This article delves into the connection between the two industries, looking at how translation providers assist travel and tourism firms, and how this enhances the travel experience for tourists.

Language and travel

The travel and tourism industry has long been familiar with the exceptional language requirements of travellers, and the need to ensure that tourists are able to access information in their native language while they are travelling.

The industry quickly adopted the benefits of the digital revolution, allowing tourists the opportunity to check out hotels, book excursions, take virtual tours, and so on, all from the comfort of their own home.

However, in order to appeal to tourists from diverse regions of the world and ensure that online content is accessible in many languages, the travel and tourism industry partner with translation providers.

Translation providers offer the following services to the travel and tourism industry:

Localization

Translation

Design

Interpreting

These services offer the industry the ability to connect with global customers in their native language, ensuring design aspects are familiar, content is culturally appropriate, and that their brand is universally recognizable.

Language and media

We rely heavily on our smartphones in today’s ultra-connected world and this is especially true when we are on holiday.

We might need to ask for directions, view a menu, search for a particular service, renew a visa, or book a day trip, and in order to do this quickly and effectively we need to access content, on a smartphone or device, which is in our native language.

The travel and tourism industry, including everything from airlines to government departments, understand this requirement and translation providers ensure they deliver.

Social media sites, websites, menus, health and safety information, customer services, legal and governmental information are usually all available in multiple languages for users to access while they are travelling.

Translation providers use native-speaking linguists to ensure that the language used within each translation is accurate and culturally appropriate.

Travel, tourism and Creative Word

We are experts in providing quality translations for the travel and tourism industry and have partnered with household names for two decades.

We are also based in the heart of a country that caters for tourists as a cultural obligation so we really do appreciate the importance of language in demonstrating hospitality.

Working within the whole chain of the tourism and hospitality industry, from hotels to marketing companies, and from airlines to government tourism departments, ensures we appreciate the complete picture and gives us a unique perspective in understanding and catering to the needs of the whole industry.

This is why our business approach, people, words and passion are different, and we excel at what we do – just ask our clients…

Fly Dubai

Emirates Tours

Dahabiya

Holiday Autos

Abu Dhabi Tourism

Dubai Tourism

Contact us now for more information about travel and tourism translations or to discuss your next translation project.

The post Why the tourism and translation industries are perfect partners appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

Localizing eLearning offers numerous benefits that enhance both the effectiveness of training programs, and the overall productivity and efficiency, of employees.

Here are some key advantages to localizing your eLearning for your global workforce:

1. Improved engagement and retention

Localizing eLearning modules for local employees allows the content and language to resonate with your workforce.

Content which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, offers improved engagement by using familiar speech patterns, colloquial language, and believable scenarios, which are therefore, more relatable and memorable to your intended audience.

Providing training which is based upon a learner’s native language reduces the chance of misunderstandings, improves comprehension, and makes it easier for learners to understand and retain the information.

Use of images, colours, locations, situations, and so on, that are recognizable and relatable to your workforce will improve engagement and retention.

2. Enhanced performance and productivity

When employees understand the training material thoroughly, and engage with it at every level, they can apply the knowledge and skills more effectively in their roles.

This deeper understanding of training is achieved through localized courses which are tailored to match the expectations of the intended audience.

Localized content ensures that all employees, regardless of their location, receive the same quality of instruction and adhere to the same company standards.

When trained using localized content, employees’ performance and productivity improves because the training is more effective and they are able to utilise this within their roles.

3. Increased employee satisfaction and motivation

By localizing eLearning for your overseas teams, you show your workforce that your organization values and respects cultural diversity.

This boosts employee morale and loyalty.

Through this personalized learning experience, employees feel more included and valued within the organization as a whole.

Therefore, by addressing regional and local cultural aspects within eLearning courses, you’ll increase employee satisfaction and motivation.

4. Cost effective and better ROI for eLearning

As localized eLearning ensures employees feel valued and motivated, they are more likely to remain within the organization for a longer time.

This reduces recruitment and onboarding costs, with the added benefit that internal progression can be optimized through effective and timely training.

High staff turnover rates are often costly and can lead to gaps in skills within the organization or a reduction in performance.

