If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million! This December we are back at it again following last year’s example when we decided to make a video explaining the real purpose of our gifts. We did this after a couple of friends thought we were being quite original with the our supposed “merchandised shower caps” we were giving out during the last Christmas. (if you're curious, you can check here what our presents really were.)

Make your bet for this year: Is it a fridge magnet? A badge you can proudly display on your clothes? Stop wondering and take a look at our 2022 unboxing video!

This year we've come up with a extremely useful gift: a PopSocket, which you can use to hold your phone securely or as a phone stand while streaming videos, for example. And, believe us, this comes from first-hand experience: some weeks ago Laura was using her phone while on the bike (yes, we know she shouldn't), and it slipped out her hand, falling on the ground and cracking her screen and camera lens. If she had only had this tiny little PopSocket attached to it, it would have spared her a few hundred euros on a new phone.

The PopSocket is also easily removable and reusable. We've been running some tests and it clearly seems that the PopSocket can easily be removed without leaving any marks (and just in case, a mobile phone case can be the best place to mount it), ready for reuse. Just make sure to adhere it back to the 3M paper it comes with when you are not using it. For a more precise procedure than just using your fingernails, the manufacturer recommends mounting it on a phone case rather than on the phone itself and dental floss to remove it.  

The PopSocket also has optional accessories (commercially available) for mounting it on your car dashboard or other surfaces. Check the original manufacturer's website or find them on Bol.com. Sadly, we do not earn commissions from either website!

The only thing left to do is to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, secure-phone-holding 2022!

José Carlos holds ISO 17100:2015 qualified status meaning that the qualification and experience requirements of ISO 17100:2015 are being met.

What is ISO 17100:2015?

It is the internationally recognized standard for translation services providing requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service that meets applicable specifications.

It takes into consideration project management processes and workflows, translation and revision process, client-TSP communication, handling of materials, competence and qualifications of professionals involved and Continuing Professional Development.

TSPs and agencies certified under this standard have been externally assessed by a registered body and are subject to regular audits.

The status of "Certified" is not generally used for individual translators, as they usually prove their compliance through the status of "Qualified".

Benefits of holding ISO 17100:2015 qualified status according to Bluebird Translations and the ITI:

• Proof that the translator works to a recognized standard and is committed to maintaining those industry standards
• No need to spend time checking qualifications and CPD records of translators to ensure they meet the standard (easy participation in tenders applied by LSPs)
• Greater confidence for prospective clients
• Evidence that the translator is professional and forward-thinking

Profile of an ISO 17100:2015 qualified translator:

• Translation competence: translating texts in accordance with the client-TSP agreement.
• Linguistic and textual competence both in the source and target languages: understanding the source, fluency in the target language, and general or specialized knowledge of text-type conventions.
• Competence in research, information acquisition, and processing: acquisition of additional knowledge necessary to understand the text and experience in the use of research tools and information sources.
• Cultural competence: making use of information on the behavioral standards, up-to-date terminology, value systems, etc. characterizing both source and target cultures.
• Technical competence: the knowledge, abilities, and skills required to perform the technical tasks in the translation process by employing technical resources.
• Domain competence: understanding content produced in the source language and reproducing it in the target language using appropriate style and terminology.
• Sound translation process in place, characterized by: terminological consistency, semantic accuracy, appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation, lexical cohesion, compliance with style guides, consideration of the target audience and purpose, etc.

It has come to our attention that a few people thought that the brand-new Bluebird merchandise, specially designed and produced for this Christmas season (an Amsterdam-must for rainy days: waterproof and totally portable bike saddle covers) were shower caps (egad!), so we let our imagination run wild, resulting this short movie:

It was very fun to make! Thanks to Maaike, our fantastic coworker and translator (Chinese/English into Dutch), the amazing acting skills of Mr Charlie Moose (note for Hollywood talent scouts: this is an aka, as he wishes to remain somewhat anonymous), and juka design for the final edits, we managed to create this story in record time. We hope you enjoy both the film and the new dryness of your pants for this coming rainy season! And jokes aside, we wish you all an abundance of Light and Hope for the coming new year.