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Best Of 2015:Language & Culture Translation Blogs
Best Of 2015: Language & Culture Translation Blogs
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© Copyright 2016-2017 Globalization Partners International. All rights reserved.
This eBook was authored and produced by Globalization Partners International (GPI).
The information provided in this eBook is a combination of curated and contributed content from various sources including:
US Headquarters
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Translation Services
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• Document Translation
• Multilingual Desktop Publishing
• Audio/Video Translation
• Software Translation
• Website Translation
• Software and Website Testing
• Global Search Engine Marketing
• Mobile Application Translation
• Multilingual Website Design, Development and Deployment
• eCommerce Localization
• eBook Translation
Company Information
• GPI Global Bloggers
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Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Arabic: An Endangered Language 2
Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part I 5
Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part II 7
Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part III 10
eCommerce in India: To Localize or Not? 12
From Algeria to Zimbabwe - eCommerce on the African Continent 15
Iranian Culture and Tradition 18
Marriage Traditions of the World: Language of Love 20
Reaching the Hispennial Market 23
Rugby: A Glossary of the Game in Japan 25
Resources 27
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IntroductionThe blogging team at GPI has compiled a selection of the most popular blogs for 2015 on a range of subjects from documentation translation to global SEO. To read any of GPI’s blogs, please feel free to visit: http://resources.globalizationpartners.com/blog
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01Arabic: An Endangered Language
Spoken Arabic is becoming more widespread, but classical Arabic is at risk as it fails to modernize.
There is a big difference between the classical, written form of Arabic and the colloquial spoken dialects.
Classical Arabic is sometimes referred to as the Arabic used for literature. It is never used conversationally because each Arab country has its own dialect. We can even find different dialects within the same region. In Northern Africa, Berber is spoken in many parts of Algeria and Morocco and their Arabic is influenced by French colonization.
As a child, I had to learn Arabic and one other language, in order to join any school in Lebanon. All schools teach Arabic and one second language, French or English, in preschool and add a third language in middle school.
The new generation of Arabs struggle with the classical form of the language due to the educational system that delivers most of the curriculum in foreign languages.
History of the Arabic LanguageArabic is a language spoken by over 300 million people in more than 22 countries. The language is native to the Arabian Peninsula. The word “Arab” means “nomad.”
In the seventh century it became the language of the Qur’an and the liturgical language of Islam. The territorial expansion of the Arab Empire in the Middle Ages, along with Islam, resulted in widespread use in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, Crete, Cyprus, and Malta).
Source: www.willward1.com
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The language has spread on several continents and extends to non-Arab people and is now one of the most spoken languages in the world. It is the official language of more than twenty countries and several international organizations, including one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
Emphasis on GrammarLiterary Arabic is a written language, not spoken. Most Arab writers only manage to master it after the age of 40 because language proficiency requires more time than for European languages. The grammatical analysis is in fact the main problem of our language, because it is a barrier that exhausts teachers, while blocking the possibilities for mastery of reading and writing.
I started to learn Italian at the age of 15 when I arrived in Rome. My Italian teacher asked me to assist some of his friends who wanted to master Arabic.
After two years of studying Italian, I wrote well enough to have a biweekly column in one of the school newspapers. But, my students still struggled to learn to read Arabic. One of them said:
“We taught you our language in two years and now you are able to write and speak it, but we have not yet succeeded in learning Arabic.”
I was frustrated because my students were not young children and I taught them using the same method used in college. I thought about my experience and realized that we were losing time learning complicated grammar rules, including syntax, which only a minority of specialists can master.
Preserving Arabic in the UAEIn Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), responsible for the growth, direction and quality of private education and learning, has put great emphasis on the Arabic language.
Experts blame many factors for the decline of the Arabic language, including:
• Globalization
• Use of the English language in these countries, especially on social media
• Use of Arabizi (Roman characters and English numbers) in speech and text
• Foreign, non-Arabic speaking workers out-numbering native Arabic speakers
• Classical Arabic being replaced by local dialects among Emiratis
• Inadequate Arabic language teachers
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According to an article in The National, the government is preparing to introduce a law to protect the Arabic language.
In late 2014 a conference was organized in Dubai to discuss the problems of the Arabic Language. It was organized by the International Council for Arabic Language in cooperation with UNESCO, the Association of Arab Universities and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States.
Panelists discussed the state of the Arabic language in the Arab countries and agreed that the curriculum used for teaching needs major changes. The committee wants Arabic to be the official first language used for teaching in all institutions across the country.
