Today we are all Shakespeare!

The world celebrates today one of the greatest names in world literature and, simultaneously, English Language Day, celebrated by the United Nations. In reality, it is almost impossible to separate the English language from arguably its most prominent speaker: William Shakespeare. Indeed, the date chosen by the UN to celebrate this international day of “anglophonia” (English language) is not exactly innocent, as it is the date of birth and death of the poet, playwright, and even English actor, born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.

Who hasn’t read (or at least seen film adaptations) of Shakespeare, such as “Romeo and Juliet”, “Hamlet”, “Othello”, “Macbeth”, “The Merchant of Venice”, or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”? In total, the (alleged) greatest playwright in history and designated “National Poet of England” is attributed with 39 plays, 154 sonnets, two narrative poems, and several other works.

But today, although the connection to William Shakespeare is undeniable, the greatest emphasis is on English, which is the most spoken language worldwide and unanimously considered the most important “linguistic tool”. In reality, the English language is only the third language in terms of native speakers (340 million people), surpassed by Mandarin (with over 1.3 billion speakers) and Spanish (over 400 million), and closely followed by Portuguese (with nearly 300 million). But altogether, more than 1.5 billion people use English in their daily communications.

Whether we like it or not, English affects our lives, even if it does not do so professionally, but no one can escape its impact, whether in literature, music, television and cinema, or social media. Indeed, it makes perfect sense to appropriate here what is almost certainly the most famous phrase written by William Shakespeare and declaimed by Hamlet in the eponymous play by the English playwright: To be or not to be, that is the question. Which is to say: speaking or not speaking English can be decisive.

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Improving Communication to Increase Reach: The Importance of Software Localization

IT companies and Software Houses face the challenge of needing to expand their reach to international markets. A crucial factor in achieving this goal is communicating in the language of their customers.

In this article, we will explore the importance and advantages of Software Localization.

What is Software Localization?

Software localization is the process of adapting a software product to meet the cultural, linguistic, and technical needs of a specific market. This process goes far beyond the simple translation of texts, as it also involves adjustments to the user interface, date and time formats, currencies and many other aspects.

The Importance of Software Localization for IT Companies and Software Houses

  1. Increased accessibility: By localizing the software, companies make their products more accessible to a variety of users in different regions of the world. They eliminate language and cultural barriers and thus expand their market potential.
  2. Improved user experience: Adapting the software to the language and culture of the user results in a more familiar and intuitive experience. This type of experience increases customer satisfaction and retention probability, as users feel more comfortable and connected to the product.
  3. Gain of relevance: Software localization allows companies to be perceived as closer and more relevant to customers in foreign markets. This builds trust and credibility, facilitating product acceptance in new territories.

Advantages of Software Localization

  1. Market expansion: With localization, companies can target specific markets more accurately, by adapting the software to local preferences and requirements. This makes it possible to generate opportunities for penetration into new markets.
  2. Increased competitiveness: Companies that invest in software localization stand out from the competition, demonstrating a commitment to quality and product customization in order to meet the unique needs of each market. In a highly competitive environment, this can be a decisive factor.
  3. Long-term cost reduction: Although the initial localization process may require significant investments, in the long term, it can result in cost reduction. This is because localized products are more likely to succeed and require less post-sale assistance, resulting in a clearer and more sustainable return on investment.

Conclusion

Software localization is an essential strategy for IT companies and Software Houses looking to expand their global presence. By adapting their products to the specific needs of each market, companies can increase their accessibility, relevance, and international competitiveness.

Investing in software localization is not only a smart strategic decision but also a crucial step towards success in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.

Let’s Celebrate French Language Day and Embrace Francophonie

Liberté, égalité, fraternité” – rarely has a saying like this famous motto from the French Revolution been more adequate than today: the day the World celebrates, once again, the international French Language Day.

When has this expression, usually ascribed to the French statesman Maximilien Robespierre, been more appropriate than in the current moment of international upheaval that we are living in today, with wars and crisis all over the world and millions experiencing on a daily basis that “liberty, equality, fraternity” may after all be nothing more than wishful thinking?

But let’s not ponder too much and celebrate Francophonie instead. After all, French is spoken by more than 350 million people in the world and is the official language in 27 countries. Who has never fallen in love with the paintings of Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, or Paul Cézanne; the music of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel or Hector Berlioz; the voices of Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, or Serge Gainsbourg; the writings of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Alexandre Dumas, or Jules Verne; the beauty and brilliance of Brigitte Bardot, Gérard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve, Alain Delon, Juliette Binoche, or Jean-Paul Belmondo; or even the prowess of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Zinédine Zidane, Michel Platini, or Astérix? There is an almost seemingly inexhaustible source of French culture and heritage that is second to none.

The United Nations started to commemorate French Language Day every year on March 20, 2010, to “celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote equal use of all six official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) throughout the Organization”. This date traces back to the founding, in 1970, of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), a group whose 77 member-states share a common tongue and which aims to promote the French language and cultural diversity.

French Language Day has been celebrated annually and one of its key objectives is to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism, values that are at the heart of the United Nations’ mission for peace, cooperation, and understanding among nations.

Moreover, French Language Day serves as an opportunity to reflect on the role of language in fostering inclusiveness and building bridges between people of different backgrounds. In an increasingly interconnected world, proficiency in multiple languages, including French, opens doors to new opportunities and facilitates cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

We at TETRAEPIK are no strangers to building bridges and linguistic diversity and, therefore, embrace and honour Francophonie and all their native speakers, language enthusiasts or simply curious about the French language and its heritage. Make the most of this date and occasion to explore, learn, and celebrate the beauty of French.

