Global Translation Services at the Olympic Games
The Olympics is one of the most renowned sporting events in history. Although a fierce competition between athletes at their peak, the games provide countries with a forum to set aside their differences and come together through the power of sport. This requires superior global translation services. There are three official languages for the Olympic Games: French, English, and the language of the host country. Therefore, the Olympic translation team of professional linguists must work hard under a strict schedule to translate documents (such as menus and medical records) and signage (such as train stop signs and on-field screens) related to the Games into all of the official languages; a process which begins roughly one month before the Games begin. Despite its tediousness, this process provides the essential function of allowing the Games to run smoothly by ensuring that athletes receive the correct information in their home language.
Olympic Interpreting
In addition to the efforts of translators, interpretation services play a critical role during the games. Given the fact that the Olympic Games feature athletes from over 200 countries, interpreters are vital to bridging cultural and linguistic barriers between participants. For instance, between the various Olympic venues and the countries’ separate locker rooms, a “mixed zone” exists where participants from different countries travel to their respective venues. Working in this zone can prove difficult for even the most skilled linguist, as interpreters in this zone often help to prevent misunderstandings or confusion that can lead to scuffles between athletes (events which have occurred in the past). Additionally, Olympic interpreters provide video interpretation and conference interpreting services by interpreting press conferences, medal ceremonies, and International Olympic Committee meetings.
A Critical Shortage
In spite of the importance of Olympic interpreters, the size of the event often places strain on the supply of professional interpreters. This strain demands that the Olympic Committee find volunteer interpreters and create new solutions to help fill the void. For the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, over 80,000 volunteers are required for the event. To find potential candidates, Tokyo universities have launched a recruitment program featuring intensive language training classes and crash-courses in sports terminology for qualified students. In order to improve efficiency and compensate for staff shortages, the Olympic Committee has also created a new centralized simultaneous interpretation system for the Tokyo Games to translate all events into the three official languages for T.V. audiences around the globe.
Technological Developments
Finally, Japan plans to debut a new pocket translation device at the Games that provides simultaneous translation from Japanese to English at the touch of a button, reducing the need for interpreters at the event. Although developers are still fine-tuning the technology, the device has significantly improved the speed of Japanese to English translation, which can prove challenging due to their differences in sentence structure. Clearly, while the Tokyo Olympics presents many challenges, these new developments promise a bright future for global translation services and interpretation for the Games.
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
Language Training in the World of Intelligence
On August 25th, 2011, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta delivered a landmark speech at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). Yet instead of extolling the military capabilities of the United States and the virtues of diplomatic action, Panetta praised an important yet unsung aspect of American power: foreign language training. As a former congressman during the Carter administration for the Presidio of Monterey, home to the DLIFLC, Panetta recognized the importance of language and global translation services to national security early on in his career as a public servant and worked hard to secure funds for the DLIFLC, a critical part of the Marine installation at Monterey. As Defense Secretary during the Obama administration, Panetta continued his work in Congress by introducing new language initiatives to increase the number of government interpreter jobs within the State Department and raising salaries for those with language skills. Clearly, the United States has made language training a major priority in recent years.
Inside The DLIFLC
The U.S government offers a variety of language training programs for members of its intelligence community. However, the program at the DLIFLC is perhaps the largest. Founded in 1963, the DLIFLC offers language training services for members of the military and intelligence communities. At the center, students are required to study over 30 hours in the classroom and at home every week in preparation for the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The duration of the program depends on the difficulty of the language. In order to classify languages by difficulty, the center separates languages into groups, with Group I languages being the easiest to learn and Group IV languages being the most difficult. According to the center, Group I languages like Spanish require 780 hours of instruction and practice to master while Group IV languages like Arabic require about 1,950 hours.
A Lucrative Career in Language Training
Despite the rigor of the coursework at DLIFLC, the program provides an indispensable service for the U.S. intelligence community by training language professionals to carry out U.S. foreign policy objectives. Students at the DLIFLC work in virtually every intelligence-related agency from the NSA to the CIA. Yet not all work as clandestine officers; in fact, many students end up working as open source officers who specialize in analyzing public media in foreign countries or as instructors at private language service companies. The NSA also hires many students of the center to provide government translation services, as much of its work involves combing the Internet for suspicious activity on American soil and abroad. Careers in this line of work can be very lucrative. For instance, the CIA offers a bonus of $35,000 for new hires; a figure that any professional translator would envy.
