When you send a document to be translated, whether for your personal use or��for��your company, you might think��it goes through a��fairly simple��process. You send it, it gets to a translator who translates it,��and��then the translator��sends it back.���ճ󲹳�’s��all, right? Well…��The��translation��part is��actually more��complex��than that,��and��there are a number of requirements��that must be met to��deliver consistently high-quality��translations��for a wide��range��of documents��and clients.��A translator will��not operate the same way��for a birth certificate��as for digital marketing material or subtitles.��So�������’s have a��closer��look at what goes into��a translator’s��job.

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The Process: Who do they work with?��

You may��seek out a��translation services provider because��you����Dz�’t��personally��know��freelance translators that could do the job directly for you, or you ��Dz�’t know one for each language combination you need. You may not��know��who��is better suited to what task, or you may not have the time or��the��expertise to take care of all your translation needs.��Simply put, someone has to oversee the project��for you.

At�����˶���,��we understand that a quality translation involves more than just a��translator.��A��dedicated��Project Manager��(PM)��is��always��in charge of��monitoring��your project��from start to finish.��As��the main link��between you and the various translators,��the PM��is��always��aware of the��advancement of the project and��oversees��the resources involved. The PM is here to facilitate communication, which is essential to meet your expectations and deliver��the highest standard of��translation for your materials.

But��what��exactly��is��there to oversee?��Well, your material will not be taken care of by one single translator per language. CCA has a three-step,��foolproof process to��ensure��the greatest��accuracy. This is something a��process involving only one��person��may not��guarantee. Why? Because���ԴDz��ǻ��’s��perfect! Translation is��a human process, and��even an excellent translator can and will sometimes make mistakes, or simply not think of��the best way��to��convey��an idea��in another language. Yes, there is always a better solution and we could spend��an��eternity agonizing over the��translation of��a user��guide, the title of a report, or a joke��from��a TV show –��but��of course, no one can afford��to do that��forever.��Yet, when it comes to quality,��experience shows������’s��never a waste of time to have someone take a second look at a document��–��far from it:��it’s almost a requirement.

CCA acknowledges��this��fact, which is why��we have��three separate linguists work on your text:

• The��translator does the bulk of the work by translating the document, thus providing the first draft.��They only ever translate into their��native language,��so they can provide a text that sounds natural and��is��as precise as possible when it comes to terminology.����
• Then,��an��editor��will review this draft and go over the translation and all��the��language-related issues. They check for accuracy,��style,��and, of course, grammar and syntax errors. This second pair of eyes is essential to��ensure��the overall quality of the translation.��
• Finally, the��proofreader��takes��one��last look at the final document, checking for��non-language-related problems��such as��typos, formatting issues, punctuation errors,��dates, numbers, etc.��Nothing can escape our eyes.��

Translators, editors,��and proofreaders��must work within��set��deadlines and guidelines and often find themselves editing someone else’s translation to��make��it��perfect.��This whole process��is��coordinated and supervised every step of the way��by the PM, who will��communicate your wishes to them, and��also serve as��a contact to address your concerns��and needs��during the��time it takes us to complete your order.����

In addition, if you need technical assistance with your project, a team of IT specialists, engineers,��and desktop publishers��is��available.��Contrary to what one might at first,��suppose,��this��really is a team effort��– quality demands it.��

The Tools: What do they work with?��

Now,�������’s��talk about translation proper. Most of the time, we think about it as a straightforward operation: someone – a translator��–��reads the text in the source language and creates a document in the target language that��“basically says the same thing.”��There��is��often a myriad of ways to convey the same idea. We all experience that on a daily basis��when��observing the manners of speech of people��around us,��who often express the same things differently, having their own distinct idiolect.��For example, someone will prefer to use the adjective “beautiful” instead of “handsome”.

In fact, a significant part of translating consists not in finding a way to express an idea in the target language, but in choosing among the many ways��one has��already found.��This��choice��������’t��all be a matter of the translator’s personal preference��and natural inclination.��The context and the intended readership clearly inform these decisions; however, you too have your say in this.��As a client, you can address specific��details��and instructions for your translators to follow.

