How Language And Food Can Market A Country

We don’t wear Rolex, we eat it! That is a statement seen on so many Patriotic Ugandan kinsmen T-shirts in Uganda, especially adopted by the Urban youth.  Indeed rolex is a fast food in Uganda that is made of fried eggs with vegetables rolled within chapati. Well as this type of food emerged as a way out for the low income Ugandans who couldn’t afford a descent meal at the end of the day, it however grew through the ranks so to as to become a cheap fast food. http://watchdog.co.ug/detail.php?id=2440

In fact the BBC referred to the Ugandan rolex as the cheapest rolex in the world. This relating it to the expensive and prestigious watch brand, Rolex manufactured

It is alleged that the name started as rolled eggs but was later influenced by local accents to become the rolex that in August 2016, was launched as an export food from Uganda to the rest of the world by the government of Uganda. You may compare it to KFC, McDonalds or Pizza Hut which are internationally recognized fast food brands with branches all over the world. http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1432938/rolex-ugandas-tourism-product

The Language Aspect

Food is just one of many things that market a region or country to the outside world, these are usually things that are unique and are at times only found in a particular country, region or continent and most especially include language.

In the case of Uganda, there are over 50 languages with common ones and official ones including; Luganda, Lusoga, English and Ruyankole. In fact, Luganda is the most used language especially when it comes to business matters. For example when using public modes of transport in Kampala which is the capital city of Uganda, Luganda and English are the main languages advised to be used.

This has seen tourists and foreign business owners trying to get their basic Luganda right so as not to be conned by callous individuals who view them as vulnerable prey. For example if a white person asks for prices of products in a local language, they are definitely less likely to be lied to or conned out of more money by locals.

KL Translations is a professional translation agency delivering translation services worldwide. We offer Uganda translation services for luganda and other languages. Contact us today for a free quote by filling in the quote form or simply email us at sales@kltranslations.com

The Effect of Languages on Globalization

It is important that one has to observe the effect of language carefully to select which language is suitable for their business.

The effect of dominating languages.

Here we mean Mandarin, English, Hindustani, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Bengali, Portuguese, Malay-Indonesian and French. By standard criteria, dominating languages are those with the biggest number of native speakers, which are spoken by the majority as a second language and the most geographically widely spread.

According to the BBC, use of English is dominating the rest of languages in research, conferences, Universities, international journals and more public international arrangements. Furthermore, Ranier Enrique Hamel states that “in 1880 there were 36% of scientific publications using English, which had risen to 64% by 1980”.

As professionals, we would not ignore this. It is has a threatening effect on a globalized world that depends on sharing global science research to develop internationally relevant professional expertise. This is a reality risk because researchers who do not use these languages are hardly heard by masses outside their lingual boundaries because the international index of journals is recognizing research with Anglo-American theories to publish in major international journals therefore the rest of research is being marginalized.

As these languages continue to dominate, the next generation will be better at languages. However, for the next generations to be bilingual in dominating languages are unrealistically a long term forecast for current businesses that are sustained by multilingual overseas clients. The great news is that the translation associations are innovating their systems to advance the skill of academic translation and professional translators can now perfect translation of any dominant language to appear as if was the original copy. Therefore it is wise to employ professional translation service before publishing a copy of your research so as to catch up with the linguistic pace of international journals.

The effect of creoles. 

These are languages blended out of two or more mutually intelligible languages original languages. Creoles are commonly a result of when people who speak original languages mingle with one another voluntarily or involuntarily. Most creoles have a touch of English, Spanish, French, and German because they were created in the early European colonies, though some are African based. Creoles unlike pidgin, a means of communication, grow to be learnt as native languages by children in societies. European based creoles include; Banjan Creole, Jamaican Patois (see list). African creoles include; Sango in Central African Republic, Kinubi in Uganda Lingala based in Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychellois Creole spoken in the Seychelles and more

The present Creole languages are of great advantage to businesses due to their high mutual intelligibility and easiness to learn by immigrants, businessmen and ordinary people. Creoles are one of the stimulants of the global movement of people especially to do business in Creole speaking countries where they expect reduced language barrier hence encouraging bilingualism. People are in position to understand more languages than before due familiarity about languages that creoles derive vocabulary. The tactical global businesses are utilizing the mutual intelligibility of creoles to create global awareness about their products through translating with global professional translation agencies.

The effect of non dominant languages.

These are languages that are constrained to their native geographical borders. They might have many native speakers that even overtake dominant languages but the rate at which they spread is low because they are usually hard for foreigners to learn. These are mostly Asian languages.  The US classifies these as level IV languages.

