Mobile Phone Translator

The Japanese corporation NEC has created a mobile phone that can turn spoken Japanese words into written English words in a matter of seconds. It recognizes about 50,000 Japanese words and has been designed with travelers in mind.

Read more about it here.

NEC's vision is to "realise a society in which anybody can communicate with anyone else, anywhere, anytime".

Global Brand Names - Is Yours Lost in Translation?

by Lauren Nemec

Are you preparing to introduce a new product in a foreign market? Read this first.

Naseem Javed, an expert on Corporate Image and Global Branding, has written an informative and useful article on the subject of global brand names, called "Lost in Global Translation?". In it, he explains the challenges of naming a brand for the global market, focusing on Middle Eastern products branded in Arabic. Here are some interesting points from the article, if you don't have time to read through it.

Who are the leaders in global branding?

According to Javed, Japan laid the groundwork for the systematic naming of global brands. He says, "Decades ahead, Japan was on the forefront of creating global brands, like Toyota, Minolta, Sony, Pentax, Sharp, Panasonic, Canon and hundreds of other five star standard names, as names originating from Japanese language would have never allowed such global acceptance."

What are the components of a good global brand name?

Ideally, the best global brand names are those that adhere to international rules of translation, appeal to the masses, lack negative cultural connotations, and are easy to pronounce, spell and recall. This seems straightforward enough, but is easier said than done, as many global companies could tell you from experience.

Javed's Recommendations

According to Javed, "The best thing [companies can] do is conduct a highly professional third-party nomenclature audit. Check connotations and language issues to find out where the name could be rejected or taken as too confusing and forgettable."

Translatus Brand Name Analysis Services

This subject gives me ample opportunity to introduce a service offered by Translatus.

We understand that a brand is a valuable asset- one which should be evaluated before entering new foreign markets. Therefore, Translatus has designed a "Brand Name Analysis" service, which provide our clients with linguistic and cultural analysis of their brand names, slogans and logos.

Translatus will deliver a detailed, written analysis for each brand name in each target market. The analysis addresses the following issues:

• Prior use of the brand name in the target market
• Similarity of the brand name to other companies, products or services.
• Direct translation or similarity of brand name to existing words in target language.
• Negative cultural connotations or possible offensiveness.
• Unclear use of colloquial language, slang, or idioms in the brand name or slogan.
• Ease of pronunciation and recollection.
  

This global and market-specific analysis of your brands ensures accurate representation of your brand image and company message in your foreign markets. For more information, please visit our website or contact me at lnemec@translatus.com or +420 222 517 153.

Photo courtesy: The Trademark Blog

Localization of Video Games

From the "Daily Yomiuri Online", this is the first of two articles explaining the process of video game localization.

Playing games with the world: It takes more than just translation

Andrew Sharp / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

The global video games industry is not bigger than Hollywood. But it's not far behind. More money will be spent on video games than on music this year, and the gaming market is projected to be worth 48.9 billion dollars by 2011, according to consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Many games are written by Japanese game producers, then translated and adapted for the large gaming markets of North America, Britain and the FIGS countries (France, Italy, Germany and Spain), in a process known as localization, a process that has to please the notoriously persnickety creature known as the gamer.

"Localization isn't just about the translation of words, its about the other elements that make up the game: the difficulty level, any cultural references," explains Richard Honeywood, localization director at Square Enix Co. "All these factors have to be changed from one culture to another."

An example of this would be the skirts of the female characters in a popular tennis game that were shortened for the Japanese version of the game--no doubt pleasing the kind of gentleman you could find frequenting the less family-oriented areas of Akihabara.

Read more.

Fuji-Xerox Introduces Copier-Translator Machine Prototype

by Lauren Nemec

Fuji-Xerox has introduced a prototype translator-photocopier machine that will be able to translate Japanese documents into English, Korean or Chinese with the touch of a button. Fuji-Xerox has not yet announced a price or launch date for the commercial version of the product.

It seems Fuji-Xerox is highly touting the feature that the copier can perform and print out the translation while preserving the document's original format. Wonderful as that is, I wonder how good the translation quality is and with what kind of machine translation software the product is equipped? Fuji-Xerox has not yet made this information publicly available. If the copier produces translations à la Altavista Babelfish, the quest to improve international business communications will have to continue... Only time and the market will tell.

NYT - Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place

by Lauren Nemec

The New York Times recently published an article about quirky Japanese inventions designed to protect people from street crime. Fearing Crime, Japanese Wear the Hiding Place.

