub is opening its doors again in an attempt to get local Welsh speakers to have a drink and a chat using their own language." According to the article, "The Seven Stars on Ches...

November 2011 Newsletter - Issue 2

 What an exciting time we've had in recent months! Here we share the latest on technology and innovation for your business, as well as a few developments closer to home:Online language - how to make an impact Going for Gold - get the best v...

Poor language skills cost small businesses billions - so new service launched

Poor language skills cost small businesses billions, warns Forum of Private Business.The Forum of Private Business is responding to evidence showing that poor language skills are costing British businesses £21 billion per year by launching a ne...

Peak supports a fun evening for charity

 Peak is proud to have sponsored the marketing for a fund-raising amateur production of the plays Last Tango in Little Grimley and Last Panto in Little Grimley.  The Kettleshulme performance was hilarious and much apprec...

Peak helping Britain Get Trading

In our view, sitting back and watching mesmerised as the cuts bleed us to death is not the answer. Peak is committed to assisting companies to have the confidence to succeed in their international activities by enabling them to communicate effectivel...

An Oak Tree for every New Client

During 2010 Peak Translations has maintained its pledge to plant one oak tree for every new client. This year these have been planted in a public space in South Manchester.Planting trees is a great way to offset carbon footprint and move towards beco...

December 2010 Newsletter - Issue 1

 In the new Peak Newsletter we'll be giving you up-to-date hints and tips -to make languages really work for you:24/7 Interpreting. Register today - freeNew website reveals insider informationCheck out our recession busting pricesWin a bottle of...

Lincoln Prison handbook's 'execution' translation error

The BBC reported:A translation error at a UK prison has labelled an exercise yard as an "execution yard" in an information booklet for Russian inmates.Prison inspectors pointed out the faux pas at Lincoln Prison during an inspection follow-...

Do you enjoy eating cabbages?

We're not sure whether the teenager known online as binarypigeon does, but her mother tells us that when she wanted to test the limitations of online automatic translation systems, she typed the phrase "I enjoy eating cabbages" into one.She...

PM presents top 10 tips to 4N group

On Friday 2 July, Helen, our Senior Project Manager, presented our top 10 tips to ensure you get great translations that really work for you to a 4networking group in Buxton. To find out more about the top 10 tips, click here....

Is Google pulling the wool over our eyes, or can we really translate Sheep speak?

Google have unveiled their groundbreaking Translate for Animals application, which analyses animal speech and translates it into human vernacular, finally allowing us to understand our fellow creatures. See how it works in this promotional ...

Peak igloo survives 4 weeks

 Any language in any weather The recent cold spell was an opportunity for Peak to check out language services at sub-zero temperatures - so we built an igloo. We checked the performance of the laptops in our igloo annex....

Contracts with 4 Local Authorities

 From 1 January Peak is now under contract to provide translating/interpreting services to a total of 4 Local Authories in the North West and West Midlands.Providing language services to the public sector is a demanding task in which w...

Peak Top Translation Company

 It has been confirmed by Google Earth and Ordnance Survey that Peak Translations is the Top Translation Company in the UK.Our clients are not surprised, but we must confess to being situated at just under 1,000 ft above sea level.But serio...

Taking a chainsaw to litigation risks

Easy to understand instructions are vital, especially with dangerous equipment like chainsaws.  Martin Cutts of the Plain Language Commission, based 2 miles from Peak Translations, has been speaking at the Plain Language Association InterNa...

"Ladies Only" language dies out

The last native speaker of Nushu, or women's script, a 400-year old language, has died at the age of 98. Nushu had been used for centuries in some remote areas of central and southern China and is believed to be the only language used exclu...