Using localized eLearning within your organization also ensures internal updates are well-managed and consistent at local, national and international levels.

Investing in localized eLearning training becomes cost effective over the long term, giving a good return on investment.

5. Competitive market advantage

Localized training, which incorporates local market trends and preferences, prepares employees for meeting the specific needs and requirements of their audience.

Through investment in localized eLearning training organizations display their commitment to their global workforce and international markets, which boosts brand reputation and gives a competitive edge.

6. Continuous professional development

Localized eLearning training programs offer adaptable, scalable and effective training which is culturally and linguistically suited to the intended participants in order to progress careers, skills and professional development.

A workplace which values its employees invests in effective training and encourages feedback in order for all employees (and the organization) to improve and advance.

Investing in the localization of eLearning for a global workforce is not just about translation.

It involves adapting the content to reflect the cultural, linguistic, and contextual nuances of different regions.

This holistic approach ensures that the training is effective, inclusive, and aligned with the organization’s global objectives.

Contact us now to find out how we can make your organization’s eLearning training more effective through localization.

The post The benefits of localizing eLearning for your global workforce appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

However, translation and localization services aren’t just about meeting a legal obligation, they also ensure effective communication with regional audiences, giving firms a dependable brand presence and a recognizable ‘local’ identity.

Language services give global firms a direct and meaningful connection to their target audience.

Professional language services providers (LSPs) work with a variety of industries on a daily basis to create and foster this ‘connection’ but here at Creative Word, we tend to work with a few specific industries more frequently than others.

Below you’ll find the top 3 industries that use our language services and which benefit from our translation and localization services on a regular basis.

1. Legal industry

As mentioned in the introduction above, many industries require translation and localization services for legal reasons, including everything from employment contracts to MOUs (memorandum of understanding).

Virtually every type of industry, operating outside of their domestic market, will require translations of a legal nature due to ensuring compliance with local legal regulations and guidelines.

These usually tend to be certified translations and carry a legal obligation to be formally translated and ‘certified’ by a qualified LSP or translator.

The same is also true for individuals requiring legal translations such as official documents (marriage certificates, visas, immigration documents, and so on).

However, here at Creative Word, we don’t only work with individuals, and industry-wide legal translations.

Our partnerships with many legal firms in Dubai led us to open our regional office there in 2010 and enables us to better serve our legal clients in the region, offering a comprehensive range of language services to legal professionals.

We also work the Dubai Legal Affairs Department, so our clients can expect their translations to be accurate and reliable.

We offer the following legal services:
Legal Translations
Certified Translations
Contract Translations
Ministry of Justice (MOJ) certified translations
Court Interpreters
Transcriptions – court and arbitration hearings
CLPD Training
Cultural Awareness Training

2. Financial industry

The finance industry is extraordinarily complex and its language requirements are also intricate, including aspects such as, industry-specific terminology, precise practices, and regional variations (including legal variances).

Providing translation and localization services for the finance industry means working in partnership with banks, insurance companies, fintech providers, investment houses, and so on.

Customized language services are essential; accuracy, security, reliability and time-sensitivity are also paramount.

Global players within the finance industry need to attract customers from multiple countries around the world which means adapting everything from localized customer services and chat bots to marketing materials and in-store documents.

At Creative Word, we work closely with our finance partners such as, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) offering the following language services:

Translation – financial statements, annual reports, RFP’s proposals, presentations, websites, contracts, editorial etc.
Interpreters – business meetings, negotiations, conferences
Training – business etiquette, cultural awareness, language
Localization – websites, e-commerce, digital media

3. Tourism industry

The tourism industry relies heavily on language services to attract overseas customers through marketing materials.
For many countries, tourism is also the backbone of economy, and attracting as many tourists as possible is essential to the well-being of the majority of the population.

For instance, in Macau (a city and special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China) over 50% of the GDP is generated by direct travel and tourism, and in the Maldives, a third of GDP is due to tourism.

As a language services provider based in Dubai, with offices in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, we have a superior understanding of the requirements of the travel industry.