In addition to specialized dictionaries and translation databases��that��translators use on��a��regular��basis,��they��also��need your input. There are, in fact, two��resources��that��you��as a client can��give��your translators,��or that��they��can help you��develop��and update if needed:��glossaries and style guides.����

Translators are at the service of a client, which makes their job��an��interesting��challenge, as they are confronted��with��the difficulties of bending the target language to their will, as well as customers’ expectations.��So��these tools of the trade��are useful for understanding what the client requires��in general or for a specific project.��Translators constantly��use them��to adapt their work to the��client��so the resulting translation��conforms��to guidelines��and��its intended purpose.��

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������’s��how they work:

• A��glossary’s purpose is to unify the language. It��provides a single standardized translation for key terms��to make sure they are��identical from��one��document to��the next��and��regardless of the translator. It is basically a terminology database that greatly helps translators with unfamiliar words,��and how they can become aware of��specific terms��and��your��word��preferences when translating. A good glossary��helps��translators working on��your��company’s material make sure that they are all��on the same page, thereby ensuring overall consistency between your documents. Here are the items that should be included in a professional glossary:����
  • Key terms and their definition: products, services, technical terms,��but also��words, phrases, expressions, abbreviations, and acronyms. Those should��include terms that pertain to your trade, your industry, or your company in particular, such as concepts that speak to your company culture. Detailed and complete definitions are a necessary part of any glossary because knowing the��exact meaning��of a word or phrase you normally use helps translators choose the best translation for it.����
  • Preferred translations:��This is an additional tool for the translator who may be hesitating between two or more equivalent terms��–��which��happens��often.��This will ensure the target texts remain consistent��and stick closely to your company’s natural vocabulary,��whenever possible.��
  • Translations that should be��avoided:��Words��that should not be used to translate a term,��even if��they seem possible. This is the opposite of the preferred��translations;��it further clarifies your terminology preferences.��
  • Do-not-translates:��Words you want��us to be kept��in the source language��such as��proprietary terms, brand names,��and��trademarks, but��also��concepts and phrases that are relevant to your company and/or your international clients and should remain recognizable in the original language.����
• A��style guide’s purpose is to provide guidelines for the look and feel you expect from translated documents. It should consist of a concise set of preferences��to guide��linguists��working on��your documents. It��may��include the following items:��
  • A brief description of your company: What is your company? Who is your competition? What makes you stand out? What image do you want to��give off? What are your core values, your goals, etc.? Since the translators control the words that will define your company in other languages, they should know��how your company defines itself in its native language.��
  • Your��tone��preferences:��In other words, how do you want your translations to sound��to your intended audience? You��may��want them to sound formal or casual. You��may��prefer short sentences, or longer, more��stylistically sophisticated��ones. You��may��want a very matter–of–fact��voice��or a more artistic��style. For your promotional material, you can go for concise, impactful statements or more��elaborate��formulations. Do you want the translations to be more literal or would you rather have a more creative approach, that is adapted to the target language’s culture? Let us know, so we can tailor our translation to your expectations.����
  • What you ��Dz�’t want: words,��terms, phrases,��and��slogans��you’d like translators to avoid – maybe��because��they are too closely tied to your competitors’��public��image,��or maybe because you simply ��Dz�’t want them associated with your brand for another reason.��You can also suggest alternative translations��your translator is welcome to��use that��better fit the context of the target language as well as your requirements.��
  • How��to display��specific things in��your text: punctuation and capitalization rules, font use,��footnotes, and endnotes, etc.

Glossaries and style guides are vital��for translators, especially if they work on numerous documents��and many different clients. They can also help them deliver��a product��that is��consistent with the��work of translators��who have previously worked on your projects.��These tools for translating��should evolve over time, be periodically reviewed, altered,��and completed, so as to always represent your company’s��evolving��needs. At CCA, we can help you update your glossaries and style guides. We can also assist you in creating them for��language professionals to use in the future by leveraging previously��translated content and using it to lay the groundwork��for future translation projects.����

Contact Us

If you have any inquiries about translation or any other services we offer, or if you’re ready to start with your very own translation project, contact us online��or give us a call at +1 (877) 708-0005��and experience the platinum standard of the language industry.

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A country dotted with castles amid forests, Germany is picturesque and saturated with history. ��While Germany is known for its precision, organization and orderly diligence, German literature and music are also filled with deeply romantic yearnings. Beethoven’s triumphant from his 9th Symphony, written after he became deaf, communicates a dawning and resilient happiness, a romantic rising above all odds. ��Now the anthem of the European Union, it is emblematic of the disciplined yet emotionally rich and always striving spirit of the German people and now – all of the EU. ��

A leading language in science, literature, and philosophy

The economic powerhouse of the EU, a source of stability as well as productivity, Germany is poised to remain a leader. ��As the 21st century unfolds, German is in use wherever international business or scientific research is conducted. ��The second most used language in science and the third language most used on websites, German is spoken by 88 million people as their first language, and around 10 million as a second language. ��A person who knows German will never be at a loss for reading materials. Philosophers like Nietzsche and Hegel and writers like Kafka and Holderlin are only the start of a deeper journey. Today, Germany is ranked fifth in the annual publication of new books with one-tenth of all books published worldwide being published in German. German business etiquette is direct and sometimes blunt, but punctuality as well as a no-nonsense approach where professionalism is valued and hierarchies are respected, has helped to establish the German economy as a powerful force worldwide. ����

