Archive for March 3, 2009
Would it help if I wrote my letter using translation software?
Q. I do not speak the same language as my sponsored friend. Would it help if I wrote my letter using translation software?
A. We truly appreciate your desire to communicate with your friend in her or his native language. This language may be Spanish, Swahili, Hindi or one of many hundreds of indigenous languages.
CFCA employs translators to translate your letter into your friend’s language. Although the translations may be less than perfect, the translators try very hard to convey the sentiments of sponsors and sponsored friends.
We prefer that you do not use translation software. Using such software often results in an unintelligible translation because the software is incapable of recognizing context and common phrases and expressions. For example, the word “Mass” can be translated as “lump” in Spanish. That is only one example among many. Sometimes, the translations are so poorly constructed, the letter must be returned to the sponsor.
If you do decide to use translation software, please include the English version of your letter so the translator can use it as a reference.
Thank you for writing to your friend. Letters are an important part of the sponsorship relationship and a sign of your love.
March 3, 2009 at 11:05 am Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) 2 comments