This led to being the preferred choice of LSP for FlyDubai, for whom we have completed numerous translation projects in 15 language pairs, alongside interpreting and website translation.

We worked directly with the internal content management system (CMS), press releases, marketing & advertising, manuals and legal documents.

We support our travel and tourism clients with the following services:

Translation – websites, press releases, brochures, marketing materials, apps
Interpreters – concierge services, business meetings, conferences
Training – etiquette, protocol, customer service, cultural awareness, language
Localization – social media, software, digital media

Whatever industry your firm operates within, and whichever language(s) you require for your translation project, the Creative Word team are ready to help you achieve your objective.

Contact us now to find out more.

The post 3 industries that benefit from our translation and localization services appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

And, if you are looking for a quality, reliable Arabic translation service in Dubai, but not sure how to go about choosing a provider, look no further…

This article discusses the key points you’ll need to consider when choosing a language services provider for your Arabic translation.

Define your needs

Clearly outline what kind of translation services you require. This could include document translation, website localization, legal translation, medical translation, and more. Defining your needs will help you narrow down your options.

Arabic language proficiency

Ensure that the translators used by the provider are native Arabic speakers and have an exceptional command of the Arabic language and culture. Fluency in both the source and target languages is crucial for accurate translations.

Evaluate industry experience

Look for translation services with expertise and experience in your specific language pairs but also consider your field or industry. Check if they have a track record of successfully handling projects similar to yours, and can manage your requirements.

Quality control

Inquire about the quality control processes the language services provider offers. This may involve multiple rounds of editing and proofreading to ensure accuracy and consistency, and also quality assurance and accreditation.

Certifications and accreditations

If you require certified translations, such as legal or medical documents, ensure that the service provider has the necessary certifications and accreditations to offer these types of translations.

Translation technology and tools

Ask about the technology and tools the translation provider uses. Translation memory tools and software can help maintain consistency and reduce costs for recurring translations.

Translation turnaround time

Discuss the expected turnaround time for your project. Make sure they can meet your deadlines without compromising on quality. If you require a fast turnaround time, bear in mind that the cost is likely to increase.

Confidentiality and security

Many industry translations often involve sensitive information. Ensure that the translation service has robust data security and confidentiality measures in place.

References and reviews

Ask for references or look for reviews from previous and current clients. This can give you insights into the quality of their work and their professionalism. The most direct route to gain insights into the quality of their work is to ask to speak to an existing client.

Cost and transparency

Request a detailed quote for your project. While cost is often a factor, remember that quality is paramount. Be cautious of services that offer significantly lower prices than the market average, as this might indicate lower quality. Cost, quality and time are the three main variables within every translation project, if you skimp on one, it is likely you’ll reduce the others.

Communication and customer service

Effective communication is essential for successful translation projects. Choose a service provider that is responsive, communicates clearly, and is open to addressing your questions and concerns.

Localization and translation

For translations intended for a specific audience, like marketing materials, ensure the translation provider understands the cultural nuances and can provide localization services alongside the translation.

Samples and test translations

It is possible to request sample translations, or run a small test project, to assess the quality of their work before committing to a larger project. A good language services provider will be more than happy to do this.

Flexibility and customisation

Each project has unique requirements so it is vital to choose a service that is flexible and willing to tailor their approach to meet your specific needs.

Contract and terms

It is worth reviewing the contract and terms of service carefully to ensure that all important details, such as payment terms, delivery dates, and revision policies, are clearly outlined and itemized.

By carefully considering these factors and conducting thorough research, you can choose the right Arabic translation service in Dubai that aligns with your requirements and meets (or exceeds) your expectations.

Here, at Creative Word, we have been providing our clients with first-class Arabic translation and localization services for more than two decades.

You can see what our clients say about our services, here.

Alternatively, you can speak to a member of our team here, or check out our dedicated translation and localization pages for more information on the Arabic language services we offer.

The post How to choose the right Arabic translation service in Dubai appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

For international business professionals, successfully conducting business in the Arab world means understanding a culture, protocols, and a language which are very different to the UK and Europe.

This is daunting, especially if it is the first time you’ve visited the Arab world, or you’ve previously had limited interaction with Arab stakeholders.

But, as with most things, preparation is key to successful international negotiations.

At Creative Word, we’re experts in the Arabic culture and language, so we’ve gathered together the key language phrases and business culture tips you’ll need for doing business in the Arab world, so you’ll be more prepared.

Key Arabic Business Phrases

Understanding your clients, investors, or suppliers background, language and culture has never been more important in business than it is now.

Below you’ll find the most frequently used Arabic business phrases to assist you in meetings and negotiations with your Arabic counterparts.

This will show you’ve tried to learn some of their language and have an appreciation of their culture.

1. السلام عليكم (Assalaam alaykum) – Peace be upon you (Greeting)

Reply: وعليكم السلام (Wa alaykum assalaam) – and upon you be peace.

2. أهلاً وسهلاً (Ahlan wa sahlan) – Welcome

Reply: أهلاً فيك (Ahlan feek (masc.)/feekee (fem.)

3. فرصة سعيدة (Fursa sa’eeda) – Nice to meet you

4. مع السلامة (Ma’ assalaama) – Goodbye

5. تفضل (Tafadal) – A useful word meaning “there you go”, or “go ahead”. Could be used to gesture for someone to enter or to sit.

6. أين المكتب؟ (Ayn al-maktab?) – Where’s the office?

7. أنا مدير(ة) الشركة (Ana mudeer (masc.)/ mudeera (fem.) ash-sharika) – I am the manager of the company

8. أنا موظف(ة) (Ana muwathaf (masc.)/ muwathafa (fem.)) – I am an employee

9.رحلة عمل (Rehlat ‘amal) – Business trip

10. هذه المرة الأولى لي في دبي (Hathahi al-mara al-oola lee fee Dubai) – This is my first time in Dubai

11. اسمي… )Esmi…) – My name is…

12. سأتصل بك (saa’tasilu bek) – I’ll call you

13. هذه بطاقتي (hathehi bitaqati) – Here is my business card

14. شكراً (shukran) – Thank you

15. إن شاء الله (inshallah) – if God wills

Arab people tend to be very proud of their heritage and language so showing you have spent valuable time learning about their language and culture, will be appreciated and respected.

You will find that trying to use the Arabic language will go a long way and will certainly help in building a rapport.

Arabic Business Culture Tips

The Arab world is governed by the religion of Islam which impacts everything from daily life to the business world.

Understanding some of the cultural characteristics within the Arab world will help ensure you are considered polite, respectful, and courteous by your hosts or your business counterparts.

The following points are only a guideline but will help you avoid making an innocent faux pas or causing offence.

Business Meetings

• Dress formally and conservatively (women should cover shoulders, upper arms and legs)

• Punctuality is expected

• Small talk is likely as it helps to build good relationships which are central to all business negotiations in the Arab world

• Address counterparts by their titles unless requested to do otherwise

• Meetings are often more fluid than in the West, meaning that people may come and go, or make and receive phone calls

• Arab bosses tend to be fairly paternalistic, so conversation tends to be more personal because of this familiarity

• High pressure tactics are not favoured in the Arab world and can have a negative impact on negotiations

• The working week has changed recently to Monday to Friday, more in line with Western norms. However, some firms may still operate on the old system where Sunday is the start of the week

• Typical working hours may vary too with some firms operating a 9am-5pm, or 7.30am to 3pm, while others may have a long break during the day but remain open until late in the evening. Religious events such as Ramadan may result in shorter working hours throughout their duration

• Contrary to some popular Western beliefs, women hold many positions of power within business, society, and government

At Creative Word, it is our business to help you do business better in today’s ever evolving corporate world.

Contact us now to see how we can help you obtain your objective.

The post Arabic Language Phrases for Business Professionals appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

According to an online article by the Arab News, the aim of the test is to “help strengthen the role of the Arabic language regionally and globally by encouraging and supporting its use”.

The Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, said the initiative is an “extension of the Kingdom’s vital role in serving the Arabic language and enhancing its position”.

The test is believed to be the first standardized Arabic language competency test for non-native Arabic speakers in the region, covering reading, writing, listening and conversation, and it will operate in line with the standards of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The test, compiled by a group of leading academics, experts in applied linguistics, and measurement and evaluation professionals, is designed to increase ability, proficiency, and qualification level for non-native students learning Arabic in Saudi Arabia’s regional and international universities, and for use by other organizations who recruit non-native Arabic speakers.

Those students who complete the test will receive a certificate as proof of their Arabic language abilities along similar lines to those given for completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language and the International English Language Testing System.

The test will particularly appeal to university students from overseas who aren’t native Arabic speakers, or those who wish to live and work in Saudi Arabia or other Arabic speaking countries.

The Arab News spoke to Osama Ghanem Al-Obaidy, an adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, who stated that the test is likely to “play major role in the development of [Arabic] language skills” and that it will “help to measure the ability of non-native Arabic speakers to study and specialize in the Arabic language or related fields, or even to study other majors in the Arabic language such as religion, history and law, to make sure that those students and scholars are linguistically qualified enough to study or even teach any field in the Arabic language.”

It is also proposed that the test will support the Kingdom’s crucial role of enhancing the position of the Arabic language, encouraging its use, locally, nationally, and globally.

The post Standardized Test Launched for Non-Native Arabic Speakers in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

The new law allows entire court proceedings to be executed in English, saving time and effort, reducing translation cost linked to proceedings, and ensuring faster processing through the system.

According to the Khaleej Times online, the ruling was made in line with the Abu Dhabi bi-lingual court world-class project after English was finally recognized as the second official language of the region in 2018 (Arabic remains the first official language).

This is good news for non-Arabic speaking expats and residents, as it is now mandatory for claimants in a lawsuit to issue court documents in English for non-Arabic speakers.

Expats facing the Abu Dhabi courts “enjoy a unique privilege that is not available in any other court in the region.”

Forms, legal documentation, and court hearings are available in English, with every single phase of litigation accessible for non-Arabic speaking individuals, protecting rights to due process and easing access to justice.

Abu Dhabi court will also have a bi-lingual court panel with both English-speaking and Arabic-speaking judges presiding over proceedings and issuing judgements in both languages.

With people from over 200 nationalities at present, living and working in Abu Dhabi, and with the majority of these unable to read Arabic, their rights are now safeguarded by these reforms.

Protecting expats’ rights to be treated fairly, justly and without the hinderance of a language barrier, the Emirate now offers an unrivalled equality and a world-class judiciary system.

These legal reforms are linked to the Emirate’s wider economic and social plans for modernization of the dispute resolution system and highlights the ease of doing business in the capital.

“An efficient and transparent online court ecosystem and a business-friendly strategy are crucial for supporting and enhancing the emirate’s modernity, attracting foreign investment and encouraging the best talents to live and work in Abu Dhabi.”

However, the reforms are wider reaching than the aforementioned language and translation changes, aiming to bring Abu Dhabi in line with new socio-economic reality.

Other changes include:

• Civil Marriage – interfaith relationships can be registered without being subject to Shariah law. Residents and tourists can now marry freely.

• No-fault divorce – women can file for divorce quickly without worrying about their financial situation.

• 50/50 custody of children – the child’s best interests come first with joint custody after divorce

• Non-Muslim judges – are now allowed to hear cases for the first time in the Arab world

• Gender equality – men and women are to be treated equally in the eyes of the law in every case

• Unmarried parenting – a child born out of wedlock will now be legally recognized

• Family arbitration – is being introduced as an alternative dispute resolution to aid divorce settlements and family disputes

• Right of audience – foreign lawyers are now allowed to appear in court

The UAE, as a whole kingdom, has made sweeping changes to the legal system in recent months in a bid to promote a more conducive atmosphere for expats to settle and invest in the country.

Similarly, tourists now enjoy more freedom and can consume alcohol without the need for a licence and are able to marry in civil ceremonies.

The post Reforms Abolish English to Arabic Court Translations in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

This is partly because language can be used in many forms (spoken, written, sung and expressed through body language) but also because beauty is a matter of taste, what appears to be beautiful to one person could be abhorrent to another.

However, there are a handful of languages which are almost universally believed to be beautiful, either for their melodic sound or pleasing cursive script, and our favourites can be found below.

The Arabic Language

We might be a little biased about this one, considering we’re experts in the Arabic language, but we aren’t the only ones who think that the Arabic language is uniquely beautiful.

Over the last millennia the Arabic language has influenced many other languages around the globe from Bulgarian to Spanish, even some English words such as, Guitar and coffee, are based on Arabic words.

Arabic also has the most beautiful cursive script, which is considered an art form in its own right.

Historically, Arabic scribes and calligraphers were honoured artists and the Arabic script was placed on everything from buildings to textiles to enhance their beauty and importance.

It is easy to see why the Arabic language has a long traditional with oral poetry too as it requires consideration and emphasis when spoken to ensure full understanding or intent, and its complexity conveys the descriptive nature of the language.

For us, the sight and sound of the Arabic language is a joy to see and hear with its seemingly endless flow of elaborate flourishes from right-to-left and its musically mysterious tones.

The world is a more beautiful place because of it.

The Italian Language

Often considered to be the language of love, Italian is full of poetic expressions, passion and theatrics.

The words tend to roll off the tongue with ease due to the drawn-out vowels and short consonant structure that seem to denote eloquence and style all by themselves! It is a musical language, and it is no wonder that we draw many words linked to music from the language such as, piano, concert, opera, soprano and alto.

Italy was the cultural centre of Europe for centuries, celebrated by artists, nobility and literary geniuses for its beautiful landscape, people and language, and it retains this well-earned reputation today.

The French Language

Our third and final choice for beautiful languages has to be French.

The sexy, rolling Rs, and sensual, soft words of the French language were made for romantic evenings spent strolling along the Seine.

Combined with the totally chic and beautiful people that France seem to produce, it is no wonder that French is famous for being a beautiful language.

Even the way we have to shape our mouths (and lips) to pronounce some of the French vowel sounds such as, the ‘u’ from ‘une’ or ‘viola’ mimic the motion of forming a kiss, and everyone knows the French invented kissing, that’s why it’s called ‘French Kissing’.

Language is subjective but there is beauty to be found everywhere. Let us know in the comment section below which language is your favourite, and why.

The post What is the Most Beautiful Language in the World? appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.

According to an article online by the Arab Weekly, Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission launched the initiative known as ‘Tarjim’ (meaning translate) on International Translation Day (September 30th) in a bid to promote international cultural outreach.

Texts chosen for translation will include the latest international scientific, and intellectual articles written in the Arabic language, alongside literary texts of significance, with the aim of bringing Arabic content to a wider audience, helping researchers and Arabic language learners.

The initiative forms an element of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’ and came as part of the Saudi Cultural Minister’s efforts to bring Arabic works to the wider world.

It aims to “enrich Arabic content and deepen cultural exchange between the Arabic language and other major world languages” and was the first initiative to be announced last year by the cultural minister.

Vision 2030 includes a “Cultural Vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” which has set out the following three central objectives:

• Promoting culture as a way of life

• Enabling culture to contribute to economic growth

• Creating opportunities for international cultural exchange

The Tarjim programme reflects the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission’s belief in the vital importance of translation, how it enables broader cultural connections with other countries and people, and encourages an exchange of knowledge for the benefit of all.

Saudi’s Ministry of Culture website says that culture is “indispensable to our quality of life” and suggests the kingdom should increase the quality and quantity of its cultural activity.

It continues, stating “We’re proud of our rich cultural environment and talents with the potential to transcend the borders of our country to reach the world” and the Tarjim initiative should help achieve this aim.

Translation has always been played an important role in the Arabic world; early Muslims translated Greek philosophy into Arabic, contributing to the development of the culture, enriching human consciousness and promoting the Islamic religion around the world.

In more recent years, translation has been recognised by many Arab countries as a method of encouraging cultural understanding and advancing education in highly-technical subjects such as, science and technology. There have been numerous translation initiatives throughout the Arab world for these purposes including, the UAE’s Madrasa portal which has translated thousands of educational videos into Arabic for students.

The post Saudi Translation Initiative Brings Arabic Texts to the World appeared first on Creative Word, Dubai.