These languages are economically powerful. They keep their native speakers together hence stimulating and sustaining culture among them. Culture leads to production of goods out of tradition which in the long run become necessary for common usage. And as culture is sustained, it means we shall have continuous supply of cultural oriented products on global scale. Culture is this important that no matter the geographical location that the natives migrate to, they keep longing for a cultural touch. For example you find someone in market in search for “shoes of Italian leather” and another looking for “Chinese made pots”.  Or even non natives, it all depends the level of global popularity a culture has.

The unity brought about by these languages is evidenced by our need for embassy services when we are in a foreign country. The major reason is seeking aid from our home governments but the underlying one is the belief that since the ambassadors knows our native languages, our grievances will be understood and felt and your culture needs will be met. In other words such languages give us identity when we are in foreign lands so that we are given assistance that is fit for us and that suits our culture. For example a Chinese speaker guest in a foreign country will be referred to Chinese attendants so that they can be served in a proper way. This in has in long run will increase movement of people from one geographical location to another expecting hospitality and security from fellow natives.

Each language is a key to unlock science secrets hence local technical knowledge. The reason most continents cannot do much is because their technical knowledge was disorganized by the influence of colonialists, immigrants and more foreigners that occupied their regions. The is evidential as most regions with rigid languages and culture specialize in producing unique products which other countries do not know about in spite of them having relevant resources. If one is to analyze critically, these continents have the level IV languages (see list). It is fortunate that the whole globe is enjoying the diverse uniqueness of products from such regions, not forgetting that these languages provide technical vocabulary.

The effect of endangered languages.

The endangered languages are not just extincting but are expanding the vocabulary of the dominating languages hence influencing their cultures as well, academic ideas and more. The likes, tastes and preferences of endangered language speakers can be traced among other language speakers.

Basing on the effect non-dominating languages, we are likely to loose knowledge since languages that would assist in key anthropological research are being endangered. This also limits what humans can learn about human cognition. The fewer languages there are to study, the less we will be able to learn about the human mind.

However, some languages which people call endangered are not. They have not died. They are just evolving such as ancient Greek which has transformed in to Modern Greek and Latin which has grown into Modern Italian.

Natives together with linguists are working together to prepare documents about these languages and also translate important documentary in these languages. The sociologies and Anthropological linguists are. They help in carrying out anthropological findings research forming theories.

                                                                   

How Translation Services Assist In Market Segmentation

In the today’s world of business, focus seems to overtake ambition. Focus helps you secure a market niche where customers are fewer but purchases are large. As business entirely depends on communication ranging from interactive discussions to publicity, it is important to find  languages that market segments within your  niche use so that you arrange proper presentation for each segment.

It is optimal to engage translation services in your business communication and distribution channels. The way you communicate may guard you against the competitors who are already investing in place, build relationships with customers and more of the following advantages.

Translation services improve your communication vocabulary.

Translation services are needed even for monolingual communication cases. This is for the reason of fixing vocabulary and terminology shortages involved when drafting business materials. Communicating to stakeholders with the same wording over and over gets them too familiar with your documents to the extent of them starting to sign your business agreements before reading the amendments. This is simply because the terminology in the first paragraph is the same as the one on the previous copy and so they will always imagine it is the same story.

Trust worthy communication.  Once you discover a group that has interest in your products by a certain geographical region, you should immediately start focusing on the native language that they speak. Native languages have always had a captivating wit in communication but also when spoken; they reflect formality, responsibility and more importantly earnestness. In a globalized world, native languages have been distorted and native terms replaced with slang which are associated with deceitfulness therefore the society has to first weigh the language used in whichever message they receive before putting it in consideration. Native languages are rarely spoken and therefore a company that backs up its communication with translation services to produce native messages makes it stand out as trust worthy especially when publicizing watch business materials.

Localization services. Although localization is non textual but it is a language asset of its own. It is more strategic for a market segment based on demography, ethnicity, nationality, culture and values. Localization is part of translation services that involves making a product appear as if it was specifically meant for that particular market to avoid conflicting between product or service components with the customs of its target market. It may involve suiting currency, dating, addressing and more for the target market segment. This is work is usually done more competently by a professional translation agency of the region which is well versed with cultures, languages and norms of the audiences that they are translating to.