One school administrator from Abu Dhabi voiced his concerns over the law:
“What concerns me is the universities and colleges that would be forced to deliver their content in Arabic when the content was written in English and delivered by people who are not necessarily Arabic speakers.”
“I’m talking about engineering, architecture, law. Rather than bringing excellence you’re driving people offshore if the first language is going to be in Arabic.”
In contrast, The New York Times cites Patricia Ryan, an English teacher at Zayed University in Dubai with over 40 years of experience teaching in the Gulf, with believing that promoting Arabic in schools is a way to preserve written Arabic and may also lead to more original research in Arabic. She cautions, however, that this jump in instruction language is something that must happen slowly over time if it is to be beneficial.
The opinions on the matter are very controversial within the Arab world. Some, like Egyptian Philosopher Mustapha Safwan, argue that Classical Arabic is a dead language like Latin and Greek, while others see it as a tool for unifying the Arab world
GPI’s Approach to ArabicAt Globalization Partner International we have been providing translation, desktop publishing, website localization and Arabic SEO, into and from Arabic for many of the world’s top brands who operate in the region. We understand firsthand the challenges of working in the Arabic language. Working with numerous Arabic professionals, both in-house and freelance, we recruit, test and utilize only Arabic native speakers from many countries including Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, UAE, Syria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi, Morocco and Egypt. These mixed teams with subject matter expertise in various fields are formed and utilize GPI’s global collaboration tools such as our Translation Portal and Globalization Project Management Suite to globally collaborate in order to produce Arabic language content that engages with the Arabic speaking world.
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02Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part I
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was established on December 2, 1971, and quickly became a global economic center. Despite its rapid growth, the country has preserved its heritage and culture, while at the same time enabling a thriving, ethnically diverse population.
The UAE has a very interesting culture, enriched by the arrival of immigrants. The first immigrants came from Iran in the early twentieth century, then India and Pakistan in the 1960s. UAE culture is founded on the principles of Islam and traditional Arab and Bedouin culture. The Arab influence is present in the architecture, music, cuisine and lifestyle of Emiratis.
Islam & the Arab WorldThe “Arab world” usually refers to the countries covering the Arab peninsula, the Middle East and North Africa. It corresponds to 23 states, from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the west to Oman in the east. The spread of the Arabic language is due largely to the expansion of Islam from Arabia in the seventh century.
Variations of the Arabic dialect are spoken by the inhabitants of these countries and Islam is the most widely practiced religion. Although Islam is the predominant religion in the Arab world, it should not be confused with the Muslim world.
Many Arabic minorities are not Muslim, and many Muslim populations don’t speak the Arabic language. Seven of the ten countries with the largest Muslim population are not Arabs, including, Iran, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
In the Arab countries, culture and religion are closely linked. The distinction between culture and religion is almost non-existent.
In the UAE, the official religion is Islam. Dubai has many mosques, and prayer rooms are even in shopping malls.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
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The Middle EastThe Middle East is the region between the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the line drawn by the border between Iran on one side, and Pakistan and Afghanistan on the other. This region is mainly in Asia but is sometimes extended to North Africa.
This area is home to several cultural and ethnic groups, including Persian, Turkish, Arabic, Kurdish and Jewish. The three main linguistic groups are the Iranian languages, Turkish languages and Semitic languages (including Arabic and Hebrew).
Holidays in the Emirates
• Ramadan: is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims refrain from food from dawn to sunset, and instead renew their focus on prayers and increase their recitation of the Holy Quran.
• Eid ul Adha: known as the Festival of Sacrifice to commemorate when Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail according to the will of Allah. However, Allah allowed Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram in place of his son. The festival is celebrated in the Muslim world by the sacrifice of a goat or lamb, and the meat is distributed to family, friends, and those in need.
• UAE National Day: marks the UAE’s official nationalization from the British Protectorate Treaties, which ended on December 1, 1971, and the federal unification of the seven emirates in 1971.
ConclusionThe United Arab Emirates has become an epicenter for international business, and continues to develop its strength in the global marketplace. Many expats are relocating to the UAE to grow their career opportunities. With its diverse culture and history, it is a fascinating place for companies and professionals to live and work.
Image Credit: AACEI-UAE
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03In part one of my cultural awareness training blog series, I covered the history and culture of Islam, the Arab world and the Middle East to prepare expats to live and work in the UAE. For part two of this blog series, I will focus on how you can establish your business in the UAE, business etiquette, cultural sensitivity and the Arab language.
Establishing your Business in the UAEExpanding your global business to the United Arab Emirates has several advantages and provides many opportunities.