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
The Correlation Between Music and Language Training
Language service companies have developed a variety of classes and programs for language training over the years. However, few have seized upon the possibility of using music to promote language learning. Although it’s not obvious, a strong relationship exists between music and language. First and foremost, music functions in a similar structural way to a language. Just as words can be thought of as the building blocks of a language, groups of notes combine to form phrases and, eventually, songs. Additionally, music and language both serve communicational purposes (with music’s main purpose being the conveyance of emotion). Perhaps most interestingly, music and language are processed in the same part of the brain: Broca’s area in the left hemisphere frontal lobe. This region of the brain is critical to the processing of sentences and, according to a recent study, also helps musicians understand musical phrases, as musicians tend to have more brain matter in Broca’s area as compared to those who never studied music.
Language Training in Finland
These connections suggest that music and language are strongly linked neurologically. Yet can music fuel language learning? Take the example of Finland. In this Scandinavian nation, children are exposed to music when they are infants using the Musiikkileikkikoulu method. This method uses games to teach important musical concepts. Although Finnish children begin language training at the later age of nine, the average Finnish adult speaks a whopping three to five languages; a testament to the power of music’s ability to kick-start language learning.
Language Training in Germany
A 2011 study conducted by researchers from Justus-Liebig University also illustrates the benefits of musical training to language learning. For the study, German preschoolers were split into two groups. One group received musical training, while the other did not. The results were astounding. The group of preschoolers who received musical training showed a significant improvement in their ability to process language, compared to the group who did not attend music lessons. These results further demonstrate the neurological linkages between music and language training.
Drawing Conclusions
Finally, music can also help to improve vocabulary and grammar knowledge. According to a 2010 study, researchers found that those who took music lessons before turning seven years old displayed higher vocabulary comprehension in addition to increased grammatical abilities compared to those who did not study music. Clearly, music and language are highly connected through structural similarities as well as within the brain. Perhaps this could demonstrate the potential of music to help language professionals in industries, such as professional business translation, global translation services, conference interpreting services, or even government translation services.
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
3 Tips for Expanding your Employees’ English Presentation Skills
For many Americans, public speaking is a source of unfathomable fear—even over death. To be successful in a role at some companies, this fear must be overcome. It’s not uncommon for jobs to require professional presentations—sometimes on a relatively frequent basis. While this is enough of a challenge, it can be even more demanding when your employees are not native English speakers or are not well-versed in business English. Here are three tips to support your staff as they expand their presentation skills in English.
Facilitate Critiques of their Presentation Skills in English
Sometimes learning is better as a group effort. Work with providers like Language Connections to set up in-company language training where employees can practice their oral presentations. Then allow the teacher and pupils to conduct critiques. Though they might feel intimidating, critiques are one of the best ways for your employees to improve their public speaking skills in English. They can learn exactly what they are doing wrong and what they can do better!
Supply Flashcards and Notecards
Offering your employees language training on-site will give them space for critiques and practice. During language courses for companies, we also suggest that employers supply employees with notecards or flashcards to use during their presentations. Having some visual cues can help your employees stay on track and focused. Since they might not be used to using these visual aids, making notecards readily available may embolden employees to try using them as they work to improve their English presentation skills.
Encourage them to Practice Presentation Skills in English
Have your staff get in front of a mirror, their family or friends, or even standing up in front of peers during in-company language programs. This will bolster their confidence in presenting. Practicing a speech in your head is nowhere near as effective as practicing it with your voice and an audience—even if that audience is only your own reflection.
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
Three Reasons to Invest in Accent Reduction Training for your LEP Employees
Why Should You Invest in Accent Reduction Training for Your Foreign Employees?
1. Improve your Employees’ Interpersonal Communication Outside the Office
Heavy accents hamper effective communication not only in the workplace but outside it as well. Foreign employees assimilating in new countries may have difficulty communicating with the local populace, be it with a grocery store clerk, the theater staff, or even their dentist. Enrolling them in accent reduction courses enables them to learn to embrace the native way of speaking, thus improving their overall quality of interpersonal communication outside of work. Accent reduction is a powerful tool to improve your employees’ quality of life outside the office. And as everyone knows, improving your employees’ lives outside the office will ensure they come to work happy,ready to focus, and they give their best.