This is an entertaining and amusing read that also offers some insight into Japanese culture and their mentality about innovation and safety.

The article explains that the Japanese attitude toward protecting oneself from crime is based on the idea of "camouflage and deception" as opposed to the American tendencies to react or confront.

In response to growing fears about crime and safety in Japan, an experimental fashion designer named Aya Tsukioka has designed a skirt that transforms into a disguise that looks like a vending machine. There's also a handbag that is designed to look like a manhole cover, so when thrown on the ground, would-be thieves wouldn't notice it or the valuables hidden inside.

Maybe I am indeed a "crime-hardened American", but I'll stick to pepper spray for now.

International Business: Dining Etiquette

by Lauren Nemec

The rules of etiquette can be difficult enough to follow in your own culture. After crossing borders, the rules of etiquette can change so drastically from what you’re accustomed to, they become a minefield of blunders and faux-pas just waiting to happen. If you are in another country on business, following the local rules of etiquette becomes very important, as it can be crucial to the success of your business ventures.

While some etiquette blunders are laughable or not likely to cause serious offense, others might make your business counterparts perceive you as rude or unappreciative, and may inhibit your business relationship from moving forward. Knowing proper table manners can be an asset in international business.

Invitations

Receiving an invitation to dine out should be considered and honor and should not be refused. Dining out with your hosts can help build your relationship and establish trust, which will help you with your business endeavors in the long run. If you must refuse, offer a legitimate reason.

In most countries, an invitation to dinner likely means you will be dining with your host in a restaurant. A personal invitation to dine at someone’s home should be considered a tremendous honor and a sign of deep trust. However, some cultures highly value hospitality and are eager to extend invitations to dine in the home. Therefore, an invitation to dine at an Indian or Colombian home may not carry the same significance as an invitation to dine at a Japanese or British home. Nevertheless, these invitations should be treated with the same amount of respect and decorum, and should not be refused; otherwise, you might offend the host or miss out on a fascinating experience.

Time and Punctuality

Dinner, drinking and other social occasions can last many hours. Set aside an entire evening for a social event and pace yourself. To avoid causing offense, try not to leave before others do. In China, the serving of fruit signifies the end of the meal. Guests are expected to leave within 30 minutes after the fruit course is served.

While punctuality is important to many people, it can offend others. When in North America, Scandinavia, Germany and China, it is important to arrive on time for business functions and social occasions. Arriving late could offend your hosts. In other countries, you will be expected to arrive late for social functions. Arriving early or on time could embarrass your host, as they may not yet be prepared for your arrival. In India, for example, you should arrive 15-30 minutes late for dinner at someone’s home.

Seating

Seating arrangements are often well thought out according to many factors, such as age, gender, status or hierarchy. A good rule of thumb in any country is to wait to be seated. In many countries, the guest of honor will usually have a specific place to sit, often next to the host, at the head of the table or farthest from the entrance.

Ordering

As a guest, you should respect the selections of your host and sample everything. A host may ask you for recommendations. If you are familiar with the country's food, don’t hesitate to say something like, "I've read about haggis and I would love to try it."

As a host, you should take into consideration the dietary restrictions of your guests. In India, for example, Muslim Indians do not eat pork, Hindus do not eat beef and many Indians are vegetarians. When hosting a meal in India, provide chicken, fish or lamb for meat eaters and a variety of vegetarian dishes.

Toasting

Toasting is a common practice in most countries. You should wait for your host to initiate the toast before drinking or beginning your meal. Make an effort to lightly clink your glass with all other guests. In many cultures, it's appropriate to make eye-contact when touching glasses and to seal the toast by sipping your drink. After the host proposes a toast, you can also make one, but be sure you do not upstage the first.

Here is a list of common toasting phrases in different countries:

China: Ganbei

Czech Republic: Na zdraví

Denmark, Norway, Sweden: Skål or Skoal

France: Santé

Germany: Prost

Japan: Kampai

Spain and Mexico: Salud

USA, UK, Australia: Cheers

More phrases can be found here.

Eating Utensils

Chopsticks

Chopstick etiquette is very important in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam, and you would be wise to learn how to use chopsticks properly before visiting any of these countries on business. The effort will be appreciated by your hosts. For those who are completely inept at using chopsticks, silverware will probably be available for you in many restaurants. Chopstick etiquette differs across cultures, but here are some general guidelines:

• Never leave your chopsticks sticking straight up out of your rice bowl, as this resembles a funerary rite in many of these cultures.
• Never point your chopsticks at someone or use them to gesture.
• Use a chopstick rest, when available.
• Don't chew on your chopsticks.
• Don’t pierce or spear food with your chopsticks.
• Dropping your chopsticks or placing them parallel across your bowl symbolizes bad luck, so don’t do it.

