May 2004

• With the same original English content, the final typeset copies of translated material may vary greatly in lengths
• Chinese typesetting does not put space between words. A line may be broken at nearly any point.
• For Korean typesetting it‘s not a good idea to break words, or to use hyphens
• The fonts of Western European languages are single-byte; but the Asian fonts for Korean, Japanese and Chinese are double-byte.
• It’s hard to identify inconsistencies such as omissions, extra letters, missing accent marks, inappropriate hyphenation or capitalization in a foreign language copy, so after typesetting, a proofreadear should check all the documents.

The European Union is requiring all businesses to use the metric system for their European products by 2010.
After the EU Directive takes effect, member and associated countries will no longer permit dual indications of measurement. U.S. exporters can no longer label or print inches, pounds, or any other non-metric measurement on shipments. This affects labels, packaging, advertising, catalogs, technical manuals and instructions. Legal units of measurement will now be referred to as SI units (International System) and enforcement mechanisms are already in place. Until 2010, U.S. companies selling in Europe will be able to continue to label their products in both metric and inch-pound measurements, as is required by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act in the United States.

In Asia, Korea is changing from the older versions of the metric system to the SI. The revised Korean Metrology Law prescribes strict new guidelines effective July 1, 2001, mandating that measurements be expressed only in SI units. Both manufacturers and importers are required to adhere to metrification rules, which include technical requirements for weighing and measuring devices. Strict punishment for non-compliance may include fines and a prison term. The Japanese market strongly prefers metric labeling and their Measurement Law requires that all imported products and shipping documents show SI units. In the Philippines, only SI units can be used to measure any product, commodity, material or utility. SI is also the only system that can be used in any commercial transaction, contract and other legal instrument, or other official documents. The Philippine government prohibits importation of non-metric measuring devices, instrumentation and apparatus without prior clearance from their Bureau of Product Standards.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, metric is increasingly becoming the standard. While Jamaica generally follows U.S. standards, their Bureau of Standards has recently become more vigilant in monitoring products sold on the local market. In 1995, an amendment to the Weights and Measures Act was passed to enforce compliance with the metric system of measurement; thus, imported goods should conform to the metric system. Chile requires that all labels must contain, in Spanish, size and weight converted to the metric system. Goods not complying with these measurements may be imported, but not sold to consumers until the conversion is made. Costa Rican law requires the exclusive use of the metric system, but in practice accepts U.S. and European commercial and product standards. In Brazil, product labels should have a Portuguese translation and use metric units or show a metric equivalent.

Countries in Africa have similar metric requirements. Mauritius and Eritrea require metric weights and measures. Cameroon recommends French and English labeling, with all measurements in the metric system. Cote d’Ivoire also prefers French labeling and requires imported equipment adapted to run according to European electrical and metric standards. South Africa requires metric weights and measures on the bill of lading. All items entering Nigeria must be labeled in metric terms exclusively and products with dual or multi-markings will be confiscated or refused entry.
http://www.ita.doc.gov/exportamerica/AskTheTIC/qa_Metric.html

  ONLINE LANGUAGES POPULATION

There are approximately 729 million online people and 64.2% are non-English speakers. Those are the latest estimated figures of the number of people online in each language zone (native speakers). Global Reach classify by languages instead of by countries, since people speaking the same language form their own online community no matter what country they happen to live in.

Source: Global Reach
(global-reach.biz/globstats)

March 2004

  TRANSLATION JOKES

Do you have feedback or comments about our site? wintranslation.com is interested in hearing from you. Click here.

To unsubscribe, click here.