Tool of persuasion. Where market segmentation is by occasional or multi-variable customers, the  translation services are indispensable. The two segments are sensitive to business communication because they are composed of fast, smart and focused shoppers who are mostly stimulated by holidays and events them to buy. Any slight misrepresentation of a service or product might make them instantly switch their decision to another brand. Therefore precise and concise messages persuade such more than otherwise. Translators with a marketing background can be of great assistance in such a situation especially for target markets that are hard to reach for more explanations.

What Defines a Super Quality Financial Translation?

Like the other types of translation services, financial translation also comprises the adaptation of documents, files, web content and reports from one language to another. it requires both linguistic and financial expertise and understanding of the unique terminologies used in the specialized areas. Financial translation always needs perfect translation and maintenance of the complexity of the financial documents.

Demand for financial translation

Continued globalization has geared the increased demand for business entities to communicate financial information in a multitude of languages to satisfy customers from different regions. The common financial documents that are commonly translated include; balance sheets, tax returns, contracts, equity and bond research papers, audit reports, financial statements, meeting minutes and a lot more documents.

Requirements for accurate financial translation

Mishandling a financial translation could result into drastic consequences that may include the following; issues with clients and partners, cancelling of important business deals, loss of important contracts, bleaching of strict business rules and regulations which has its consequences and a lot more negative effects. Therefore much care and attention are so essential for any financial translation job by any translator or translation agency. The following factors should be put into consideration to really determine or come up with a super quality financial translation;

Specialization; Financial translation isn’t a field for just any translator, hence making it necessary to find the most specialized and experienced financial translator. The translators need to be fully conversed with all the financial terminologies in the target language and the common formats of the documents.

Native speaker of the target language; The translator to handle your financial document translations should be a native speaker to ensure that the target language culture is easily maintained.

Turnaround time; Deadline meeting financial translation is obvious to every organization with today’s fast paced financial environment. Therefore, the best financial translation agency offers rushed and fast turnaround translation services to their clients for efficiency in translation.

Accuracy and consistency. A single error in a financial translation can change the terms in the deal or contract hence disagreements between partners. A financial translator should be accurate and consistently maintain the meaning and context of the documents to be translated in the target language.

Security and confidentiality; With the financial industry, some financial documents are not supposed to be published not until they are approved by the financial services authority. Their possible breach or leak of information may be of serious consequences to the market. Therefore, any translator or translation agency handling a financial translation job should dedicate full commitment to the confidentiality and security of both the original and translated financial documents.

Terminology; Financial translations should be terminologically precise, accurate and appropriate keeping it in line with the target language culture to easily achieve your goals and serve the clients’ needs at the same time.

What Influences Translations?

Translations come up and are necessary in life at some point because of the changes that take place and require one to learn a foreign language, or have some material translated or interpreted for communication. This comes about because of the necessity to cross borders foreign to one in terms of language, colour and culture.

Reasons why people cross borders

• Further studies
• Marriage
• Adventure
• Civil wars back home
• Business matters

When one is having certain materials translated from one language to others, they usually are tasked with knowing when to translate to a certain language and when not to. There are several factors that contribute to why certain languages are translated to or from.

Factors that contribute to languages chosen for translation

The geographical location of the activity being translated matters a lot. This might be the location of a business, language school, counselling center and could be many more different things. For example, if the people of a certain country are fond of travelling to another specific country, then one should go ahead and construct a language school that teaches the foreign language spoken in the latter country.

An example here is the people from Turkey who mainly migrate to Germany and settle there as foreign families with them opening up businesses and put their children into German schools. Therefore when setting up a language school in Turkey, German as a language should be prioritized.

The geographical location of the activity matters too. If the activity is located in a small and remote town, then the local language of that place might be used alone. Yet if it is a tourist destination then translation services ought to be used for translations and interpretations into and from the necessary international languages.

Then the language pattern of a country or region is of importance because there are countries with only one official language used across the country apart from a few instances that involve migrants or tourists. Therefore, in such countries translation might be very minimal or not needed at all.

While in countries with multiple languages, translation is very necessary for almost every activity. This is especially evident on the African continent where one country might have around 50 indigenous languages, and official languages on top of that. In this case, one might translate to the official language of the country if the activity involves learned people. Then translation to multiple indigenous languages might be necessary for the illiterate people, all this for effective communication.

For more information visit  www.kltranslations.com

How to communicate to the blind

Colors, who doesn’t love colors? The lovely sight of a rainbow, a woman made beautiful by a multi colored dress she adorns, or simply the sight of flowers in the meadow during an evening stroll.

Colors add beauty to almost everything and are food for the eyes.

But what is then the case when someone can’t take in all this beauty, may be because they are blind? People turn or are blind due to various reasons.

