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

Chrisoph Lymbersky of the Management Laboratory Press has recently published a new title focusing on market entry management. The book is aimed at students and business personnel interested in areas such as market entry and overseas product launches. As well as covering the basics of thinking internationally the book also emphasises global efficiencies and its components. A large section of the book covers the area of intercultural communication demonstrating the author’s belief that such competencies are integral to succeeding on the international stage.

The book is split into four parts as follows:

Part One: Introduction to International Strategy

This section introduces the idea of thinking through the essential components of having an international strategy. It explores different types of strategies, SWOT analysis, goals  and potential problems.

Part Two: Strategies for Analysing and Entering Foreign Markets

Part two provides a thorough overview of how to analyse foreign markets in terms of market potential, competition, legal structures, politics, sociocultural factors and possible barriers.

Part Three: Market Entry Strategies

The third section offers more in-depth and specific information on how to get a product or service into a new market. Topics covered include mode of entry, exporting, government policies, distribution, using intermediaries, joint ventures and licensing. The section also provides useful case studies from companies such as Calvin Klein and Virgin.

Part Four:  The Influence of Culture on Market Entries

The last section concerns culture and cross-cultural awareness. Initially introducing the basics of cultural differences via the models of Hofstede, the author then goes on to explore how culture can impact market entry through issues such as language, culture shock, negotiations and M&As.

This section ends with country profiles as written by Kwintessential offering cultural awareness tips for business personnel travelling abroad.

About the Author

Christoph Lymbersky is head of the Management Laboratory as well as a consultant to start-up companies. He has lived, worked and done research in Germany, France, Australia and the US. His experience covers companies such as IBM and Wal-Mart as well as founding businesses such as COMODEX Internet and B2B Network.

Buy the book

To purchase a copy please visit the Amazon website >  Market Entry Strategies: Christoph Lymbersky

According to the HSBC Commercial Banking report, a considerable number of businesses currently feel that a lack of information is preventing them from being able to expand into international markets. Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of businesses which are considering overseas trading feel ill-equipped to take full advantage of the opportunity, with 47 per cent blaming a lack of experience from within their own business.

What’s more, eight out of 10 businesses (81 per cent) which are trading abroad agree that it is the differences in culture and etiquette in foreign countries that makes international trading more challenging. The language barrier is also a problem for almost two thirds of businesses (62 per cent).

Steve Bottomley concludes: “It is clear that there is as encouraging level of interest in overseas trading for businesses of all sizes. But there are pitfalls that need to be considered before settling on expansion plans. Information, expertise, language, currency, payment terms, etiquette, technology all alter significantly depending on where and what you are deciding to trade in.

Read more > HSBC

An article published in the medical education-themed September 10 issue of JAMA finds that white medical students are more likely to consider themselves highly prepared to provide care for minority populations if they attended schools with racial and ethnically diverse student bodies.

Under the belief that diversity exposes students to a broader field of ideas, experiences, and perspectives, most medical schools in the United States explicitly try to keep their student bodies racially and ethnically varied. The schools also believe that diversity in the classroom better prepares student to provide services to the multicultural American population. However, little research exists to support the claim of educational benefits from diversity in medical schools.

Read more > Medical News

Online travel booking has become an international trend. New research from multilingual search engine optimisation (SEO) company Oban Multilingual confirms that most people from all over the world book their travel tickets online.

People from over 40 different countries took part in Oban’s Face of Global Search competition, which ventured to uncover trends in their online travel search behaviour.

Ninety-nine percent of the entrants said they have booked holidays online. The majority of entrants (19 percent) book holiday tickets online once a year. Only slightly fewer respondents said they book online two and three times per year, at 13 and 11 percent respectively. The remaining entrants said they book online four, five and even more times per year.

“This reflects the fact that globally, people are becoming increasingly familiar with booking their travel online,” says Greig Holbrook, international SEO expert at Oban. “It’s a big change from last year, when people everywhere, but particularly overseas, were less trusting of the internet because of fraud concerns.”
Read more > Oban

Microsoft has announced the addition of new translation technology to its search and instant messaging services.

Users can now access Microsoft’s translation offerings through the Live Search, Internet Explorer 8, the Windows Live Toolbar and Windows Live Messenger applications, the company said in a post on the Live Search blog.

Read more > Microsoft

Maasai warrior Lempuris Lalasho went to Kenya’s tourist haven Mombasa to find a white woman to marry, but he ended up working as a hairdresser, a profession that is taboo in his culture.

His story opens a window on the strains faced by this ancient tribe as it adjusts to modern life in east Africa’s largest economy, whose Indian Ocean beaches lure thousands of tourists, including women seeking sex.

Maasai warriors, or moran, are a familiar sight on Kenya’s beaches and in its renowned safari parks — dressed in distinctive red robes and wearing beaded jewellery, they often act as guides or work in security.

But sometimes, the eager young men who flock to the coast hoping to make their fortunes — some with dreams of marrying a white tourist — have to go against their traditions.

Lalasho’s status as a moran means he is charged with protecting and providing for his people, and it makes his transgression all the more serious.

Maasai warriors are not allowed to touch a woman’s head: it is regarded as demeaning in the patriarchal culture. Moran who become hairdressers risk a curse from the elders, or could even be expelled from the community.

Read more > Yahoo