Martin Luther was pivotal to modern German

Martin Luther was an early progenitor of the German language as we know it today. He translated the Bible into German, helping to standardize the language and spread its influence. Luther’s translation was based primarily on the bureaucratic language of the time which retained the grammatical system of Middle High German. From these early efforts, German eventually became standardized as a written language though the dialects actually spoken in various regions varied. ��Eventually, in the beginning of the 20th century, an further established the standardization of German in its written form. ��Today, successive Orthological Conferences have refined that process and a standard German is used in broadcast media, literature, and in government. ��

Three standards of German

German is a pluricentric language. ��Pluricentric languages have distinct versions in different regions. ��These are not considered dialects but actually are different varieties of standard German. They are Swiss Standard German, German Standard German, and Austrian Standard German. While regional differences are defining, these varying standards should not be confused with regional dialects. Regional standards of German may be influenced by local dialects, but they are distinct as a whole and form their own unique standard of the language. Vocabulary and some grammar, pronunciation, and orthography differ between the standard German languages. English is also pluricentric and like Germany has differences between regional standards. American English is distinct from British English with certain vocabulary and spelling conventions for example — ��although the two are similar enough to be understood by speakers of each. ��

Compound words and flexible word order

German has many distinctive features. Most memorable to English speakers are the long compound words in German that are written without spaces or hyphens. Some of these compound words can be extraordinarily long, sometimes stacking ten words together to form one long compound. ��Word order in German also differs from English in that it is more flexible and has no bearing on whether the noun is a subject or object. This flexibility allows German speakers to emphasize certain words or to use “language tools” like poetic meter or certain figures of speech more freely. ��

English is a Germanic language

Certainly, the study of German opens up a world for English speakers. English is actually part of the Germanic family of languages although it went off into a unique direction of its own at an earlier juncture point in history. The German language carries a historical trajectory that can help English speakers understand our own language’s history and development over time. With so many in the EU speaking German and Germany being such a dynamic and important trading and cultural partner of the United States, certainly studying German is well worth the effort. ��

���˶��� can also open up the doors to understanding German, whether it is written or spoken. ��Let us know when you need a document translated or an event interpreted, contact us for a free consultation today. Thank you and vielen Dank!

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Russia is a huge, wildly vast and ambitious country that has impacted world history continuously with its magnificent literature, political intensity, and continuing economic transformation. Torn between an unrepentant and authoritarian oligarchy and vital yet volatile market forces inspiring an emerging generation of entrepreneurs, Russia is struggling to strut upon the world stage as an economic superstar.
While it has not yet reached its goals, there is no question that Russian will be a very important language of international business as the years unfold. ��No one can afford to ignore Russia or the Russian Language.

After the Soviet Union

Since the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has been in an unprecedented period of economic change. Lifted from the economic stagnation of the Soviet era and freed to lurch forward reinventing itself, the way has not always been simple nor easy. There has been corruption, hyperinflation, and rising crime amidst the initially haphazard privatization of major state-owned firms. Freed from state ownership these firms were turned over from state control to politically connected individuals who soon became “oligarchs” in a program of radical, market-oriented reform that was known by then President Yeltsin as “shock therapy”. ��The results were often disastrous and led to a deepening financial crisis in 1998. However, from that point of crisis forward the economic health of Russia improved dramatically as economic reforms like a flat tax of 13% were enacted and broad deregulation of small and medium businesses spurred positive and robust economic growth. Disposal income has increased eightfold in dollar terms and poverty has been reduced from 30% in 2000 to 14% in 2008. ��When you think about how far Russia has come in a relatively short period of time since the Soviet era, these statistics are actually quite astonishing.

Challenges persist

As Russia’s economy has continued to emerge as a burgeoning force in international business, the path is still not always smooth. Many extreme challenges remain today including the devaluation of the Russian Ruble. Putin’s annexation of Crimea and his (denied yet suspected) militarism toward Ukraine have led to economic sanctions from the EU, Japan, Canada, and the United States. These sanctions have continued to impact Russia’s economy and the whole world watches nervously as it gyrates and oscillates toward a crash. However, even in these uncertain moments, it is important to remember that history has shown that Russia is resilient.

Pepsi, Energy and McDonald’s

Russian has a dynamic economy although energy is dominant with 70% of its total exports being petroleum products, oil or gas. Pepsi is a star in Russia where it has its largest market share outside the US with around $5 billion in annual revenue. McDonald’s is also popular with 413 restaurants and $2.5 billion in revenue. Altogether, Russia remains a critical market for many large American banks, American retail, construction, and energy companies.

