Archive for 'Interpreting'

Video Conferencing

According to an article on Mashable Business, FuzeMeeting has updated its video conferencing software and is making exciting advances in remote conferencing options.  FuzeBox customers host more than 76,000 online meetings per day, in 122 countries and in 10 different languages.

Fuze HD for iPad is offering multi party video conferencing for up to 10 people where all the people can not only be seen, but also interact with video, text, images and other media during the presentation.

At Rapport International, we ..read more

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

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, ..read more

Being Bilingual Makes You Smarter

Knowing more than one language can be seen as an advantage in many ways.  It can help in social and educational situations as well as increasing employment opportunities.  But now scientists are finding out that being bilingual can even make you smarter.   According to an article in the NY Times, being bilingual “can have a profound effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even shielding against dementia in old age.”

The article explains that because both ..read more

Yoko meshi (yo-ko-me-she)

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

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 ..read more

E-Z Pass Applications Available in Spanish

I just read an article about the New York MTA offering E-Z Pass applications in Spanish for Spanish-speaking New York motorists.   I am thrilled government agencies and companies are starting to realize there is a large Spanish-speaking clientele and begin marketing their products and services to this audience.

In addition to the new applications, the E-Z Pass New York Customer Service Center began including information in Spanish on its website and as an option on its automated customer-service line.

“We are pleased ..read more

Selecting a Quality Translation Company

When you hire a professional translation firm, you want to build a long-term relationship that will ensure accuracy, consistency and timely translations.   As Executive Director of Rapport International, a full-service translation and interpretation company, I have compiled a list of tips for assessing the skills of a translation company.

Make sure the company has a selective screening process for their translators.  You want to be sure that the translators are qualified and have the appropriate background.  Learn about the company’s quality ..read more

How to Write Marketing Copy for Global Marketing

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, ..read more

Chinglish – my review

Last week I posted a blog about the very successful Broadway show called Chinglish.  I was lucky enough to see this show which hysterically captures the differences between Chinese and American culture without making one culture look superior.

The show opens with a business man presenting to an audience on how to do business in China.  He’s using some of the very same slides that I use when presenting about language translation pitfalls.  Immediately, I was hooked.  Between seeing “my” slides ..read more

Chinglish

Here is an excerpt from an article about a new Broadway show:

The comedy, is about the hilarity and politics that ensue when a U.S. businessman tries to secure a lucrative contract in China for his family’s sign-making firm. The lead producers of “Chinglish,” Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, are bringing the play to Broadway after a sold-out run at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

“In its own way, I would call it a groundbreaking comedy,” Richards said in an interview. “There’s ..read more

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