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Kristina K Rost, Esq.MAGED & ROST, P.C.
Why is Humor a Challenge for a Company Interpreter?
There are many challenges for a company interpreter, including the inability to hear the speaker, understanding cultural touch-points, and the stress of always acting composed and neutral, no matter how tense or heated a meeting or conference gets. One of the most significant challenges when providing conference interpreting services, though, is interpreting jokes, humor and sarcasm.
Company Interpreter & Corporate Humor
In a corporate environment, a company interpreter must be quick to adapt and improvise in order to deliver the joke. Because humor is used as a way to establish a good rapport with a client, an interpreter for business must be able to convey this key component of conversation. If the interpreter is providing conference interpreting within an international setting, they may face the uncomfortable possibility of being the middle-man between a culturally-insensitive joke and an important client. In this sense, there are many factors to consider when interpreting humor.
The first factor is understanding the joke. Because they are spontaneous, jokes are built on a structure that starts with representing the set-up of the joke, then detecting an incongruity, and finally, appreciating it and resolving the incongruity. This can be very nuanced and complicated to interpret. Similarly, translating sarcasm is another challenge. It’s especially challenging because it’s necessary to capture the relationship between tone of voice, body language and expressions. The fact is, humor is based on more than words. It is effective because both body and mind are involved in the delivery. Of course, this makes it all the more challenging to provide interpretation or translation services. The last factor to consider is that the type of humor will have a significant impact for the company interpreter. Jokes as a rule, but then even specific kinds of humor, are not something everyone can execute naturally. However, it is a skill that can improve with practice.
Good Timing Does Not Always Translate
Finally, in addition to overcoming the translation barrier, the simultaneous interpreter must also factor in the aspect of timing. Essentially, it is important for a company interpreter to be tactful because what are culturally acceptable jokes in one country may not be universal! Furthermore, the interpreter must be attentive to the purpose of humor. Oftentimes, unexpected jokes or an absurdity can be an essential part of the speaker’s message in an attempt to connect with the listeners.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
Top 3 Reasons Why Business English is Important for Your LEP Employees
Employees in the American workforce come from a multitude of non-Anglophonic countries. Teaching business English to your workers can be essential to creating a strong, effective workforce. Read on to find out some of the top reasons why business English is of the utmost importance for LEP employees in the United States.
3 Reasons You Should Invest in Corporate English Training for Your LEP Employees
1. Teaching Business English Will Raise Their Productivity
Using a reputed language services company such as Language Connections ensures that your LEP employees get the best language training available on the market. Language Connections’ Business English Program integrates business vocabulary and pronunciation techniques into the courses, which improves your employee’s presentation, telephoning, and negotiation skills. All of these skills directly assist in improving your LEP employees’ ability to be more productive in their daily activities. This is especially true in white collar environments, where a certain level of formal communication is expected.
2. Business English Will Improve Their Social Wellbeing
A good work-life balance is a crucial aspect to the mental health and continued productivity of your workforce. Language barriers can be daunting to your foreign workers, especially when navigating life in a new country full of people who don’t speak their native language. Investing in a business English course not only teaches them business English skills, but also intercultural communication and social English. Both of these are vital to having a quality social life and forging lasting relationships. If your LEP employees have a happy life in and out of work, they will be more inclined to give their best at work!
3. Learning Business English Will Improve Communication Between Coworkers
In most U.S. offices, English is the predominant spoken and written language. Investing in Business English classes for your LEP employees is a direct workplace investment. Not only does it make their written and spoken English more efficient, but also helps them acclimate to the prevailing workplace culture within your company. It helps them communicate better with their coworkers and ensures better problem-solving and coordination in team-oriented tasks.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
Global Business Translation Services for St. Patrick’s Day Companies
Every year on March 17th, people from all over the world celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick was one of Ireland’s patron saints and was especially famous for his missionary work in Ireland through the establishment of churches and conversion of people. Most importantly, he symbolizes the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. This celebration has been held for over 1,000 years and is celebrated on March 17th in honor of St. Patrick’s death. Since St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in multiple countries across the globe, there two major businesses that make use of global business translation services to advertise their products for this holiday: Guinness Beer and Jameson.
Guinness Beer
Guinness Beer definitely requires language service companies, as it’s available in over 120 countries. While it was first brewed in St. James’s Gate, Dublin, its reach has become global and it’s moved on to a British headquarters. To capitalize on St. Patrick’s Day, the brand certainly uses marketing localization services to make sure its famous green beer and holiday commercials are relatable and accessible to people around the globe! It’s interesting to note that Guinness, normally a deep red, used to be green only when it was not aged properly!
Global Business Translation Services for Jameson
As an alternative to Guinness, Jameson’s whiskey has been drunk (and the company has used business document translation services) around the world since the early 19th century. As one of the six main Dublin Whiskeys, Jameson is very popular on St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday focused on Irish pride and culture. Using corporate translation services, Jameson has expanded its presence globally, even as it stayed in Ireland and kept its main headquarters in Cork. Revelers at some of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades around the world (in New York, London, Chicago, and Montserrat) drink plenty of Jameson!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
Why is Employee Handbook Translation important?
How does employee handbook translation ensure a safer workplace?
An employee handbook has many functions. It informs employees about the company story, core values, and policies. Nowadays, the number of companies expanding internationally has risen significantly. Thus, it is inevitable that people who are not solely English speakers will be hired. Many companies assume that having their employee handbook in English is enough, since English is an international language. However, that is not true. There are many people who live and work in an English-speaking country but can only truly speak or read their primary language (i.e. not English). With all of this in mind, employee handbook translation done by one of the many professional language service companies out there should become a priority for your company or organization.
