A global response to a global health crisis – where are we at with a Covid-19 vaccine?

The race to develop a Coronavirus vaccine is well and truly on.

Already there are at least 159 potential vaccines in development, and seven of those are undergoing first-stage trials.

It’s a huge step forward in combating the virus, and as we grow evermore restless and eager to move from the “new normal” back to normality – a move which is widely accepted to be almost impossible without an effective vaccine – pharmaceutical companies across the globe are under immense pressure to deliver results and fast.

One of the companies I have recently worked with is global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, which hit the headlines after announcing a landmark partnership with the University of Oxford for the further development, large-scale manufacture and potential distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate currently undergoing trials by the University.

This potential vaccine entered Phase One clinical trials in late April, to study its safety and ability to generate good immune responses against the virus in healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 years. Data from the Phase One trial could be available as soon as this month, and if successful, advancement to late-stage trials should take place by the middle of this year.

Elsewhere across the globe, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, which has offices in more than 70 countries worldwide, has announced that it has teamed up Britain’s GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to work on a vaccine. And in the US, the first results from human trials for a vaccine by Moderna have shown that each of the participants in its preliminary safety study produced an antibody response on a par with that which is seen in people who have had the disease. There’s plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic.

It’s clear that developing a vaccination against Covid-19 is an international effort, in which we’ll likely see cross-border medical and pharmaceutical collaboration, unlike anything that has come before. For example, part of the AstraZeneca agreement is that it will work with global partners on the international distribution of the Oxford vaccine should the potential candidate prove successful. For that, companies will require flawless interpretation and accurate translation from professionals with a sophisticated knowledge of medical terminology and the pharmaceutical sector.

Interpreting and translating complex medical language can be a challenge, but it’s also hugely rewarding to work for companies that are so active in the global effort against Covid-19 and making a real difference.

If you’re in need of a medical interpreter with a sophisticated knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Here’s to finding a cure for Covid-19.

The age of video: why video translation is more important than ever

During lockdown, video translation has been one of the things keeping me busy.

Learn about why it’s so beneficial and is now more important than ever.

As the world moved into lockdown, we all had to learn to adapt in so many ways.

Some people’s day to day realities might not have changed all that drastically, but as an interpreter who travels within Europe multiple times a week, I’ve been adapting to a very different kind of new normal.

As well as taking the opportunity to work on my business and exploring remote interpreting work, I’ve been turning my hand to more video translation projects. Translating videos in English directly into Italian, without the transcription step that’s often involved in this type of translation.

My translations are then turned into subtitles, so that Italian speakers can understand the video’s contents, with or without the sound on.

Last week, a new client entrusted me with a video about eye care. Every linguist knows what a pleasure it is to work on a project that you find genuinely interesting, and I’ve been wearing contact lenses since the tender age of 18, so it’s a topic I’m very familiar with.

The client wanted to explain to their customers and audience how important it is to keep your contact lenses case clean to stop bacteria from growing, and to replace it entirely every so often.

I don’t know about you, but I’d never really given my contact lens case all that much thought. But I guess we’re all thinking a lot more about hygiene these days. Just one of the changes we’re all getting used to.

The benefits of video translation

Did you know that videos with subtitles are 80% more likely to be watched in full than videos without them?

I’m sure you yourself often chose to watch videos online with the sound off. Sometimes it’s because there’s background noise and you can’t hear the video properly, or because the quality of the audio isn’t great.

But often it’s because you’re don’t want to bother people around you, or you don’t want the video cutting through your peace and quiet, or the podcast you’re listening to. But you’re still interested enough to watch it, providing it has subtitles.

And social media channels know that. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all automatically mute video content that’s posted on their timelines. So, if you want a video to catch someone’s eye as you’re scrolling, then subtitles are vital. Without them, the video content you’ve worked so hard on is likely to sink into oblivion.

If a company operates across different territories, then video translation can mean they avoid having to create original content for each one. They simply add subtitles in the relevant languages, rather than creating multiple videos.

Why video translation is now more important than ever

Having gone to the trouble of creating their video about eye care, my client knew they needed to translate it to reach a wider audience.

We all know that, in recent years, the video has been the queen of online marketing content. But recent events have cemented video’s place as a, or even the key marketing tool even more firmly.

We’ve now all spent months communicating by video, whether live or pre-recorded. And things are probably going to stay that way for a long time to come.

One of the silver linings to come out of so much sadness is that we’ve all realised that so much can be done using the technology we’re so lucky to have, despite its drawbacks.

And with travel sure to be limited or risky for quite a long time to come, why would people travel for a business meeting when a video call would do, or for a presentation, when a video could just be emailed through?

If marketers were already prioritising video, then that trend is only going to expand exponentially in the coming months and years. And the businesses that are ahead of the curve with multi-lingual video content will be the ones that thrive.

Just like the eye care pharmaceutical company I translated this video for, if you need help with a video translation project to make sure your content gets the views it deserves, get in touch for a quote. I’m here to help.

All You Need to Know About the Italian Chamber of Commerce

Thank you to the Italian Chamber of Commerce (ICCIUK) for publishing my article, which I am told was one of their most popular articles from the latest newsletter! You can view it here.

As wonderful as online networking is, it can’t replace the real-world support of organisations like the Italian Chamber of Commerce, of which I have been a proud member for many years.

Why I Love Being a Member of ICCIUK

As a translator and interpreter, the Chamber has helped me gain visibility, credibility, and connected me with a wide network of businesses and professionals. Thanks to ICCIUK, I have gained a number of valuable long-term partnerships that I truly treasure and have had the pleasure of interpreting for many events, such as the OSA Community Meeting at Carlton House, Natural Stone Show 2019 in ExCel, London, or Petrolicious Drivers Meeting at Bicester Heritage in 2019 and many others.

For one hundred and thirty years, the mission of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UK has been to promote business between Italy and the UK.

“Our network represents the Anglo-Italian Business Community in the UK and it is our constant goal to see this Community growing. Every new member is an added value to all the network, joining not only with its business but also with new ideas, new energy, and new possibilities to all the fellow members.” — Italian Chamber of Commerce

I am delighted to be a part of their extraordinary initiative. To see British and Italian entrepreneurs and fresh young talent enter the market. To see teamwork and not individualism. This makes me very happy and at the same time, honoured.

A Shoutout to Verena and Helen — and the Unsung Heroes Behind the Stage too!

Big changes have occurred since the new President, Alessandro Belluzzo, was elected.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Verena Caris and congratulate her on her new role as Deputy Secretary General at The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK in London.

And a big thank you to Helen Girgenti for her excellent work helping both Italian and British people over the years with their endeavors. Good luck for the future, Helen!

Let’s Continue to Support Each Other

In this time of unity, I strongly feel that we need to support each other, encourage each other, and express our appreciation to long-lasting relations.

I would like to close this article by saying how eternally grateful I am to the Chamber for the endless networking possibilities that have arisen for me as a member of your organisation.

I am a Member, What About You?

Spread the word about the Chamber among your contacts. It is a very valuable recommendation!

P.S. I am looking forward to next #techtuesday with Webizz for some other good tips on how communication is changing…