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Personalized Services for Individuals and Small Businesses |
Business Language Courses and SoftwareIn my lifetime, I have heard English, French, and Spanish described as the world's languages of business. This was based on, one assumes, the language of one's business associates. 
But consider that the most common languages on the Internet behind English are Chinese, Japanese, and German, respectively. (And they made me take French in High School.) Also consider that business is more global every day. The conclusion is that businesses may have to expand their communication skills to take full advantage of the global market. Of course, there are human translators available to large companies, in-house or from a local service. And there is document translation software of varying degrees of accuracy. Handheld reference devices are as cumbersome as carrying a Portuguese-English / English-Portuguese dictionary. Automatic translation devices for in person conversations are still years away. These limitations are known and accepted in the business world. But when a company representative goes the extra measure of learning to speak in a client's or host's native language, a positive impression will be made. At least light conversational skills will be appreciated. The following programs and websites offer training in many languages. Try one or more and see how you do on your next international trip.
Word2Word
Tell Me More
SoundVision
TalkNow!
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