Winning Slogans Revealed by Translation Agency Lingo24

Lingo24 today announced freelance German translator Antje Eberle as the winner of their slogan for translation competition, jointly sponsored by airline TAP Portugal and travel company Keytel International.

Antje’s entry “Lingo24 – never lost for words” (translated into German as “nie sprachlos”) was judged the slogan which encapsulated the essence of Lingo’s language services and also translated effectively into at least one other language. As a result, a delighted Antje plus companion will jet off to Portugal courtesy of TAP to spend three nights in a luxurious Pousada on the Algarve, courtesy of Keytel International.

Translation manager Karen Elwis takes up the tale: “Winning this competition was no mean feat on Antje’s part, as we received over 130 entries. She adds: “Predictably there were many cases where the suggested slogan worked in one language, but didn’t work so well in the translation.” However, Lingo24’s marketing department was particularly impressed by an English slogan submitted by freelance translator Anne Withers, whose suggestion was: “Lingo24 means business worldwide”. The company now intends to use this as its strapline, and as a special bonus prize will be treating Anne to a slap-up meal in Edinburgh next month.

Lingo24 MD Christian Arno comments: “Anne’s slogan leapt out at us immediately, though unfortunately it couldn’t be our overall winner as it was virtually impossible to translate without losing one of the numerous layers of meaning!” He adds: “We feel that this strapline sums up perfectly what our company is all about – that we’re language professionals who are serious about helping clients expand internationally.”

The other runners-up in the Slogan for Translation competition were Graeme Denman (with “Communication is our vocation” – translating into Portuguese as “A comunicação é a nossa vocação”) and Mari Luz Ponce (with the Spanish “Porque no bastan las palabras” – translated by “because words are not enough”). They will each receive a Lingo mug and Lingo T-shirt, plus whisky or chocolates.