Russia’s economy is also entwined tightly with that of the EU; it is Moscow’s largest trading partner with $460 billion dollars worth of business being transacted, much of it in the energy sector.

The Russian language is highly homogenous

During the Soviet era, the Russian language was standardized. Compulsory education and the mass migration from rural areas to urban areas also homogenized the language in terms of dialect variation. ��Though the country is vast with an enormous distance between East and West, the standard Russian language is used in written and spoken form nearly everywhere from Kaliningrad and Saint Petersburg in the West to Vladivostok and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the East. However, this does not mean that there is no regional variation at all in dialect. ��Southern, Northern, and Central (Moscow) variations do exist though the overall standardization is still extant.

A unique feature of Russian is the use of a consisting of 33 letters. This difference alone makes Russian a challenging language for native English speakers to master as well as for anyone to learn who uses the Latin alphabet.

Spoken all around the world and in space

Russian is spoken by around 259.8 million native speakers. ��These include speakers not only in Russia but in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, as well as Western Europe. ��Russian is also spoken in the United States and Israel by ethnic Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union. It is also spoken in Latin America, Asia, Northern Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Russia is the 6th largest language in the world.

Interestingly, Russian is one of two official languages spoken aboard the International Space Station. English is the other. ��However, because the Russian Federal Space Agency is managing space flight to and from the International Space Station, all new astronauts are required to learn Russian first before they embark on their space travels.

Russia is still changing

When doing business with Russia, it is important to remember that the country is still in a state of great economic and cultural flux. The dissolution of the Soviet Union has created a generation gap in management styles. Younger business people may be more influenced by emerging non-hierarchical or less directive management styles in vogue in the west, while older business people may still be more comfortable with direct communication that is top-down and where expectations are clear. Navigating these conflicting styles signals the need for special consideration of generational differences when approaching international business projects in Russian. Familiarizing yourself with key phrases for conducting business in Russia can also make a strong first impression.

As Russia morphs from a static state-run economy into a dynamic, market-driven economy – ��the Russian language also travels along that arc of transformation, becoming increasingly vital as a major language of international business. ���˶��� can help your company stay on top of these changes and in direct communication with Russian speakers and readers the whole world over.

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Slightly larger than the continental United States, Brazil is a vast country with epic beauty and immense natural resources. It is also the birthplace of the , the archetypal beauty whose winsome walk has charmed many as she saunters along that shimmering beach so memorialized in song. Certainly she is symbolic of Brazil’s excessive and exquisite beauty. Not only does Brazil have gorgeous beaches but also mysterious and abundant rain forests in the Amazon, home to savage, carnivorous fish — the legendary Piranha. So between glamorous beach walking beauties (of both sexes) and terrifying man-eating fish, Brazil has an amazing diversity and a lot to experience. Now, it is becoming more than a tourist destination or in the case of the Amazon, a destination for an anthropological expedition. Brazil is fast becoming the new Latin American business powerhouse, an emerging global economic superpower that is now the second largest economy in the Western Hemisphere and the largest in Latin America! Brazil is also now the sixth largest economy in the world and growing. Welcome to the new Brazil! Along with its ascension, Brazilian Portuguese is fast becoming a leading language of international commerce.

Political Stability has Engendered Economic Growth

Already home to many indigenous tribes, the Portuguese settled in and established Brazil as a colony in 1532 when they settled in Sao Vicente. Brazil has gone through periods of dictatorship and military rule. Since the last military dictatorship was overthrown in 1985, it is now a Federal Republic, structured much like the United States with a separation of powers and a president. Brazil’s relatively new political stability has engendered its growing prosperity and its latest famous saunter is not a walk on the beach, but a walk onto the world economic stage. Always envisioned as “the country of the future”, imagined as a future destination of beauty and prosperity, in Brazil that future is fast becoming the now. It is the largest cattle producer in the world, has extremely strong technological and scientific growth, and produces millions of tons of steel, cement, and about 70 million cubic meters of petroleum that is processed into lubricant, propane gas, and fuel. The population has been growing steadily and is now over 190 million. Certainly, all of this commercial activity and production is a sign that Portuguese is of growing importance in business.

Portuguese from Portugal and Brazilian Portuguese

Lusophone countries are those where a large portion of the population speaks Portuguese. Portuguese in Brazil is similar to Portuguese in Portugal although it differs in phonology or the systematic organization of sound in the language. In formal writing, there is relatively little difference between Brazilian Portuguese and Portuguese from Portugal. Some experts believe that these differences in formal writing are comparable to the differences between American and British English. There are certainly some differences in grammar. In 1990, in order to officially organize Portuguese, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which includes not only Brazil and Portugal but Mozambique, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Cape Verde, convened and reached an agreement on the written organization (orthography) of��Portuguese. The CPLP divided Portuguese into two groups: Brazilian Portuguese and the remaining Lusophone countries outside of Brazil. Certainly the fact that Brazil was large enough, culturally distinctive and influential enough to be recognized as having its own type of Portuguese bodes well for Brazil’s growing economic and cultural influence.