Employers’ safety should be of high importance for any company. It is crucial to make sure your foreign workforce understands all the safety regulations and procedures in your employee handbook. To achieve that, you must translate your employee handbook into the languages your staff members speak. Here are 5 sections that you absolutely need translated in your employee handbook.
Employee Spotlight: Sam Keefe, Marketing Manager at Language Connections
Welcome to the fifth installment in our Language Connections employee spotlight interview series! We’ll be talking to employees about their experiences working at this language service provider, their passions for localization, translation services, and interpreting services. This month, we’re featuring our Marketing Manager, Sam Keefe. Read more about how she and her interns contribute to the team every day.
What Exactly is Patent Translation?
Why is Patent Translation Important?
These days, companies aspire to succeed not only on a national level, but also in the international landscape. To achieve that goal and triumph globally, companies need to ensure the protection of any unique or innovative proposals. Here, patent translation is the key. It’s not just necessary to do this in one language. So additionally, it becomes all the more imperative.
There are two categories that patent translation fall under. Depending on its purpose, it can be either for filing or for information. The former means that the translated patent(s) are filed as authorized documents in foreign regions. That type does not require full and detailed translation of the document. On the other hand, translating patents for information shares the ideas contained in patents that have already been filed. This one, conversely, demands a translation as close as possible to the original one. Nonetheless the importance of this type of translation is undeniable, and thus there is a wide variety of American translation companies or language service companies around the world that offer patent translation services. Here are 6 more reasons patent translation is so important.
Patent Translation ensures Intellectual Property Rights Protection
Protection of intellectual property, particularly in the age of the internet, is a top business priority. However, sometimes if intellectual property rights for an invention are secured within its country of origin, they’re not guaranteed to be protected internationally. Therefore, the translation of the patent helps to secure the owner’s rights in any other foreign regions.
Competition
In an international economy, companies must secure patent rights globally to stay competitive globally.
Zero mistakes are allowed
Even a small mistake in a translation of a patent, such as a life sciences translation, can cause the patent application to be rejected. Using experience, professional language service companies means this won’t happen to your patent!
Expansion Opportunities
Without proper patent protection, a company’s expansion potential may be limited in hot markets.
Legal and Financial Consequences
A translated patent document that includes errors can have an adverse effect financially or legally for the business. For instance, correcting an erroneous translation could result in extra costs.
Translation Certification Requirement
Translation for patents can be challenging, especially if you are translating in a difficult language (for instance, if your company needs patent Korean translation). Its accuracy is always paramount. Hence, the translation of the patent application must be done by an accredited translator, which means that even the best machine translation is a terrible idea. Human translation is the only thing that will save you from future headaches or even legal battles when it comes to your patent.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com
Medical Interpreting Clears Up Major (and Funny) Miscommunications
In the US, patients with Limited English proficiency have a right to receive equal healthcare. A few legal sources protect this right, including an executive order from Bill Clinton about Title VI in 2000, as well as the findings for Lau v. Nicols in 1974. Even with a legally-protected right, a shocking number of LEP patients are forced to go without interpreting or translation services when they’re at the hospital or doctor’s office. (This is especially egregious considering how many great medical translation and interpretation classes are out there.) Many times, going without a medical interpreting can be dangerous, if not life-threatening. Having a certified medical interpreter ensures that the misunderstandings and mispronunciations (which could potentially be dangerous!) are easily cleared up. When they’re caught early, these miscommunications aren’t just nonthreatening– they can be downright funny. Read on for some examples.
3 Reasons Why a Business English Program Can Boost Your Business
Businesses often hire new employees, assuming that the person they really need works outside the company. Instead of an external job search, though, employers should look internally. Training is one of the ways to both increase an employee’s potential and prep them to fill your open roles. Particularly in companies with a lot of employees who need English translation or interpreting services, a business ESL program is a great investment. According to The Statistics Portal, English is the 3rd most spoken language with over 378 million native speakers in the world. Half a billion people use it as a second language. No matter how big or small your business is, a business English course for your employees will always yield a strong ROI for 3 reasons: it increases employee productivity, increases business opportunities, and it often facilitates better employee retention long term. Read on to discover why you should help your employees improve their English skills.
Starbucks Will Open First American Sign Language Signing Store in the U.S.
Ordering a “grande java chocolate chip frappe, skimmed milk, extra chips, no whipped cream and an extra shot” is a mouthful for any Starbucks client. But for deaf people, just a simple cup of coffee could already pose a challenge! Accomplishing even the most basic transactions like ordering food in the hearing world is not always a smooth or stress-free experience for the deaf community. Luckily, Starbucks is making moves towards solving that. On July 19th, the Seattle-based company announced that it’ll take an innovative approach to incorporating Deaf Culture into its services by opening its very first American Sign Language (ASL) signing store. The store is set to open in October in Washington, D.C. near Gallaudet University. Read more about its exciting features and how this new full language service store will expose society to another language and culture!
Interesting Facts About Labor Day History (Part I)
Labor Day history here in the US honors the American labor movement. It celebrates the contribution of laborers and the working class to the economic and social well-being of the country. The American Labor Day is similar to “Labour” Day, or International Workers Day, or May Day. While they’re symbolically similar in representing workers’ rights, they fall on different days. Read on to learn about Labor Days around the world.
