31/03/2008 by stefi.

We would like to hear in our blog views and experience on language and culture when travelling abroad. “I wished I knew….”, for example, that in England windows open towards the outside, and not towards the inside, like in Italy: I would have avoided a bump on my head running outside my friends’ house. “I wished I knew…”, not only culture differencies, but also language phrases, false friends. “I wish I knew” that “phon” (the German word for hardryer in Italy) is not an English word, as I thought…..I could not dry my hair calling a telephone helpline….So many embarassing situations could be avoided by knowing a bit more about foreign languages and other cultures. I cannot wait to hear from you!

The project is featured on the UNESCO International Year of Languages website http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36630&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

The best stories will be awarded with a copy of our publication “how to speak culturese”, a guide to intercultural dialogue (dos and don’ts when travelling abroad). Prepared by expert consultants and translators, it aims to raise awareness on culture diversities and to show the importance of the knowledge of languages and culture in interpersonal contacts. To do or not to do? Si fa o non si fa? Macht man das oder macht man das nicht? There are no better or worse cultures, just different cultures.

Posted in Evoluzione di WLS, Languages for Holidays, North East News and Events, Vacanze, Language Courses, Translations, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

19/03/2008 by stefi.

Hello,

I would like to introduce Jill Ingram of Elite translations. I met Jill last week, and I was very impressed by her enthusiasm. Jill is passionate about languages and communication, as I am. Jill is a working mum, as I am. She is a young entrepreneur, as I was (well, I am still an entrepreneur, I suppose, but not so young, I am afraid…) I particularly like her saying “the culture of the countries is something, I believe, cannot be learnt from a text book alone.” I totally agree with Jill.

I wish Jill all the best for her future!

Stefania

Jill Ingram – Elite Translations

From a very early age I can always remember having a profound interest in modern languages and cultures. I studied French and Spanish at A-level and quickly decided these were the subjects I wanted to pursue at degree level. I studied at Northumbria University and took an applied language course in French and Spanish with modules in International Trade and Italian. In my second year at university I was offered the opportunity to take a Dual Qualification which entailed spending a year at Dijon and studying at Bourgogne University for a Licence in Spanish and English. Following the final exams I was awarded the Licence and then in the following year I received my BA in French and Spanish. My time at university was invaluable not only in terms of language but also in gaining a true insight into the culture of the countries, which is something, I believe, cannot be learnt from a text book alone.

After graduation I worked as an export co-ordinator. I particularly enjoyed this field of work as it gave me the opportunity to actively use my languages on a daily basis in an area which I found very interesting. Following maternity leave I left my job to allow me to look after my son. However, I missed working especially doing something I am so passionate about like my languages although I knew I didn’t want to go back to working full time so soon after having my baby, thus the idea of Elite Translations was born. It allows me to do the work I enjoy in a more flexible environment. I have decided to specialise in the subject area of travel and tourism as it is a topic area I find particularly interesting and I am especially enthusiastic about, also my background in export works together quite well in terms of knowledge and vocabulary.

Becoming self employed is not an easy decision to make as work can be sporadic and uncertain. However, I felt confident in my abilities and decided it was undoubtedly worth a try, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say!

Posted in North East News and Events, Experience, Translations | No Comments »

18/03/2008 by stefi.

Ciao,

this year is the European Year of Intercultural dialogue. As a foreigner living in the UK, I am always been very interested in this topic. The knowledge of cultural differencies is the key for a better, understanding world. There are no better of worse cultures, but only different cultures.

Have you ever lived an embarrassing situation because of cultural differencies? I did! Nobody told me that “phon”, as we call the hairdryer in Italy, is not a hairdryer in England (I thought it was an English word!!!!!). So, when I visited friends and asked for a “phon”, they passed me a mobile……This is just a simple example. Also, in Italy we only have one tap, not two, and we do not call people by first names, unless there are friends and children….

And you, what did you find different when travelling abroad? Share your experience with us!

