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Most workers are familiar with the acronym OSHA insofar as they know it has to do with their workplace safety. As a result, it may seem strange to think about how interpreting could connect to any kind of occupational risk. But an interpreter is sometimes needed for a session in an environment where reasonable protections…

In our blog post 10 Translation & Localization Acronyms, we introduced the concept of OPI, or Over-the-Phone Interpreting services. Also known as Telephonic Interpreting, OPI is a service that provides a remote alternative to face-to-face interpreting. Essentially, when you require interpreting services, you simply call a number and you’ll be connected immediately with a native…

The translation industry can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with it, with a lot of industry-specific terminology. Global Arena is here to serve all your translation needs, but you can become savvy by familiarizing yourself with this translation lingo. Today we are going to introduce ten concepts that, in fact, all translators know… And,…

While all interpreters are expected to maintain professional confidentiality in their work, it is even more crucial in medical contexts. The conversations between a doctor and patient can be sensitive enough even without the presence of a third party. How do interpreters put their clients at ease and guarantee that what is being shared will…

After you’ve finished university – especially if you’ve attended graduate school – it can be tempting to think you’re done with learning. Further Education is for you You might acquire some new skills or take a workshop here and there, but no more homework or exams, right? In truth, learning is a lifelong pursuit, with…

What is Learning and Development? An overview of some new offerings Having skilled interpreters with linguistic expertise and providing workers with cultural education is only part of expanding your company and “going global”. Refining policies, practices, and structures is also an integral part of creating an international operation. In some industries, such as medical or…

As globalization brings speakers of different languages into closer contact; interpreters have become commonplace in a variety of contexts. Medical and legal professionals are especially used to working with linguists in hospitals and courtrooms where mutual understanding is crucial. When a linguist is not readily available in person, options such as telephonic interpreting can help…

What is culture? It seems like a straightforward question, but when talking about a person’s cultural background, the answer is actually quite complex. Culture in this context means a set of learned values, internalized practices, and shared beliefs among a group of people. We often think of it simultaneously as something internal and external, both…

One of the major existential hurdles for a growing company is the challenge to go global. Making this leap opens up all kinds of new possibilities, but with them come challenges you may not have foreseen. Participating in the global marketplace requires a level of understanding and engagement with other cultures, and speakers of other…

Interpreting of any kind can be a challenging profession, even for seasoned professionals with years of experience. In common interpretation settings, like courtrooms and hospitals, they can often get by with consecutive interpreting. This is when the interpreter waits for each other speaker to finish what they’re saying before translating for everyone else. But then…

Chances are, you’ve encountered at least a few examples of poorly-translated websites, signs, or product labels here and there. The localization industry is replete with stories about translation projects gone wrong; with results ranging from offensive to hilarious. You want to ensure that the translations for your globalizing project or company are as accurate and…

Moving to another country is one of the most gratifying, but also one of the most challenging, experiences there is. For a business considering employee relocation, it is important to think about a prospective mover’s well-being in their new home. Using global mobility services can help make a temporary or permanent assignment a rich and…

Communication is the most important factor in the provision of health care services. Describing symptoms, discussing results and giving informed consent are all essential. A large body of research shows that language barriers cause numerous issues in health care provision. Being unable to communicate clearly with medical professionals can result in misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment plans…

For Deaf students, having an interpreter can make all the difference in their academic careers. One adage (often attributed to Helen Keller) states; “Blindness cuts us off from things; deafness cuts us off from people“. While conventional interpreting deals with facilitating comprehension, educational interpreters for the Deaf also create social connection. Given the stigma these…

The Medical Interpreter’s Official Role… The best thing for any doctor is to ensure that patients understand their questions; so that the best treatment is applied. For helping patients with limited English ability, having medical interpreters on call is crucial, especially for rarer languages. But interpreting unfolds between active participants in a communicative moment, drawing…

Whether it’s smoothing out a regional accent such as the well-known Philadelphia twang, or speaking another language like a native, accent reduction training polishes speech patterns and enhances diction. Accents can vary greatly from one end of a country to another. In a country as large as the United States; the origins of the population…

Companies cannot afford to take the risk of cutting corners with confidentiality. Whether for a business contract, legal document or personal papers; they should always use professional language services to translate confidential documents securely. Trusting a friend or acquaintance with sensitive information, even if he or she speaks the language fluently, could have unwanted legal…

Machine translation is software that automatically translates languages on websites. Do not confuse it with online translation tools or applications for smartphones; they are tools designed for the rapid translation of words; and also short phrases. Machine Translation is designed for large volumes of text. It uses pre-programmed computer coding to switch automatically between languages.…

Translation or Interpreting? Clients of language service providers often make the mistake of thinking translation and interpreting services are more or less synonymous. Shouldn’t a certified translator be just as good at handling an interpreting task? But remember, translation is the careful transfer of a crafted document, its style and tone, from one language to…

Creating Connections with Expert Translators The benefits of certified translation for a business or organization may not seem apparent at first glance. Why go the extra mile when you just can search for cheap freelancers; or use one of the ever-increasing number of software and web translation tools? But the truth is that without a…

