August 2010

Language is Everything

With the development of features like Google Translate and other free online translation services, it has become inescapably clear that “foreign” languages are no longer so unusual; they have begun to affect every aspect of our lives. To interact with the world in our daily lives, it is important to know what is being said in a foreign language, especially in the business world.

The simplest things like the name of a product can affect how we view that product and how well it is received. If the name or the description doesn’t translate well, understanding is lost. Consider the Nova model of car in the United States. When it debuted in Mexico, sales plummeted; “nova” translates as “no go” in Spanish, so it’s understandable that car buyers wouldn’t be interested!
           
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who don’t consider it a priority to learn foreign languages or have literature accessible to non-English speakers. According to an article in the Minnesota Star-Tribune, legislation has been proposed in Lino Lakes to make English the only language used in city materials. An editorial in that paper notes the impractical nature of this ordinance, saying “More enlightened officials recognize that it’s in the best interest of government for all residents to understand policies and services.” Such an example makes it clear once again that language is everything.
           
Fortunately for those of us in the international business world, a majority of companies recognize the importance of language. There is a conference in the Faroe Islands that will help to combat xenophobia in the US and around the world. Entitled “Four or More Languages for All: Language Policy Changes the Future,” the conference aims to bring people together from various disciplines to share their experiences in the field and discuss the importance of language policy. You don't have to travel all the way to the Faroe Islands to learn about languages; Techworld is here to ensure that no one is excluded and everything is understood.

We can translate everything from newsletters to annual reports into over 60 languages, to guarantee that your clients, suppliers, and colleagues all understand the message you need to convey. Call Techworld today to make communication a priority in your company. Techworld makes it easy!

 

Best regards,
Fred Meinberg
President
fred@techworldinc.com