The UAE is known to be among the countries with the highest economic growth rate in the world. There is no corporation tax, no withholding tax and no value added tax (VAT). If you wish to settle in the country, you can get a residence visa not only for yourself, but also for your family.
There are four ways to establish your business in the United Arab Emirates:
The representative office.
If you opt for the representative office, you do not have to locally incorporate your company, but you must appoint a service agent.
The branch.
This system involves the same provisions as the representative office. However, the service agent can be directly involved in the commercial activities of the company, in administration and can have revenues.
Creating a subsidiary outside the free zone.
This system requires seeking a partnership with UAE nationals who must hold at least 51% of the shares of the company created. These partners will be recognized as your sponsors.
The establishment in a free zone.
Each Emirate has its own legislation in terms of the free zone. Note that Abu Dhabi has no free zone. Your company will benefit from an exemption of customs duty and tax exemptions under the terms of the Emirate where you have chosen to set up business.
Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part II
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Business EtiquetteStatus is important and must be acknowledged by using the correct title when addressing someone. It is very important to greet the most senior person in the room first.
When doing business in the UAE, handshakes are always used and can last a long time. It is also recommended that one waits for the other to withdraw their hand first before doing so.
When a man is introduced to a woman, it is advisable to wait and see if a hand is extended. Muslim women are unlikely to shake a man’s hand. A Western woman introduced to a Muslim man might also wait to see if he offers his hand.
Always use the right hand. Among Muslims, the left hand is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean. The right hand should be used for eating, shaking hands or handing over an item.
Cultural SensitivityGlobalization and an increased level of tourism are largely responsible for making people more aware of different cultures.
Emiratis in general are warm, welcoming, and very tolerant of foreign visitors and residents. In return, it is greatly appreciated if you take the time to learn about the local customs and cultures.
It is best to ask permission of local women before taking their photograph and most likely you will be told no.
Visitors should also be aware that some Muslim women and men will avoid shaking hands with members of the opposite sex as per Islamic tradition. This should not be taken as an offense and it is best to wait and see if the other person extends their hand in greeting first.
Local men will typically greet other local men by touching noses or kissing cheeks. But, public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are highly frowned upon.
When sitting, take care to avoid pointing the soles of your feet in anyone’s direction as this is considered rude in Arab Muslim culture.
Image Credit: In Reads
Image Credit: Arabian Tales
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Arabic LanguageBelow is a list of some of the key characteristics of the Arabic language.
• Arabic is the written and spoken language of more than 150 million inhabitants of the Arab world.
• Arabic script is also used by 1/7th of the world’s population. Millions of people in Africa and Asia write their languages using the Arabic alphabet.
• Arabic belongs to the Semitic family of languages, of which, Hebrew is also a member.
• Arabic script reads from right to left and its alphabet contains 28 characters.
• While it is universally written, read and understood in its classical form, spoken Arabic has undergone regional and dialectical variations.
Translators must be aware of complexities involved with working with Arabic translation. Your translator’s dialect or tribal affiliation might not be well received as it is different from one country to another.
For meetings, check in advance if having a female translator is allowed and conduct the translation in Modern Standard Arabic.
SummaryThe United Arab Emirates is a cosmopolitan of nationalities and cultures. Emiratis are a warm, welcoming people, but as an expat, you should also be respectful of local laws and traditions.
The UAE presents exciting opportunities for companies and business professionals and is a great location to consider for global expansion and career advancement. But, always remember to be sensitive to business and cultural practices when living and practicing business in any country.
Image Credit: Smashing Magazine
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04Cultural Awareness Training: Preparing the Expat for Work in the UAE Part III
In part one and two of my cultural awareness training blog series, I covered the history and culture of Islam, the Arab world and the Middle East, how to establish your business in the UAE, business etiquette, cultural sensitivity and the Arabic language.
In the third and final part, I will focus on life in the UAE for expatriates, laws you should be aware of and traditional UAE food.
The UAE is an Arab country with Middle Eastern cultures and traditions. For expats, relocating to the country means many elements of everyday life change significantly. Certain attitudes and practices that are considered acceptable in most Western countries may not be in the UAE.
However, the UAE is generally considered a very tolerant country in relation to differences of culture and lifestyles.
How to Dress in the UAEEmiratis dress in traditional clothing, Dishdash or Kandoora for men and Abayas for women. For expats, they can dress as they wish, within certain restrictions.
