LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

LetSpeak.com's Translation Alert

Communicate Without Limits!
March 2004

In This Issue:

7 Steps to Great Interpretation Projects
Quotes of the Month
LetSpeak.com® News Wire

7 Steps to Great Interpretation Projects

One of the biggest concerns when using an interpreter is, "Will my message fully get across to the audience?" And that's with any interpretation project, whether it's a speech to a large audience or a business meeting with a handful of colleagues.

The success of your presentation doesn't lay solely in the hands of your interpreter. There are things you can do to ensure your presentation gets rave reviews from your foreign-language audience.

1. Ask your interpreter about his or her background. Seems like a logical step, but in when you're rushing to communicate, sometimes this gets overlooked. You'll want to go further than education and experience and learn about where the interpreter has lived and the customs she is familiar with.

2. Share your background with the interpreter. You don't have to give your entire life story, but it's important for your interpreter to know your points of view on business and your particular industry. It's also good just for the interpreter to hear the cadence of your voice. It can prepare him to translate your words and ideas into your audience's language.

3. Create an outline and share it with your interpreter. In advance of your communications with your foreign-language audience, share with your interpreter what you'll be covering. You may even want to encourage her to do a little research of her own to learn phrases in your target language. Also: Point out any pieces of information that are critical to the presentation. Practice them beforehand to make sure the meaning is clear in both languages.

4. Discuss complex numbers and ideas. Point out any parts of your presentation that are complex or may pose a translation problem. This can often happen with industry-specific ideas and financial information. Be sure to practice these sections with your interpreter as well.

5. Develop a separate speaking style. You'll have to think and speak differently when working with an interpreter. For instance, you'll want to break up information into much shorter sentences so that your presentation flows at an engaging pace. To do this consider:

· Speaking in one sentence and then letting your interpreter translate it.
· Being ready with your next sentence once your interpreter pauses.

6. Beware of illustrations! Just as in written translations, the colorful anecdotes, stories and jokes that make your native-language communications so successful could hurt your foreign-language communications. To get around that use only a few anecdotes and always run them by your interpreter before using them to make sure they won't offend your audience.

7. Use your interpreter as an advisor. Feel free to ask your interpreter about the impact your presentation will have on your audience. Run your new ideas and concepts by your interpreter to find out if what you're saying will go over with your audience.

You'll know your presentation was a success when instead of exchanging confused looks your audience's faces gleam with excitement over your ideas.

Quotes of the Month

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble."- Helen Keller

From One of Our Many Pleased Clients:

"I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your assistance. It's not every day you meet someone so willing to help. You made what seemed like a large problem to me very easy to resolve. I can't stress enough how much we appreciate you. I will be passing your name and number to my other associates. Thanks again!" -Randi B., Sunbelt Title Agency

LetSpeak.com® News Wire

January 2004-- LetSpeak.com® featured on the 5 O'Clock News on Wink TV

January 2004-- LetSpeak.com® introduces audio to its website.

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