24/09/2008 by stefi.

Hello!

I would like to present you the Language Portal Babelyou,
awarded by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology
in the last International Funkausstellung (International Radio Exhibition)
in Berlin.
Language students from the Herder-Institut and the Studienkolleg of Leipzig’s
university are already working in Babelyou.
The Babelyou project, where people from different cultures meet, unites more
than 70 countries and 40 languages. Babelyou is planning to connect the whole
world today in order to create an international network without borders.
With a unique platform Babelyou offers the possibility to establish
international links, this means, getting in touch with people from all over
the world and keeping in contact with them.
Among the typical options of a 2.0 web Babelyou offers the chance to make your
own profile, post photos and videos and create discussion and common interest
groups.
Those who want to learn new languages will have the possibility to find, all
over the globe, a proper language partner through especial searching criteria. I
n our language portal they can learn a language efficiently and without obstacles.
In addition, they can use our translation tool which will allow them to
translate a world into different languages during their learning sessions.
At Babelyou you can get in contact with any country through its own chat room
and you can communicate yourself in different languages and countries immediately.
Babelyou was elaborated by Andreas König in February 2007 and it was launched
online in May 2008. The idea was to unite and connect people from all the
countries and cultures in the new social network Babelyou, regardless of the
language they may speak or the country they may come from.
The registration and the use of Babelyou are totally free of charge.

Contact:
Babelyou
Andreas König
Hainstraße 9
04109 Leipzig
Germany
Tel.: +49 341 9625256
E-Mail: kontakt@babelyou.de
Internet: http://www.babelyou.de
Internet: http://www.babelyou.com

Posted in Languages for Holidays, Corsi di lingua, Holidays, Language Courses, Experience | No Comments »

15/09/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!
If you follow my blog, you know that I am fascinated about Poland and Polish culture and I am learning Polish.
Today, I would like to introduce to you www.anglisci.pl

www.anglisci.pl is a new portal that has been created in order to help both student of English and English teachers in Poland. Editors and contributors are developing all the time writing about new, interesting topics, connected with English language learning and teaching.
As the European Day of Languages is approaching, editor-in-chief Gabriela Oberda asked me to share my ideas and experience with Polish teachers. I was honoured to contribute with our experience, and an article was written especially for the portal and its important initiative. You can view the article at http://www.anglisci.pl/europejski-dzien-jezykow-obcych/the-european-day-of-languages.-a-great-opportunity-to-raise-language-and-cultural-diversity-awarene.html.

There are some important features, which makes this portal special and different from others Polish portals concerning English language:
- it was created for students to find all necessary materials
- it was created for teachers to show them new methods and ideas
- it is to show how English language is taught in other countries, that teachers have the same problems
- to make all people aware that languages are important

Have a look, and post your views!

Czesc

Stefania

Posted in Languages for Holidays, Evoluzione di WLS, Corsi di lingua, Experience, Uncategorised | 4 Comments »

12/09/2008 by stefi.

Set aside Friday, 21 November 2008 and spend it with like-minded women at beautiful Escot House iin Devon for a day of pampering, pleasure, learning and fun.

 Learn more about ways of taking care of your health, your appearance and your stress levels by talking to experts, booking into two therapy sessions and participating in one of three mini-workshops. A vibrant and funky salsa exercise class with Latin DX is also on offer as well as a little bit of retail therapy!

Therapies include Chinese foot massage, facial rejuvenation, back massage, reflexology and Indian head massage. Experts in nutrition, hypnotherapy, and colour and image will be here to answer your questions and run the workshops.

Give yourself time out to enjoy our Women’s Health & Wellbeing day. Our therapists, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors are women running businesses for other women so give them some support and yourself some pleasure!

With registration between 9.30-10.00 a.m. we aim to keep you intrigued, interested, absorbed, fed, watered and stress free until 4.00 p.m.

For further information, please visit http://www.localwomen4women.co.uk/

Posted in Vacanze, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

18/08/2008 by stefi.

Ciao!

Since the launch of WLS, I have grown in confidence and the company has grown in resources and services. With client satisfation, it comes the wish to offer them more and better services.