Let us know here at ���˶��� if you need translators or interpreters for projects requiring Brazilian Portuguese or Portuguese from another area. Our Platinum Standard translators and interpreters will be happy to assist you.

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The deal making of the near future will very often be done in Chinese – Mandarin Chinese. While English will continue to be the preeminent language of business globally, at least for the immediate future, without question Mandarin Chinese is on the rise around the world as China continues to gain traction as an emerging superpower.
China already commands a powerful presence on the world stage with Chinese being spoken by over 1 billion people. Since China has opened up more to a free market economy with designated free market zones, the energy and dynamism of its people and civilization has been galvanized and Chinese businesses are proliferating across the globe. China is investing in Africa and Chinese consumers are buying more products from every part of the world. Recently, the Chinese E-commerce startup AliBaba had a world shaking IPO that was the largest in history topping out at $25 billion US dollars. Without question the business person of the 21st century will need to possess fluency or at least more than a passing familiarity of Mandarin Chinese.

What is Mandarin

Mandarin Chinese is China’s most popular dialect and is actually a group of related varieties of Chinese spoken predominantly, though not exclusively, in northern and western China. Standard Chinese, a relatively recent intervention standardized by the Chinese government, is based on a pronunciation that uses sounds most associated with the Beijing dialect although its vocabulary is drawn from varieties of the Mandarin dialects. Mandarin is also one of the four official languages of Singapore and the official language of Taiwan. With its huge number of speakers, Mandarin is becoming a leading language of commerce, and many people across the entire world today are studying it in order to gain entry into this emerging marketplace.

Other Meanings of Mandarin

Mandarin is itself an intriguing term and at one time drew to mind secrecy and an elite cadre of intellectuals or government officials. Dictionaries still list “a powerful official or senior bureaucrat, especially one perceived as reactionary and secretive” as a definition of the term, though it is down the list of definitions and not the most common. Another definition is that of a rarefied intellectual who travels in elite circles and speaks in erudite terms not always easily accessible to most people. These definitions are still in use but they obviously draw from an earlier period in Chinese history that was not as open or as expansive. Today, as Mandarin rises worldwide as a language of international business, these older definitions feel less pertinent and possibly the meaning of this richly nuanced term may again be transformed.

Cantonese in the Chinese Diaspora

As Mandarin rises, another dialect of Chinese continues to be spoken in many important places around the world, that dialect is Cantonese. Cantonese is the paramount language of the Chinese diaspora and is spoken by Chinese immigrants in the United States and Canada. San Francisco is home to the diaspora’s most populous and well known city within a city, it’s world-renowned Chinatown where Cantonese can be heard on buses, in stores, and on the bustling streets. San Francisco’s Chinatown is a leading tourist attraction with world class Chinese cuisine and colorful shops that enchant the eye. Each year, a wondrous Chinese New Year’s parade gambols through the streets with fireworks, lion dancers, acrobats, and dragon floats.

Hong Kong and Macau both speak Cantonese

Cantonese is also spoken in at least two other very important Chinese destinations: Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong is a densely populated Chinese port city whose extraordinarily tall towers and skyscrapers light this global financial center with an energetic luminosity. Populated primarily by Cantonese who fled the mainland’s province of Canton after the Communist takeover in 1949, Hong Kong today is a highly autonomous city state that is considered a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Macau also shares this distinction and is considered the Las Vegas of East Asia. Highly prosperous and mostly self-governing, Macau, a former Portuguese colony, enjoys distinctive colonial Portuguese architecture alongside traditional Chinese buildings and modern towers and brightly lit casinos.

The Differences

So without question, Cantonese continues to be an important dialect, even if Mandarin is currently the favorite for business internationally. The primary difference is in pronunciation and the distinctive use of certain words or phrases in one dialect and not the other. Pronunciation differs in that Cantonese has 6 tones and Mandarin has 4.

We can help your business to translate and interpret all of these dialects

Another important dialect is Taiwanese which is, of course, spoken in Taiwan and has its own niche. Understanding the regional language differences between China and Taiwan is essential for businesses operating in both markets. Without question, going forward all these Chinese dialects will continue to gain importance. Here at ���˶���, we focus on helping your business make sense of all of these nuances and important variations of Chinese, helping your business access these emerging marketplaces. Our translators and interpreters are standing by to enable your company to flourish in this exciting time. Do contact us to find out how we can help your business with Mandarin or any other language that your business needs.

