Removing the language barrier to create international business opportunities

Trading internationally and exporting into new foreign markets with the current value of the pound is a credible opportunity for many businesses.

However, and perhaps because English is an internationally recognised language spoken by many European business leaders, UK businesses have in the past had a reluctance to communicate with potential customers in any language except English. 

Communicating effectively with customers or prospects in your own mother-tongue language, let alone in a foreign language, can be tough.  And the view that foreign language is a perceived barrier has been highlighted by the British Chambers of Commerce who asked almost 3,500 of its members why they did not export to Europe, to which 11 per cent cited language barriers.

There is an abundance of export opportunities for UK skills and products, many of which can be found in emerging markets that could be tapped into should a company have the ability to converse with foreign customers in their own language.  

Companies shouldn’t discount exporting because of language differences as perceived language barriers can be removed.

There are plenty of companies and organisations out there that can provide relevant services and advice to help UK companies export into new foreign markets.  Organisations such as UK Trade & Investment and, on a regional level, the Midlands World Trade Forum both have advisers who can provide information and UK Trade & Investment help organise foreign business trips.  Both organisations also hold regional networking events to provide opportunities to make business contacts with international trade specialists.

Translation, interpretation and localisation companies like Foreign Language Services can assist with getting your website, marketing materials, manuals and all your documentation translated professionally and correctly by considering localization, cultural factors, how the documentation will convert into other languages and by ensuring the target language documentation is well designed and looks professional.

I truly believe that companies shouldn’t discount exporting on the basis of language differences, as this perceived barrier can be removed with the right professional support.

We’re on the lookout for a Desktop Publishing Operator for our Stafford office

If you, or if you know of anyone wanting to join a growing and forward thinking Translation Agency, please get in contact.

Inline with our expansion plans, we are advertising for a Desktop Publishing Operator due to an increasing workload and growing client base.

Basic duties will include Desktop Publishing work and applicants must:

• Be extremely confident using computers
• Ability to use Framemaker, Indesign and Word an advantage
• Must be able to use own initiative and be a team player

No experience is necessary, as full training will be provided.  The position is fulltime (36 hours per week) starting on a temporary 6-month contract.

We work with many blue chip and high profile companies and our forward thinking approach means we are continually investing in the latest Computer Aided Technology Tools and up and coming Translation Technologies.

Please send a CV to Ann Elphick translations@fls-ltd.com

Achieving consistency of terminology and costs savings in document translation

Here at Foreign Language Services our translators use Computer Aided Translation (CAT) software to highlight repetition within a document, and to avoid translating repeated segments.

CAT software works by indexing a document in to a series of meaningful units called segments. Essentially a segment is a sentence, but in some cases it can be a phrase, heading or single word.

Once the document has been segmented, the CAT software stores the translated segments in a client specific database, which is commonly referred to as translation memory.  The client specific terminology can then be used as reference for future translations, so when the CAT software comes across the same or similar segment, it will propose the earlier translation.

CAT Software has many advantages.  It ensures translated documents are consistent by including common definitions, phrasings and terminology.  It accelerates the overall translation process and reduces costs, as translators only have to translate similar segments once.  As a client’s translation memory builds, over the course of completing numerous translation projects, the less there is to translate and pay.

As with all technology, no matter how useful and timesaving it may be, the product ultimately depends on the skill and expertise of the operator.  Technical and commercial translations require a mother-tongue translator who understands the subject matter. CAT software is not a replacement for using mother-tongue translators, it is designed to support and facilitate them in the translation process.

It should also not be confused with or compared to automatic translation software such as Google Translate. Automatic translation software uses pre-programmed dictionaries and grammar rules to convert text into a different language.   This type of software is unable to resolve ambiguities in text or decipher for grammatical idioms and as such they tend to produce documents that contain too many mistakes to be suitable for professional purposes.

If you would like further information or to discuss the virtues of using CAT software please contact myself, Ann Elphick on +44 (0) 1785 255067 or email ann.elphick@fls-ltd.com

Foreign Language Services Ltd is a specialist commerce and technical translation agency based in Stafford.  It employs eight people, works with over fifty mother-tongue translators and can translate any type of document in any language combination.

How to choose the right document translation company

There can be various reasons for needing to hire a specialist document translation company.  You may have identified a new business opportunity in a foreign country, or you may be looking to expand into a foreign market, or you may have gained a new client wanting to import your products or services into a foreign market.   

Targeting potential clients and distributing your product or service in foreign countries generally requires an element of document translation, from labels and packaging, to marketing literature and technical manuals.

There is an abundance of document translation companies to choose from, but choosing the right company for needs is vital in ensuring success.   So what should you take into account when choosing a translation company?