It is acceptable to walk around in sandals and shorts in Dubai or Abu Dhabi but, it is strictly forbidden to walk shirtless, even to go to the beach. Wait to undress until you arrive at the beach.
Women should avoid short outfits and plunging necklines. You could be denied entrance to shopping centers and restaurants, although this is rare.
Behavior & AttitudesIn public places, it is advisable to be aware of and adopt regional behaviors. Know that in all public places, it is forbidden to:
• Kiss on the mouth. However, kissing on the cheek or holding hands are allowed.
• Show excessive public displays of affection.
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• Drink alcohol or be publically drunk (alcohol is allowed only at home or in hotels or bars).
• Be rude, or make rude gestures (the middle finger can land you a month in jail).
• Be topless (there can be very serious consequences for this offense).
During Ramadan, it is forbidden to:
• Drink in public places (even soft drinks).
• Eat in public places, even chewing gum.
• Smoke in public places.
LawsIt is imperative to know that non-Muslim expats must have a valid UAE Will in case of death. An Islamic code of legislation, Sharia law, is applied as the primary legal justification on matters involving family legal issues.
Therefore, in the event of your death without a Will, your assets will be distributed according to Sharia law. Sharia law is automatically applied to anyone who dies without a Will in the UAE, regardless of nationality or religion. This means that you and your family will have absolutely no control over how your assets will be distributed.
UAE Traditional FoodSome of the traditional dishes expats will find in the UAE include:
• Harees: made from meat and wheat, is a popular treat during special occasions such as Ramadan, Eid and weddings.
• Machboos: also called Al Makboos, has red meat as its main ingredient, which can be replaced by chicken or shrimp, and rice.
• Kabsa: made from a mixture of spices, rice (usually long-grain basmati), meat and vegetables.
• Luqaimat: fried pastry balls crunchy on the outside, soft and mushy on the inside covered with a date syrup which also includes flavors of saffron, cardamom and cinnamon.
SummaryIt is important for anyone visiting or living in the UAE to know what daily life is like. If you are an expat moving there or if your company is planning on sending employees there to live and work, it is great to have a cultural awareness program in place to help with the transition. An understanding of appropriate clothing, local food and laws will help you be prepared for life in the UAE.
Image Credit: Boswtol
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05There is a lot of buzz about eCommerce in India and whether localizing eCommerce websites is necessary due to the notion that most people in India speak English. But is it true that localization for these sites isn’t necessary?
As part of our global eCommerce blog series, we focused on various regions around the globe, like Africa and the UAE. But what about India? How are the needs of customers met in that country? Do marketers take for granted that Indians speak English and, therefore, an English eCommerce platform is good enough? These are interesting questions we wanted to get more insight into.
A very interesting article I recently read shed some light on the current landscape of India’s eCommerce ecosystem. The article, Indian Languages Finally Making Their Presence Felt in E-Commerce by Gopal Sathe, explained in great detail how companies traditionally marketed to the Indian customer base and where some of the challenges and opportunities exist when marketing in native languages rather than English only.
eCommerce in IndiaSathe states that although several companies are making strides in providing online content in Indian languages, there is a lot more that can be done.
Videos in Indian languages are in high demand and social networking sites, like Facebook, have been localized into Hindi. What we see missing is online shopping. There are very few eCommerce sites that cater to their Indian clientele in their native language.
OLX and Quikr offer content in Hindi (Quikr supports seven Indian languages total), but the drawback is that these sites do not support any online transactions in Hindi or any other Indian language, and interestingly enough, the listings aren’t translated either.
The graph to the right shows only Flipkart, Snapdeal and Jabong as the sites looking to launch Indian language support and it seems that Snapdeal is the only one that succeeded.
One of the companies not listed that has invested greatly in the concept of localizing its site content into Hindi and other Indian languages is MakeMyTrip. Head of Mobile Product, Pranav Bhasin, stated that MakeMyTrip considered localizing into Indian languages a global strategic initiative and looked at localizing flight booking information into Hindi as a starting point. They are
eCommerce in India: To Localize or Not?
Image Credit: Digital Gallery India
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currently launching their rail services into several Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telegu, Gujarati, placing them well ahead of their competition.
Challenges with Localizing into Indian LanguagesBhasin said that localizing into several Indian languages seemed like the logical thing to do, and the concept itself seemed to be quite simple at the time. But, the process came with its own set of challenges and problems.
Once he recognized that they were targeting a different market and different customers, localization was not as straightforward as originally assumed.