Hands

In the Arab world and in India, the left hand is considered to be 'unclean', as this hand is used with water in place of toilet paper. It is taboo to eat or pass food with your left hand. In these countries, refrain from using your left hand when shaking hands, dining, passing objects or gesturing. This will be a challenge for left-handed people, but you will have to train yourself.

Cutlery

The U.S. American style of dining with cutlery is often a source of amusement for many Europeans and South Americans. U.S. Americans tend to hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand as they cut their food, then switch hands to put the food in their mouth with the fork (tines up), and switch back again to cut the next piece of food. This method of eating may seem quite silly to people outside of the United States, and may even offend those with high expectations of proper table manners.

Outside of the United States, most people adhere to the “Continental” or “European” style of dining with cutlery, where the fork is held in the left hand and the knife is held in the right hand throughout the meal, without ever switching.

Rejecting food

I recently had dinner with a well-traveled American businessman, who told me about the time he was offered live baby mice at a banquet in China. In nearly every country, it is considered polite to sample every kind of food you are offered. To refuse food without having tried it can offend your host. However, no one will expect you to eat something that will make you sick or violate your beliefs. If you are offered something you simply cannot or will not eat, offer a believable health or religious reason.

Cleaning Your Plate

In some countries, etiquette dictates that you should eat everything on your plate. Otherwise, you might be seen as wasteful or unappreciative of the food. However, in other countries, cleaning your plate would indicate to your host that he did not provide enough to eat.

Here are some general guidelines that should help you handle this delicate situation:

• In Asian countries like Japan, China and Taiwan, leave a small portion of food on your plate to signify to your host that your appetite was satisfied.
• In most European and North American countries, eat everything you take.
• When in doubt, observe what your fellow diners do, or leave a small portion of food on your plate.

Alcohol

Alcohol plays different roles in different cultures. In some countries, drunkenness indicates a lack of self-control and will be frowned upon. In others, social drinking can last far into the night and your counterparts may get "three sheets to the wind". You should understand the local drinking habits and laws in order to prevent yourself from getting sick, making a faux-pas, or even committing a crime.

Your host country might be more avid alcohol drinkers than what you are accustomed to, the alcohol might be stronger, or the climate might make the effects of alcohol more extreme. Pay close attention to your alcohol intake and the effects it has on your body. When you’ve had enough to drink, turn over your empty glass or keep it full so it won’t be refilled. In countries where rejections of alcohol might cause your host to lose face or take offense, state health or religious reasons for abstaining.

In Islam, intoxication by alcohol is forbidden. In most Islamic countries, Muslims may face severe penalties for importing, purchasing or consuming alcohol. As a tourist or business traveler, you may consume alcohol in some hotels, but refrain from offering alcoholic beverages to your Muslim business counterparts or drinking in front of them.

Topics of Conversation

In some countries, meals are considered to be social occasions, and as such, your host may not bring up the subject of business. Wait for your host to begin discussing business first. Even if business is not discussed at dinner, you are still building a relationship and establishing trust with your host, which can help your business goals in the long run.

Not all topics of conversation are appropriate in all countries. For example, you should refrain from discussing women in Saudi Arabia, talking about Aborigines in Australia, or criticizing the government in China.

When in doubt, safe topics to discuss include:

• Weather
• Sports
• Culture, the Arts and Literature
• Travel
• Food
• History – positive aspects
• Your home country or city

Unless your colleagues bring it up first, avoid these topics:

• Politics
• Terrorism
• Religion
• Money
• Sex
• Divorce
• History—negative aspects, including wars
• Racism and Ethnic/Class differences
• Criticism of the host country
• Personal issues, such as income, marital status, age, sexual orientation, etc.

Other Etiquette Tips

Some general or miscellaneous etiquette guidelines to follow:

• cover your mouth with your hand when using a toothpick
• refrain from blowing your nose at the table
• avoid adding excess salt, pepper or ketchup to your food
• don’t belch or slurp when eating, except in Asian countries where these are signs that you are enjoying your meal
• wash your hands thoroughly before eating
• participate in the singing if you are invited to karaoke in Japan, Korea or China
• offer cigarettes to everyone else in your group when smoking
• keep hands on the table, not in your lap, when dining in Europe
• men should refrain from dining alone with a businesswoman in South America; consider inviting spouses

Payment

In almost every country, the person who extended the invitation is expected to pay the bill, though guests and hosts will often enter into a good-natured argument about who will pay. Women should expect their male counterparts to insist on paying.

