Intercultural Communication and Translation News

Fans of the long-running sci-fi show Star Trek will need no introduction to the universal translator. The device instantly interprets almost any language, earthly or alien, into (US) English. Chinese must have been a doddle for the crew of the Starship Enterprise.

Alas, for everyday business purposes we are not yet at the universal translator stage. Millions of pounds have been poured into the development of automatic translation systems but human capabilities are still superior. Anyone who has used internet translations will vouch for that.

Communication is, of course, everything when you are doing business and it is vital that you find an interpretation service on which you can rely.

Teresa Tinsley, director of communications at CILT, the National Centre for Languages, says: “A business meeting with foreign language speakers may have far-reaching implications and you could find yourself in a negotiating or confrontational climate. In a situation like this, your representatives must have a near-native command of their counterparts’ language if they are to persuade effectively.”

So how do you guarantee that what you say will be properly communicated?

Ms Tinsley says: “Unlike translators, who normally work at home, interpreters have to work ‘in the field’, without time for reflection or references. Therefore, you need to look for somebody who is socially knowledgeable and resourceful as well as linguistically competent.”

She adds: “When looking for a business interpreter, you should try to find someone who understands the occupational context of your meeting and has the experience, if necessary, to operate under difficult conditions, such as in a noisy workshop. Interpreting is stressful work and it is normal for a client to engage two interpreters for a full day’s service. Also remember to engage your interpreters well in advance if you want to be sure of getting the best.”

Dealing with reputable companies is half the battle.

Read more > The FT

Sex on the beach or drunken trysts may not raise eyebrows in many cities, but a recent case in Dubai has exposed a growing cultural divide between native Muslims and Western residents seeking fun in the sun.

The story of a British pair facing possible jail terms on charges of having drunken sex on the beach made headlines around the world, but in Dubai, reports are frequent of hapless foreigners falling foul of local laws that strictly control drinking and ban homosexuality or kissing in public.

Dubai’s foreign population has expanded rapidly in recent years, dwarfing the native population, as the Gulf Arab trade and tourism hub tries to put itself on the international map with a promise of tax-free earnings and year-round sunshine.

But balancing its Muslim identity in what remains a deeply conservative Gulf Arab region with the lifestyles of expatriates who comprise over 90% of its population is no mean feat.

“Everybody who lives in this country, whether they are citizens or expats, can sense how massively difficult it is to be a minority in your own country and feel such pressure on your habits, your language, your religion,” said Abdel-Khaleq Abdullah, an Emirati political scientist.

Read more > Emirates

Michele Bar-Pereg investigates ways in which global mobility professionals can assist this group in making their assignments successful.

Transferees on their first assignments abroad— especially young, single expatriates—often are unaware of some of the more challenging effects of life without a support network of friends, family, and colleagues.

I have discovered a general feeling among global mobility professionals that, back in the 1980s and even 1990s, ambitious executives clearly did not discuss or influence their career prospects by talking about the separation of work and personal life. It was a far more macho society, where ambition was all that seemed to matter. Today, most singles on the global mobility career path have a far more balanced view of the segregation of work and personal life.

Single transferees often assume that they have a trouble-free paradise in front of them. They not only have their youth, but they are on the first step of the career ladder—often without some of the physical and emotional baggage of their counterparts—and appear to be able to function without the network of home, family, and other social associations.

On the surface, it sometimes appears that it is relatively easy for young people to recognise country cultures and deal with life accordingly. Younger people seem to be able to capitalise on similarities without being too bothered by the differences. This is, of course, to the good; however, our younger transferees often are caught off-guard when cultural differences emerge and suddenly get in the way of doing business.

Read more > Expatica

Terry Davis, General Secretary of the the Council of Europe, organisers of the European Day of Languages, has a simple message today: ‘Learn, speak, listen– and understand each other’. His statement on this the 8th anuual European Day of Languages says:

‘Learning another language is a good way to make sure that tolerance, respect and understanding among people are not lost in translation. Language learning helps to avoid stereotyping individuals and helps to develop curiosity and openness towards other people and other cultures. Language learning helps us to see that interaction with people from different social identities and cultures is an enriching experience. This is the approach advocated by the Council of Europe in our White Book on Intercultural Dialogue, published earlier this year, and it is also the underlying motive of the European Day of Languages, which was declared by the Council of Europe in 2001. I have a very simple message to all Europeans of all origins, ages and backgrounds: learn, speak, listen– and understand each other.’

The European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year.

The European Day of Languages is:

* A Europe-wide celebration of all the world’s languages
* A day to kick-start language learning
* A chance to raise awareness about the value of language skills

Read more > Languages