Some of the challenges centered on items such as cash-on-delivery for rail tickets. Other challenges were focused on the actual language requirements themselves. The users were what Bhasin calls “English aware” meaning they could book their tickets in English, but what they were really yearning for was content that spoke directly to them in their language and was easier to understand.
This was a sentiment shared by companies, such as Snapdeal, which launched online support for several Indian languages about a year ago and has benefited from positive client feedback since its initial launch.
Amit Khanna, Senior VP of Product Development for Snapdeal, confirmed a prevailing preference among Indian customers who use the Indian language site content over the English. So even though payments are finalized by banks in English, the fact that Snapdeal offers content in Indian languages seems to be resonating quite favorably with its customer base.
eCommerce and Real-Time TranslationAnother challenge facing eCommerce content localization was articulated quite accurately by Snapdeal’s Khanna. He commented on the fact that there is so much information that is being updated on an ongoing, daily basis that there is a real need for live translation. This is a challenge that not many companies are able to address adequately. Snapdeal worked with several companies to come up with what they called a “plug into” solution to address that particular need.
Image Credit: NDTV Gadgets
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The SolutionIn the case of MakeMyTrip, the company eventually decided that it had to develop its own translation methodology which incorporates a self-learning system that helps improve language over time, similar to a smart phone’s ability to use auto-correct for new words or frequently used words by its users. Character sets proved to be another challenge for this company until they were able to make all their content available in Unicode so that all character sets can be supported and displayed correctly.
Outlook on Indian Languages in the eCommerce SpaceIndian languages are not expected to become as important as English in the Indian eCommerce ecosystem in the near future. However, what is apparent is that there is a growing need for providing content in Indian languages as audiences gravitate steadily towards mobile devices and apps. Companies, like MakeMyTrip and Snapdeal, are wise in offering Indian language support for mobile app installs when the customer demands it.
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06From Algeria to Zimbabwe - eCommerce on the African Continent
I recently attended one of the premier global events in the eCommerce space, the Magento Imagine Conference. The conference hosted attendees from 40 countries, and with my initial impressions still fresh, I started researching eCommerce’s global footprint more closely.
I have researched this topic in the past as part of GPI’s global eCommerce blog series, but this time, I focused on one of the most under-represented and under-rated continents, Africa.
Ever heard of Jumia? If not, you are probably not alone. Yet, this emerging eCommerce leader, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, was started in a garage three years ago and today operates in nine African countries, attracting more than 700,000 weekly visitors. According to an article I recently read on Forbes.com, $500 million eCommerce platforms are emerging in the Middle East and Africa so I was eager to find out who the big players are, Jumia is one of them, and which African countries have the most flourishing eCommerce markets.
Internet Penetration in AfricaIt’s no secret that internet penetration is rapidly increasing across Africa. As a result, eCommerce is becoming a major contributing factor to Africa’s growing economy, even though it is still lagging far behind all other major regions, including the Middle East.
The graphic shows internet penetration across African countries.
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Mobile Internet and eCommerceMobile internet accessibility and eCommerce go hand in hand. Mobile internet traffic in Africa has steadily increased in the last few years and is projected to continue to rise as the graphic below illustrates:
Who are Africa’s eCommerce Leaders?Based on an evaluation by AIG, it was possible to identify the industry leaders of eCommerce and technology growth in the region centered on field surveys, independent studies and research. So let’s take a look at the op seven countries in Africa with the highest iGDP, an indicator of the impact the internet has on a country’s GDP.
Senegal
Senegal leads with an iGDP of 3.3%. This initially surprised me, but endeavors like Jjiguene Tech Hub, which assists and prepares women in Senegal to participate in IT driven businesses, are backed by many international investors, including Microsoft, and this has given Senegal a seal of approval.
Kenya
A close second is Kenya with an iGDP of 2.9%. Kenya’s previous president spearheaded a $14.5bn project in 2014 to build Africa’s Silicon Savannah. This project will help support and guide African tech businesses, similar to Silicon Valley in the United States.
Morocco
King Mohammed VI, the leader of this North African country, is seeking to strategically position his country as the financial center of Africa. Morocco’s strides toward this goal include Casablanca Finance City, Casablanca Technopark and a current iGDP of 2.3%.
Mozambique
Mozambique’s thriving real estate, hospitality and agricultural industries have helped position Mozambique as one of the top five African economies. With an iGDP of 1.6% and rapid growth in the IT sector, Mozambique’s economy looks quite rosy.
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Nigeria
Nigeria is considered Africa’s eCommerce hub with many popular eCommerce sites, particularly fashion-oriented ones. With an iGDP of 1.4%, Nigeria has set up multiple technology hubs and accelerators to help drive IT businesses.
