LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

Communicate Without Limits!
May 2004

In This Issue:

More reason to gain the multilingual advantage
Quotes of the Month
LetSpeak.com® News Wire

More Reason to Gain the Multilingual Advantage

Choosing just the right person to fill a position can be one of the most challenging tasks for any top-level executive looking to provide excellent service for his or her clients. That's why I always carefully consider an employee's and vendor's background before assigning a translation project.

Although I only hire people inside the language industry, I can see how hiring people with language skills - even if it's not a job requirement - would be a great idea.

Why? The answer's very straightforward. It's been proven that people who know languages other than their native tongue perform better in the workplace. They're:

- more curious
- open to new ideas
- innovative/creative
- determined to thoroughly complete given projects.

More firms would do well to hire multilingual people and students and even working professionals would also do well to get certified in the use of a second or even third language.

Alas, many people I've come in contact with have been completely resistant to the idea of learning another language. Some people think adults just can't learn another language, and that language capabilities shut off after the age of seven. It's true that it's easier to learn another language when we're young. But it's not impossible to learn as an adult, it just takes an open mind and a willingness to strive for something better.

To make learning a language easier, consider:

1. Making friends with others who already speak the language. They'll make great practice partners when you really get into grammar and vocabulary.

2. Learning about the countries where the language is spoken. This is a great motivator because language is an extension of the many great things about a country's culture.

3. Watching programs in another language. With the advent of cable television you can catch many programs in languages such as French, Italian and of course Spanish.

4. Reading newspapers from other countries. Better bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million often have an International Periodicals section where you can view the day's latest news in other languages.

You know more foreign languages than you think. If you eat ethnic foods such as Italian, Mexican, African, Haitian, Greek and French foods, most likely you know the names of your favorite dishes in those languages.

Use that as a starting point and take the next step up to learning the months, days of the week, numbers and alphabet in another language. Your curiosity will grow and you'll be overjoyed at your foray into the world of languages.

Note: LetSpeak.com also offers professional language tutoring for those in the Fort Myers area. Feel free to contact us for more information. We'll be glad to serve you.

Quote of the Month

"Genius is the gold in the mine; talent is the miner who works and brings it out." - Lady Blessington

LetSpeak.com® News Wire

April 24, 2004-- LetSpeak.com's CEO, Allendy Doxy, spoke at the Unviversity of South Florida in Tampa on the subject of Professionalism in the Delivery of Language Services.

March 1, 2004-- LetSpeak.com's CEO spoke to Fast Track New Venture students at Florida Gulf Coast University.

LetSpeak.com® Affiliations and Memberships

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REKA

Netcheck Commerce Bureau

Lee County Chamber of Commerce

Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce