Ubuntu is one of the founding principles of the new republic of South Africa and it speaks about the fact that we can’t exist as human beings in isolation. To read more, see Sandy’s short daily write up on this. At this link you can also sign up for her daily motivational/informational emails.
http://www.peacefuldaily.com/todays-tip.html
From CNN
When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greeted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday before sitting down to their working dinner, she presented him a small green box with a ribbon. Inside was a red button with the Russian word “peregruzka” printed on it.”
“I would like to present you with a little gift that represents what President Obama and Vice President Biden and I have been saying and that is: ‘We want to reset our relationship and so we will do it together.’”
Clinton, laughing, added, “We worked hard to get the right Russian word. Do you think we got it?” she asked Lavrov.
“You got it wrong,” Lavrov said.” Both diplomats laughed. “It should be “perezagruzka” (the Russian word for reset,) Lavrov said. “This says ‘peregruzka,’ which means ‘overcharged.’”
They did not come to Rapport Intl for translation!
For the full article see
http://news.aol.com/article/clinton-reset-button-wrong/373681
Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to ’scare away’ ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a “sweet” year.
It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year’s Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house on or after New Year’s Day is frowned upon)
Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Chinese people will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.
Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.
Changing different things in the house such as blankets, clothes, mattress covers etc. is also a well respected tradition in terms of cleaning the house in preparation for the new year.
Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The character for “shoe” (鞋) is a homophone for the character 諧/谐, which means “rough” in Cantonese; in Mandarin it is also a homophone for the character for “evil” (邪).
Getting a hair-cut in the first lunar month puts a curse on maternal uncles. Therefore, people get a hair-cut before the New Year’s Eve.
Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one’s own luck (although modern hygienic concerns take precedence over this tradition)
Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
Saying words like “finished” and “gone” is inauspicious on the New Year, so sometimes people would avoid these words by saying “I have completed eating my meal” rather than say “I have finished my meal.”
Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious.
Buying (or reading) books is bad luck because the character for “book” (書/书) is a homonym to the character for “lose” (輸/输).
Avoid clothes in black and white, as black is a symbol of bad luck, and white is a traditional Chinese funeral colour.
Foul language is inappropriate during the Chinese New Year.
Offering anything in fours, as the number four (四), pronounced sì, can sound like “death” (死), pronounced sĭ, in Chinese. Pronunciations given here are for Mandarin, but the two words are also near-homophones in Cantonese. See tetraphobia.
One should never buy a clock for someone or for oneself because a clock in Chinese tradition means one’s life is limited or “the end,” which is also forbidden.
Avoid medicine and medicine related activities (at least on the first day) as it will give a bad fortune on one’s health and lessen the luck one can obtain from New Years.
source: Wikipedia
The University of Maryland’s School of Languages, Literature and Cultures published a nice article on Elena Lozinsky. She’s published 30 - 40 works of French literature in Russian. She developed her interest while a student of French literature at a Russian University. When she read a French poem, she sensed instantly how it could be translated into Russian.
She became a doctural student at the University of MD because she decided to translate Proust into Russian since she didn’t like the 2 translations already on the market. After translating the first section, she realized that she couldn’t do credit to the author without a serious study of the novel. Translating a literary work includes understanding how it is rooted in its place and time and discovering how it was put together.
She really gets it! Many people think that translation is converting one language to another, but it’s the sublties and deeper meaning that has to be conveyed in any translation.
I read the best student research paper on the use of interpreters in clinical genetic counseling sessions. Jason Carmichael from Brandeis University researched the interactions between genetic counselors and interpreters in the clinical setting. Surprisingly, he found that in 36% of the cases, children under 18 were used as interpreters. The majority of the participants ranked psychosocial asssessment as one ofthe most difficult genetic counseling components to convey through an interpreter. Most genetic counselors felt that some specific training on working with interpreters should be incorporated into their curriculum. I think that Jason is now working at Genzyme. Great report Jason.
From the NH Divisionof Economic Development
New Hampshire Export Statistics
New Hampshire exports continue to exceed expectations! According to third quarter statistics, Q3 2008 exports surpassed Q3 2007 exports by 28%! The Granite State is currently ranked as the 15th fastest growing state for exports in the U.S. Exports continue to be a bright spot in New Hampshire’s economy. Our exports have grown every year and climbed to a record all-time high of $3 billion in 2007.
Webinar Series: The Basics of Exporting to Europe – Mastering Logistics and Maximizing Profit Part 1
Venue: Your computer
Date: December 12, 2008
Learn more/register: http://www.buyusa.gov/newhampshire/twewebinars.html
The second in a three-part series focused on building your business in Europe, this webinar, offered by the U.S. Commercial Service as part of the Trade Winds Europe Forum event, will help your company lay a foundation for success in Europe. Learn to maximize profit by understanding landed costs and shipping terms and responsibilities. Incoterms, an important component in determining your shipping terms and profit margins, will also be discussed. For more information contact: Justin.Oslowski@mail.doc.gov.
Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama is running so our children can fly. -Unknown as heard on NPR
Have you seen a company start to export or increase international business due to the weak US dollar and economy? I’d love to hear the stories….. Please comment.
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