Lesson from the other side of the language barrier

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Lost in Translation
Lessons from the other side of the language barrier
#WE17 #geswe17
December 22, 2017
Bianca McCartt
Staff Engineer, LM9000
GE Aviation
Text LOST17 to 617-202-2726 to Sign-up to
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We will follow up after the conference with
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#geswe171

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Imagine a new company policy for US
employees
As a global company, we
recognize the need to be
culturally integrated with our
employees around the world.
Today we announce a new
company policy: All US-based
employees who work with a
non-US site will be expected to
communicate with their
colleagues in the predominant
local language.
Your day-to-day
conversations are in…
Spanish
Polish
Mandarin
Turkish
Hindi

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approval.
May 2015
I suddenly found I needed to
learn Spanish to communicate

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approval.

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approval.

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El es tu padre y el mío. Espero que algún día puedas hablar
con él.
Ya que lo he visto llorar por ti, él es una persona mayor.

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approval.
Lesson 1
Automated translation isn’t very reliable

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After 6 months of studying
Spanish, I went to Costa Rica

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¿Cuál es tu equipo favorito de futbol?

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Image courtesy of http://www.easitalian.com/blog/2015/07/18/how-you-can-improve-you-italian-vocabulary-on-your-own/

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Lesson 2
Understanding someone ≠ they understand
you
Ask “How much did you understand?”
“What can I do to make it easier?”

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approval.

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Lesson 3
Consider how else you can communicate
meaning
Write down the words and use pictures

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I’m the coolest

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Lesson 4
Avoid Slang, Colloquial phrases,
Idioms
They don’t translate easily

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Lesson 5
Pronunciations of the same word
can differ… write it down for
clarity

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approval.Image courtesy of http://visitcryptoville.com/2014/09/11/was-a-chupacabra-caught-by-texas-couple-in-april-2014/

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approval.
Lesson 6
Group discussions, background
noise and phone conversations
all add to the level of difficulty

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approval.
*images and dialogue courtesy of S06E07 "Queer Eyes, Full Hearts”, Modern Family, ABC, 12 November 2014. Television

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approval.
Lesson 7
Communicating in a non-native
language imposes limitations on
how you can express yourself

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approval.
When working with a non-native English speaker,
remember…
•Understanding someone ≠ they understand you
•Ask “How much did you understand?” & “What can I do to make it easier?”
•Recognize that your pronunciation may be unfamiliar
•Write down the words and use pictures
•Avoid slang, colloquial phrases and idioms
•Use chat discussions to clarify
•Phone and group conversations are hard
Keep in mind, they may be smarter than they sound!

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• The GlobeSmart Profile enables individuals to discover & compare their own unique work-style & get
advice on how to work more effectively with other cultures & colleagues.
• The Profile is one of the most statistically valid & reliable instruments in the field and is available in 13
languages.
• GlobeSmart provides quick access to an expansive collection of information on working effectively with
people from over 95 countries around the world.
An industry-leading online cultural intelligence
resource for improved cross-cultural
understanding

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approval.
Register at: www.aperianglobal.com/gs-trial-
access
using promo code WEC2017
Free GlobeSmart trial for conference participants!
To join the more than 1 million users of GlobeSmart, take advantage of a free two-week trial.

26. Thanks for joining us at WE17! Be sure to stop by our
booth (#1311) or Hospitality Suite or follow us on social
@GEcareers
Text LOST17 to 617-202-2726 to Sign-up to connect with me!
We will follow up after the conference with slides and contact
information.