WLS now offers translations in the following language combinations:
English into French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian.
French, German, Italian into English
French, German into Italian

We asked our clients: which languages do you need?

We selected highly qualified and experienced translators to meet their requirements. We are a network of professionals, all qualified and accredited, we all think that “four eyes are better than 2″. We will be pleased to meet the clients’ requirements.

Our website will be translated in French, German, Hungarian, Russian, Polish soon!

Watch this space!

Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Traduzioni, Experience, Translations | 2 Comments »

18/08/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!

This week, I received a message from the Entrepreneur Forum asking me to write my story for the campaign If We Can You Can.
www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk is a website which inspires.

“If you’re already running a business, ‘If we can, you can’ will connect you with people who could help move you to the next level.

If you’re developing a business idea or are about to turn an idea into reality, you’ll find inspiration from others who’ve been there already along with practical guidance.

It’s all about sharing experiences and learning from those around you in a growing online community of like-minded North East entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs who support each other with insight and practical help.”

If we can, you can is all about learning from and inspiring others, and I hope my journey and experiences would help guide other aspiring entrepreneurs, just as others have done for me.

Have a look at my story in www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk, and if I can help you with anything, I will be pleased to hear from you.

Stefania De Angelis-Williams

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience, Uncategorised | No Comments »

06/07/2008 by stefi.

The European Day of Languages (EDL) is celebrated every year on the 26th September. We support this inititative since 2004, and we have submitted an event-competition this year on the official website http://www.ecml.at/edl/default.asp.
We report here the details of the event:

DETAILS OF COMPETITION:
We invite all creative language learners to design a poster and a slogan to celebrate the European Day of Languages 2008.
The picture should attract people to learn a new language.
The slogan on the picture should be a pun, a game on words. The slogan combined with the picture should have a catching effect on the audience. All languages are accepted (English translation and explanations required if the entry is in another language).
The entries will be judged by a panel of linguists and the winning poster will appear on our newsletter and used to launch our online language school in Spring 2009.

The winner will receive a free copy of our guide to intercultural dialogue “How to Speak Culturese” (available for sale from our bookstore www.translate-it.org/english/promo.html).

Note: originals will not be returned. Paper and electronic copies are accepted. Name and details of the winner will be disclosed in the newsletter and in any marketing material, unless otherwise requested. Participants should agree to transfer all rights to Williams Language Solutions for any marketing/advertising purposes.

Please send all material to Williams Language Solutions (Ref.: EDL 2008) and send it to the following address:
By Post:
Williams Language Solutions (Ref.: EDL 2008)
22a Woolsington Gardens
Woolsington
Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 8AR
United Kingdom

By email at info@translate-it.org (Ref.: EDL 2008)

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

23/06/2008 by stefi.

Hello,
I would like to present an article by Morena Nannetti on Proofreading a translation. Morena Nannetti is a freelance translator (www.traduzionitaliano.eu), and her articles on translation issues are always very inspiring for all translators. This article will appear in full on our next newsletter, on the e-zine for translators Translation Academy(you can subscribe to our newsletter from our site at http://www.translate-it.org/english/arch_newsletter.html).
Morena says
“Proofreading traditionally means reading printer proofs marking any errors. Editing is the task of preparing written material for publication, as by correcting, revising, or adapting it. Revising means to reexamine and make alterations to a written text. How do the above definitions materialise into the real job of proofreading a translation? To my experience, when a linguist is asked to proofread or edit a translated text, the requested task is usually to compare source and target texts and check for any kind of errors: inaccuracies in comprehension, meaning, grammar and punctuation, terminology, style, and any disagreement with the project’s instructions. I’ll refer in this article to this procedure with the term of proofreading, which according to the above definition includes also the process of editing and revising a text.
Almost all translation agencies apply the ‘four eyes’ principle, one linguist to perform the translation, one to perform the revision. Does the ‘four eyes’ principle always ensure top quality? How can a translator deal with the request of applying this principle? What should the proofreader bear in mind when checking a text translated by another language professional?”

