International understanding – Who’s reading your message?

Recently, I was speaking with manufacturers about translations and building business abroad. We discussed translating marketing materials and operating manuals into other languages. One person stated everyone speaks English. YIKES! How is it we are still so arrogant as a nation?

It reminded me of the newspaper article I read a few years ago about a Mexican visitor flying into an American International Airport. He wandered around for five hours looking for the exit. You see, at my regional international airport you need to take an underground tram to and from the entrance, baggage area and outside transportation. The airport had all of the “proper” signage and still he couldn’t find the exit. Why? He like many Americans who travel abroad do not read or speak the native language. We Americans are naïve to the needs of others. We fly into international cities that welcome us with signs in our native language. Although, it can be a culture shock to travel to a city in another country it is doubtful we will not have the aid of English signage or speakers in our travels, it’s doubtful we will be lost in translation.

To build international relationships, we need to have a mutual understanding in English first. 

Examples:

I spoke with a large university in Virginia with an international student department. They wish to increase their foreign student population. Their website listed student activities, studies, campus life and more. It was engaging and impressive. First error is an English only website. Even worse, the telephone numbers to contact the department do not have our international code +1 or the area code. It will be very difficult for a parent or organization looking to send their child to this American University to know how to telephone them. Shouldn’t we make it easy for others to do business with us?

Understanding that French speakers are very literal, writing a statement like “our services include” will not be as clear as “our services can include”.  Adding can makes a great difference in discussing customizing services.

Understanding when negotiating with Chinese professionals, they will agree and you think you are done. They will come back to the negotiating table to talk again and again all the time agreeing with your statements. Agreeing, nodding their heads is an act of respect more than consent.

Understanding safety training for a native Hispanic, he/she will probably agree to the safety training and then put themselves in an unsafe environment or situation from fear of not getting the job done and losing their job. Training must be approached differently, focusing on repercussions if the proper process is not followed and rewards when they do act safely.

Often people are writing content quickly to get published. I have seen homonyms used that muddle the message. This error is often overlooked by native English speakers because the understanding is automatic. A translator who is not native to the source language will often not understand the context of the sentence. Confusing homonyms that I have seen in English when translating:

Wonder               Wander

Are                         Our

There                    Their

Flower                  Flour

Affect                   Effect

Oar                         Ore

When you reach out to other cultures and countries to promote your business, organization and work, think of the Mexican businessman that wandered in an American International Airport for five hours trying to find a way out. Let’s make it easy to work with us, talk with and visit us. Put yourself in other’s shoes and communicate to be understood!

Author:

Linda Richardson, President        linda@allcleartranslations.com @allclearlinda

All Clear Translations www.allcleartranslations.com