Business English training online provides a time-efficient and cost-effective way to develop the English-language skills that your company needs. It offers a flexible, from-anywhere solution that works for everyone from entry-level managers to C-suite executives. And it puts the emphasis where it’s needed: on English vocabulary and conversation skills that match the learner’s role, sector…

In marketing and advertising, concepts and messages matter. Communicating them in different languages and cultures is often more important than simply translating them as closely as possible. Although professional document translation will deliver clear, correct text in your target language, the result may lack the character, style or effectiveness of the original. The transcreation process…

Benefits of Language Training Effective communication is essential for doing business. That requires recognizing and respecting cultural differences and having the ability to adapt accordingly. Communicating in the language of your client takes effective networking to the next level. Executive language training (ELT) programs allow executives and managers to develop language skills quickly, conveniently and…

Video Remote Interpreting, or VRI, involves an accredited language interpreter being present via a video link instead of in person. It offers many of the benefits of an on-site interpreter but with increased convenience and potentially lower costs. Police stations and emergency rooms have used VRI services for years. It is also commonly used as…

Methods to enhance language skills Language training methods may be taught as general school subjects, through specialized training schools, or even through rich proprietary methods online. Many different methods are used to teach languages. Some have fallen into relative obscurity while others are widely used; yet even those that have a small following offer useful…

Early Intervention services provide support to families with young children who have developmental delays, disabilities, or specific health conditions. Limited English proficiency (LEP) families require the assistance of professional interpreters to understand the concerns expressed and discussed in Early Intervention appointments. Global Arena published a blog titled “The Role of the Interpreter in Early Intervention”…

In any relocation program, people come first Businesses commonly cite five main reasons for relocating operations to a new location. These are: labor and work force issues, the desire to reach new markets, the need to upgrade facilities or equipment, the aspiration to lower costs or increase cash flow, and the consideration of quality of…

How to choose your ideal translation partner? Discover 5 tips for the perfect choice The success of a company depends on many factors: innovation, leadership, financial management, a clear vision, quality in service, team work, team management, and efficiency, to name a few. Companies with global objectives strive to excel in both qualitative and, quantitative…

A freelance translator or a translation company. What’s the better option? The inner workings of a translation agency can seem quite opaque to an outsider. Do you know what goes on behind the walls of a translation agency? What about working with a translation freelancer? Translation Companies work like a talent agency, because they need…

Can A Non-Native Speaker achieve the Proficiency level Of A Native Speaker? Learning a new language is a tool for success that will benefit personal and professional life. Is it possible for a non-native speaker to learn a language and be a native speaker? Can a person be considered to have a native domain in…

The Intercultural Training People from different cultural backgrounds have made the United States their home; and, in addition our communities colorful diversity is reflected in the business world. This can enrich a company and enlighten its outlook; but employees need to be mindful of cultural differences with coworkers, in order to continue operating efficiently. Through…

Destination services to improve your international move Moving your family, your pets, all your belongings, and heading off to another country can be incredibly stressful. Multinational companies sometimes require key personnel to relocate abroad to manage operations in another country. The assignee is faced with the challenging task of preparing to move and setting up living…

Motivations to learn a new language There are two main ways to categorize peoples’ reasons for deciding to learn a new language; integrative motivators and instrumental motivators. Integrative motivators are a person’s desire to communicate in order to continue building a relationship. In our multi-lingual society, someone may choose to learn another language to better…

An interpreter’s primary role is to facilitate communications between speakers who use different languages. Interpreters working with Global Arena take on a variety of assignments including: legal proceedings school meetings and medical appointments. One of the specific types of medical appointments; with which interpreters are frequently found, is called Early Intervention. What is early intervention?…

Global Arena’s Language Training department utilizes the TBM, our proprietary Training Business Manager, to help us better service our clients. The Training Business Manager TBM plays an integral role in assuring our language training programs are on track; our Project Coordinators are up-to-date, and our clients have 24/7 access to their programs’ information and are…

What is HIPAA? HIPAA is The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA and PHI Understanding HIPAA is an integral part of working in any medical setting. While HIPAA regulates virtually every aspect of the healthcare experience as a whole in America (health insurance coverage, paid/guaranteed leave, FMLA, etc.); the most relevant part…

Relocating to a foreign country Relocating to a foreign country is an arduous task that requires a large amount of research, planning, and organization: from travel arrangements, finding somewhere to live shipping personal items and obtaining necessary legal documents. It is easy to get involved in the logistics of a major movement; and overlook the…

The value of professional translation services is not always easy to calculate. The return on investment is difficult to define, and should not be measured only on the basis of cost.. Translation services are often considered merchandise and it is easy to think that all translations are done in the same way; and to wonder…

Intercultural training programs Global Arena provides highly-specialized intercultural training programs to an international airport in Pennsylvania. The objective of this training is to create a set of intercultural tools that allow our client to promote a business environment in which each employee, regardless of their cultural origin, feels valued. The program has been offered to…