I would like to hear your views on these questions. It will be great to start a discussion on this important topic for translators.
To find out Morena’s views and advice on the matter, read our newsletter to be issued at the beginning of July.

Happy proofreading!

Stefania

Posted in Vacanze, Language Courses, Experience, Translations | No Comments »

12/06/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti

I was asked to write some top tips for international communications for the nebusiness in Newcastle. The article appears at the following link
http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2008/06/12/top-tips-for-international-companies-51140-21062689/
Let me have your feedback, I am here to hear your comments!
Stefania

Here is the text

My top tips for international communications

By Stefania De Angelis Williams
Managing Director, Williams Language Solutions Ltd
www.translate-it.org

Think internationally from the start
If you reach out to the world with your export strategy and via your website, your hope is that the rest of the world will then respond in some way: get prepared for it, and plan ahead a comprehensive language marketing strategy if your company has its eye on markets abroad.

Plan a language marketing strategy
The strategy should determine, for example, what Company literature should be translated (press releases, promotional material, user manuals, catalogues, etc.), which parts of the website need to be localized, and in which languages, what intercultural communications needs should be addressed (business etiquette training, language courses, etc.), if oral transfer of information (interpreting) is needed, etc. Companies which find the answers to these questions and are respondent to this challenge are more likely to benefit from opportunities in international markets.

Resist the temptation to DIY
Translation errors could make you laugh (from “deep fired salmon” in a Polish restaurant, to “leave your values at reception” on a French hotel sign), but these mistakes could costs the marketers sales and confidence. A professional translator should always be consulted before deciding for a brand name of a logo to be marketed abroad. Gerber – the name of a baby food maker – is a word for vomiting in French. A bit limiting when going global. Phonetics issues should also be considered carefully. Invest in translation talent.

Which English is the language of international business?
Offshore English is the universal language spoken largely by non-native speakers off the shores of Britain (or indeed the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and other countries where English is the mother tongue). Other languages influence it (”mother tongue interference”), nevertheless, offshore English is the language of international business. If your foreign contacts speak English, use simple sentences and plain terminology to make them feeling comfortable. Remember that it’s not their mother tongue, and they are making an effort for you. Also, if something they say “does not sound right”, ask for a clarification immediately, to avoid misunderstanding. This could be caused by a mother tongue interference. For example, “I have a hunger” simply means “I am hungry”..

Learn the basic cultural differences
Invest some time learning a few words in the language of your interlocutors. Greeting your host in his/her own language will be a great ice-breaking start. Don’t worry about getting the perfect accent, just show that you made an effort and you are cultural aware. Knowing the main differences in introductions are vital to attune with your interlocutor, and simple faux pas can sink you. Calling your Italian contact with his/her first name, for example, could offend him/her unintentionally.
Learning about business etiquette, rather than reading information from a tourist point of view, will prepare you to deal effectively with cultural differences. In our guide of doing business abroad, we explain best ways to make contact, host a meeting, enjoy a meal or visit offices abroad. The knowledge of cultural differences is also important when meeting foreign guests at home and when training individuals from different nationalities.

Explode stereotypes
Stereotypes are images or ideas we all have of a country and a culture, for example, the sausage stalls in Germany, the baguettes in France, the chess in Russia. While a “typical image” of a country is easy to remember, nevertheless you have to approach stereotypes with some scepticism, otherwise you risk to keep an idea of a country which could be misleading. In our guides, we present stereotype to use effectively, and which ones to avoid.

We live in an increasingly heterogeneous society
International communications ability is also important for companies during interviews and recruitment process involving individuals from different cultural backgrounds, and for any business employing workforce from foreign countries. According to the “International Migration Report 2002” of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the number of migrants has doubled since the 1970s. The report also says that around 175 million persons are residing away from the country of their birth and one in every 10 persons in the developed regions is a migrant. Also, more migrants are coming from countries ever farther away. While the reasons for migration vary (economic, political, personal choice), one thing is sure: we live in an increasingly heterogeneous society.

And remember: if you don’t get culturally prepared, it’s most likely your competitors will: get ahead of the competition by learning how to speak Culturese!

