“I definitely recommend Rapport International! Their translations are high quality and on-time. They are professional, accessible, and dependable – every time we call.”
— Cooley Godward Kronish
Hong Kong Advertisement: Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.
Swedish Furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
Budapest Zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
Indian cuisine has become one of the most popular choices for eating out in the world. The UK alone has over 10,000 Indian restaurants, and Indian cuisine continues to increase in popularity in the United States. The use of fragrant, flavorful spices makes it a favorite all over the world. If you plan to do business internationally, it is important to be familiar with this exciting and delicious cuisine.
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
If you are doing business with people from other countries, who would you want to be translating your conversation – a real person or a computer? Right now, 70 percent of the 300 million uses on Facebook are outside the United States. People are making contacts all around the world but one of the obstacles is the different languages. It is apparent that the need for quality translation services is ever increasing.
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.
In healthcare, two out of every three mistranslations have clinical consequences, according to a 2003 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
In 2001, Indiana-based Mead Johnson Nutritionals recalled 4.6 million cans of Nutramigen Baby Formula due to misleading Spanish directions on bilingual labels. Though the problem was caught before any infants died or became ill, the cost for recalling and re-labeling the cans was exorbitant.
Please check out the Worcester Business Journal this week – it lists the 10 Things I Know About Translation by yours truly.
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.
USA Today posted an article by Laura Bruno where she explains, “When German Marquez was charged with driving while impaired, he was read a statement in English warning him of the penalties he faced if he did not submit to a breath test. Marquez, who speaks Spanish but not English, says he did not understand and did not take the test. In addition to a driving-while-impaired charge, he was charged with failure to take a breath test.”
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.
If you plan to do business internationally, it is important to understand the cultural significance of business cards and the etiquette that surrounds them in each country. Rapport International, a foreign language translation company based in metro-west Boston makes some good recommendations. A good rule is to view the business card as a personal representation of one’s self. In North America and the United Kingdom, business card etiquette is easy to understand and quick to learn. Cards must be clean and well-kept but they may be carried loose in one’s pocket and can be used to make notes. At the beginning of each meeting, one card is presented to each attendee.
For international use, it is important to provide a translation of the card information on the reverse side. For accuracy, please hire a professional translation agency. The card needs the basic information: name, title, company, and contact information. By using a professional translation agency such as Rapport International, you will be made aware of cultural nuances. Depending on the country, there are specific paper and ink preferences.
CEO of Culture Coach International (CCI), Kari Heistad writes, “Understanding the norms and values of the local culture while traveling internationally helps to avoid giving offense. Observing the appropriate etiquette communicates respect and facilitates communication. In many parts of the globe a business card carries much greater significance than a handy means to trade contact information. For the most part, the exchange of cards occurs at the beginning or end of the initial meeting although this detail should be clarified for any given nation before traveling there.”
In Japan, the business card is treated with respect and honor and there is a lot of ceremony involved with presenting and receiving cards. When you are offered a card, receive it with both hands; bow, and express appreciation for the meeting. It is polite to examine the card and make a comment. Please note that it is rude to put the card away immediately. It is also unacceptable to use the blank areas to make notes.
In China, it is important to present your card before asking for one. As in Japan, accept the card with both hands; bow, and thank the person for the opportunity to meet them. Review the card and try to make a small comment or clarification. Again, do not put the card away and do not write on the blank areas. And, absolutely do not put it in your back pocket – this is a big insult.
In India, there is no need to translate your card as English is widely spoken in the Indian business world. Make sure you have plenty of cards as business cards are exchanged in non-business or social situations. In most Islamic countries, you should present and receive cards with your right hand because one never knows what you might have been doing with your left hand.
Knowing the cultural nuances of the country you are visiting is an important business skill. By not presenting and receiving cards in a positive manor, you may insult your business associates. Customs that are accepted in one country may not be accepted in another. It is up to you to consult a translation and interpretation company in order to be prepared. Rapport International can help you learn about the variations between different cultures. Based in metro-west Boston, Rapport can provide quality translation done by experienced translators in over 100 languages.
1. Make sure the reviewer is fully bi-lingual.
Use a reviewer who is truly bi-lingual. Taking Spanish in High School does not make a person qualified to review your translation for accuracy.
2. Make sure the reviewer is familiar with your company and industry.
The reviewer needs to be familiar with standard terminology and jargon in order to provide a precise and accurate review.
3. Track all edits.
Keep track of all changes when editing the original copy to save costs on translation edits.
4. Writing is subjective
Make sure the reviewer is looking for errors, mistakes, accuracy of terminology and quality of meaning. Writing is subjective and so is translation. If the translation is correct, but not the same writing style as the reviewer, do not allow for changes to the wording.
5. Keep the meaning the same.
If you are going to allow the reviewer to change the translation to another meaning which the employee feels is more appropriate, make sure the changes are agreed upon with the translation company and the original translator.
6. Have the original translator review the edits.
The original translator should review and accept the edits. If the translator does not agree to the edits, there should be an explanation.
In 2007, CNN was barred from working in Iran because it incorrectly translated statements made by the president regarding the country’s nuclear research.
If you are giving a presentation with an interpreter for the first time, here are some suggestions on how to make your event a success.
It is extremely important that you, the speaker, be prepared in advance. Help the interpreter by providing an advance copy of your speech including a PowerPoint presentation, written speech, and speaking notes. If you can not provide these in advance, at least provide an outline. A good interpreter will translate the materials before the event to be prepared.
Discuss the speech with your interpreter and explain any surprises such as technical terms, formulas, or numbers. If you can, provide written copies of any technical terms, formulas or numbers for the interpreter to refer to during your presentation.
While you are speaking, position yourself so the interpreter can see you but make sure to face the audience. You need to maintain the connection to the audience while also letting the interpreter see your expressions and gestures. Make sure you speak loudly and clearly. Speak at a moderate pace and allow the interpreter time to adjust to your accent. A good speed is 80 words per minute (about 8 – 10 typed lines). Arrange signals for the interpreter to let you know if you are speaking too fast. Watch for these signals and adjust to make sure you are speaking clearly, loudly and slowly. Prearranged signals are useless unless used.
Allow for pauses. Interpreters dread speakers who talk fast and have no punctuation especially when the speaker uses a lot of numbers and formulas.
Avoid slang, colloquialisms and abbreviations. We know that “take the bull by the horns”, “hit a home run”, and “be a top dog” all sound great in English. But, your non-English speaking audience won’t get the meaning. Instead, use clear language such as “take initiative” or “to be the best” that can be interpreted and understood by all.
Use humor wisely and discuss your topic in advance with the interpreter to see if the humor is culturally appropriate. If not, there may be a way to modify it. If you don’t have a chance to discuss the humor in advance, you are better off skipping it.
Using an interpreter during a presentation can be an exciting and challenging occurrence. As long as you are prepared and use a qualified interpreter, you will be successful. Rapport International, a full service translation and interpretation company based in metro-west Boston, is a great source for all your multi-lingual needs. Rapport can provide interpretation done by experienced interpreters in over 100 languages.
