Rapport International » Interpreting

Video Conferencing

Wendy Pease — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:11:50 +0000

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 are excited about the opportunities this opens up for foreign language interpreting. Imagine a consultation where the patient, doctor, and medical interpreter are in three separate locations but sharing the same medical files, x-rays, and discussion. The same can be true for legal proceedings where everyone does not need to be in the same room in order to conduct a productive court proceeding. Court interpreters can be located anywhere in the world and still partake in legal interpreting assignments.

The outlets for this technology are endless. Video conferencing is opening doors and making the world a smaller place.

For more information, please visit: http://mashable.com/2012/03/28/fuze-for-ipad/

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.

Being Bilingual Makes You Smarter

Wendy Pease — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:26:31 +0000

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 language systems are active in a bilingual’s mind – even when only using one language- this leads to the brain needing to “resolve internal conflict, giving the mind a workout that strengthens its cognitive muscles.”

For the full article, please visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=general

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

E-Z Pass Applications Available in Spanish

Wendy Pease — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:54:10 +0000

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 to offer these tools to our Spanish-speaking customers and hope it will make it easier for them to take advantage of the benefits of using E-Z Pass,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Jim Ferrara.

Previously, Spanish speakers had to call customer service and ask for an interpreter for help with their E-Z Pass issues. Those interpreters will still be available, but now users can also take advantage of the faster automated and online services.

Selecting a Quality Translation Company

Wendy Pease — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:59:17 +0000

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 control and make sure they provide editors and proofreaders.

Understand if the translation company specializes in a particular field. There are different companies depending on whether you need legal, medical, or technical translation. Also find out what other services the translation company can provide. You need to be sure that you receive your documents it in the typeset and format required.

Ask for references. A reputable company will provide references. You want to talk to at least two long term clients who hire the company for similar projects. While checking references also find out about resources the company uses. Their translators should have access to research libraries, reference work and the Internet to ensure that their translations are accurate.

Find out if the translators are native speakers of the document’s target language. The source language is the current language of the document, the target being the language you request. A qualified translator should be equally proficient in both the source and the target language but translate into his or her native language.

Be sure that the translators hired for your documents are from the region where your document will be used. Linguistic nuances and cultural difference can arise frequently.

Selecting a qualified translation company is an important responsibility. One company that can help you through the maze of multi-lingual communications is Rapport International. Rapport International is a full-service translation and interpretation company based in metro-west Boston, MA. Rapport can provide quality translation done by experienced translators in over 100 languages.

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.

Chinglish – my review

Wendy Pease — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:57:02 +0000

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 and having lived in Taiwan and vacationing in China, I was convinced the show was going to be good. I attended with an American who lived in China for awhile and two other friends with limited China experience. I wondered if they would like it as much. Consensus – we all loved the show.

One of my favorite parts is when the Chinese business woman tries to say that it is tiring for her and the US business man to talk since neither one of them fully speaks the other’s language. She says “we’re sleeping together” when she means to say “it’s tiring” to keep talking. Ironically, this is some foreshadowing for future events in the show.

I also loved the part when the US business man shamefully admits that he worked for Enron and gets a very different reaction from the Chinese than he expected. Ask anyone who saw the show about the Enron scene and they will definitely laugh.

If you think that male/female relationships are hard when both people are from the same country, add the cultural expectations in it truly is a difference in interpretation. Language of love rules vary significantly across cultures. Chinglish showed this and the benefits of the rules in both countries.

And, of course, business expectations vary – it was fun to see how one goes through the back door in the US versus China.

The show kept us all entertained and made some very good points about language communications and the differences between cultures. It’s well worth a trip to NYC to see.

Chinglish

Wendy Pease — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:43:39 +0000

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 never been a play, a comedy like ‘Chinglish,’ on Broadway. It explores relations today between the Chinese and Americans and our relationship. It’s very much cutting-edge in its way.”

The play was inspired by Hwang’s own business trips to China, which he has taken in the past six years amid China’s interest in Broadway-style musicals. “I happen to be the only even nominally Chinese person who’s written a Broadway show,” Hwang said. “So people would call me over for meetings and there’d always be plans to build a theater district in China.”

It was on these trips when Hwang encountered the bizarre signs in “Chinglish” – bungled translations of Chinese phrases into English, such as “Deformed Man’s Toilet” for “Handicapped Restrooms,” which he saw at an otherwise beautiful new arts center in Shanghai.