South Africa
South Africa closely trails Nigeria with an iGDP of 1.4% and although it has several tech hubs and is one of the most economically developed African countries, it needs to drive growth by increasing its investment in the IT sector.
Ghana
Ghana rounds out the list of the top seven countries with an iGDP of 1.1%. The outlook for Ghana should be optimistic as a recent investment of $5.2bn for building an IT hub near its capital, Accra, seems to show its sincere commitment to that particular industry.
ConclusionAs Africa becomes the second fastest growing region, globally, other countries to watch out for include Cameroon, Egypt and Tanzania. Upon further observation, it is apparent that Africa is attracting more and more global investors spanning a multitude of industries and sectors while strengthening its potential and solidifying its increased impact on the global eCommerce landscape.
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07Iranian Culture and Tradition
Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran) is a country in southwest Asian, neighboring Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia on the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan on the east, and Turkey and Iraq on the west. Iran holds an important position in international energy security and world economy as a result of its large reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
This blog will give you a snapshot into Iranian culture and tradition.
CultureFarsi, the official language of Iran, is historically one of the most prominent languages of the Middle East and extended regions. Iranian culture is one of the oldest in the region, and it has influenced cultures like Italy, Macedonia, Greece, Russia, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. Islam is practiced by the majority of Iranians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives.
The Persian calendar is a solar calendar, however, some of the official religious Islamic and Shia holidays are based on a lunar calendar. Government official working days are from Saturday to Wednesday.
FamilyIn Iran, family matters are very important, as they take their responsibilities to their family very seriously. Women are to be protected and taken care of and it is inappropriate to ask questions about an Iranian’s wife or other female relatives. Their loyalty to the family comes before everything.
Typical wedding rituals occur in two stages. The first stage, Aghd, represents the legal aspect of marriage in Iran, where the bride and groom sign a marriage contract, usually in the bride’s home. The second phase, Jashn-e Aroosi, is the wedding reception, where feasts and celebrations are held.
Arts and LiteratureIran has a great art heritage visible in architecture, paintings, calligraphy and poetry. This heritage was translated to several languages and influenced many cultures. Contemporary literature was influenced by classical Persian poetry although it reflects the particularities of modern day Iran. Houshang Moradi-Kermani, is one of the most famous modern Iranian writers and is considered the most translated modern Iranian author.
Iranian films are celebrated and internationally acclaimed. The films have won 300 international awards in the past 10 years. The best known Persian directors are Abbas Kiarostami, Majid Majidi, and Asghar Farhadi.
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Iran has a long history of fine silk and wool rug weaving, that is why Persian rugs are internationally known as the most beautiful across the world. Iran produces more rugs and carpets than all other countries put together.
Etiquette and Customs in IranIf you are planning to conduct business with Iranian people, below are some important rules for etiquette and customs that should be observed.
• The most common greeting is “salaam alaykum” or more simply “salaam” which means “peace”.
• Introductions are generally restricted to members of the same sex since men and women socialize separately.
• When Iranians greet each other they take their time and converse about general things.
• Try to never be late, punctuality is appreciated.
• Show respect for elders by greeting them first.
• Iranians prefer to do business with those they know and respect, therefore they expect to spend time cultivating a personal relationship before business is conducted.
• Iranians are deliberate negotiators and can drive a hard bargain.
• Companies are hierarchical. Decisions are made at the top of the company, either by one person or a small council.
• Business attire is formal and conservative.
• When presenting business cards, it is recommended to have one side of your card translated into Farsi, and to present your card so the Farsi side faces the recipient.
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08Marriage Traditions of the World: Language of Love
I recently became engaged and I am fully immersed in planning a late summer wedding. I am breaking a few of the modern-day American wedding traditions by having a small, family-only ceremony at a winery and trading out the standard sit down dinner and dancing reception for a more intimate cocktail party reception, we are even having our dog walk down the aisle. I appreciate big, beautiful weddings, but for me and my fiancé, it was important to have a smaller wedding with our nearest and dearest. Thankfully, our families supported our non-traditional plans, but it got me thinking a lot about wedding traditions.
Globalization Partners International (GPI) has teams around the world, and one of my favorite things about working for GPI is having the opportunity to learn about my coworkers’ cultures. So, I thought it would be interesting to research the wedding traditions of a few of my coworkers’ countries: Argentina, Egypt, Greece, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. The wedding traditions of each of these countries are rich and unique, and too numerous to list in one blog. But, I would like to highlight some of the traditions I found most interesting.
