Corporate Translation Services, Language Concierge, Multilingual Event Planning and Management
For Global Corporations, A Professional Translation Concierge Service
For Global Companies, A Professional Translation Concierge Service Eases The Way
Let’s say you’ve just landed a big contract with a foreign partner in Asia, South America or Europe. Congratulations! But now comes the hard part: working out all the operational details between your people and their people. And their people–at least those outside the C-Suite–all speak a different language.
Corporations expanding their business outside the U.S. are confronted with this issue all the time, and it’s not just communications with your new partners where many of the challenges lie. For the international business traveler, there’s also the big list of incidental arrangements like drivers, security details, airport and rail transfers, customs issues, equipment rentals, meeting reservations, or simply personal care or wardrobe assistance for a big event.
A professional translation concierge service will make all of those arrangements, in a single customized package.
There are plenty of translation services that can quickly translate written documents for you. Our company, Lingua, offers standalone professional corporate translation services in multiple languages. Various translation services are also available to hire onsite interpreters who will facilitate live verbal communication in your face to face meetings. In our case, we offer interpreting services for consecutive interpretation and simultaneous interpretation in any language, both in the U.S. and abroad, as well as arranging multilingual events for clients where a polyglot of languages must be accommodated.
But in addition, Lingua offers something different and more valuable to the global business traveler. We have recently launched a professional translation and language concierge service that handles all your needs when traveling abroad, from business to travel-related to personal services. All interpreters are fully vetted and can be trusted for confidential communications.
Lingua is also a credentialed travel agency, and can take care of every last detail of planning your business trip to a foreign country.
Basically, we handle language services for anything a company might need done for their international business interests.
But wait – are human interpreters and translators really needed, with all the Artificial Intelligence devices around us?
Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools aren’t ready for prime time yet, when it comes to interpreting and translating for business. Although it is good to recognize the achievements and progress of machine translation, these systems are not ready to replace human translators for several reasons:
- Globalization requires handling of more dialects and languages.
- Translation services will be needed more in specialty vertical markets, such as automotive part manufacturing, healthcare and law.
- In the business context, lots of horizontal documents are needed, such as those used for systems, requirements and decisions.
- Specialized translation of a product’s functional aspects such as documentation and menus is increasingly in demand.
It’s undeniable that there will be more CAT tools to help facilitate and systematize the work of translators, but human translators can never be fully replaced by machines. Machines cannot understand the contextual meaning of words and passages. For highly accurate translation, you still need human translators and for business especially, you will want highly proficient and experienced translators with familiarity on a wide range of subjects.
Why the “human touch” matters.
After having been in business for over 18+ years, we’ve gathered a large network of the best and highest quality professional interpreters worldwide. Our highly skilled interpreters are chosen by their subject matter expertise to ensure they have the requisite vocabulary and understanding of your business model to provide an excellent quality service. They will be there to greet you on arrival, help get you where you’re going, and then facilitate the conversations you will be having with your foreign business associates.
If this is your first time using interpreters, you’re not alone. Plenty of people in your situation don’t know where to start, or how to go about it. We can take care of all of it for you, and answer all your questions, then together we will come up with your best solution. We can customize each project based on budget, need and timeframe. Many of our clients doing regular business overseas pay a low monthly fee to get the lowest rates for high quality translation services, on demand.
Think of Lingua Company as your global, multilingual corporate concierge. We have the resources, connections, tools and expertise to arrange, plan, manage and carry out your entire event from A-Z. And, we’re available plan and manage your overseas global event, handle all your corporate travel needs, from hotel booking to airfare.
Email us or call us today at 1-866-201-2921 if you’d like a quote on interpreter services for an upcoming business event.
Consecutive & Simultaneous Interpretation, Corporate Translation Services, Language Concierge, Multilingual Event Planning and Management
Translation and Language Services with Live Interpreters
Translation and Language Services With Live Interpreters – What Are My Options?
When you need to organize a business meeting, training session or conference where the attendees are from different countries, speaking different languages, that’s no easy task. Where do you turn for business meeting language and translation services, and what kinds of options are available?
First, you must understand the difference in terminologies. “Translation Services” refers to written translations of documents, manuals, etc. “Language Services” can mean either written translations or verbally delivered. Most often, if you want live translations in a face to face setting the proper term is “Interpretation Services.”
Breaking this down further, there are several different ways you can engage language and translation services using live interpreters:
Telephone or Video Call Interpretation
Our company, Lingua, can provide telephone interpretation services in multiple languages. Interpreters are chosen for their industry-specific expertise. They participate in a conference call to provide translated dialogue during the call.
Consecutive Interpretation
Many seeking language and translation services end up going this route. Consecutive interpretation is most commonly used in one-on-one or small group settings, and it’s generally the least expensive option for face-to-face situations. Consecutive interpreters listen to a speaker, who then pauses while the interpreter relays their words in a second (or sometimes even third language, depending on the situation). No written translation notes are kept by the interpreter.
Simultaneous Interpretation
Simultaneous interpretation is used for larger meetings, conferences or perhaps training sessions in various settings, where two or more languages are required. Simultaneous interpretation is generally a more complex and strenuous process than consecutive interpretation, which will be reflected in their relative costs.
In this situation, multiple interpreters sit in an isolated booth while they listen to the speaker through a headset. The interpreters then speak the translation into a microphone, and their voices are wirelessly transmitted to headsets worn by audience members. This is often referred to as “U.N. style” interpretation. Interpretation services require specially trained interpreters and specialized equipment, all of which can be provided by Lingua.