Localisation

Documents cannot be simply translated word for word using machine translation. A professional service requires professional mother-tongue translators who have the knowledge and experience to be able to take into consideration localisation factors such as social, cultural, political, emotional, and historical influences. Use of a CAT Tool (Computer Aided Translation tool) alongside Human translation is a must for initial savings and consistency within your translation, but also for cost saving for future publications too.

The right translation company will have a proven network of highly experienced mother-tongue translators, who are specialists within their field and can observe cultural convention and the linguistic trends of the target audience and market. 

Specialist sector knowledge

If you have a specialist document which uses industry terminology, it is important to choose a company who is familiar with the industry and market to ensure they understand the  meanings of specific words, phrases and terms to guarantee accurate translation.  For example, if you require a website to be translated, the translation company must understand the foreign market conditions for website marketing and have knowledge of writing website text for that particular industry.  

Guarantees and service standards

A good translation company is able to agree realistic time schedules and guarantees to fit with your objectives and its work processes without compromising quality.  It should also offer after sales support and feedback.   

Its processes should be clear, structured and be flexible to accommodate specific requests and changes relatively easily.  The translation company should also have strict quality control processes and guidelines to ensure continuity.

Communication plays a crucial role in ensuring project goals are met.  Choose a translation company that will provide you with a dedicated project manager to give you a single point of contact to ensure you are updated at each stage and that your project is completed in time and in budget.  

Experience and recommendations

The more relevant translation experience the company has the better.  Experience is a very important factor and choosing an established company who has developed long-term relationships with clients will help demonstrated their expertise. A good translation company will be able to provide testimonials and specific client reference details for you to contact. 

Desktop publishing

It is important to choose a translation company who has an in-house desktop publishing department that can supply Brochures and Manuals tailor made for your Company, in a variety of formats to match your specific requirements in the most cost efficient way.

Again here the use of a CAT Tool is highly advantageous making short work of desktop publishing work. 

Confidentiality

An essential consideration when choosing a translation company is confidentiality and trust. If your document contains confidential, personal, or sensitive information, you should ensure the company has adequate systems for power backup and secure data storage.

Quality and price

Choose a translation company that has a commitment to fair and reasonable pricing where everything is included in an itemised quotation. Be aware of translation companies that offer proof reading or other accompanying services as extras.

A good translation company will be able to provide a no obligation and free quotation detailing precisely what is included for the price.  Obtaining two or three quotations will allow you to compare companies and make a more of an informed decision.

International Translation Day aims to remove export language barrier

30th September marks International Translation Day, which aims to recognise and promote the translation profession and the value which translation brings to business.


International Translation Day was founded in 1953 and is promoted all over the world by the International Federation of Translators. 30th September was chosen, as it is the feast day of St. Jerome, patron saint of translators, interpreters and librarians.


International Translation Day has taken on a more important role since 1991 when it became officially recognised worldwide as part of the effort to improve global trade and communication.


I am helping promote International Translation Day as trading globally and exporting into new foreign markets with the current value of the pound has become a credible opportunity for many regional businesses. Although, when the British Chambers of Commerce asked almost 3,500 of its members why they did not export to Europe 11 per cent cited language barriers.


We must remember that communicating effectively with customers or prospects in your own language let alone a foreign language can be tough, however I certainly don’t think companies should discount exporting because of language differences.


International markets should be seen as an appealing prospect for regional businesses as language barriers can be removed and with the right professional support a company can get its documentation correct from the beginning by considering localization, cultural factors, how the documentation will convert into other languages and by ensuring the target language documentation is well designed and looks professional.


I hope by helping to promote International Translation Day that we are highlight the opportunities available by exporting.


Further information on International Translation Day can found at the International Federation of Translators’ website: www.fit-ift.org.  Information and advice on exporting can be obtained from UK Trade & Investment; www.ukti.gov.uk.

Celebrating our 40th anniversary

Foreign Language Services Ltd was started by my father Peter Elphick and John Peck in 1971 and operates in a number of business sectors with particular expertise in the electrical, electronic, engineering, aero and automotive markets. Today, and since 1993 the company has been run by me.  

To be celebrating forty years in business is a remarkable achievement.  The document translation industry is now a massively competitive sector with a number of the larger translation companies aggressively growing through acquisition. We have indeed been approached to sell on a number of occasions. 


I intend to keep the company as a family run independent entity and my sights are firmly set on developing the business for the future. Our fortieth year in business will be a year in which we lay the foundations for future success. I can see the way in which the industry is developing and we intend to stay at the cutting edge of technology whilst focussing on service, quality, turnaround times and transparent pricing.


In addition to being at the forefront of translation technology by using some of the latest software programs for Memory Aided Translation and Computer Aided Translation, we have our own in-house desktop publishing department and we are able to provide custom formatting for manuals, handbooks, catalogues and brochures.  


Foreign Language Services Ltd is based in Stafford, employs eight people, works with over fifty mother-tongue translators and can translate any type of document in any language combination.