ArgentinaWeddings in Argentina are often vibrant affairs, with emphasis placed on celebrating late into the night at the reception; with food, dancing and alcohol. A pre-wedding tradition I discovered through my research is the way the rings are presented. The wedding rings are exchanged at the engagement, rather than at the wedding. The rings are worn on the right hand until the ceremony, where they are then blessed and moved to the left hand. An interesting alternative to an engagement ring and exchanging wedding bands at the ceremony.
I am very close with my parents and have chosen to ask them both to escort me down the aisle. In fact, I am even having my dad officiate the ceremony. So, the role of the family in Argentine weddings is something I can relate to. In Argentina, the couple walks down the aisle together, escorted by the bride’s father and groom’s mother. Bridesmaids and groomsmen are not typically a part of the ceremony as family members play a larger role.
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EgyptEgyptian weddings are filled with vivid colors, modern and historical traditions, familial obligations and celebratory events that can span many days. But, one of my favorite customs still practiced by some brides-to-be in Egypt is laylat al-hinna, the henna party.
According to Aramco World, the night before the wedding, the bride is joined by her female family members and friends for the henna party. Powdered henna is mixed with water or tea to make a paste which is then applied to the hands and feet with toothpicks, syringes or stencils, creating stunning designs. The henna designs are believed to bring good luck to the bride’s new life.
GreeceMy knowledge of Greek wedding traditions comes solely from the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” While, in my opinion, this is a hilarious movie, I was certain it didn’t quite paint the whole picture of Greek weddings. So, I decided to look elsewhere for additional information.
An article by Worldly Weddings states that in Greek wedding customs, the number three plays a huge role in the ceremony. It is a symbol of the Holy Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is an important piece of the Greek Orthodox religion and is incorporated in the wedding ceremony. Many of the rituals are repeated three times, such as the exchanging of the rings and walking around the alter three times, which represents the couples’ everlasting journey.
JapanThe number three is also visible in Japanese wedding customs during the, san-san-kudo, or sharing of sake, which is still performed today. Worldly Weddings calls this “the heart of a Japanese wedding ceremony and takes the place of the
vows.” In this sharing of the sake, the groom, then the bride take three sips of sake from three different sake cups. Next, they share the sake with the family, first the groom’s father and mother and then the bride’s father and mother. This ceremony represents the new family bond and shows respect for the parents.
A beautiful and ornate tradition that can be seen in Japanese weddings is the construction of one thousand paper cranes. Japanese legend claims that cranes live long lives, and the addition of the paper cranes to the wedding represents longevity, fidelity and good fortune.
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PhilippinesThe Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country and because of this, Catholic rites dominate most Filipino weddings. The bride wears a veil made of sheer, white material taken from her gown. The veil is draped over the bride’s head and the groom’s shoulders. It covers them both to signify their union and their dedication to always protect each other.
A cord is placed over the veil on top of the bride and groom. The cord can be made of silk, coins, flowers or designed like a rosary. The cord is looped into a figure eight to symbolize the infinite loyalty to each other, as well as their promise to live their lives as one.
United StatesThe United States is a land of immigrants, and as such, there are myriad wedding traditions adopted from the cultures and religions that make up the people of the United States. Presently, people in the US consider everything from extravagant weddings with grand churches and swanky receptions to small private weddings in the mountains or on a beach to trips to city hall to get married by the Justice of the Peace common practices.
A majority of weddings in the United States will have similar rituals like engagement rings presented at the proposal and wedding bands exchanged at the ceremony, bachelor and bachelorette parties, a rehearsal dinner the week of the wedding for the wedding party, and some type of ceremony with a reception following to celebrate the happy couple. Some are traditional and some a very unique.
ConclusionThe world is made up of many people from many different countries with various cultures and religions. Weddings are a reflection of what the couple believes, where they live and what their heritage is. The language of love can be spoken many different ways and illustrated with different customs and rituals. Understanding and learning about traditions around the world, can help you better relate to someone from another country and give you an insight into why they do the things they do. This is especially important in this global world where you may find yourself a guest at a wedding of a couple with a vastly different culture than your own.
GPI specializes in understanding cultures and practices around the globe and can help advise anyone who may be interested in entering into a new marketplace. Perhaps you are a wedding company looking to go global? Or a tourist destination looking to expand your wedding offerings around the world? Let GPI help you explore the opportunity and see how your company may benefit from everything from translation services for documents, such as menus and marketing material, to SEO for your website.
