We live in a world full of diverse cultures. It is wonderful to go from place to place and see how other people approach and celebrate life. But one of the problems of interacting in foreign lands is communication. There are many different languages globally, and learning even one second language takes years, at least for most of us. If you need to travel for business or pleasure, there will be no getting around that you will occasionally need to use a translator. Translation is hard work, but it is made easier if the person using the service understands how to get the most out of the interaction. Here are some tips for some of the more common translation scenarios.
- Business: If you intend to do business in a foreign country, you will likely learn the language. But while you learn, there will be continual instances where you will need to communicate with government officials, suppliers, and customers. The best thing to do in a business situation is to hire a professional translator, especially for critical meetings and documents. Services like Global Citizens Translation have the experience and the resources to translate documents and communication culturally and professionally. In business, the standards are high. It does not matter how well you understand what you are trying to say if your translator lacks the experience or education to relate the information. Mistakes in business can be expensive and hard to recover from. Here is great content about key mistakes to avoid.
- Public Speaking: Working with a translator through public speaking can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a nightmare. Choosing a good translator is an essential part, but you also need to do your part. A good translator is fluent in both required languages, but they also have some stage presence and personality. It also helps if they understand the subject of the speech. When working with your translator, it is constructive to meet with them before and go over the material, at least the critical points. If you have any complicated terms, it is a good idea to explain them. It can be catastrophic when the translator guesses wrong about the critical elements of your speech. When you are speaking, it is important to speak in short but complete sentences and allow the translator time to finish what they are saying. You will quickly find a good pace if you are sensitive to their ability.
- Conversation: Sometimes, you need to have a conversation with one person, for example, an interview. It is good to become a little informal; however, subjects can sometimes be wordy and not allow translation time. In these cases, you will be at the mercy of the translator’s competence to direct the subject to more succinct responses and to be a little patient. Once again, a professional translator is your best choice for these conversations.
A good translator is a pleasure to work with, and through the shared experience, you will usually find that you have found a new friend. Treat them well, and they will remain a valuable asset for you for years to come.
