A Spanish into English Translation Case Study – itrazos

This is a case study of how translating a drawing Workbook from Spanish into English helped a graphic designer spread her research about using your Non-Dominant hand to train your Non-Dominant side of the brain and to boost your cognitive capabilities and functions. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Keep reading, and learn all about it!

Why all the fuss?

As an English-Spanish professional linguist, I’m used to facing challenges. One of the things that I feel more passionate about regarding my job is that translation allows me to dive deep into the most varied topics. This inevitably leads to a growth opportunity that I’m always happy to embrace.

As one can imagine, each client has their own needs, goals, struggles, and dreams. When wearing my Language Service Provider hat, I do my best to help them meet their needs, achieve their goals, face their struggles, and make their dreams come true.

In this blogpost, I’m sharing a very special translation project that allowed me to do all that. The task in question involved translating into English the drawing instructions compiled into a workbook and originally written in Spanish by Dora Alessio.

Don’t miss this reading picturing the ups and downs of an extraordinary project that involves hands, drawing, brain, language, cognitive development, and more!

First things first, who is Dora Alessio?

Dora Alessio, right-handed, aka Dori, is a skillful graphic designer, illustrator and visual artist —to name a few of the many arts she masters—based on Canary Islands, Spain.

She devised a Workbook made up of over 100 drawing exercises that should be practiced on paper with a pencil, using your Non-Dominant hand. Based on this Workbook, she also founded the itrazos Hemisphere Program which aims to train the brain and stimulate its Non-Dominant side to help open it up, develop, and wake up the parts that are ‘asleep’.

Why did the Workbook need translation into English?

The Workbook was born in 2019 as a result of Dori’s desire to leave a legacy that will help many people. It stems from cross-functional work with psychologists, educational psychologists, and neurologists, and it has been proven to help enhance cognitive abilities.

The drawing exercises are helpful not only for anyone interested in developing their Non-Dominant side of the brain, but also for patients who have suffered strokes or CVAs, which is why Dori’s exercises arouse curiosity in the well-known neuroscientist from the US, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor.

Dori needed to present Dr. Jill her exercises in English to spread their reach and benefits to a wider public. And here’s when I sprang into action!

From the linguistic landscape, this project not only was rich and interesting, it also posed many challenges that were approached thoroughly and carefully by me and my team:

Challenge #1

My language combination. I normally work from English into Spanish, not the other way around. This means that more often than not, I receive a text in English and translate it into Spanish —my mother tongue.

Approach to Challenge #1

• To overcome this challenge, I prepared myself by researching and reading relevant material about brain hemispheres, dominant and non-dominant hands, drawing, and other related topics in both, English and Spanish. This helped me get acquainted with natural expressions in the field.
• I also summoned an experienced colleague to review my work and ensure the result was a fluent, accurate, and clear text.

Challenge #2

The original writing. There was some information missing from the instructions, or the explanation was not very exhaustive or clear enough.

Approach to Challenge #2

• Before and during the translation process, I held several e-meetings and calls with the author to clearly understand the drawing instructions, re-write them in Spanish when necessary, and make sure that we were all on the same page.
• Authorized by Dori, I summoned some Spanish speakers to read the instructions and practice some exercises, to ensure the instructions were precise.

Challenge #3

Accuracy and consistency. Guaranteeing that key terms were appropriately understood and translated accordingly throughout the whole project.

Approach to Challenge #3

• Before and during the translation process, the editor and I performed an exhaustive research of the vocabulary used in the Workbook.
• I confirmed the correct understanding of the terms with Dori, and then prepared a glossary which we followed throughout the translation and edition process. This guaranteed that all key terms were translated consistently.

Challenge #4

Effective translation. Making sure the exercise instructions were translated clearly enough for the reader.

Approach to Challenge #4

• During the translation process, I worked with paper and pencil practicing the exercises myself to make sure I understood them in the original version as well as after I translated them.
• Authorized by Dori, I asked a few English speakers who were not familiarized with the material to do some exercises following the instructions translated into English to ensure translation clarity and fluency.

Above all, clear communication with the client was key to the success of the whole project.

I must confess that the exercises look quite simple, but practicing them with my Non-Dominant hand gave me a few headaches!

How did the Spanish into English translation benefit my client?

• Dori printed her Workbook in English and shared its content with Dr. Jill and other stakeholders.
• She also presented her work at different fairs in Europe and in the US.
• Dori was awarded the Success Case Award by the Canary Islands Chamber of Commerce, for taking her Project and Company abroad.
• The English version of the itrazos Workbook helped Dori reach a wider audience. Now Spanish and English speakers alike can train their brains and develop their Non-Dominant sides of the brain.
• The wide range of activities in the workbook fosters the development of different skills and functions, such as attention, perception, creation, language, reasoning, and fine motor skills in English-speaking people of diverse ages.
• The exercises can help in the recovery of people who suffer strokes, hemiplegia, and other neurological problems boosting their cognitive and physical functions.

Did this Translation Project meet my client’s expectations?

I say it did. But don’t take my word for it! Please read below my client’s testimonial:

“Her e-mails and calls were just right, organized and well-defined. From the very start, her standard of excellence went the extra mile.
She gave me a clear roadmap of the whole process, payment methods and terms, deadlines, invoicing procedure, and invited me to “share with her every single doubt or concern” that I might have.
I particularly cherish how she devoted herself to working expeditiously. And I also give great value to her communication skills.
She and the editor even made linguistic contributions that further enriched my Program. I am very pleased that I gave them the “custody” of my Workbook. With accuracy, dedication, and attention to detail, they guaranteed the translation excellence.
Last but not least, I felt cared for and accompanied throughout the entire process.”

Dori Alessio
itrazos*
Canary Islands. Spain

This was an enriching project that will last because it is an open door to brain development and cognitive enhancement. I’m happy to have been part of the process and hope the Workbook will help many people in diverse ways.

My name is Mariella. I help brands connect with their audience. How? Through English-Spanish (LatAm) Translation & Copywriting Services in the fields of Fashion & Luxury, Marketing, Software, and Sustainability.

Contact me and find out how I can help you build a meaningful relationship with your ideal public.

* You can learn more about the itrazos project in https://www.instagram.com/itrazos/ or www.itrazos.com. You may also feel free to contact Dori Alessio, she’ll be happy to assist you!