Complete Conference Services
Lingua Company also provides complete global conference services in a package that includes everything you would need for an international meeting, including onsite interpretation (simultaneous, consecutive, whispered, or escorted), American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, document translation, meeting coordination services, interpretation equipment rental and audio-video transcriptions.
Whichever type of interpretation service you need, the bottom line is that it all goes more smoothly with a “concierge” approach, which is our hallmark at Lingua Company. ONE PLACE for all your translation and interpretation service needs, or wether, you are looking to plan, arrange and manage your upcoming global event, perhaps you need your corporate travel planned or simply translate your corporate document into several languages. One project manager is immediately assigned to each translation project in order to ensure that all quality steps are checked and met. Your language concierge will ensure that all your documents are translated, proofread, edited and quickly delivered back to you.
Contact us if you need a quote or call us at 1-866-201-2921 and our project manager/language concierge will assist you.
Consecutive & Simultaneous Interpretation, Corporate Translation Services, Multilingual Event Planning and Management
Planning and Managing your Next Global Multilingual Event
Planning and Managing your Next Global Multilingual Event
Planning any large scale global multilingual event requires careful planning months or even years beforehand. Corporate executives need to hire suppliers, key presenters, and project managers need to map out strategic pathways and objectives. When the multilingual interpretation event involves a global, multilingual audience from several different countries or cultural backgrounds, the planning process requires even more consideration.
Events can come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the most common include:
- International multilingual conferences
- Concerts or other entertainment events
- Festivals
- Product launches
- Cultural exhibitions or art shows
- Sporting events
The Starting Point
Before any form of logistics planning can begin, the corporations will need to discuss, plan and determine the purpose and objectives of the event and to map out a basic planning framework.
There will be a number of key questions that will need to be answered in order to plan effectively. These will include topics such as:
Who are they presenting to and why?
The invited attendee list will vary depending on the type of event. For example, fans attending an international sporting event will like to hear commentary and have brochures and merchandise available in their own language. Employees of a major global multicultural corporation at a conference will need training materials and live interpreters at various sessions.
Who will be doing the presenting?
At a concert the key presenter would naturally be the performer or band. While they may not need to say much between songs, they would probably want to interact with the audience. Ensuring they know the basics of several common languages will help them to engage more effectively.
What languages do the presenters speak?
In some events, the presenters share a common language especially if they work for the same company, however sometimes they may speak a variety of different languages such as at a trade show. The selection of presenters may be greatly influenced by the languages they are able to converse in.
Where is the event being held? What languages are spoken locally? Are there cultural traditions that need to be taken into account?
Events like product launches or art exhibitions are taken on tour around many countries so the planning will need to include translation services for each country visited. Organizations may hold their annual conferences in a different county each year so while the participants may share a common language they would need help when communicating with the local staff and community. Particular care will need to be given to investigating local customs in relation to things like greetings, choice of colors for designs and venue decorations. If there are external activities or entertainment provided then due care will also need to be given to assess their cultural suitability. Translations will have to be checked carefully to avoid accidental offense or misunderstandings. Sometimes they don’t have to be word for word as long as they convey the intended meaning.
What languages do the attendees speak and understand?
Event organizers will need to research the demographics of their likely attendees and determine the languages they speak. Is their one language spoken by the majority such as English or is there a wider range of languages and cultures that need to be considered?
How many languages will be catered for? Which will be the main languages spoken?
Once all the above factors have been researched and assessed, organizers will need to decide which language(s) they will provide translation and interpretation services for. This will certainly have an effect on the overall event budget and planning.
Operational Planning
Once the framework of the event and the communication needs have been established organizers will then need to break up the project into separate tasks to be managed by appropriate department leaders. These will include areas such as finance, transport and logistics, human resources, marketing and so on. Translation, transcription and interpretation services will be required in almost all of these areas to varying extents.
Here are just some of the areas that will need to be addressed and planned for quite early in the process:
- Budgeting in multiple currencies
- Cost of transporting people and goods into and around the country
- Creating contracts and legal documents
- Information packs for delegates, suppliers and sponsors
- Multi-lingual registration software for attendees linked to a central database
- Websites and social media channels
- Marketing – including TV and radio, print media and online in multiple languages
- Point of sale material including DVD’s, programs, posters.
- Local area maps and information.
- Venue information such as seating arrangements, dining and signage
- Live interpreters for presenters plus one interpretation booth per language
- Printed and online training materials and literature like abstracts, catalogues and manuals
- Audio visual presentations during sessions
- Recording of events to be available for download after the event if appropriate
- Post event communication and activities
All of this can be managed by large organizations with experienced staff dedicated to these planning areas, however most small to medium sized companies simply lack the manpower and resources to manage everything internally. They will need to strongly consider partnering with a multi-lingual global event management agency. This is particularly important in highly specialized industries such as software development, medicine and renewable energy.
The primary goal of implementing multilingual services in any type of event is the same. Organizers need to ensure that all communication imparts the same information to each attendee regardless of the language used. Each must have the same opportunities for participation, access, enjoyment and follow up activities. Through careful planning and consideration these goals are definitely achievable and they will contribute to the ultimate success of the event.
Contact us today via email or call at 1-866-201-2921 with your global multilingual event planning and management needs.