Or, as the French poet and journalist Anatole France once wrote: “La langue française est une femme. Et cette femme est si belle, si fière, si modeste, si hardie, touchante, voluptueuse, chaste, noble, familière, folle, sage, qu’on l’aime de toute son âme, et qu’on n’est jamais tenté de lui être infidèle.” (“The French language is a woman. And this woman is so beautiful, so proud, so modest, so bold, touching, voluptuous, chaste, noble, familiar, mad, wise, that we love her with all our soul, and are never tempted to be unfaithful to her.”)

GROW with SAP

Steve Jobs, visionary co-founder of Apple Inc., once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” And that makes perfect sense for TETRAEPIK, which has been loving, for over 26 years now, to do what it does for and with SAP SE, the German technological giant that leads the global market in enterprise application software.

“Run Simple”, no matter what

In line with its operational principle of “Run Simple”, SAP has helped TETRAEPIK grow, navigate constant market changes, and turn dreams into reality. Obviously it hasn’t been simple all the time, but wasn’t it another visionary, called Albert Einstein, who stated, “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity!”?

TETRAEPIK has had its fair share of difficulties throughout its 26-year journey. When we dared to dream in 1997 of having our own language services agency, we were far from believing it would be a walk in the park. It wasn’t then, it hasn’t been since… it never is, actually. But we’re acutely aware that it would have been immensely more difficult if SAP hadn’t placed its trust in a newly formed company in early 1998, created by four daring, bold, and – why not – visionary translators.

Our role alongside SAP

We have always believed in our crucial role in harmonizing relationships between companies, institutions, and individuals from different countries, cultures, origins, and societies, as well as eliminating seemingly insurmountable language barriers. But doing so alongside the German giant and its global ecosystem allowed us to grow with SAP and break some paradigms.

After all, inexperience, youth, and irreverence can be assets, and being located on the fringes of Europe doesn’t necessarily have to be a disadvantage. We turned these challenges into opportunities and built bridges to Brazil, to the Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, and to practically all European countries.

Adversity, bridges, and partnerships

SAP also helped us build other bridges, bringing us closer to agencies and customers worldwide, enabling us to partake in international partnerships and ultimately to found, together with 10 other agencies, a “business hub” called ASAP Globalizers, of which we are extremely proud.

Even during the most challenging moments, such as the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009, the International Bailout to Portugal from 2011 to 2013, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, and more recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, SAP has always stood by our side. It always believed that we could maintain our high levels of quality, commitment, and dedication, continuing to provide exemplary services with strict adherence to deadlines, unparalleled translation accuracy, and incomparable friendliness to everyone – all at competitive prices. In short, it always believed that we would uphold TETRAEPIK’s four guiding values: Efficiency, Precision, Interactivity, and Know-how.

Awards and future

We believe SAP has never regretted opening its doors to us in 1998. In fact, it proved this by awarding us the “Translation Partner of the Year” in 2006/07 and highlighting our 25-year collaboration in 2023, granting us the “Long Service Award.”

We aim to continue earning the trust of SAP and all our other customers. That’s why we are committed to overcoming the challenges that Artificial Intelligence is already posing to our industry. After all, TETRAEPIK is convinced that what Abraham Lincoln once said makes perfect sense: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

International Mother Language Day: Celebrating Linguistic Diversity

International Mother Language Day, observed globally on February 21, is a special occasion to recognize the importance of languages in preserving cultural identity and promoting linguistic diversity all over the world. Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999, this day highlights the need to protect and value all mother languages, which are an essential part of each individual’s and community’s cultural heritage.

The mother language is the first language we learn, usually in childhood, and the one that is most familiar to us. It is an important part of our cultural identity, enabling us to communicate with those around us.

 

The Importance of the Mother Language

The mother language plays a fundamental role in everyone’s life. It is through it that we express our thoughts and feelings, revealing our identity. Additionally, the mother language forms the foundation for the educational and intellectual development of every human being, as well as for the exchange of knowledge and cultural traditions from generation to generation.

 

Preserving Linguistic Diversity

This day also seeks to raise awareness about linguistic diversity. It is after all one of humanity’s richest and most fascinating characteristics, with approximately 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, each with its own history, structure, and cultural significance. However, many of these languages are at risk of disappearing due to globalization, migration and cultural assimilation. The loss of a language is a loss for all of humanity. Today serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting and promoting this diversity by celebrating and valuing all languages.

 

The Role of Language Services in the Celebration of the Mother Language

As a language services agency, we recognize the vital importance of the mother language in all aspects of life. Our mission is to assist in preserving and promoting mother languages by providing translation, localization, and interpretation services in a variety of language combinations. Our work enables people to communicate with each other in their mother language, regardless of the language that is actually spoken. By facilitating communication across different languages and cultures, we contribute to the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide.

Through translation and localization into various languages, we enable individuals from different cultures to access information in their own language. With simultaneous interpretation, individuals from different cultures and speaking different languages can communicate during meetings and events, often hubs of significant advancements in various fields of knowledge, such as medicine or technology.

On this International Mother Language Day, we celebrate the importance of the mother language and the richness of linguistic diversity. Together, we can collaborate to preserve and promote mother languages, ensuring that every voice is heard, and every story is told.