If you’re planning to export, as part of your preparation you should consider the language and culture of your target market/s and look at where to find any additional resources or help you need to make your export efforts successful. Exporting is about developing relationships with suppliers, distributors and customers overseas, but you will also have to deal with officialdom and authorities to get your exports across borders. Speaking the language of all these people is essential.
The UKTI’s Export Guide says: “If you’re going to export successfully, then you need to understand the language, traditions and ways of doing business in your new market”. Let’s take a look at this advice, and see how Accutranslate can help you with the language and culture aspects of exporting.
Language – speaking
Speaking: You may have some language skills yourself, or have staff with some language skills. It’s important to assess how capable you really are, and get extra help if needed. For example a member of staff may be able to conduct a phone conversation in the language, but not have the skills needed to interpret in a meeting. Accutranslate can offer interpreters, but if you’d like some help to freshen up your own language skills or if you have a member of staff who’d like to take up the challenge of learning a new language our sister company la Academia can help you. With experienced and supportive tutors in all major languages, la Academia offers one-to-one tuition, in-house classes and classes in a language school environment. Give them a shout on 0161 491 1444 or info@laacademia.co.uk if you would find that useful!
Interpreting : Accutranslate can provide interpreters in the UK and overseas, often with skills in industry-relevant language for your sector. You should also consider interpreters for social events – if you are planning a meal with clients or suppliers who are not native English speakers, an interpreter can help make the occasion much more relaxed.
Traditions and ways of doing business
Business practises vary in each country and it’s easy to unintentionally offend someone. Our sister company la Academia offers help in understanding how business works in other countries. This can be provided as training ahead of a visit or exhibition in one of your target markets, or as part of the language lessons. They’re used to tailoring specific language packages to suit your needs, so just contact them on 0161 491 1444 or info@laacademia.co.uk to discuss your specific needs.
Language – translation
You may be able to make sense of emails you receive, but not be able to translate a brochure for your export clients. For more complex jobs such as translation it’s better to get a native speaker to do the job – then you would be sure of getting your message across accurately and persuasively.
Accutranslate’s team offers a broad range of languages and sector experience, giving us the ability to provide quality translations to help you export. We’d love to discuss your particular plans for export and the areas where you need language support – just give us a call on 0800 466 1335 or email us at info@accutranslate.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help you start to put your export plans in place!
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.