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Hispennial is a term used to describe Hispanics who also belong to the millennial generation. This segment is highly sought after and rapidly growing. Hispennials make up approximately 20% of the millennial generation. The Hispanic market has large purchasing power, but the millennial generation is not well understood, so marketing to this target audience can be confusing.
In this blog I will cover what to focus on when marketing to Hispennials.
MillennialsMillennials are described as the generation born between 1980 and 2004. This is the generation I belong to, and people are trying to figure out what makes us tick. Millennials as a whole, are not well understood.
We grew up alongside technology and have been shaped by it. We communicate via our devices and are very active on social media. Social and environmental causes are important to many of us, and quality of life is a significant focus.
According to a Whitehouse.gov report, some important economic statistics about the millennial generation include:
• The largest, most diverse and educated generation in the U.S. population
• Have invested in human capital more than previous generations
• Are staying with their early career employers longer
• Will contend with the effects of starting their careers during a historic downturn for years to come
• More than 50% of millennials surveyed expressed interest in starting a business
Hispanic MarketThe Hispanic market is growing and is expected to make up over 50% of the U.S. population by 2020.
A recent article written by Yuriy Boykiv and Rob Douglas of Gravity Media, claims that mobile, not language, is the biggest hurdle to reaching Hispanic markets. According to the article, Hispanics use their mobile devices to stay connected to family and friends and are more likely to subscribe to video-sharing apps, mobile TV subscriptions, and pay for unlimited data plans. Hispanics are also early adopters of devices.
09Reaching the Hispennial Market
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Optimizing user experience and using social media to communicate are important strategies to employ when targeting the Hispanic market.
HispennialsTo successfully attract the Hispennial market, you must understand millennials and Hispanics. This is an extremely sought after segment, and you must focus on creating a well-executed digital strategy to gain their attention.
Hispennials are the most digitally engaged audience. Producing great, mobile-responsive English and Spanish content and being active on social networks is the best way to reach the large Hispennial market.
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As a Rugby fan and player, I was thrilled when my country, Japan, (world rank #12) defeated South Africa (world rank #3). Considering Japan has won only one game in the last seven Rugby World Cup (RWC) appearances, this is a big upset in World Cup history.
History of Rugby in JapanRugby was introduced to Japan by Professor Clerk at Keio University in 1899. The first game at Keio was held in 1901 against “Yokohama Foreigner” formed with British people who lived and worked in Japan. Since then, Japan’s long-standing goal has been to win against English and British teams, including New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is held every four years, similar to World Cups for other sports. The first RWC was in 1987 and was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The past seven RWC results are:
• New Zealand: won 2 championship
• South Africa: won 2 championship
• Australia: won 2 championship
• England: won 1 championship
Translating RugbyWhen translating or localizing Rugby documents, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the terms associated with the sport. A first step in translation projects is to develop a glossary of key terms.
Here is an example of the terms you might see in a Rugby glossary.
• Scrum: Eight forward players bind together and push against the opponent.
• Tackle: Opposition players grasp onto the ball carrier and succeed in pulling him/her to ground.
• Knock-on: Also called a knock-forward. A player loses possession of the ball which then goes forward off the hands or arms of a player and hits the ground or another player. It results in a scrum.
• Throw forward: Occurs when the ball is thrown forward. Unlike American football, in Rugby, you may not throw the ball forward.
10Rugby: A Glossary of the Game in Japan
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• Try: The primary method of scoring. Cross the goal line and touch the ball on the ground resulting in 5 points.
• Conversion: When a team scores a try, they have the opportunity to convert it for two more points by kicking the ball between the posts and above the crossbar.
• Line out: A maximum of seven and a minimum of two forwards line up parallel with each other where the ball went out of bound and throw the ball to the middle of the line.
Rugby around the WorldThere are over 100 countries around the world that play rugby. Rugby is the 9th most popular sport, worldwide, with around 400 million fans. The Rugby World Cup, held every four years, has teams from 20 countries that compete. Japan’s recent win was a major victory for the team and their fans.
Japan has participated in the last seven RWCs and won only one game. At the last RWC, New Zealand defeated Japan by more than 100 points. Since then, the Japanese team has worked hard to improve. As of today, Japan has two wins and one loss.
Japan has one game left against the United States. The game is for third place. The top two teams in the RWC will advance to the final tournament. But even if Japan finishes with three wins and one loss they will not advance to the final round. Even so, all of Japan is proud of their national team’s accomplishment and will be much-talked about for a long time.
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