Industry news to watch out for

It was recently announced that Ubiqus a leading global language service provider has joined up with Acolad to expand their reach, speed up delivery timelines, and to support clients in the best possible way. Between the two companies their technical skills, development in technology and vast capability of language solutions offers clients more than just the standard communication support. I look forward to seeing where their adventure takes them.

Boostlingo has also announced their acquisition of VoiceBoxer, a leader in interpretation management technology, a provider of RSI and whose products I use almost daily. This is big news in the world of interpretation, and it will be interesting to see what developments and advances this acquisition brings.

Top 5 things to consider when hiring a professional interpreter

We were recently contacted by a London brand design agency whose interpreter had let them down at the last minute. We were called upon at the eleventh hour to step in and assist with a business meeting for which interpretation services were required.

It led me to thinking that there are so many ways in which you can maximise the benefit from having a professional interpreter.

For us, preparation is key, and an interpreter should always have enough time to be fully briefed before undertaking any assignment.

So, here is my step-by-step guide to gaining maximum benefit from your professional interpreter.

1. Provide your interpreter with as much information as possible regarding the job: this might be about the company, the event or, if it’s a strategic meeting, the required outcome. The more material the interpreter can be briefed with, the better prepared they will be on the day. In the brief, along with logistical information, it is useful for the interpreter to be informed about the:

· Purpose of the event/meeting

· Size of room and number of people present

· Interpreting equipment to be used

· Presentations, minutes from past meetings, or agendas

2. Inform the interpreter of the dynamic of the meeting, what should they expect and is there any specific information that would be useful for them to know before the event/meeting starts? It is always good to avoid surprises!

3. Ensure that the interpreter arrives well in advance of the meeting or event. A rushed interpreter is not a happy interpreter!

4. Think of your interpreter not as an addition to your meeting, but as a linguistic partner. Engage with them fully and you will gain much more from them than just words and translation.

5. Think about the follow up after the event or meeting.

Your interpreter will understand the context of the event, and most interpreters are also translators, so they can translate conference documentation, minutes of meetings, contracts and other business documentation post the meeting.

Sometimes interpreters are considered the last piece of the puzzle, but on many occasions they receive words of appreciation for their hard work and even an applause!

Earlier this week I was interpreting remotely, and I was truly flattered to hear the speaker for a Pfizer event informing his audience that he had goosebumps knowing his speech was being interpreted into ten languages!

This is why I love what I do!

<strong>Interpreting for the IT industry: acronyms, jargon and nuance…</strong>

Over the last six months, I have been offering interpreting services for an American manufacturing company which is training their Italian staff in using SAP software. I have been interpreting for in depth training sessions in small groups for three to four people at a time, and also 1:1 training sessions, and now feel adept in using this software myself!

Interpreting for IT companies and especially for their training courses is something in which I have many years of experience, and it is certainly a niche market! The language is very specific and technical, and working with an interpreter who has this knowledge and these skills for these sessions is absolutely essential. There are lots of acronyms and jargon, so preparation along with experience really is key when carrying out these assignments.

I have worked for many IT and software companies over the years, including Telecom Italia SPA, Nortel Networks, Agilent Technologies, Hewlett Packard, and Reiss Romoli in L’Aquila who have provided many IT training courses.

These years of experience have provided valuable knowledge of the IT interpreting industry, and I am always pleased to put these skills into practice.

You may not be aware that I provide interpreting services for small groups and training sessions but this is an area in which I am often providing services, and having a highly qualified interpreter certainly pays dividends.

Interpreting for the IT industry: acronyms, jargon and nuance…

Over the last six months, I have been offering interpreting services for an American manufacturing company which is training their Italian staff in using SAP software. I have been interpreting for in depth training sessions in small groups for three to four people at a time, and also 1:1 training sessions, and now feel adept in using this software myself!

Interpreting for IT companies and especially for their training courses is something in which I have many years of experience, and it is certainly a niche market! The language is very specific and technical, and working with an interpreter who has this knowledge and these skills for these sessions is absolutely essential. There are lots of acronyms and jargon, so preparation along with experience really is key when carrying out these assignments.

I have worked for many IT and software companies over the years, including Telecom Italia SPA, Nortel Networks, Agilent Technologies, Hewlett Packard, and Reiss Romoli in L’Aquila who have provided many IT training courses.

These years of experience have provided valuable knowledge of the IT interpreting industry, and I am always pleased to put these skills into practice.

You may not be aware that I provide interpreting services for small groups and training sessions but this is an area in which I am often providing services, and having a highly qualified interpreter certainly pays dividends.

April is a month when Italy also celebrates new life…

Did you know that, according to legend, Rome was founded on April 21, 734 AD. So essentially, Rome’s birthday is this month!

The Natale di Roma isn’t celebrated with a national holiday in Italy, but it is marked in Rome with re-enactments and parades in the city. So, if seeing “real” gladiators on the streets of Rome appeals to you, book your flights, pronto!

I absolutely adore Rome, the city has been a huge part of my life: I studied in Rome, I lived in Rome, I was married in Rome and my children were born in Rome! Despite being born in Sicily myself, I feel at least 50% Roman!

Italy also celebrates the Festa della Liberazione this month, on April 25th, which marks the end of Nazi occupation during WWII along with the end of fascist rule in Italy. This momentous date is celebrated with a national holiday in Italy and marked by parades across the country, organised by the National Partisan Association of Italy.

Nurturing Growth Mindset Habits

Those who know me, know I am a champion of personal development and this year I embraced this fully, by enrolling on a three-month course with the brilliant Ruth Kearns Woollman (PhD, PCC, CPCC), a Leadership Development Coach and experienced trainer.

Ruth is an advocate of the concept of the growth mindset and her course, titled “Growing in Resilience Together”, has focused on recognising the signs and triggers of stress, the importance of energy (rather than time) as a key to success, and nurturing growth mindset habits.

She describes the programme as suitable for “… professionals who want to build their resilience, who are committed to working on themselves and open to giving and receiving support.”

It has been so eye opening to take this course with my fellow attendees, and it is lovely to work as part of a group. As Ruth herself says, “… a consistent piece of feedback I get is about the power of the dynamic of the group.” I am starting to put her practices into place during my working week and I hope that this will make me more productive and able to take on new challenges without fear, whilst feeling less stress, having more time and increased energy…

It is, perhaps, a lot to ask from a three-month course, but I am feeling so positive about this year, I expect some of the important changes Ruth has initiated will certainly pay dividends on a professional and personal level!