Category Archives: Resources

Google N-grams, tracking word use

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This fascinating post by Dr Carol O’Sullivan at the University of Portsmouth may be of interest to translators and lawyers alike – sharing an interest in how words are used.
http://matsnews.blogspot.com/2011/11/google-n-grams-and-translation.html

It describes how collections of texts from 1500 to 2008, in several languages (Englishes, simplified Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish and Russian), can be used to examine synonyms, neologisms, and even to compare ‘competing words’.

I did a little test following Carol’s instructions, to compare “claimant” and “plaintiff”. Here are the results, for American English and for British English between 1800 and 2008. Note that the y-axis scales differ.

We can clearly see the jump in the use of “claimant” in the UK following the entering into force of the Civil Procedure Rules in April 1999. Continue reading →

Simply the best legal humor blog

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Lowering the Bar is an inspired fount of humour (or should I say humor). Whenever you’re feeling down and need to laugh out loud, I suggest taking a look at this wonderful blog. It is compiled by a San Francisco lawyer called Kevin Underhill. He is also a thoroughly good egg, who manages a pro bono program called Pets are Wonderful Support. (Mr Monti take note in Italy, please).
http://www.pawssf.org/

Here is just a taster. Go and explore – and do let me know your personal favorites!
http://kevinunderhill.typepad.com/lowering_the_bar/comical_case_names.html

Canadian legal advice – webinar library

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The Law Foundation of Ontario funds an excellent website which covers family law, consumer law, criminal law, education law, employment and work, environmental law, health and disability, housing law, human rights, immigration and refugee law, the legal system, social assistance and pensions, and wills and estates.

Although the content is specific to Ontario, Canada, it contents a wealth of legal information, links and an archive of legal education webinars that can be freely accessed.

In my opinion, it could be really useful both for translators and for lawyers whose native language is not English.

Here is a direct link to the webinar section of the site.
http://yourlegalrights.on.ca/training-archive

Are you an accidental outlaw?

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Nominet is the not-for-profit organisation that has managed .uk, one of the world’s largest internet registries, since 1996. It is entrusted with the safe, stable and secure management of the .uk internet name space.

Knowthenet is an educational and advisory portal to help individuals or businesses. It is a public service to support and guide people through the complexities of the internet, giving advice, best practice and explanations.

This fun, visually attractive and informative quiz covers the law on social media, uploading, music, online discussions and selling. Only takes a few minutes and you might learn something really important!

The dictionary on steroids

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The website Wordnik, launched in 2009, now employs a staff of 18, many of whom worked for the US arm of Oxford University Press. According to its own words it is a “dictionary on steroids”. Users have the choice of consulting the site on an ad hoc basis, or subscribing to “words of the day”, and can also use it for games.

For translators and lawyers, it is an excellent resource – as well as definitions (and pronunciation), there are many examples, showing the corresponding sources. The lists of related words are far more extensive than any thesaurus, and if you scroll to the bottom of the page you can even see use of the word in recent tweets.

Take a look, you won’t be disappointed!

http://www.wordnik.com/