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With so many languages in the world to learn, and the accelerating rise of China as a global economic superpower, why are French and Spanish still so very important in the world of business? Certainly, French has been overtaken by Chinese, Arabic, or Russian? Hasn’t Spanish gone the way of the Spanish Armada? While globalization is creating new economic powerhouses as new markets open worldwide, Spanish and French endure precisely because of the indelible and powerful footprint laid down by Spain and France in the past. These countries left an ongoing and strong legacy that persists to this day and makes expertise in these two languages a necessity for any business that wants to reach a burgeoning customer base around the globe.

Spanish Speakers are Here to Stay

Today, Spanish is spoken by 37.6 million people in the United States and predictions are that the Latino population will reach nearly 128.8 million here by 2060! Spanish also remains the official language in 21 countries! It is an official language in the UN and is listened to by Portuguese speakers in lieu of English. Certainly Spanish is not a language to be taken for granted. The purchasing power of this burgeoning market will reach into the trillions of dollars as their population continues to grow.

Latin American Markets Open

Foreign investment is also pouring into Latin America at record levels, recently Pepsico announced its plan to invest $5 billion dollars in Mexico over the next five years. And, ����’s not only sweet soft drinks that are spreading south of the border but investment in the plentiful raw materials of Latin America. China, Japan and the EU are investing heavily in the oil of Venezuela, the silver and copper of Peru, and the gold and timber of Chile. As Latin American countries continue to stabilize and become less enmeshed in drug cartel violence or odious government corruption, this investment is bound to increase. Spanish is the language that business will require as businesses compete to invest in Latin American countries and to sell their products into increasingly sophisticated and affluent populations.

The UK Wants to Speak Spanish

The British Council, the international organization in the UK for educational opportunities and cultural relations, recently ranked Spanish as the number one most desirable language for English speakers to learn based on the needs of UK business including trade. The EU is investing in Latin American economies at a bracing clip. Certainly, there has never been a better time for business people to learn Spanish.

French and the Chinese in Africa

Even as Spanish rises on the world stage, French is not to be left out. French is spoken by Chinese businessmen opening markets in French-speaking African countries. Right now, Chinese corporations are making huge inroads into African countries developing resources and building infrastructure. Since French is the official language in so many African countries��including Algeria, a country that is heavily invested in by the Chinese, anyone expecting to do business there needs the language. In fact, French is spoken in 30 of the 54 countries in Africa and in half of its ten fastest growing economies. ��

Worldwide French is the official language of 29 countries, and additionally as an official language of the UN — French can be listened to by Romanian and Italian speakers instead of English. French is the official or preferred language of many international organizations since France is one of the four largest industrial economies in the world and the second largest agricultural producer.

The United States Cannot Forget French

The United States is also heavily involved in the French-speaking economy since we export to more countries having French as their national language than any other foreign language. There is a relationship of mutual beneficence between France and the United States that is evident in the simple fact that the US invests more in France than it does any other country and France invests more in the United States than it does in any other country. Also, many popular American brands are actually made by French companies! These companies include: Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies (Alcatel), BF Goodrich Tires (Michelin) and Seagram’s (Pernod Ricard), Sheaffer Pen Company (BIC), as well as Vivendi Universal, a French company, that owns a 20% share in NBC Universal the parent company of such well known brands as Universal Pictures and the Sci-Fi channel. Certainly, going forward Americans need to continue to learn French, not only for the gateway it provides to some of the world’s best poetry and scintillating travel destinations but for the daily communication and complexity of commerce, for business.

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Being an international business interpreter can be an exciting profession, especially when your duties require you to travel around the world, meeting and interacting with others, in order to enhance business negotiations for your company and/or clients. That being said, there is a tremendous amount of responsibility involved. In addition to language fluency, business interpreters must be very aware of the more subtle language and cultural nuances that affect business communication and negotiations for both parties. Interpreters must also have the ability and flexibility to travel and be away from home for extended periods of time.

According to , a partner of the American Job Center Network, the median salary for interpreters and translators is $45,430, however, many business interpreters make significantly higher salaries, depending on the availability of other interpreters for that language, their skill and experience level, and their clients’ budgets. Also, their travel and board expenses are included while they are working, which can be an added bonus for those who love to travel. The expected job growth through 2020 is 29 percent or higher, which is greater than average.

The following are some of the duties expected of an .

Speaking and Listening

The most important role a business interpreter plays is one of listening and speaking. Professional translators must have an incredible amount of focus in order to listen carefully, and accurately convey, the spoken word of their clients and the clients’ business associates. Business fluency is an entirely different level of language fluency, and a translator must be able to quickly and precisely synthesize the spoken word of two languages in order to communicate complex ideas as accurately as possible.

