Transglobal Languages & Cultures

If you are British foreign language skills are good for your business because ¾ of our overseas customers speak a mother tongue other than English. Not surprisingly new research has found a direct correlation between a UK company’s turnover and the importance it places on foreign language skills.

To find out more about the benefits of language skills follow the link below to the Overseas Trade website, click on “Features” and find the article “Championing the language advantage”.

Q: Do you teach English as well as other languages?

Yes. We have frequent visitors from other countries coming to us to learn English. Language learning is largely a question of motivation and opportunity. For most non-English speakers it makes obvious sense to learn English to enhance their life and career prospects. Learning is encouraged by the worldwide presence of English in Anglo-American culture. No wonder that we get such good feedback from our overseas clients.

Q: How difficult is it to learn a language?

English contains 30-40% of the words of most of the main European languages – even if they are pronounced a bit strangely! So the British have a distinct advantage when it comes to learning languages. Don’t forget that many Britons - diplomats, business people and military officers - have been outstanding linguists. For an English speaker it is not a problem of ability. It is more one of deciding which language you would find most useful. Then you have to find the right opportunities to learn and practise the language.

Q: Is language training like going back to school?

Not at all. We use a modern “communicative” approach which emphasises practical use of the language in realistic situations. As a motivated adult, with maturity in your favour, you have the potential to achieve far more than when you were at school. You should find language learning now is much more enjoyable than it was then. Go for it - you may surprise yourself!

Q: How will your training work for me?

Our training is based on years of experience. We have been developing language materials and exercises for business people, their partners and families since 1992. Because we understand the needs of learners in your situation we can give you the most appropriate training. We know that you will respond better to our approach. We expect that you will make greater progress as a result.

Q: How long does language training take?

Learning a language is a continuous process even in your own language. You will not acquire foreign language skills overnight. What you will get is training tailored to your situation. We will make it specific to your needs. Your time will not be wasted on irrelevant topics. That’s how you can gain the skills you need in less time. The good news is that you can start to enjoy the benefits right from the first training session.

Q: Will all our international communications need translating?

Not necessarily. Perhaps your overseas partners speak good English. If your message to them is written in clear, non-colloquial English then translation may not be necessary. If you have foreign language speakers in the company they may be able to translate incoming messages into English for basicgist. They may be able to carry out other “non-critical” translations aimed at an “internal” audience.

Q: When does a text need to be professionally translated?

When a written communication is critical in terms of its presentation, technical or commercial content then the services of a professional translator are probably necessary. This would include sales letters to new clients abroad, promotional literature aimed at an overseas market, webpages in other languages and indeed - any text which really matters.

Q: What’s wrong with machine translation?

Anyone who has used one of the internet translation facilities knows that they are crude and frequently produce gobbledygook. In October 2000 the Wall Street Journal tried out two of the internet translation engines and concluded:

“These services are passable for travelers or those wanting to translate a letter from a distant cousin. I definitely wouldn’t use them for business or anything else that remotely requires accuracy.”

Unfortunately this is still true. Translation is a skilled craft not an exact science. For the time being at least a grasp of the subtleties in translation - like context, register, emphasis and purpose - is beyond the scope of any artificial intelligence. Happily for translators, human beings are still needed for serious translations!

Q: What is professional translation?

Translation is a highly skilled profession performed by specialists. They always translate into their native language. A professional translator is someone qualified and experienced – not just a native speaker. That’s why using in-house language skills (even those of a mother tongue speaker) for any important translation is very risky indeed. Using professional translators for your translations is the only way to present your business professionally in other languages.

Q: Is my text suitable for translation?

As a translations provider we sometimes go back to clients to clarify text they have provided in English because it cannot be translated as it is. If your original text is ambiguous or just does not make sense it will not be improved by translation. Like the Irishman who was asked for directions to Dublin, we occasionally have to tell clients tactfully: “I wouldn’t start from here!”

When writing text you intend to translate, avoid culturally specific references like: “We knocked them for six!” or expressions such as: “I gave him the thumbs up!” These will not translate reliably into other languages. Whenever possible – get your original source text written properly in non-colloquial English. Ideally this should be done by someone with professional marketing or copywriting skills - before you commission the foreign language versions.

Q: Does translation cost very much?

Compared with most other highly skilled professions translation is very inexpensive. When it comes to translations of written material (or interpreting of the spoken word) this is one situation in which you can afford to buy in a professional solution at a very reasonable price. Companies new to translation are frequently surprised to discover that their language needs can be covered for much less than they expected.

Q: When do we need to use an interpreter?

Interpreting is oral translation of the spoken word in face-to-face meetings and telephone conversations. It is essential for any important event in which you and your contact(s) do not speak a common language well enough to understand clearly everything which is said. Most situations requiring an interpreter are informal, such as trade exhibitions, commercial discussions and factory visits. These can be covered by Liaison Interpreting (also known as Ad Hoc Interpreting). For more formal situations Simultaneous or Conference Interpreting may be used and often a tour guide (sound) system will be required.

Q: What is culture training?

This is cultural training in the form of a one (or two) day “briefing” – a seminar or workshop in which one or more delegates are “briefed” by an intercultural specialist about life and business in another country or region. Wider issues of cross-cultural awareness can also be covered including transnational communications and team-building. The most common request we get is from multinationals wanting cultural briefings on particular countries. These are invaluable for employees and families about to relocate to or from the UK.