When saying “thank you” is not enough, you can reciprocate by inviting your host to a meal of the same value. In fact, this may be expected in places like China and Taiwan. Before the meal begins, make sure you give your credit card to the restaurant staff or instruct them to only accept payment from you.

Tipping customs vary across countries, so you should do research on it or ask a native of the country you're visiting how much you should tip at restaurants.

Here’s To Your Health!

In any culture, adhering to proper table manners and etiquette shows your host that you have respect for them. This can only help improve your relationship and establish trust.

The guidelines put forward in this article are generalizations that should give you a vague understanding of dining etiquette across cultures, but you should do your own country-specific research before traveling abroad for business.

The following resources should help:

1) Executive Planet

2) Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: How to Do Business in 60 Countries

3) Wikipedia

-Worldwide Etiquette

-Table Manners

Fun with Engrish

by Lauren Nemec

The term "Engrish" widely refers to the incorrect usage of the English language - usually in written form - by people in East Asian countries, including Japan, Korea and China. "Chinglish" is the term used to describe incorrect usage of the English language in China or by Chinese people.

Things associated with the west, including English, are wildly popular in East Asian countries because they are seen as exotic. So the Chinese, for example, slap English sayings on anything from t-shirts to pencil cases to bubble gum wrappers. Sometimes the translations are done by professionals and checked for quality- but often they are done using machine translation software, a dictionary or a person who knows very little English, producing the "Chinglish" phrases that we all love so much.

Americans are guilty of doing this too- not so long ago, it was all the rage in the United States to wear clothing spattered with Asian languages or to get tattoos of Chinese or Japanese characters. Much of the time, this writing was nonsensical, meaningless, or silly. I'm sure many people were stopped in the street by Chinese speakers who would say something like, "Hey, did you know your shirt/tattoo says 'female horse rice'?"

So now that we know more about Engrish and Chinglish, we can have some fun.

• Watch a 1,300+ photo slideshow of Chinglish photos on Flickr.com.
• Visit the Hanzi Smatter blog - 'dedicated to the misuse of Chinese characters in western culture' - to see many examples of tattoos gone wrong
• Take a look at Engrish.com; read about Engrish in the fabulous FAQ section and see hundreds of hilarious photos of objects with Engrish
• Read an old post I made about Beijing's effort to rid the city of poor translations in time for the 2008 Olympic games
  

On a side note, we even have Chinglish here in Prague! Here are a few cute examples of Chingrish I've found, courtesy of Restaurant Shanghai (the best Chinese food in town):

Fried yellow croaker in squirrel style
Ocutopus with vegetables
Grape-shaped fish with bones
Chicken of three vigours

Have any more fun Engrish sites to share? Post a comment and tell us all about it.

Bonita Cinderella - Teaching Children Foreign Languages through Fairy Tales

by Lauren Nemec

An American writer named David Burke has developed a unique foreign language learning program for children. Concerned by Americans' lack of foreign language skills, Burke developed a line of children's books that teach children new foreign words in every book. The article, "US Writer David Burke Teaches Language Through Fairy Tales", offers an example from the instruction CD to illustrate how the books read:

"Once upon a time, there lived a poor girl - nuhaizi - named Cinderella who was very pretty - pioaliang. The nuhaizi, who was very piaoliang, lived in a small house - fangzi…."

So far, the books are available from English into Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Hebrew, Italian and Japanese and from Spanish, Korean and Japanese into English.

I think this is a great idea, mostly because fairy tales are so universal. In the Czech Republic, for example, you can see Czech fairy tales portrayed on television during every national holiday. Czech children watch their Czech fairy tales on Saturday mornings with the same wide-eyed excitement as American children watching a Disney fairy tale. Though the tales may vary from country to country, the basic themes, plots and characters are usually the same.

Perhaps fun tools like these books will make children more eager to learn foreign languages and help them connect easily to other cultures.

You can visit David Burke's website at slangman.com to learn more about him and order these books. Here's a man as animated as his fairy tales...

American Express Not Lost in Translation

by Lauren Nemec

"Are you lost in translation?

or

Are you a card member?"

In addition to receiving world class services, rewards and privileges American Express card members now benefit from round-the-clock translation services. In case of emergency, American Express can connect its members to English-speaking medical and legal professionals, ensuring their customers never get lost in translation.

