Rapport International » General

Learning A Second Language Boosts Toddlers’ Brain Function

Wendy Pease — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:25:26 +0000

A recent article by FYI Living looked at a study that tracked the affects of a toddler learning a second language. The study found that the bilingual toddlers outperformed their peers in an area known as “executive functioning”. In toddlers, executive functioning influences sorting shapes but as adults, this skill influences mental tasks such as planning, strategizing, organizing and goal-setting. This is especially interesting because executive functioning has often been found deficient in children with ADHD and autism.

As noted in the study summary, “The results from this study show that the children who grow up with two languages (bilingual) show a definite advantage in cognitive and other developmental skills compared to those children who grow up with only one language (monolingual).” This study offers encouraging news for parents who plan to raise their children in a multi-lingual household. A multi-lingual household can be achieved with a bilingual caregiver, an immersion preschool or a child-appropriate foreign language program.

Rapport International, LLC is a full service language translation and interpretation company offering language services in over 100 languages.

In global economy, ‘lost in translation’ not an option

Wendy Pease — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:27:58 +0000

Here is an article written by Amanda Roberge that appeared in Telegram.com.

Similar to the Got Milk? campaign in the U.S., the Hay Leche? campaign in Spanish-speaking countries translated to “Are you lactating?” for locals.

MacNeill Engineering Worldwide, manufacturer of CHAMP brand athletic products, is based in Marlboro, but manufactures all of its products in Hong Kong.

According to Jessica Georgenes, the company’s marketing manager and tour coordinator, English is the language spoken at business meetings, no matter where they are held. However, she added, it doesn’t always work out smoothly. Cultural differences and having quite a bit of vernacular “lost in translation” is an ongoing issue.

“Sometimes we understand the words they are saying, but we have to really slow down and try to figure out exactly what they are asking,” she said. “The words might be clear, but the meaning might not be.”

If only it were as simple as typing a few foreign words into a computer program and getting out a clean, error-free and understandable translation.

“(Computer programs) are good enough if you need to get the general gist of a private email or conversation,” said Nabil Freij, owner of GlobalVision International Inc., a company whose Westboro headquarters is run by his sister, Micheline Freij, director of global operations. “But if your interest is to look professional, you need to find a professional.”

Wendy Pease, owner of Rapport International in Sudbury, said, “Even through a difficult recession, this (interpretation and translation) industry continues to grow.”

The industry consists of three main avenues of service, and they are often confused with each other.

Interpretation is the real-time service, mostly used for face-to-face exchanges.

Translation is a transfer of written content from one language to another.

Localization refers to the final tier of the process, which allows for websites and literature to be translated within a cultural context.

“Doing the actual translation is only 60 to 70 percent of localization,” said Mr. Freij.

Unlike Ms. Pease’s company, in which translation projects are done exclusively by people, Mr. Freij’s company has developed unique computer software that has a memory for past projects, and employs people to continually update that database. If selling in a particular country, he said, consumers will want to see the right cultural innuendos, currency, and jargon, which are fluid and ever-changing.

But while the global industry is booming, those who provide interpreting/translation services are also in high demand locally, as public schools, courts and hospitals have a duty to make sure the people they serve are able to understand.

“Court interpreters provide an invaluable service to individuals who utilize their services on a daily basis in courthouses throughout the commonwealth,” said Erika Gully-Santiago, of the Supreme Judicial Court’s public information office.

In fiscal 2011, interpretation services were used in more than 90,000 court situations, in 69 different languages.

At least a third of Ms. Pease’s business comes from the public sector. Her company provides interpreters for parents of students coming into public school systems, helping them to understand what is happening at their children’s school. Additionally, though many hospitals employ full-time interpreters, some use resources such as Rapport International when admitting non-English-speaking patients, especially during off hours. In emergency situations, Ms. Pease said, those exchanges often take place over the phone.

The need for translation services continues, as more and more companies — including MacNeill — are sheathing new products in “global packaging,” which contains warnings and instructions in as many as seven of the most common languages.

According to Ms. Pease, cultural considerations can be a big issue for those engaged in interpreter-aided conversations. For example, she tells the story of a Hispanic patient at a local doctor’s office. Because an interpreter wasn’t available, the hospital asked a Spanish-speaking housekeeper to help, and the patient was alarmed to learn she needed stomach surgery.

“She didn’t really need surgery, but the doctor had used the name of a procedure the housekeeper didn’t understand, and she was not in a social position to question the doctor,” Ms. Pease said.

While many agencies and organizations are required to provide interpretation and translation services, some businesses do so voluntarily. Citing the huge population of “new Americans” in the Worcester area alone, Ms. Pease said businesses, particularly in retail, might be missing out on entire markets of customers and clients by not translating menus and signs.

“Local companies who are trying to accommodate people who don’t speak English have a huge opportunity to increase their revenues,” she said.

Patents for Humanity Challenge

Wendy Pease — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:07:43 +0000

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is encouraging businesses to apply their patented technology to address the world’s humanitarian challenges. The Patents for Humanity Challenge is offering applications in four categories: medical technology, food and nutrition, clean technology, and information technology.

Applications are being accepted through August 31, 2012. For more information, visit usa.gov.

Yoko meshi (yo-ko-me-she)

Wendy Pease — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:14:21 +0000

Yoko meshi is a Japanese noun. Definition: A metaphor for the stress of trying to understand another language. ”Yoko” means horizontal and “meshi” means boiled rice. The literal translation of the phrase is a meal that is eaten sideways. Given that Japanese is read vertically and most languages are read horizontally, the expression captures the mind-bending challenge of processing words in new ways.