At Global Arena, we strive in helping our customers to improve their internal communications and interactions across cultures and time zones. In our third installment of Connecting Cultures; we discuss the challenges and actions of an American company at the start of its international expansion. An American Company with a Multinational Presence When the American…

Global Arena provides personalized intercultural training programs with the goal of alleviating our clients’ cultural issues. Our trainings are also customized; according to the needs of our customers. Below is another example in our Connecting Cultures series. Global Arena has designed and delivered several intercultural training programs for the U.S. based employees of a company…

Global Arena designs, customizes, and delivers a vast portfolio of intercultural training programs that aim to tackle and overcome our client’s cultural challenges. Each training is tailored to each customer’s requirements, specifications, and goals. For our Connecting Cultures 4-part series, we will be sharing cases where Global Arena has designed, developed, and delivered an Intercultural Training…

Why do healthcare facilities need to use interpreting services? Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 mandates that interpreter services be provided for patients with limited English proficiency who need this service, despite the lack of reimbursement in most states. The Department of Health and Human Services through the National Standards for Culturally…

Interested in obtaining a national medical interpreter certification? Global Arena has compiled all the essential information needed for interpreters looking to obtain a national medical interpreter certification. Use our Path to Medical Interpreter Certification to determine which one is right for you. If you need additional assistance, or you have questions about the certifications, we are…

There is a lack of qualified medical interpreters in the United States. The groups most affected by the lack of interpreters are: immigrants, refugees, and migrant workers. Non – English or Limited-English speakers are often deterred from seeking medical treatment out of fear of not being able to communicate with their healthcare provider. Those brave enough…

International Translator Day occurs annually on September 30th. Translators provide a vital service in the conversion of written text between the original language and the target language. It is an industry that is expanding at a rapid pace; Let’s explore the main reasons to become a professional translator. Growing Industry An important reason to consider…

Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training Program The Bridging the Gap Medical Interpreter Training Program is a 40 hr training course; established by the Cross Cultural Healthcare Program that covers: interpreter roles & ethics, interpreting skills, medical terminology, the impact of culture, and an overview of the U.S. healthcare system. Two sessions were held at…

The National Day of Catalonia The National Day of Catalonia or La Diada Nacional de Catalunya; is celebrated annually on September 11th. It is a day-long festival which ignites a sense of Catalonian national pride by celebrating the rich history behind the date. History of Catalonia The National Day of Catalonia honors September 11, 1714 when…

Global Arena handles language training programs all over the world. Our services are strengthened by our ability to accommodate the diverse and ever-changing language training needs of our clients. We’d like to share a few examples of programs that we are currently providing; giving you a taste of our international presence, and the varied solutions…

Global Arena has reached position #34 on the on Top 40 list. This is Global Arena’s 3rd consecutive year on the list and each year we move into a higher position. We are elated to be a leading language service provider (LSP) in the North America by the Common Sense Advisory. The Common Sense Advisory (CSA)…

Operating as an interpreter in the medical field comes with a distinct set of obstacles. Medical interpreting requires a higher degree of accuracy; because a minor miscommunication could result in severe consequences that affect the health and safety of the patient. Medical interpreters facilitate a connection between patients and healthcare providers that  beyond reproducing a…

In May we celebrated three important holidays that we often overlooked. National Interpreter Appreciation Day, National Teacher Appreciation Day, and World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development all fall within May. It is important to understand what were the beginnings of these celebrations. The National Teacher Appreciation Day The National Teacher Appreciation Day…

Repatriation Training 12 to 20 percent of employees leave their job within 1 to 2 years of returning home from an international assignment. Considering the amount of money invested on these assignments this represents a huge loss for any company. A well thought out and professionally conducted Repatriation Training helps not only the expatriate employee, but also…

Using our dedicated website translation software, we can provide a word count in minutes, content analysis in a couple of hours and a translation in a few days. This multi-faceted tool allows us to deliver top quality, human translations, and numerous advantages over the old manual process: In-layout translation: translations are done in the context…

Global Arena donation Global Arena is making a donation of $200 to Doctors Without Borders; thanks to your generosity and that of many others. If you took the time to click the link in our Holiday Card, thank you! If not, rest assured that you will have another opportunity! It probably took you about 30 seconds…

We appreciate you taking your time to help Global Arena donate to Doctors Without Borders. We’ll donate $1 on your behalf and we’ll announce the total donation amount early next year. Happy Holidays! The Global Arena Team Background Information on Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders helps people worldwide by delivering emergency medical aid to…

September 30 was International Translation Day and this year’s theme was The Changing Face of Translation & Interpreting. Where once companies struggled to find the right translator from a narrow, local pool, the digital revolution has left almost too much choice; how can a buyer know which agencies are reputable, whether their translators have the necessary…

The document translation industry From enormous dictionaries to online glossaries, from handwriting in notebooks to speech recognition, the document translation industry has changed dramatically and while it’s true that translators of 30 years ago would hardly recognize the industry today, some things remain the same. Global Arena is committed to communication; both with our clients,…