Most Indian restaurants offer a variety of appetizers. The most popular one is the samosa which is like a savory meat and potato-stuffed turnover. Other popular appetizers are
o vegetable samosa which is a vegetarian turnover stuffed with potatoes, peas, spices and herbs.
o lamb samosa is the same as the vegetable version with ground lamb mixed in.
o sev puri is a crisp wheat wafer topped with onions, potatoes, chutney and sprinkled with chickpeas.
o chicken chaat is pieces of marinated boneless chicken tossed with a blend of spices called chaat masala.
o shrimp pakora is shrimp marinated with ginger, light green chili and cilantro.
o aloo tikki is an Indian potato pancake topped with chopped onions, tamarind and green chili chutney.

Indian food is a vegetarian paradise. After thousands of years of the vegetarian-espousing Hindu religious influence, Indian chefs have taken vegetables to a new level.
o Vegetable bhuna is vegetables sautéed with spices.
o Akbari kofta are potato balls stuffed with nuts in a mild sauce.
o Bengan aloo is eggplant and potatoes sautéed in spices.
o Bhartha is roasted eggplant sautéed with onion, tomato, green peas and spices.
o Gobi aloo is cauliflower and potatoes sautéed in garlic and ginger and then steamed in a sauce.
o Saag paneer is spinach cooked with homemade cheese.
o Channa masala is chickpeas prepared in onions and tomato sauce.
o Bhindi masala is okra sautéed with onions, Serrano chilies and spices.

Most of the food is cooked fresh so it is always safe to eat – whether in a restaurant or on the streets of India. Most places do not keep food overnight. Food that is purchased in the morning is cooked and served the same day. Most restaurants cook their food to order and start from scratch thus ensuring the quality, taste and feel of the Indian cuisine.

When in an Indian restaurant, do not ask for beef or pork. Many Indians are either Hindus or Muslims. In Hinduism, the cow is considered a sacred animal so it cannot be eaten. Similarly, Muslims consider the pig to be a very filthy animal so it cannot be eaten.

Different regions of India prepare their meats in unique ways.
o Tandoori salmon is a wild salmon marinated in spices, garlic and ginger.
o Shrimp tandoori is jumbo shrimp marinated in oregano.
o Tandoori chicken is chicken marinated in spices.
o Mint chicken kebab is boneless chicken marinated in fresh mint.
o Shrimp bhuna is jumbo shrimp prepared in garlic, ginger, celery, mushrooms, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes and cilantro.

Traditionally, meals are eaten while seated either on the floor or on very low stools. Meals are eaten with the fingers of the right hand and Indian flat bread is used to scoop up some of the food. Etiquette dictates eating with just the right hand and only using two fingers.

Indian food wouldn’t be complete without rice and bread.
o Basmati rice is aromatic rice suffused with saffron.
o Banarasi pulao is fresh vegetables, nuts and raisins with basmati rice.
o Gucchi pillau is mushrooms cooked with basmati rice.
o Naan is fresh tandoor-baked white bread.
o Cheese naan is naan stuffed with cheddar, parmesan and cream cheeses.
o Garlic naan is naan topped with freshly chopped garlic.
o Onion kulcha is naan topped with freshly chopped onion. Paratha is whole wheat unleavened bread.
o Aloo paratha is whole wheat bread studded with spiced potatoes.

For many Indians, when they invite you to a restaurant, it generally means they are the host and they are going to pay the bill. Of course, it depends on the individual and the nature of the invitation.

According to Wendy Pease, Executive Director of Rapport International, “Part of being successful in international business is learning about new cultures. Being open to trying new things is a big asset and will help you connect with your business associates around the world. Once you open your mind to trying new cuisines, you will be amazed at how much you enjoy a variety of dishes.” Rapport International is a full-service translation and interpretation company based in metro-west Boston, MA. Rapport International can help you learn about the nuisances of different cultures and provide quality translation done by experienced translators in over 100 languages

In order for people to network, do business, and make social contacts between countries, Facebook needs to offer translating services. They have started doing this by counting on the free services of volunteer translators as well as a few paid professional foreign language translators.

Facebook relies on real people to suggest translations and then allows a number of people to weigh in and vote on the phrase or suggest a better translation. So far, their strategy is working but Facebook can not rely on the free services of a small group of people forever.

Google is attacking the problem in a very different way. Google is using computers and mathematical equations to translate the Web’s content. Computers learn how to translate by examining text that is already on the web. Google also offers a widget that others can use to translate their web content.

