Abstract: The English orthography is called Latin for historical purposes. Writing systems used by other languages are called non-Roman scripts (NRS). For computers to deal with NRS correctly, the document format, applications, keyboards, and fonts all have to cooperate. “Mojibake” is the term for when a computer tries to deal with a character it doesn’t… Continue reading Fonts, Keyboards, and Non-Roman Scripts
ICT4D Information and Communication Technologies for Development
Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies for Development, ICT4D, is the industry and academic term for technology focused on the Emerging World. It has a large body of work including subfields encompassing Health, Education, Agriculture, etc. Internet in the Emerging World is often oversold. Compounds view bandwidth as a cost-center, while carriers view it as a… Continue reading ICT4D Information and Communication Technologies for Development
A Day in the Life of a MTT/FBA
Abstract: Mark Rustine and Abigail Roberts are guest speakers this week. Mark Rustine speaks about A Day in the Life of a Mother Tongue Translator. Mark has a BS in Aerospace Engineering and worked for Boeing, Continental, and Gulfstream Aerospace before serving in SIL Philippines and Indonesia. Mark is a gifted cross-cultural communicator. Abigail Roberts… Continue reading A Day in the Life of a MTT/FBA
A Day in the Life of a Translation Consultant
Abstract: Andy Kellogg is the guest speaker this week. Andy Kellogg joined Wycliffe in 2005 and Seed Company a year later. His first assignment was as a Consultant in Training. Andy moved to Nigeria in 2007. For the next 5 years, he gained experience consulting in various LIST workshops. During this same period Andy worked… Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Translation Consultant
A Day in the Life of a Field Coordinator
Abstract: Cate Burnett Fierbaugh is the guest speaker this week. When I met Cate Burnett Fierbaugh, she was living on the edge of the Sahara Desert and working on minority language development. At the same time, she was recording for Progressive Publication of MP3 audio. So Cate has actually done many of the things that… Continue reading A Day in the Life of a Field Coordinator
Translation in Practice
Abstract: Since 2000, translation efficiency has improved by over 50%. At least half of this gain is due to increased funding. Most of the remainder is due to process improvements: MTTs, cluster approach and workshops, and shorter, focused projects. ParaTExt has also produced concrete efficiency gains. Malinda Kathleen Reese’s views on machine translation are explained. … Continue reading Translation in Practice
Drupal Gardens refugee… :-(
Visiting Friends is migrating from Drupal Gardens to WordPress. We will do our best to port old posts. 20 July 2016 UPDATE: Whitepapers are all migrated. 16 July 2016 UPDATE2: ICT4D photo gallery is migrated. 16 July 2016 UPDATE: Ok, all of the old blog posts are migrated over.
Cross-cultural Communications
Abstract: Worldview is one’s personal view of the world and how one interprets it. People in the Emerging World are rational and most “crazy” things in Africa have common sense explanations. In the Emerging World, decision making is often relational while in the west it is results-oriented. Conflict management tips: Be humble, assume inaccurate data… Continue reading Cross-cultural Communications
Tech & Field Brownbag Lunch Series
Abstract: A series of Brownbag Lunch seminars which are webcast and recorded. Goals: 1) To help everyone in the Technology Team understand translation in Emerging World environments as it relates to technology; 2) To prepare individuals within the Technology Team to travel overseas in direct support of Seed Company’s translation projects. Who should attend? Anyone… Continue reading Tech & Field Brownbag Lunch Series
Mommy is in Africa
This post is lovingly dedicated to my wife, who was told by the TSA worker that she was literally the last person entering the United States from Guinea who was required to undergo enhanced Ebola screening. Congratulations, hon! 😉 I bring him downstairs in the morning and our toddler asks, “Where’s mommy?” Mommy’s in Africa. … Continue reading Mommy is in Africa
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