This text presents translators from different linguistic backgrounds discussing multilingual translation in the European Union. All articles stress the political dimension of multilingualism, and the professional role of the translator as communicator, on which much of the credibility of a union "speaking with one voice in many languages" will ultimately depend.

The economies of the advanced countries have gone global, but not the cultures This presents a plethora of problems that include economic as well as political affairs, especially with countries whose cultures are often so different that compromises--much less agreements--range from difficult to impossible. In this book, author Boy Lafayette De Mente, known for his pioneer books on the business and social cultures of China, Japan, Korea and Mexico, presents a series of business-oriented insights that take much of the mystery out of the mindset and behavior of the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and Mexicans. It is excellent background reading for business people, diplomats, political leaders, academics and students.

A MICHIGAN TEACHER TRAINING title Teachers are often in the forefront of today’s cross-cultural contact, whether in the language classroom or in the K–12 or university/college classroom, but they are not always prepared to handle the various issues that can arise in terms of cross-cultural communication. The intent of this book is to make education in cross-cultural awareness accessible to a broad range of teachers working in a variety of educational settings. Crossing Cultures in the Language Classroom attempts to balance theory and practice for pre-service and in-service teachers in general education programs or in ESL/EFL, bilingual, and foreign language teacher training programs, as well as cross-cultural awareness workshops. This book is unique in that it combines theory with a wide range of experiential activities and projects designed to actively engage users in the process of understanding different aspects of cross-cultural awareness. The goals of the book are to help readers: expand cultural awareness of one’s own culture and that of others achieve a deeper understanding of what culture is and the relationship between culture and language acquire the ability to observe behaviors in order to draw conclusions based on observation rather than preconceptions understand and implement observations of cultural similarities and differences develop an attitude of tolerance toward cultural differences and move away from the “single story.” The new edition has been thoroughly updated and includes a Suggested Projects section in each chapter. This section provides opportunities for users of the text to explore in greater depth an area and topic of interest. It also includes even more Critical Incidents--brief descriptions of events that depict some element or elements of cultural differences, miscommunication, or culture clash. Critical Incidents develop users’ ability to analyze and understand how multiple perspectives of the same situation are rooted in differing culturally influenced beliefs, behaviors, norms of interaction, and worldviews.

This book provides readers with a comprehensive guide to other cultures – the often-unfamiliar ways that people from other cultures think, speak and act. As such, it helps readers identify potential and real conflicts, and to take appropriate action so as to build successful relationships. The book draws on the authors’ combined experience from international line management and international projects, as well as teaching seminars and coaching clientele from around the globe. It offers an essential resource for anyone involved in transnational business and cross-border relationships.

This volume makes an important intercultural and interdisciplinary contribution to intercultural communications in Europe. The publication links linguistic aspects with psychological, social, economic, political, and cultural issues and creates a wide perspective encompassing the European heterogeneity of languages, cultures, traditions, and developments.

The lingua franca role of English, coupled with its status as the official language of ASEAN, has important implications for language policy and language education. These include the relationship between English, the respective national languages of ASEAN and thousands of local languages. How can the demand for English be balanced against the need for people to acquire their national language and mother tongue? While many will also need a regional lingua franca, they are learning English as the first foreign language from primary school in all ASEAN countries. Might not this early introduction of English threaten local languages and children's ability to learn? Or can English be introduced and taught in such a way that it can complement local languages rather than replace them? The aim of this book is to explore questions such as these and then make recommendations on language policy and language education for regional policymakers. The book will be important for regional policymakers and language education professionals. It should also benefit language teachers, especially, but by no means exclusively, English language teachers. The book will be of interest to all who are interested in the development of English as an international language and the possible implications of this upon local languages and cultures. Andy Kirkpatrickis chair professor of English as an international language at the Hong Kong Institute of Education and director of the Institute's Research Centre into Language Education and Acquisition in Multilingual Societies. His research interests include the development of regional varieties of English and the history of Chinese rhetoric. "Much research has been carried out on varieties of English used in Southeast Asia, but how intelligible these varieties are to others and whether a shift towards an international 'standard' variety occurs in interactions between people from the region, has been much less discussed. This volume, which provides a comprehensive account of the roles and functions of English in ASEAN, and gives a linguistic description of the English spoken in the region, followed by an approach to teaching English called the 'multilingual model', is therefore a welcome contribution to studies on English in Asia." - Azirah Hashim, Professor of English, University of Malaya

"Since when is Fran Drescher Jewish?" This was Chiara Francesca Ferrari's reaction when she learned that Drescher's character on the television sitcom The Nanny was meant to be a portrayal of a stereotypical Jewish-American princess. Ferrari had only seen the Italian version of the show, in which the protagonist was dubbed into an exotic, eccentric Italian-American nanny. Since When Is Fran Drescher Jewish? explores this "ventriloquism" as not only a textual and cultural transfer between languages but also as an industrial practice that helps the media industry foster identification among varying audiences around the globe. At the heart of this study is an in-depth exploration of three shows that moved from global to local, mapping stereotypes from both sides of the Atlantic in the process. Presented in Italy, for example, Groundskeeper Willie from The Simpsons is no longer a belligerent, alcoholic Scotsman but instead easily becomes a primitive figure from Sardinia. Ironically, The Sopranos—a show built around Italian-Americans—was carefully re-positioned by Italian TV executives, who erased the word "mafia" and all regional references to Sicily. The result of Ferrari's three case studies is evidence that "otherness" transcends translation, as the stereotypes produced by the American entertainment industry are simply replaced by other stereotypes in foreign markets. As American television studios continue to attempt to increase earnings by licensing their shows abroad, Since When Is Fran Drescher Jewish? illuminates the significant issues of identity raised by this ever-growing marketplace, along with the intriguing messages that lie in the larger realm of audiovisual cultural exchange.