The problem with Google’s plan is that computers are not able to translate modern speech and colloquialisms. Therefore there is a high potential for mistakes and errors. The list of humorous inaccurately translated phrases is ever growing.

The only real solution to this problem is to hire a quality translation service that is capable of handling all the needs of both Facebook and Google. Rapport International, a translation and interpretation company based in metrowest Boston, MA is one good source for all foreign language translation needs. Rapport can provide quality translation done by experienced translators in over 100 languages.

If you don’t get the hard copy, here is the link to the online article. Please forward to anyone who may have translation needs – it is short and informative.

http://www.wbjournal.com/news46858.html

Rapport can connect anyone, anywhere in the world by translating your words into any language. We offer free project consulting, free quotes and exceptional customer service.

Marquez’s attorney, Michael Blacker took the case to the Supreme Court where he argued that suspects must be informed of the consequences of refusing to take a breath test in a language they understand.

Bruno’s article explains that “In most states, drivers are deemed as having given implied consent to a breath test as a condition of being on the road and are reminded when stopped by police that refusing to do so can result in penalties as severe as those for impaired driving.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey says a lack of a translation policy holds non-English speakers to a “higher standard” of remembering what’s in the driver’s manual. The ACLU, in a statement, likens it to the importance of translating Miranda rights and court proceedings, which the state’s courts do provide.”

States fall into two categories on this issue. Some states call for “reasonable” efforts to be made by police to have those facing prosecution understand the consequences of refusing the test. Other states require the statement be read, not that drivers must understand it.

To encourage language communication, New Jersey has started providing police with a website where the statement is available in both audio and written form in the 10 foreign languages widely spoken in the state. In New York, translators are on-call 24/7 to address any translation issues that may arise. They also use cards with the warnings written in Spanish. One state has a telephone language service available to interpret into other languages. Hopefully these court rulings will lead other states to require translations.
Rapport International, a full-service language interpretation and translation company, can help states by providing telephone interpreters on-call 24/7 and by providing all the materials in a multitude of languages. Rapport International, based in metro-west Boston, is a great source for all multi-lingual needs. Rapport can provide language services done by experienced linguists in over 100 languages.

Microfinance is a fancy word for providing small loans, savings, insurance, and training to people living in poverty. Opportunity International is a global organization that is providing microfinance to entrepreneurs in developing countries. By providing support, people are able to build businesses, support their families, create jobs and eventually end the cycle of poverty. As the loan is paid back, the money is loaned out again, thus changing the lives of many people.

Opportunity International focuses on the needs of women since the majority of people living in extreme poverty are women and children. In many underdeveloped countries, women are not allowed to pursue an education, hold a job, or own property. To help combat this problem, Opportunity International gives the majority of loans to women.

Many women-owned, small business companies in the United States who have an interest in globalization are supporting the work of Opportunity International. Rapport International, a translation and interpretation company based in metrowest Boston, MA has partnered with the “coffee club” to help support microfinance around the world. Rapport Intl. is one of the leaders in quality translation and interpretation services and has a strong interest in supporting women entrepreneurs.

For more information on this charity and ways to get involved, please visit opportunity.org.

Unfortunately, the arrival ceremony for Mexican President Felipe Calderon was spoiled due to a grammatically incoherent interpretation of the President’s opening comments.

When speaking about the new immigration law in Arizona, President Calderon’s comments were translated as:

“We can do so with a community that will promote a dignified life and an orderly way for both our countries, who are, some of them, still living here in the shadows with such laws as the Arizona law that is placing our people to face discrimination.”

It is important to note that the interpreter was part of the Mexican delegation and apparently, not someone who interprets for President Calderon often.

Once the comments were translated by an experienced and qualified interpreter, they became:

“I know that we share the interest in promoting dignified, legal and orderly living conditions to all migrant workers. Many of them, despite their significant contribution to the economy and to the society of the United States, still live in the shadows and, occasionally, as in Arizona, they even face discrimination.”

Examples like this illustrate the importance of using a qualified, trained and highly skilled interpreter for all foreign language communication needs. Selecting a qualified translation company is a crucial responsibility. One company that can help with multi-lingual global communications is Rapport International. Rapport International is a translation and interpretation company based in metro-west Boston, MA. Rapport can provide quality translation done by experienced translators in over 100 languages.