Reasons people are blind

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Childhood blindness

Trauma

Brain disorders

Stroke

Good news is, not all hope is lost. The visually impaired may not be able to see the full beauty of the colors but might get a glimpse or the taste of this beauty when that beauty is described in braille.

Brail

Brail refers to the writing system used by the blind and visually impaired where embossed paper is used.

Are you blind?

One might still be referred to as blind, though not literally. For example when one is communicated to in a foreign language. As much as the communicator tries to explain, even with the help of body language and gestures, only a little may be understood.

This can be dangerous especially when the message is misunderstood by the recipient. Oliver Hoenicke, a European tourist to Uganda had always loved to see the source of the Nile River in Africa.

Unfortunately this dream was almost shuttered on the agreed day as he took on the opposite road to the actual source of the Nile. He was really angry at the local who gave him the directions, but later found out that the local did give the correct direction.

The problem is the local gave the directions in a local Lusoga dialect in Africa and since he would move his hands in a particular direction, Oliver misunderstood that direction for the source of the Nile direction

How to solve such misunderstandings

Employ translation services whenever in a foreign communication territory. For example an NGO that has a message to lay to the blind through means other than words or audio can convert these messages into brail.

Or Oliver, the European tourist, could simply have moved with an interpreter. One can argue that geographical maps are available to tourists, but it should be noted that not everyone is good with maps, especially in a foreign country.

So don’t you allow being communicatively blind when translation services are available. Of course subtitling could save those with hearing problems too.

Why Translate your hotel website?

Sarah, a local and well recognized head chef in one of the five star hotels in Russia had a special meal request from a VIP guest at the hotel. This particular guest was home sick and desired to eat something that tastes like his home country meals.

At this request, Sarah like most people looking for fast answers rushed to Google for a quick and easy to make Dutch recipe for the special guest. The chef managed to get the recipe but still, the entire article was in the Dutch language with no translated option from a trusted source.

This happens a lot, and not only to chefs like Sarah but to individuals who visit recommended websites or internet pages for various information or services, only to be disappointed by the language barrier, and with no professional translation offered.

How to communicate effectively using a website

It is highly advisable that an individual or company with a website offering services or products to a wider audience should employ trusted and recognized translation agencies to have their website translated.

This saves the website’s visitors from frustration caused by language barrier and the fact that they may after all not get the services or help desired.

On the company’s side, a wider market and broader audience of customers can be got once they realize the web content in their interest is translated into a language they understand best and by trusted translation agencies or companies.

The translation agency has to be a trusted one which further shows that the services offered by the website are also genuine. This is because many people have lost lots of money through purchasing fake online products that have at times put their lives in danger or led to the loss of their loved ones once consumed.

Such services include;

• Page localization
• Webpage translation
• Online marketing translation

You will be amazed and happy about how many more people can visit and buy your services online once the content is translated into various languages including the ones they understand best, and that done by a trusted translation agency.

Swahili or Kiswahili Language Part, one

Many have been wording and asking me whether the Bantu language spoken in the Great lakes region of Africa is called Kiswahili or Swahili. We have been running a translations agency for over 10 years now but the questions regarding the right pronunciation and spelling of the language (Swahili/Kiswahili) has been dominant from our clients. Our website has the word Swahili used as a language offered for translation but clients who know it as Kiswahili often wonder whether that is the same language or their some subtleties between the two words.

The Explanation between Swahili and Kiswahili

Just like other languages as French (Français), Spanish (Español) Swahili is an English word to mean Kiswahili. When an English man is writing and he is meaning that language spoken in France, he will refer it as French, but when a French man is writing he will refer it as Français like wise to Spanish and Swahili. Of course history says that Swahili is a mixture of several languages which were used for commercial purposes therefore regarding it as a lingua franca language. For that respect, history regards Kiswahili as Swahili that was spoken before the language got mixed up with Arabic dialect. In reality there is no difference between Kiswahili and Swahili rather Kiswahili is pure Swahili. As I said above that Swahili is an English word to mean Kiswahili, it doesn’t mean when someone uses the word Kiswahili to mean Swahili when speaking or writing in English that he/she is wrong.

Origins of Swahili/Kiswahili

Traditionally, Swahili is regarded to be a language of the Great lakes region of Africa especially the coastal areas of Tanganyika present Tanzania and Kenya. The language is believed to have been first spoken by natives of the coastal mainland and spread to various Islands surround South Eastern Africa mostly by fishermen. This then regarded Swahili as a fisherman’s language. Swahili language was a language of engagement between traders and the coastal people in the early 2nd century before it rapidly spread to the Swahili coast in the 6th century.

