Specs in Spanish

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Author Message Doug Frank FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: doug_frank_ccs Post Number: 70 Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 09:29 am:    One of my project managers has asked me to give him a budget to prepare specifications for a fairly significant project “In Spanish” for a potential client in somewhere in Central America. I am clueless, short of hiring an independent consultant! I am aware of computer programs that automatically convert English to Spanish but I doubt if they work well with various architectural and spec terminology. My command of the spanish language is limited to asking for beer and bathrooms. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions? Anonymous   Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 10:20 am:    Contact a spec writer in Miami. No body speaks English there either. G. Wade Bevier, CSI, CCS, LEED Junior Member Username: wadeb Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 10:30 am:    Try contacting a member of the CSI chapter in Puerto Rico. http://www.csiwse.org/csi/10237 Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 71 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 10:38 am:    Doug: About 12 years or so ago, we researched translating a specification into Spanish. We found a firm that does (and at least did) such translation, Salinas Design & Consulting in Richmond, Virginia. Their fee would be determined by the exact number of sections, word count, and research for special terminology. I jus Googled them, and find the following: Salinas Design & Consulting, 10300 Pebblebrook Pl, Richmond VA, (804) 741-4290. Robin (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, May 03, 2004 - 12:50 pm:    Dave: Try contacting Steve Andros... he had a similar situation a few years ago and used a gentleman in Hermasillo. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 269 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 12:49 pm:    I believe in 20 years a majority of the specifications will be written in Spanish. You don't have to look very far to see the trend. Just look at the construction workers next time you are out in the field. What is their nationality? The Hispanic population is the fastest growing in the US. Means publishes a Spanish/English construction dictionary and USG publishes their handbook in Spanish. I am seeing more and more bilingual literature. I wish now that I had take Spanish in high school or college! Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 01:11 pm:    Doesn't matter. All the specs writers will be in India by then. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 270 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 04:23 pm:    Alan, I'm serious. Ever been to an ATM lately? I have a hard enough time with English....and it is my first language! David Richard Howard, AIA CSI CCS Senior Member Username: rick_howard Post Number: 23 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 05:07 pm:    Our office has done many projects in Latin America for several different global clients. Even though we have spanish-speaking architects in our office, we partner with a local architect, usually trained in the US. Then we have someone there during construction who shares our interests, knows how to get things done with available resources, and can deal with the contractor and authorities. We prepare our usual DD-level documents and let him do the translation to spanish and metric. It isn't only a different language - it is a different culture. You have local customs and preferences. You want to have someone on board who can keep your design within the scope of capabilities. When we go the jobsite, we have a friend there who can not only show us around the jobsite, but can show us around town as well. Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 34 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 05:07 pm:    David, While said in humor, I also was being truthful. I did a google search a while back for specs and what came up was a few places that would produce a set of specs over the net for $500 in 24 hours. They were all in India. I also know that quite a few architectural firms are actively looking into out-sourcing. All you have to do is look at what firms are opening an office in New Delphi, etc. and even Mexico. As far as the ATM, yeah; I know, but having traveled to Europe many years ago and in Spain the train announced in 7 different language, so I don't feel that bad about it. Tomas Mejia Senior Member Username: tmejia Post Number: 7 Registered: 09-2003 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 05:18 pm:    David, there is a flaw in your thinking. Remember, the specs are legally enforceable requirements. The agreement between the General Contractor and the Owner will continue to remain in English as well as the specs. There is no way in 20 years The U.S. is going to have construction litigation handled in Spanish. Think of the hardship this will cause the lawyers. As for the installers, it makes sense for companies to provide their installation instructions in English and Spanish so long as someone will actually read and follow them. RE: the original post; Doug, I'm curious as to what you find out? Tommy David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 271 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 05:57 pm:    Tomas, One word, "Canada". Le veré en veinte años! Doug Frank FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: doug_frank_ccs Post Number: 71 Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 08:30 am:    Thanks one and all for your help, as well as for the humor. I did get some good contacts (G. Wade's suggestion about the Puerto Rico Chapter was a good one too) and, if the project ever really happens, I'll know who to call.