In today’s interconnected world, businesses have unprecedented opportunities to reach global audiences. However, as they expand their reach across borders, one crucial aspect of marketing cannot be overlooked: localization.
Localization involves adapting content and marketing strategies to fit the cultural norms, preferences, and languages of specific target markets. By tailoring their messages to resonate with local audiences, businesses can create more impactful marketing campaigns and foster strong connections with potential customers worldwide.
Understanding Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is a defining characteristic of our world, with each country, region, and even city possessing its unique set of values, traditions, and linguistic nuances. What may be appealing or acceptable in one culture can be completely misunderstood or even offensive in another.
Localization recognizes and respects these differences by ensuring that marketing content is not only translated accurately but also adapted to reflect the cultural context of the target market.
Language Adaptation
Language is the most fundamental element of localization. While English is widely spoken and understood, a large portion of the global population prefers consuming content in their native language. Thus, translating marketing materials into the local language is essential for effective communication.
It is crucial to go beyond mere translation and consider linguistic nuances, idiomatic expressions, and even regional dialects. Localizing content ensures that it resonates with the target audience, making them feel more connected to the brand and its offerings.
Cultural Nuances
Beyond language, cultural norms and values play a vital role in shaping consumer behavior. What may be considered appropriate or desirable in one culture might be perceived differently in another. Localization involves adapting content to reflect these cultural nuances. This can involve modifying imagery, adjusting color schemes, using locally relevant examples, and incorporating cultural references that resonate with the target audience.
By doing so, businesses demonstrate their understanding and respect for the local culture, fostering a sense of familiarity and trust.
Customizing Marketing Strategies
Localization also involves customizing marketing strategies to align with local preferences and market dynamics. This may include adjusting pricing structures, promotional tactics, distribution channels, and even product features to cater to specific markets.
By acknowledging and adapting to the unique needs and preferences of local consumers, businesses can gain a competitive edge and position themselves as trusted partners rather than foreign entities.
Building Trust and Brand Loyalty
Localization surpasses mere communication; it builds trust and establishes brand loyalty. When businesses invest in understanding and adapting to local cultural norms, they demonstrate their commitment to the local community and their willingness to cater to their needs.
This level of customization creates a deeper connection with consumers, leading to higher engagement, increased brand awareness, and ultimately, customer loyalty. By acknowledging the importance of localization, businesses can foster long-term relationships with customers worldwide.
Localization is important for businesses to succeed in global markets and grow sustainably. Investing in this helps navigate complexities and empowers success.
Teneo Linguistics Company offers customized localization and transcreation services in addition to professional translation, interpreting, transcription, consulting, and bilingual staffing. TLC is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in these services in over 180 languages. Visit www.tlctranslation.com to get a quote for your business today.
Language is the cornerstone of human communication and has played a crucial role in our evolution as a species.
From the earliest forms of communication to the complex linguistic systems we use today, the evolution of language is a fascinating journey that reflects the development of human society, culture, and cognition.
The exact origins of language remain a subject of debate among linguists and scientists. However, it is widely accepted that human language emerged as a means of communication in our early hominid ancestors. The development of the vocal tract, improved cognitive abilities, and increased social interactions are believed to have contributed to the evolution of early forms of language.
The Early Forms of Language
Early human language likely started with simple vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions. These primitive forms of communication were limited in their ability to convey complex ideas, but they served as a foundation for the development of more sophisticated linguistic systems.
Over time, early humans began to combine sounds, gestures, and visual cues to create a more nuanced and expressive means of communication.
The Birth of Written Language
The invention of writing marks a significant milestone in the evolution of language.
Ancient civilizations, such as the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Chinese, independently developed systems of writing to record information and communicate across time and space. The advent of written language allowed for the preservation and transmission of knowledge, enabling the accumulation of human culture and history.
Language and Cultural Evolution
Language is deeply intertwined with culture, and as human societies evolved, so did their languages. Different cultures and regions developed their unique languages, dialects, and linguistic features, shaped by their history, environment, and social interactions. This diversity of languages reflects the richness and complexity of human cultural expression.
The Rise of Global Languages
As civilizations expanded and interacted through trade, conquest, and colonization, certain languages gained prominence as lingua francas (a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different).
Greek, Latin, Arabic, and English are among the languages that have played significant roles as vehicles of communication, administration, science, and trade across different periods of time. In recent centuries, English has emerged as the global language of business, diplomacy, and technology, further facilitating global interactions.
Modern Expressions and Language Evolution
The modern era, marked by rapid advancements in technology and communication, has led to new forms of language evolution. The rise of the internet and social media platforms has introduced a new realm of communication, where emojis, acronyms, and hashtags have become integral to online discourse.
These digital expressions reflect the need for efficient communication in a fast-paced and interconnected world.
Language is continually evolving, adapting to societal changes and technological advancements. With the increasing interconnectedness of the world, it is likely that languages will continue to blend, borrow, and evolve, giving rise to new forms of expression.