There is also a cultural aspect that suggests that Swahili is as a result of early Zaromo people who settled in Zanzibar from Tanganyika (Tanzania). The version of African tradition believes that the language descended from the early settlers of the aromatic flower buds known as coves from the Oman an Arab country in the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The Oman people had their journey to Africa with the interest of spreading I slam and their by adding slowly a few words to Swahili language. They built forts and castles in major trading and cultural centres. This stretched far as Sofala in Mozambique and Kilwa in Tanzania to the south, Mombasa and     Lamu in Kenya, the Comoros Islands and northern Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, and Barawa to the north in southern Somalia.

Swahili or Kiswahili language part, two

Demand for cloves within the Swahili coast established permanent trade routes, and Swahili speaking merchants in stops along these trade routes. This process is believed to be to have started the development and spread of Swahili language in the present day. Due to the interference by the European colonialists, the language did not spread deeply to   the Belgian Congo present day Democratic republic of Congo. Perhaps this is why the language is spoken as a second rather than primary language in Congo. Of course the same is was for the Uganda’s and Rwanda’s case.

The earliest Swahili documents are believed to have been written in Kilwa the Arabic script system. However, of recent the language is written in Latin alphabet introduced by Christian missionaries. The original Swahili documents are preserved in the Indian Archives of Goa. One more popular Arabic script document is epic poem titled Utendi wa Tambuka (The History of Tambuka).But due to the European influence in Africa, the Latin alphabet has over taken the Arabic scripts thereby becoming the standard system of writing Swahili.

Countries where Swahili is spoken

Swahili language is majorly in Africa Great lakes region and other parts of South East Africa.  The language is dominant in Tanzania and Zanzibar as both national and official language alongside English. In Kenya Swahili is used as a national language, and in Congo it is used as a second language. The language is also used in Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda and the Comoro Islands.

The future of Swahili Language

The future of Swahili is very bright. With the introduction of East African Community, the language is seen as the only unitary mode of communicating thereby giving it the official status of the integrated nations which have come together for a common goal.

The countries such as Uganda and Rwanda where the language has not been very common have come up with policies to promote the language by integrating it into their school curriculums. Burundi on the other hand is also trying much harder to improve on the strength on Swahili.

With the expected expansion of the East African Community where Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia are expected to join the integration some time, the language is set to be stronger especially for the business community as it will be a language to be used or business transactions

Importance of Multilingual Restaurant Menu

When one mentions restaurant, food is the very first thing that comes up in people’s minds, which is true because with every individual or group seated in one, there is food, a drink or water in front of them.

In the so not far past, it is families that went to eat out in restaurants as special treats, or on weekends to have time together. Later on, couples in love and those married took it upon themselves to have their own private time in restaurants.

Still, one can say one can do all the above in the comfort of their homes, however Restaurants have slowly become part of us as people young and old throng there especially in the evenings and weekends because of the various reasons people enter restaurants.

Reasons

• Discussions by students
• Dating
• Business meetings
• Wedding meetings
• Birthday party celebrations
• Engagement celebrations
• Socialization
• Bachelor parties to mention a few

Language issues

It should be noted that restaurants have become multilingual; as per the various groups under the same roof however, speaking different languages. Each group dining might be communicating in a different language to that of the group next to them.

This is because some families might be migrants speaking their native language, or students having an academic discussion in the official language of that particular country.

The other group might be of tourists having a cheerful conversation in the language belonging to their country of origin.

What all these groups might have in common is the language to which the restaurant operates in while making orders, inquiries and payments.

Translation need

It would be of much ease if restaurants, café, diners and all eating joints, especially in urban centers where people from different backgrounds gather, employed multi lingual personnel. These could include chefs, waiters and waitresses so as to ease communication with the multicultural customers.

Then may be the menus could be availed in famous and widely spoken second languages like;

• French
• English
• Arabic
• Spanish
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Portuguese

Negatives involved with un-translated menus

A customer might eat foods containing components they are allergic to thus causing health complications, which wouldn’t be the case in the first place if the menu was translated.

There are foods forbidden from being eaten by followers and would be devastating to the restaurant visitor if they came to know that they consumed religiously prohibited foods.

The translation of such menus should however be handled by professional linguists who speak the language in question as their native language. This is to translate within context, having the culture of the language’s origin in mind. This is to bring out the exact meaning as it is in the original menu.