American Express has an interactive banner advertisement for these services floating around the internet. I discovered this elusive ad on msn.com's travel section in an piece entitled "Slideshow: 20 Great Travel Gadgets" (an interesting thing to look at in its own right- I am particularly interested in the Zadro Nano ultraviolet germ zapper). Unfortunately I haven't seen the ad since then.

If you can find the ad somewhere, play with it (and tell us where you found it by leaving a comment). It's actually pretty cool in that it entices viewers by offering voice translations of common travel phrases, printouts of these phrases, and even downloads of multilingual ringtones in Japanese, Mandarin, French, Russian and Spanish. Yes, your phone can say: "I don’t speak mandarin, but my phone does!"

Cultural Dimensions- Individualism vs. Collectivism

by Lauren Nemec

I just read a fascinating article on Yahoo! about study results illustrating Americans' individualistic nature and how it tends to hinder our abilities to understand other people's perspectives. Perhaps it's not directly related to translation, but I strongly believe that understanding culture is crucial to success in international business.

Study: Americans Don't Understand Others

Basic Rundown of the Study
Researchers took American and Chinese participants and told them to move a block on a table. There were two blocks on the table, though one was obstructed from the examiner's view by a piece of cardboard. The Chinese participants were more likely to take into consideration that the examiner was not able to see both blocks and quickly determined the block in the examiner's view should be moved. The Americans were confused by the request, and took much more time to decide which block to move.

Cultural Dimensions
The study and its results illustrate an important concept about culture: individualism vs. collectivism. This concept has been developed and studied by specialists in the field of cross-cultural communication- Geert Hofstede, Fons Trompenaars and Charles Hampden-Turner. These specialists have developed models of culture using multiple 'cultural dimensions'. Anyone who has ever had coursework or training in cross-cultural communication, intercultural sensitivity, or international management should be familiar with these dimensions of culture.

The individualism vs. collectivism dimension explains a culture's social functions; in society, do people function as individuals or groups?

Individualism
In individualistic cultures (such as in the United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa) relationships between people are loose. A person's utmost responsibility and duty is to himself and his immediate family, and people will often put their own needs above the needs of others. Independence and self-reliance are important values in individualistic societies. It is strongly believed that people should be free to pursue their dreams and goals.

This tendency to think about ourselves can suppress our ability to empathize with others and understand different points of view. People in individualistic societies are often seen as 'selfish' or 'egotistic'.

Collectivism
In collectivist cultures (such as China, Japan, Greece and most Latin American countries), individuals are bound together through strong ties. A person's responsibility and duty is to his community, and the needs of the group are put above the needs of the individual. People are expected to act in the best interest of the group, society or family unit. Harmony and loyalty are important values in collectivist societies.

Why is this important?
Developing cultural awareness can help you communicate and work effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds than your own. Understanding the influence of culture on a person's values, behavior, communication style and decision-making may mean the difference between success and failure in an international business venture.

And for Americans, training in cultural awareness might be the medicine we need to cure our egocentric and selfish reputations!

Kwintessential has some great cultural awareness quizzes on their website, if you'd like to get started with your cross-cultural education.

International Business: Business Card Etiquette

by Lauren Nemec

“To know another’s language and not his culture is a very good way to make a fluent fool of yourself.” Winston Brembeck

Your plane tickets are booked, your glossy brochures are printed, your business suit is pressed and your trusty phrasebook is in your pocket. Are you prepared for your meeting?

In the United States, business cards are seen as nothing more than an easy way to exchange contact information. Elsewhere, however, a business card represents its owner, and as such should be treated with the utmost respect. In some business cultures, exchanging cards can be a ceremonious process, with plenty of opportunities to impress – or offend - your business associates.

Here are some tips and guidelines on appropriate business card content, appearance, translation, and ceremony.

Business Card Content

It may seem straightforward - all you need on your business card is your name, job title and contact information, right? Depending on where you are doing business, more information may be necessary. Your card should provide people with information about your background and qualifications.

Job Title

Your job title could be the most important piece of information on your card. Ensure it is translated accurately. Some job titles can be hard to translate, or the title might not exist in the target language.

In many situations, your title will help your business associates determine if you have the authority to make decisions on behalf of your company. You can determine the same thing about your counterparts by referring to the titles on their business cards.

Academic Qualifications

In countries where people hold great respect for higher education, it may be beneficial to state your academic qualifications on your business card if you have any advanced degrees. A few examples of where this would be appropriate are Austria, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, and Russia.

