Employee handbooks. Non-disclosure agreements. Employee contracts. Internal memos. Benefits packages. Internal training. As this short list helps illustrates, the means by which a company communicates with its employees are many and varied, and ensuring the accuracy of each communication is tough enough when there’s only one language in play.
In an increasingly global marketplace, as corporations establish offices and call centers in far-flung parts of the world, the employees who staff these locations will likely speak English, but chances are it will be as their second or third language. That’s when accurate and excellent translation services become as critical for employer-to-employee communications as they are for business-to-consumer communications. Transcending the differences of geography and culture becomes all-important. This allows employers to effectively communicate to employees exactly what’s expected of them — how they’ll be compensated and how they’ll be expected to contribute to their employer’s continued growth and success.
Employers need to bridge the language and cultural divide with employees well versed in intercultural communication. And they need to hire language translation services capable of providing professional translators who are ready to translate materials in a way that reflects their understanding of and respect for cultural and social mores. It’s not an easy job, especially when you consider that a workforce demographic can vary greatly even within a location. Men vs. women, older employees vs. younger, old-time employees vs. newcomers. Each of these can present a point of conflict if the proper language is not used.
Professional language translators help companies avoid the pitfalls in a number of ways. First, it’s absolutely essential that translators understand the nuances of the region for which they’re translating. Second, translations should be free of slang and unnecessary jargon, and sentences should be simple to understand. And third, while most Americans are not put off, and have actually come to expect, in-your-face communications, there are cultures where parties must first establish mutual respect and trust. This is especially true where honor is highly valued.
Striking the right tone with employee communications goes a tremendously long way toward creating a workforce that feels valued and appreciated, and in return, works hard to help your company reach its international goals. At Metafraze, we pride ourselves on providing our clients with exceptional translation services. We have packages to fit every need and budget, from small projects at start-ups to complicated endeavors at growing multinational companies. Call us today to learn more about how our services will help your company grow across borders.