Ciao

Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Experience, Uncategorised | 1 Comment »

15/03/2008 by stefi.

“False friends” are words (from two or more different languages) that look or sound similar or the same, but have different meanings. To avoid misunderstanding of embarrassment in language learning, we call for contributors on our blog to find at least 250 false friends! We would like to create an online Interlingual dictionary of false friends for the benefit of all language learners, translators, interpreters, tutors. We aim to reach our target by the 26th September 2008, European Day of Languages. Drop your “false friends” here!
We have posted our project on the European Year of Intercultural dialogue website, www.interculturaldialogue2008.eu
Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Traduzioni, Language Courses | 1 Comment »

03/03/2008 by stefi.

Ciao,

I came across this excellent quotation. I will make it my motto.
Come on, students of Italian language: would you like to try and translate it into English? I will send an Italian flag to the first who submits the correct translation (offer valid in the UK).
Enjoy it!

“Buon ufficio di un Maestro è quello di indicare la via e percorrerla solo per breve tratto con gli Allievi.
Gli Allievi, non senza difficoltà ed impegno, dovranno scoprire da soli ciò che il Maestro non ha loro rivelato, ma ha fatto solo intuire.
Percorrere questa via, trasforma il vero Allievo in vero Maestro, che così conosce e non solo impara”.
(Alexander von Humboldt; 1769-1859)

Stefania

Posted in Corsi di lingua, Traduzioni, Language Courses, Experience, Translations | No Comments »

01/03/2008 by stefi.

Williams Language Solutions has joined the race to be named the region’s top digital talent – at the very first North East Digital Awards.
The Company - managed by WIN member Stefania De Angelis Williams - has been nominated in the Digital Users category in the awards to celebrate the achievements of businesses and organisations that have recognised, developed and used digital techniques to generate and maintain an effective online presence.
Williams Language Solutions’s entry is for Online Language Courses.
“To translate means to transport, to transfer information from one language to another, to make it available to a greater number of people.
It is like building a bridge between two cultures. This is the role of Williams Language Solutions” Stefania De Angelis Williams

Pascal Fintoni, head of e-business at The North East Regional Portal, the e-business champion behind the awards, said: “We are delighted by the response and the number of entries so far; the region clearly has some very innovative businesses with strong digital elements. The nature of the awards programme and interactive website means that there are countless benefits to be gained from entry and we are confident that the awards will come to truly represent the diversity of e-business development in the region.”

With categories ranging from ‘Best Use of Blogging’ to ‘Best Online Security Solution’ and ‘Best Example of Game Development’, the entire entry and voting process is taking place online - with every entry featuring extensively on the North East Digital Awards website www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk

The awards are divided into three categories:
 Digital Users – for businesses using digital technology - for blogging or podcasting, for e-commerce on their websites or to offer online music or video
 Digital Suppliers – for those businesses providing digital solutions or designing digital campaigns or websites for clients
 Digital Innovators – those businesses creating and developing new digital technology and new uses for it – from security solutions to gaming and innovative use of search engines

After submitting an entry, businesses are responsible for getting votes for their entry online. Those with the most votes will be shortlisted for review by a handpicked panel of judges.
More details of Williams Language Solutions’s entry can be read at http://www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk/view/109/.
The awards are supported by regional development agency One NorthEast. Emmanuelle Martinot, the Agency’s eBusiness Technical Adviser said: “The benefits of digital business development are huge, and businesses in this region can boast some fantastic achievements in the sector.

“These awards are an opportunity to highlight and celebrate those achievements.”

To find out more or to register your business for the awards, visit www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk

The closing date for entry is 28 March 2008.

For more information on Williams Language Solutions contact Stefania De Angelis Williams (stefi@translate-it.org) or visit www.translate-it.org
For more information on the North East Digital Awards, contact Jennifer Robson, Online PR and Communications Manager on 0191 4872002/07905406631 or by emailing jennifer.robson@n-e-life.co.uk

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS | 1 Comment »