Professional Qualifications

If you are member of a professional organization, or if you have received any honors, awards or other distinctions, you might consider putting this information on your business card.

Company Logo

A logo is seen an essential part of any reputable company’s identity, and as such, should be included on your business card.

Company Distinctions

Many cultures value tradition, stability, and longevity. If your company has been established for many years, it would be an asset to put the company’s founding date on your business card.

Translating Your Business Card

If your business card is in English, it is not necessary to have it translated when doing business in these countries, as English is widely spoken or understood:

• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• German
• India
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Philippines
• Poland
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Sweden
• Switzerland

It is beneficial to have your business card translated when doing business in the following countries:

• Argentina (Spanish)
• Austria (German)
• Belgium (French and Dutch)
• Brazil (Portuguese)
• Canada (French and English)
• Chile (Spanish)
• China (Chinese, local dialect)
• Colombia (Spanish)
• Egypt (Arabic)
• Greece (Greek)
• Hong Kong (Cantonese)
• Italy (Italian)
• Japan (Japanese)
• Peru (Spanish)
• Russia (Russian with Cyrillic alphabet)
• Saudi Arabia (Arabic)
• South Korea (Korean)
• Spain (Spanish)
• Taiwan (Traditional Chinese)
• UAE (Arabic)
• Venezuela (Spanish)
• Yemen (Arabic)

If you do translate your business card, you can have it translated on the reverse side. Remember to hand over a double-sided business card so that the native language of your business counterpart is facing them.

Business Card Appearance

The quality of your business card may reflect the quality of your product or service, so opt for the best.

People may appreciate the elegance of an engraved or embossed business card. As this prevents anything being printed on the reverse side, have separate cards made for translations into other languages.

In China, the colors red and gold are considered to be auspicious, and would be ideal for use on a business card.

If you don’t already have one, consider buying a business card case. It is considered poor business etiquette to shove a card in your pocket.

Business Card Exchange

Exchanging business cards is a common practice in most countries. In some countries, it is quite common to distribute business cards to everyone you meet, including secretaries and assistants. Make sure you bring a plentiful supply of business cards with you. To avoid causing offense, be sure you offer a card to everyone present, no matter their station. Remember this example: Japanese employees can be very loyal, often staying with the same company for their entire career. The assistant you meet today could one day be an influential decision maker. He will likely remember you if you treat him with respect and politeness.

Rituals of business card exchange vary greatly from country to country. In Western countries, cards are usually exchanged with very little ceremony. However, in some nations, business card exchange can be a highly ceremonious event, requiring decorum, etiquette, and knowledge of the customs.

While varying slightly in formality, the exchange of business cards in countries like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan is as follows:

Bow or shake hands and say your greeting. Present your business card with both hands (or your right hand only, see below), with your associate’s language facing them. Start with the most senior person in the room, and repeat with process with everyone else, moving down the corporate ladder as you go along. When accepting a business card, accept it with both hands and a gracious 'Thank you’. Politely read the business card for a few moments. This is a good time to clarify the pronunciation of a person’s name, ask a question, or make a pleasant remark about his or her card. You may want to leave the cards near you on the table to facilitate name-learning during a meeting. Be sure to carefully put all the cards away in a business card case.

A good rule of thumb for ANY country: treat a business card as if it is a precious gift. Don’t write on it. Don’t stuff it in your pocket. Don’t play with it.

In places like India, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco and Egypt, the left hand is considered to be unclean. (If you don’t know why, click here for a good explanation). Therefore, in these countries, you should hand over your business card only with your right hand.

------

Although poor business card etiquette may not be disastrous for your business efforts, good business card etiquette will leave a positive impression of you and your company in the minds of your associates. Knowing the ceremonies will help to put you at ease and open the lines of communication.

Before leaving on a business trip, it is wise to research local business card customs. Here are some resources to get you started:

Executive Planet

Kwintessential Article

Common Sense Advisory's Top 20 for 2006 is Here

by Lauren Nemec

The Common Sense Advisory has just posted their 2006 Top 20 Translation and Localization Providers list here.

Some notable changes from last year:
- L-3 Communications has surpassed LionBridge to take the number one spot.
- Candidates from Asia were considered for the list in 2006, allowing Japanese company "Honyaku Centre" to make the shortlist.
- Other newcomers include Language Line (claiming the number 4 spot) and Semantix.

Common Sense Advisory will hold a webinar for its members on Tuesday, May 8th to discuss the findings.