References:
1) Dos and Don’ts when doing business abroad (how to speak Culturese), available from Williams Language Solutions Ltd, www.translate-it.org (£7.99 + P&P)
2) Client Side News Magazine, March issue (www.clientsidenews.com)
3) Basic International Communications for Business, Invest Northern Ireland www.investni.com

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience | No Comments »

31/05/2008 by stefi.

Hello!

I am a loyal fan of The Apprentice. I missed last week episode (the day was changed due to the football match) and I cannot wait for the replay tonight.
The best episode so far - for me - was the buying task in Morocco. As a translator, I was interested to see how the candidates managed the language and culture barriers. A bit of “offshore English” helped the language communication, but in terms of culture….
“How can five candidates, who are meant to be relatively smart, and whose number includes one half-Jewish boy as well as a 36 year-old know-it-all, not know the meaning of the word KOSHER?”
Learning a bit of culture of the place you go - especially on business - is vital to avoid embarrassment. This is why we designed the dos and don’ts guide How to speak Culturese. This is a unique quick reference guide on business culture in 10 countries (France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Tunisia and the USA). “A great tool for the traveller. Gives a rapid inside view on people you are about to meet.” At only £7.99, the guide could help you winning the international task on the next edition of the Apprentice, or solving the challenges of your next meetings abroad.

Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Languages for Holidays, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience | No Comments »

16/05/2008 by stefi.

Ciao a tutti!

Last night I attended the North East Digital Awards ceremony at Hyena Cafe in Newcastle (btw, nice place). If you follow the blog, you may know that Williams Language Solutions was shortlisted in the Best Online Learning category. Events like these are fantastic opportunities to meet great people, and I am very lucky indeed to sit at a great table, always. Must be instinct.
At the door, I met James and Jane from n-e-life. I was looking forward to meet James, he kept us updated on the awards with inspiring newsletter, with great tips on marketing (I learnt so much via the NE Digital awards! But I will tell about this another day, now I have more important news!!!!). James is very kind and I was pleased to meet him. At the bar, here is Pascal Fintoni, the head of the e-business. If you need to know something about e-marketing, e-whatever in the North East England, Pascal is certainly “the man”.
Then I found a place; “Good evening, my name is Stefania Williams”. The guy opposite me asked me if I was there for an award “Yes, I said” and pointed out my name on the brochure. It turned out that he was competing in the same category…he left and went on another table…nothing personal, I hope. Too much perfume, maybe???
Anyway, let’s do some networking….the girl on my right is an English teacher and copywriter. We exchanged contacts and spoke most of the evening. I am sure we can work together soon, I was just looking for a good English editore for an article I am writing for a US global magazine, CSN.
On my left, a fantastic lady: a speech therapist. I am fascinated about this job, of course, I love languages and words. I asked her so many questions about her job, we got on very well, I hope to see her again (her husband was on for an award as well, and won!! Congratulations, Robert!).
And then, I heard “And the Best Online Learning category, the winner is WIlliams Language SOlutions!” I heard it, I saw it, but could not put 2 and 2 together. Mrs Lavender said “Hey, it’s you” Was it me? Really? Went on the stage, it was a great moment. After all these efforts, all the hard work! The recognition.
Thank you everyone who voted for us, thanks to the organisation. I will make you proud.
What now???
Well, we will keep going. We will continue our online services, we will make more of the Translation Academy, we have plans for an online course for translation. We will also invest in our Translations resources with some special offers on Marketing translations - a full package on languages for marketing strategies.
Now I am tired….
I want to tell you why I think entering awards - and especially the Digital awards - is a good, positive thing.
More later.. (have you seen the logo 07 winner on the homepage of the website www.translate-it.org?) I keep on looking at it, it’s soooo nice.
Any ideas for the future of online learning, shout! Any ideas on geo-translations? (translations for marketing?) We are here to hear…

Ciao e THANK YOU!!!!!!

Stefania

Posted in North East News and Events, Evoluzione di WLS, Experience, Uncategorised | 3 Comments »