2. Improve Their Ability to Climb the Corporate Ladder
A neutral or comprehensible accent can go a long way towards effective communication with upper management, clients, and coworkers in a corporate environment. It can also help employees perform better and take on more and more client-facing (or internal) responsibilities. Offering your workers accent reduction programs from a reputable company, such as Language Connections’ Accent Reduction Training for Companies, will help empower your employees to perform better and advance in your company or organization.
3. Accent Reduction Training Improves Communication with Coworkers
If your foreign employees’ speech isn’t always clear to coworkers, frequent communication gaps (such as misinterpretation of dictation, important documents or presentations) occur. These hinder the productivity of the entire office. This is especially true in industries such as journalism, law, and medicine, etc. where precise communication between employees is of utmost importance to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. Accent reduction training enables your foreign employees to speak English in a clearer manner, eliminating the aforementioned problems in your workplace.
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
Do You Need a ‘Negotiating in English’ Program for Your Employees?
Negotiation skills are increasingly crucial in today’s competitive market, but they don’t come naturally to everyone. It’s especially challenging when somebody must do so in an unfamiliar language. If your employees are non-native English speakers and they must do some high-stakes negotiation, then offering them a training program could be beneficial. A program focused on negotiating in English can greatly improve your workers’ effectiveness in meetings and closing deals. The benefits can also be extended beyond these circumstances. Here are 3 reasons you should offer a business negotiation skills program to your staff.
3 Reasons to Offer Employees a Negotiating in English Program
1. Business Negotiation Skills build Respect
Respect is essential for performing well in any organization or company. The perception that colleagues, employees, or potential clients form about an employee after a meeting can have an impact -positive or negative- to your reputation within your company. Learning how to implement negotiating skills with a course like the Language Connections Negotiation Skills Course for Non-native Speakers of English can help your employees build deep respect among their supervisors, colleagues, and perhaps most importantly, your company’s clients!
2. Your employees will gain confidence through a negotiating in English course
If you have ever been part of an important negotiation meeting before, you know how paramount it is to maintain confidence. Instead of worrying about being outperformed by the other party, your employees must be fully prepared and focused. The ability to confidently express ideas and to expertly rebut an opposing view, will result in better outcomes for them and for your company.
3. Your employees will gain conflict resolution skills through a Negotiating in English Course
Negotiations are all about problem-solving, and our work lives are full of problems. They vary from a simple disagreement to a major dispute over impactful decisions. One of the primary areas where negotiation skills can be extremely helpful is conflict resolution. Through an English negotiation skills program, employees will learn to really listen, understand the opinions expressed in a conflict, then work to find solutions that satisfy every party.
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
3 Reasons to Give Employees Advanced English Training
In today’s diverse workplaces, communication can be difficult. Investing in advanced English skills can vastly improve many facets of work life. Talented employees who excel with their niche technical skills, long-studied trades, etc. might struggle to clearly communicate with coworkers or clients during the most commonplace situations. This can be a problem that distresses both the employee and their employer, as these situations can leave the wrong impression of what a worker or company can produce. When you want your team at the top of their game, ESL classes for employees are of enormous value.
Advanced English Skills Help Solve Practical Problems
When you invest in a corporate ESL course, you’re helping to create a better company culture. In addition to brilliant foreign-born talent, you likely have an abundance of native English workers. Sometimes these two groups can have trouble connecting properly, but English skills can improve relations between your team. Non-native speakers will gain confidence that will undoubtedly positively affect the office. Without communication issues, employees will be more satisfied in their jobs, thereby decreasing the turnover rate so you can retain top talent. It’s impossible to argue with the fact that a commitment to professional development leads to higher employee satisfaction rates.
Corporate Culture Demands Advanced English Skills
English is increasingly becoming the dominant corporate language. To be successful in the global economy, your employees need to know industry specific terms and business vocabulary common to the English-speaking corporate world. Whether negotiating with clients or communicating with customers, you need your team to be equipped to deliver crystal clear information. Customs and subtle cues like facial expressions can also make a huge difference in the effectiveness of an interaction.
Language Connections has extensive experience handling English training for companies, so we are certain that we can come up with a helpful program for your workplace. We will create a program tailored to the exact needs of your company and industry. Call us today.
Open the Doors to Better Opportunities With Advanced English Skills
It’s no secret that LEP employees will have a hard time reaching their full potential without English language training. Training can help to increase the effectiveness of their work and increase value for your company. Furthermore, providing this benefit will foster an environment where those who are foreign-born feel appreciated and included. Language Connections will create a customized corporate English Language training to meet the needs of your diverse team.
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