When Alban Michael passed away earlier this year at the ripe young age of 89, the occasion really marked two deaths. You see, Mr. Michael was the last surviving speaker of the Nuchatlaht language once spoken by his Native American ancestors of the Pacific Northwest. His death also marked the quiet end of yet another language that has died out over the millennia of human existence.
Germany is a popular destination for tourists looking for fun and adventure as well as businesses looking to expand their customer base. As the center of Europe from a 
geographic and economic standpoint, Germany has much to offer. But before you don your lederhosen and head off to Oktoberfest or pack your briefcase for a corporate meeting with potential new business partners, it’s good to know some of the German customs and social protocols you’ll encounter.
In August, the 2016 Summer Olympics will attract thousands of people from around the world to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s glamorous tourist hub along South America’s Atlantic coast.
For those of you planning to attend the Games, or who may be interested in visiting or doing business there someday, we decided this is the perfect time to feature Brazil as part of our ongoing review of cultural customs and traditions in other countries.
Like the United States, Brazil has been described as a melting pot, reflecting the diverse mixture of cultures, races and nationalities that influenced its evolution over the past few centuries. The Portuguese were the predominant European group that constructed settlements in the country beginning in 1500. Over time, the European influence melded with the various local indigenous tribes to create the eclectic cultural makeup of modern-day Brazil.
For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many companies with their translation and interpreting projects. Some of that work targeted customers living in the U.S. who speak another language. Other times it focused on sharing marketing messages and product 
information with people in other parts of the world.
One thing we continue to emphasize to our clients is that translating or interpreting words is only part of a successful multilingual communication process. Another important piece—whether conducting business outside of the country or entertaining visitors at your company—is to adapt to the cultural, social and business customs of your foreign speaking customers. This means paying close attention not just to the words you use, but also to the images associated with your message, the method used to convey the message, and even the personal interactions you make with clients or customers on their home soil.
Remember way back when in the 1990s, at the dawn of the mainstream Internet Age, when bigger companies began launching these things called websites? Many small and mid-size companies, as well as government and non-profit organizations, were slow to join
in. The reasons varied. Some thought it was just a costly fad peculiar to a small segment of tech-savvy geeks. Others could not envision how a website would apply to their operations, that traditional customers would never consider buying goods or receiving services online. Still more found the whole matter too intimidating and complicated, with the new languages (HTML), terminology (what’s the difference between a Home Page, a website and a URL?), and concepts (sure, this “internet” thingy is really gonna revolutionize the way we live!).
Businesses large and small are steadily expanding efforts to sell their goods and services to new markets—both within the Unites States and abroad. Evidence of this growth is everywhere. One sign is the job market. Research from various sources predicts that professional translation and interpretation services will continue to grow.…
As more and more businesses emphasize the role of social media as a marketing tool, a misconception that email marketing has become irrelevant has sprung up. However, the mediums of email and social media are not mutually exclusive. A recent study by the marketing analytic group Custora reaffirms that email…
We live in a globalized, multicultural world and businesses are taking their global marketing services and events to countries far and wide in the hope of expanding internationally. Handling logistics in a foreign country can be a daunting task. As an event planner/marketer, it is not difficult to fall short…
“We live in a global economy.” How often have you heard that said? In today’s world this is a cliché that has become a reality. In such a global atmosphere businesses need to reach the widest possible audience or risk missing out on a large number of potential clients. Many…
The internet continues to expand and has become the standard point of call for individuals, businesses, and educational organizations in need of information or for seeking goods and services. A multi-lingual website is one of the most high impact and visible methods for businesses striving to achieve that competitive advantage,…