Cultural Sensitivities

Language is only a part of the communication equation. Therefore, a business interpreter also must be highly in tune with. He must be able to interpret the verbal cues, as well as particular body language or nonverbal cues from both parties in order to provide an accurate interpretation of the words spoken. For example, in Japan, it is considered rude to express a direct negative. So, a Japanese businessman will often use the word tabun, meaning “maybe”, to indicate he is unwilling to consider a specific idea or proposal. However, in American culture, the word maybe indicates there is a possibility. The interpreter must understand these differences in order to accurately convey his clients’ message and intentions.

Extensive Travel

In many cases, an international business interpreter will need to travel great distances, and for significant lengths of time. Therefore, his or her lifestyle and family must be able to accommodate these needs. While the idea of compensated, worldwide travel may seem glamorous, there is a good chance that the entirety of the trip will be all work, with very little free time for personal travel.

Technology and Media

Today’s interpreters must be well-versed in a wide range of high-tech . This can include using technology for presentations, to facilitate meetings, or to assist the clients in communicating with one another.

Reading and Writing

Technically, interpreters deal with the spoken word, while translators deal with written communication. However, in the world of business interpretation, the lines between interpreter and translator can cross. You may be presented with documents and texts that will need to be translated for either party in a quick, efficient, and accurate manner.

More than anything else, a successful business interpreter has an innate love of language and enjoys working closely with people in the exciting and fast-paced business world.

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Having an interpreter at a business meeting can prove to be a huge asset when you are doing business with international clients and business prospects.

So, when is it appropriate to provide an interpreter to help you conduct international business more easily? When you’re dealing with clients that do not speak your language comfortably or at all you may find that there will be difficulty in getting your point across clearly.

Interpreters help to ease the burden of those communication hiccups that can truly make or break a deal. It’s important to find a company that has proven results with their interpreters and has a group of interpreters who are educated in interpretation and have experience under their belts. So, do your homework as you prepare to include interpretation services as part of your meeting.

The first thing that you want to do with your interpretation provider is conduct a pre-meeting to establish some good ground rules for the upcoming meeting. This will help to alleviate any miscommunication and help you to understand how to make the process of communicating through an interpreter more streamlined. For instance, you can inform them about the meeting structure as well as the meeting agenda. Find out how often you should pause in between sentences to help them interpret seamlessly, how seating should be arranged, and even the types of phrases and jargon that may not translate over easily to the language of choice.

When you have the meeting with the interpreter, allow them to understand what points will be key during your presentation or discussion. Provide your pitch or presentation ahead of time so that they can point out any potential issues in translation. This will allow you to tweak your verbiage in preparation for the process. If you plan on giving a speech, give the interpreter a copy so that they can familiarize themselves with the content and key points. This will help them to interpret with conviction and understanding.

When you’re holding a meeting with an interpreter involved, it cannot be rushed. Be prepared to have twice as much time blocked out for the meeting than you usually would so that it’s not a hurried process. Make your client and the interpreter as comfortable as possible, including having water and/or refreshments on hand.

You want to be succinct in your ideas and thoughts so that points will stand out boldly. Try your best to avoid humor, as that does not usually translate well and can lead to confusion instead of laughter. Remember, you’re speaking through an interpreter, but you’re getting your ideas across to the prospect or client, so keep them engaged at all times. Eye contact with your client is key, you want them to feel as though you are speaking directly to them, even though there is someone in the room that is interpreting your words into their language.

By following these guidelines, you can rest assured that you will have a relaxed, stress free environment as you conduct business with an international client through an interpreter. This will keep the tone��of the room calm and that will easily be expressed through the interpreter on to your client, which is exactly what you want. Remember, the interpreter is there to make your job easier, so partner with them as if they were a business colleague, trust that they will relay your message with expertise, and don’t be nervous! Once you get the hang of it, working with an interpreter will become easier with time and your business dealings will only continue to expand as a result.

Let CCA help you plan your next international meeting. We will provide the interpretation tools to help you succeed.

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Asian cultures are said to be more collectivistic whereas American culture is said to be more individualistic. The very idea that you should be deferential to superiors doesn’t always jibe with the American sense of rugged individualism, perhaps best personified by the brash . Although Gordon Gecko is clearly a caricature, many of the verbal and non-verbal cues shown in the movie endure in today’s American business culture and distance that business culture from its Asian counterpart.

Asian Business Culture: Not One Size Fits All

Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan purportedly have radically different expectations of business etiquette. In Japan and Hong Kong, for instance, you are expected to shake hands upon meeting another businessman, but with minimal eye contact. The handshake should be relatively short and not too firm. Also, more senior businessmen will exhibit deeper bows than their underlings. American businessmen or lowly Japanese businessmen are still expected to bow to higher-up Japanese businessmen, but not as deeply, as this might be construed as a sign of mild disrespect. It should be noted, however, that in the Philippines businessmen should neither bow nor make eye contact with one another.