Whole Living magazine, Jan/Feb 2012

Executive Order 519

Wendy Pease — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:28:21 +0000

Executive Order 519 is an important order instituted by the State of Massachusetts because it ensures that all agencies provide “services to ensure that they foster access and equal opportunity for all persons, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, or veteran status.” This is important at Rapport International because one of the ways that the State agencies can comply with E.O. 519 is by translating their website, documents, applications, etc. into other languages so that the resources and opportunities are available to all. To read the entire executive order, please visit:

http://www.mass.gov/governor/legislationeexecorder/executiveorder/executive-order-no-519.html

Chillola.com

Wendy Pease — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:17:07 +0000

There is a great website called chillola.com that teaches young kids their first words in foreign languages. You can choose from English, Spanish, French, German, or Italian. There are online activities as well as printed worksheets. You pick the language and your child can learn in a variety of categories including letters, numbers, colors, fruits, and animals. The website is kid friendly and a lot of fun. Check out chillola.com for hours of enjoyment (and learning) with your kids!

School Choice International

Wendy Pease — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:05:05 +0000

I just read an interesting fact from School Choice International which reports a tablet computer has been developed in India to retail for $35 which will help widen access to educational technology for children in rural areas.

Since 1998, School Choice International has helped thousands of families around the world to find the right schools for their children. School Choice works with placements for individual families and with corporations who are relocating employees.

The company website explains, “Our expert education consultants are trained to look beyond the superficial aspects of a school – the pretty campus, the brand new gym, or how popular the school is – and instead strive to understand a school’s culture, atmosphere, values, and educational environment.”

For more information, please visit www. schoolchoiceintl.com.

How to Write Marketing Copy for Global Marketing

Wendy Pease — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:08:08 +0000

1. Use clear language.

Do not use slang, colloquialisms, or improper grammar. Catchy marketing phrases do not work across cultures and languages – sometimes they don’t even work in different countries with the same language. Electrolux was thrilled in the UK with the response to their slogan “It sucks”. They could not understand why it was not well received in the United States!

2. Drop local references or specific country places.

Unless you plan on changing the marketing copy for each country that speaks the same language, do not make specific references to a particular geographic area or local customs. On the other hand, if you are targeting specific groups of consumers, it is best to adapt marketing materials to each country. In this case, use local references, terminology and the right currency.

3. Make pictures culturally appropriate.

A well-distributed magazine about diversity and opportunity for African Americans featured an Allstate full page back ad with a glowing white family leaning out the car windows. Oops, wrong target audience. The pictures need to reinforce the ad copy and targeted audience. People notice the glaring errors and they also can pick out foreigners in local publications.

4. Allow white space.

Translation expands the written copy and can be 20 – 30% longer depending on the language. A favorite example is “Fahrvergnugen” which is one German word but when translated it becomes four words in English – “the pleasure of driving”.

5. Make sure the original copy is well written.

Even the best translation company can’t fix bad writing. Bad writing always equals bad translation.

6. Stay consistent

When you develop you marketing message, keep it consistent and use the same tested translation. Often, we see companies letting their in-country distributers translate the marketing materials. This is the equivalent to having the sales force write the marketing material.

Top 10 Most Spoken World Languages

Wendy Pease — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:15:03 +0000

Chinese – With more than 30% of the world’s population in China, Chinese is on the top of the list. It has several dialects and is spoken as a first language by some 835 million people. An additional 100 million speak it as a second language.
Spanish – The Spanish colonized much of the world leading to many Spanish speaking countries. There are 329 million people who speak the Spanish language.
English – A huge colonial influence can be seen as the root to the spread of the English language. It is estimated the 310 million speak English.
Arabic – It is spoken throughout the Middle East. 221 million people speak Arabic, but it has large regional variations.
Hindi – Hindi is mostly spoken in India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. 182 million people speak Hindi.

Rapport International can provide language translation and interpretation services in these five languages and over ninety five more!

10 Things I Know About Language Translation

Wendy Pease — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:56:59 +0000

10. Just Do It.

A huge share of the business market is being missed if you are only targeting English speaking audiences. Less than 10% of the world’s population speaks English as their first language, yet if information about a product is in a person’s native language, that person is four times more likely to purchase.

9. Provide Good Copy

Providing well written English copy is the most important first step to insure a quality foreign language translation.

8. Quality of Linguist

Use a trained and reputable linguist from a qualified translation company. One hospital tried to use a bi-lingual cleaning lady to interpret for a doctor and patient but culturally, the cleaning lady felt uncomfortable questioning the doctor and asking for clarification. Unfortunately, she told the patient that she needed stomach surgery when she only needed a pap smear.

7. Know Your Audience

Translate for the audience. If using a Caribbean French translator for Canadian documents, it will look sloppy because of the geographic language differences.

6. Keep a Consistent Voice

Using different linguists is like using different writers – everyone has their own style. One may use the word “dinner” and another use the word “supper”. You want consistency.

5. Use Correct Grammar

Catchy marketing phrases do not work across cultures and languages. For example “got milk” was translated to “are you lactating?” Try to avoid double meanings – they rarely ever translate.

4. Avoid Colloquialisms and Slang

In English, we understand what it means to say “that’s hot” or “that’s cool” but it doesn’t carry the same meaning into other languages.

3. Localize when Necessary.

Localizing the document means making it appropriate for the audience in a particular target area. If selling in a particular country, consumers will want to see the right cultural innuendos, currency, jargons, etc.

2. Review and Edits

Always have the translated document reviewed and edited. Translation is like writing where the more eyes the better for an important document. Do not use machine translations.

1. Track Changes

Keep track of all changes when editing the original copy to save costs on translation edits.