Language & Culture
The language difference is one potential barrier between you and your customer. Language and communications should be part of your business strategy, which can include language skills, translations, website marketing and cultural awareness. By learning to communicate in a language your customer understands you should develop highly successful business partnerships. If you need any further information about any Language & Culture our trade advisers will be pleased to help.
Recommended Services
- Regional Language Network Yorkshire and Humber (RLNYH)
The RLNYH exists to increase the international competitiveness of companies by breaking down language and cultural barriers. The RLN offers free and impartial advice and support to companies to improve their international communications including translations, interpreting, language and training courses, cultural differences, communications planning and website localisation.
- Export Communications Review
A UK Trade & Investment export communications review can help you look at the way you present your business and your products to overseas customers. It will look specifically at the way you tackle language and cultural issues and make recommendations for overcoming the potential barriers. The aim is to provide you with the confidence to deal with overseas customers both now and in the future. British Chambers of Commerce provide export communications reviews on behalf of UK Trade & Investment.
Graduate Placement Schemes:
- Language Graduate Placements
A language graduate can help your business to develop your international business, through undertaking research, translations, strategy development, and sales support. Graduates may be accessed through the RLN YH or one of our leading universities or through one of the graduate placement schemes below:
- International Student Placement Office (ISPO)
ISPO is managed by RLN YH and can help source international students from a host of European Universities for work placements up to 12 months. Placements can help companies gain knowledge of foreign markets, help with market research, languages and strategy development.
- Graduate Link
Graduate link promotes graduate recruitment in companies by sourcing graduates from the region’s universities. Graduates can be either native speaking or language graduates, and are tailored to meet your specific business needs. Graduate Link is funded by Yorkshire Forward and operates on behalf of the eleven universities and higher education colleges in Yorkshire and Humber.
- The British Overseas Industrial Placement Scheme (BOND)
The BOND scheme is a UK Trade & Investment initiative, managed by the British Council. High quality overseas professionals from key commercial sectors are assigned to UK companies to undertake a tailored practical work attachment for up to twelve months. This scheme can give your business the potential to develop business partnerships in key developing international markets.
- Global Source Programme
The Global Source Programme links multi-lingual graduates who have lived and studied overseas, with businesses. A Global Source graduate can be employed by your business in the UK, to assist with your market entry strategy. If the partnership succeeds, you can employ the intern back in their own country to build your overseas operations.
Language Support Services
Translation Services:
- CILT provides the following guides on translation services:
This guide on Adapting materials for international markets 
is intended to help businesses involved in overseas trade to make maximum impact in their visual and written communications with non-English speaking customers. The Foreign languages for the media guide can help you commission creative translation for advertising or promotional purposes. It covers translation for press releases, film and video, printed materials and websites.
- Website Localisation
Localising your website means converting it to appeal to your customers in different countries or cultures. It provides appeal, identity and recognition, which brings you closer to your target audience and improves your business profile. BLIS Facilities provides a list of companies specialising in website localisation.
Instant Website Translation:
- Yahoo! Babel Fish
Use this on-line resource to instantly for text and webpage translation.
- Free2Professional
Free2Professional Translation allows users to obtain free instant translations of both text and web pages.
Interpreting Services:
- CILT provides the following guides on Interpreting:
This Business Interpreting guide will help you to choose an interpreter and ensure you receive a quality service. If you need help with interpreting at multinational conferences or business meetings this Conference Interpreting guide may provide you with the help you need.
Cultural Information:
- CILT provides the following guides on Cultural information:
This guide on Intercultural skills examines the importance of understanding that people from different backgrounds have different practices and expectations. Understanding this is vital to succeeding in international trading.
- Business Culture Information
The Executive Planet website gives advice on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business worldwide. Each of its country guides provide advice on making deals, entertaining clients and customers, making appointments and giving gifts, all appropriate to the relevant culture.
- Lingualearn
Provides tailor-made training on cultural issues including body language, business etiquette and information on the culture of business in the target country.
- Foreign Language Training
CILT provide this booklet to help you decide what you need to consider when addressing the language capabilities of your company’s workforce.
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a Microsoft Word document download. 