Exchanging Business Cards in the East

For American businessmen, cards should be prepared in advance and have the company’s and employee’s name on the front in one’s native language, and the same information in the recipient’s native tongue on the card’s back. The preference is for gold or black ink in China, and the cards are expected to be in impeccably clean condition. In Asian culture, there is great pride in holding a higher business position. Whatever your rank, make sure to overtly list an accurate title on the business card.

There are also soft differences in business etiquette among Asian countries. In South Korea and Thailand, businessmen meet at excruciatingly exact meeting times, whereas in Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines the starting time is seen as more casual and impromptu. Also, especially in China, the lower one’s rank, the sooner one should arrive at the meeting. This same criterion applies to American firms perceived as less prestigious than their Chinese counterparts: arriving five minutes early is preferable to five minutes late.

Especially in China, there is particular importance paid to one’s business affiliations, rank, and age. American businessmen can more quickly puncture into the Chinese business landscape by conforming to China’s business card exchange etiquette. You should always stand when exchanging business cards and make sure to never exchange business cards like baseball cards or, worse, throw the business card away in plain sight. Chinese etiquette is to exchange business cards with two hands (where applicable) and place any incoming cards in your business suit’s pocket, rather than your back trouser pocket.

General Guidelines for Making an Impression

The businessmen in most Asian cultures would prefer not to be high-fived, hugged or intimately embraced by strangers, let alone professional equals. Foreigners should refrain from any whistling or clicking to elicit attention; best practice in most Asian countries is to place your hand low and beckon with your fingers in a non-obtrusive way.

A custom somewhat unusual to Japanese business culture is placing your business card face up on the table in front of the intended recipient; this ritual is called meishi. The Chinese custom of handing your business card over with two hands carries over to Japan, moreover, where this practice is welcomed as respectful of the other party.

The exchange of business cards and business card etiquette in Asia is much more ritualized and idiosyncratic than in American business society.

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Businesses generally go to a lot of trouble to set up international business meetings. �ճ󲹳�’s why they’re often reserved for important deals and transactions where face-to-face interaction can make or break a deal. Consider how much time and effort you spend traveling out of the country for what could be a short meeting, ����’s no surprise that many people consider buying and bringing gifts to thank host businesses for having them and making the meeting possible.

However, international gift giving is probably one of the trickier aspects of international business. After all, every region and country has a different gift-giving culture. Knowing when and what to gift can be confusing, but there are some basic principles you can use when .

Asia and the Middle East

You already know how to give corporate gifts in the United States, and in the English speaking world, the gift-giving process is very similar. However, in other countries, gifts are expected and the culture of gift giving is quite old. To best prepare for giving a gift, taking a little time and researching the history of gift giving and what is common in a particular region, you’re traveling to will be beneficial.

In general, gifts are widely accepted and somewhat expected in Asian countries and the Middle East. It is important to note that when giving a gift in these regions tradition dictates that you use your right hand or both hands when presenting or receiving a gift. This is very important and great care should be paid to the process of gift giving in these regions.

China and Singapore

Giving a gift in China or Singapore may prove more confusing for some Americans. It’s actually quite common for somebody from that region to refuse a gift three times before politely accepting it. This is part of the process and you should allow the recipient the courtesy of allowing them to before they take it.

Consider the Country’s History

Businesses in countries with a relatively long history of corruption like Colombia or Malaysia may be less likely to accept gifts, especially when large contracts or government negotiations are on the table. However, for smaller corporate meetings, a simple token of appreciation isn’t likely to be frowned on as long as its monetary value is low.

What Do I Give?

Choosing a gift can be confusing even if you’ve figured out that giving a gift in a certain region is expected or acceptable. There are a few options that will routinely work no matter where you are in the world.

Host a Dinner

Hosting a dinner at an upscale local restaurant is an excellent way to show your appreciation that members of a business took time to meet with you. By choosing a local restaurant you’ll also be avoiding any food-related gift giving that you may not be aware of.

Business-Related Gifts

Business-related gifts are often easier to give when you’re meeting with one person or a very small group. An example would be a high-quality fountain pen. These types of business-related gifts are universal across all cultures, so you ��Dz�’t have to worry about recipients not wanting or being able to use your gifts.

A Word of Caution

In the United States, many people give gifts like wine, champagne or fine Scotch. While that can work if you know the recipient enjoys those things, alcohol can be problematic in Muslim countries and in other parts of the world. Steer clear of alcohol if you aren’t sure ����’s appropriate.

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