Aligning businesses with different cultures

Translation Tools

Last week I wrote about how international businesses need to follow the use of translation software.

I am a very strong advocate of using free translation tools for

• Online international market research, followed up by phone research.
• International business or competitive intelligence, combined by human translations when appropriate

So naturally I like to follow how other professionals also use translation software to get a competitive advantage in international business. I wrote about how:

• Translators use translation software to speed up their work.
• Content writers adapt their writing for translation software.

Now, there is one other aspect to international content you should also be aware of.

International English Content

Many international businesses write content in English for international audiences.  These international audiences include a very large percentage of non-native English speakers.

When you write for such a large international audience in English, and you also analyze the feedback from your audience, your writing naturally evolves into a unique style.

This is what I call International English. [click to continue...]

Translation Tools

Yesterday I wrote about how it is almost time for the general public to question their beliefs that all translation software should be avoided like the plague.

I warned readers not to continue to base their opinions of translation software on old versions.

Even though translation software is still not perfect, people with real translation needs are using what they have today to gain a competitive advantage.

Over The Counter Translation Perfection Not Here Yet

Now, let me say once again, very clearly: free translation software are still NOT perfect.

Translation software still have quality issues.  But it is often good enough for resourceful professionals to use to gain a competitive advantage.

Professional Translators Use Software

First of all, did you know that… [click to continue...]

Translation Tools

Recently I had yet another request about whether businesses can use free translation software tools.  This last inquiry came from an American without any foreign language exposure.

She had always been told to avoid translation software like the plague.  And her question was, should she look into translation software despite this.

It Is Time To Question Old Truths

Now this is a very interesting detail:

• Translation software = the plague

A couple of clicks research and I found another detail.

• This reader is also obviously old enough to have at least 15 years professional experience behind her.

Now you may wonder why I note this. [click to continue...]

Translation Tools

There are many examples of translation and difficulties in cross-cultural communication in the press right now with the Olympics.

I found the photo below at http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2008/07/then-well-grab.html

This company sign is a fine example of why you have to be careful with online translation software.

The original Chinese characters ( 餐厅) should have translated into ‘Restaurant’. [click to continue...]

There are 5 different scales of cultural behavioral traits.

• High Individualism versus High Collectivism Behavior
• Uncertainty Avoidance versus Low Uncertainty Avoidance Behavior
• High Power Distance versus Low Power Distance Behavior
• High Masculinity versus High Femininity Behavior
• High Context versus Low Context Behavior

Important: Read the Basic Guidelines For Using Cross Cultural Communication Web Tools before implementing any of these web tools.

Today we are only going to look at the web tools for the high individualism behavior trait. This is part of the high individualism versus high collectivism behavior scale.

Traits Of High Individualism Cultures

Some cultures are described as being high on the scale of individualism. These cultures have strong beliefs in:

• Personal goals

This is opposed to the other end of this scale, cultures high on the scale of collectivism, which have strong beliefs in:

• Group goals

Cross Cultural Web Tools For High Individualism Cultures

There is more than one cross cultural communication web tool you can use to appeal to each of the different cultural behavioral traits.

Here are the web tools you can use on your website to communicate better with cultures who score high on the behavioral scale of individualism:

How Personalization Helps To Sell Across Culture

When To Use Themes Of Independence In Your Web Communication

Where To Use Your Privacy Policy For Better Online Business Results

The Place For Your USP On Your Website

These 4 web tools respond well to the traits for cultures high on the individualism scale. Read more details for each of these web tools in the articles in the Web Tools For Cultural Communication Guide.

There is lots more on the different cultural behaviors in the June issues of the Get International Clients Weekly Newsletter. Sign up quickly for more tips and ideas for getting more out of your international marketing.

Important Notice

Basic Guidelines For Using This Web Tool

If you have not read the Basic Guidelines For Using Cross Cultural Communication Web Tools as mentioned in the very beginning of this article, please do so before implementing any of these web tools.

You need to look at the whole picture of all five cultural behaviors before tweaking how you use the specific web tools outlined here.

Use these cross cultural web tools to inspire you to improve your web communication with your international clients.

The GIC Translator is a free WordPress Plugin which automatically translates the present page your reader is viewing. This plugin is not intrusive, makes no changes to your site and opens a new translated window. This means your readers will stay on your website while they read your content in their own language and not somewhere else. All your foreign visitor has to do is click on a flag that they will recognize as associated with their language.

Easy Cross-Cultural Communication

The plugin uses the Google online translation service and translates from any of 24 languages (Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese (both traditional and simplified), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish) into any of the 24.

This installs like any other plugin, and takes advantage of the multiple sidebars that are common now in WordPress. Once installed and activated you go to the widgets section of the design. You decide where the most appropriate place to place is to install your plugin.

For sites not using WordPress, a script is available at Your Free Cross-Cultural Communication Tool - A Translation Widget that can be used on any website.

Download
Latest version (15 August, 2008): translate.zip

If you would like to have the translation as a widget you can download it from:
- Free Translation WidgetIf you are running WordPress and want the translation plugin seen on the right, take the:
- Translation Plugin

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