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!
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