Additionally, emerging technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are shaping the way we communicate, raising questions about the potential impact on language and human interaction.
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of communication, it is crucial to appreciate the origins, development, and diversity of languages while embracing the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Language, in all its forms, will continue to shape our understanding of the world, foster connections between individuals and cultures, and serve as a powerful tool for expressing the human experience.
Teneo Linguistics Company is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in a variety of customizable language services in over 180 languages. Learn more about how your company can benefit from TLC’s professional services at www.tlctranslation.com.
The ability to speak multiple languages has long been regarded as a valuable skill. In addition to facilitating communication across cultures, research has shown that being bilingual or multilingual has a profound impact on the brain.
The benefits of speaking multiple languages extend beyond communication and can positively influence various areas of cognitive function.
Enhanced Cognitive Control
One of the most notable effects of speaking multiple languages is the enhancement of cognitive control. Bilingual individuals constantly switch between languages and inhibit one language while using the other.
This cognitive demand strengthens the brain’s executive control system, which is responsible for maintaining focus, switching attention, and suppressing irrelevant information. As a result, bilinguals exhibit improved attentional control and have an increased ability to filter out distractions in various tasks.
Improved Memory and Learning Abilities
The bilingual brain also benefits from improved memory and learning abilities. Language learning involves memorizing vocabulary, grammar rules, and syntactic structures. Consequently, bilingual individuals develop better memory skills, particularly in tasks related to verbal information.
The process of constantly activating and suppressing different languages strengthens the brain’s memory networks and enhances overall cognitive performance. Multilingualism has also been linked to a delay in age-related cognitive decline.
Enhanced Problem-Solving and Creative Thinking
Speaking multiple languages has been associated with enhanced problem-solving skills and creative thinking. Bilingual individuals often encounter situations where they need to find alternative ways to express themselves or understand others.
This mental flexibility and adaptability transfer to other cognitive domains, allowing bilinguals to approach problems from different perspectives. Research has shown that bilingual individuals tend to think more creatively, as their multilingual experiences enable them to make connections between disparate concepts and think outside the box.
Increased Empathy and Intercultural Understanding
Language is closely intertwined with culture, and speaking multiple languages exposes individuals to different cultural perspectives. This linguistic and cultural diversity fosters empathy and intercultural understanding.
Bilingual individuals often have a deeper appreciation for cultural nuances, which enables them to communicate and connect with people from diverse backgrounds more effectively. This heightened intercultural sensitivity broadens their worldview and contributes to their overall cognitive development.
Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Reserve
Recent studies suggest that the bilingual brain exhibits higher levels of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections.
Bilingualism provides constant cognitive challenges, stimulating neuroplasticity and promoting more efficient use of brain resources. This enhanced plasticity contributes to the cognitive reserve of bilingual individuals, making their brains more resilient against the effects of aging and neurological disorders.
Whether you are already bilingual or considering learning a new language, embracing multilingualism can be a fulfilling and intellectually enriching journey with long-lasting benefits for your brain health and cognitive abilities. So go ahead, embark on the path to becoming bilingual, and unlock the potential of your brain.
Teneo Linguistics Company is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in customizable language services in over 180 languages. Learn more about how we can support your company with professional language services at www.tlctranslation.com.
Research is an essential component of progress and development in various fields such as medicine, technology, and social sciences. However, conducting research can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to collecting and analyzing data.
Multilingual transcription plays a vital role in research by ensuring data accuracy and accessibility.
What is Multilingual Transcription?
Multilingual transcription involves the process of converting audio or video recordings in different languages into written text.
This process enables researchers to analyze and understand data more effectively. It involves listening to the recordings, transcribing them into written text, and translating the text into the desired language.
Multilingual transcription is essential in research for several reasons:
• It ensures data accuracy. Transcribing audio or video recordings into written text makes it easier to analyze the data accurately. It also eliminates errors that may occur during the transcription process, such as omitting critical information or misinterpreting the meaning of words.
• Multilingual transcription increases data accessibility. Transcribing data into written text makes it easier for researchers to access and analyze the data. It also allows researchers to share the data with others, which increases collaboration and enables further research and analysis.
• It is crucial for conducting cross-cultural research. Researchers may encounter participants who speak different languages, and therefore, multilingual transcription allows for the transcription of data from different languages. This increases the accuracy and validity of research findings as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the research topic.
• It is essential for researchers who are not fluent in the language spoken by their participants. Transcribing data into written text allows researchers to understand the data more effectively, even if they are not fluent in the language spoken by the participants.
• Finally, multilingual transcription is necessary for conducting research in multilingual settings. Transcribing data in multiple languages allows researchers to analyze and compare data across different languages and cultures, which enhances their understanding of the research topic.
Multilingual transcription increases collaboration between researchers and allows for further research and analysis. Therefore, it is essential for researchers to prioritize multilingual transcription to maximize the accuracy and validity of their research findings.
Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC) offers both audio and video transcription services in most language combinations. Producing high-quality, clear, and frequently confidential transcription can be a complex process that TLC handles with ease and at an affordable price.
From taped meetings and video surveillance to conference proceedings, seminars, e-learning, clinical interviews, market research, psychological assessments, and podcasts, TLC provides transcription services that are tailored to a company’s needs.
Language is a powerful tool that we use to communicate with others and express our thoughts and ideas. However, it also plays a significant role in shaping our thoughts and perception of the world.
From how we see colors and shapes to how we understand complex ideas, language influences how we experience and interact with the world around us.
One of the most significant ways in which language shapes our perception is through the categorization of objects and concepts. We use language to label and organize the things we encounter, which can influence how we perceive them.
One of the most important uses of language is the definition of the self, besides others, and the relations between these groups. Pronouns like I, you, and we exist in almost all languages, but very few languages use the same assortment. The formal-informal distinction is still found in many widely spoken modern languages, like French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian (among many others), and is as such quite familiar.
Standard Chinese has two pronouns for ‘we’— one excluding the person to who the language addressed (us but not you), and another ‘we’ for including that person (us and you). This sort of flexibility offers speakers more frequent chances to distinguish these differences between in-and-out groups.
Similarly, expressing action in relation to other people in Japanese requires the consideration of many distinctions entirely absent from English. Perhaps most dramatically, most verbs that take another as a direct or indirect object must be appended with a suffix which signals whether or not that other person is a member of one’s social in- or out-group, and whether the action was kindly received by a superior within that community hierarchy, or kindly performed for one to whom the speaker is either a peer or a superior, such as a close friend in an especially informal setting, or a younger family member or pet.
English speakers don’t use ‘thou’ anymore, but for Japanese speakers, even the word ‘to do’— is a choice between yaru (for those below the speaker in hierarchy) and suru (neutral).
In English, we use different words to describe blue and describe tints of blue by adding an adjective to the front, such as light blue and dark blue. In contrast in Russian, there are entirely different words for light blue, goluboi, and dark blue, siniy. If an English speaker requested that they be handed a red item from an assortment, and instead received the pink one, they’d feel their request was mishandled— not that there was an ambiguity in their request. Similarly, a Russian speaker expecting a new car in navy blue would be shocked to receive one in cornflower or sky blue. As in English, Russian also treats red and pink as distinct colors.
Similarly, the way in which languages categorize nouns can also shape how speakers perceive and remember them. For example, in English, we categorize objects as either animate,living, or inanimate, non-living. However, in some languages, such as Spanish and French, objects are categorized as either masculine or feminine, which can influence how speakers remember and conceptualize those objects.
Language can also shape our perception of time and space. For example, in English, we tend to think of time as a linear progression, with the past behind us and the future ahead. Certain languages, like Turkish and Japanese, make sure to relate whether or not a past event was directly experienced, or if it was simply related to the speaker.
In English, “It rained.” is so simple as to feel objective and factual, yet Turkish speakers must first consider whether to say, “Yağmur yağdı”, i.e. it rained, and I saw the rain, or “Yağmur yağmış”, i.e. everything is wet;it rained.
However, some cultures, such as the Aymara people of South America, think of time as moving from east to west, with the past in front of them and the future behind.
This difference in perception can influence how speakers of different languages plan for the future, as well as how they remember past events.
Similarly, the way in which languages describe spatial relationships can also shape how speakers perceive and navigate the world.
In English, we use words like in, on, and under to describe the location of objects. However, some languages, such as Tzeltal Maya, use words that describe the shape and orientation of objects in relation to each other, which can lead speakers to perceive spatial relationships differently.
Finally, language can also influence how we perceive and express emotions. Different languages have different words and expressions for emotions, which can influence how speakers perceive and experience those emotions. In Japanese, there are many words for different types of sadness and happiness. The most frequently used and general word, 悲しい kanashiiis quite similar to the most limited sense of the English word sad.
In English, ‘sad’ has multiple distinct meanings: in addition to the opposite of happy (as described above), one can also use ‘sad’ to evaluate a person, situation, or circumstance in the sense of wretched, or deplorable. In Japanese, we’d need a totally different word, 嘆かわしい nagekawashii. 痛ましい itamashii, however, takes the kanji for ‘injury’ or ‘pain’ to mean sadness with a specific point of heartbreak or tragedy responsible for the emotion.
While English also has many different words for sadness, the point is that the lack of direct equivalencies leads to different expressions of the nature, origin, and circumstance of the emotion of sadness.
As we continue to study language and its effects on the brain and behavior, we can gain a deeper understanding of how language shapes our perception of the world and the implications of these effects for communication and cognition.
Teneo Linguistics Company is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in a variety of customizable language services in over 180 languages. Learn more by visiting www.tlctranslation.com.
Creating culturally appropriate content is more important than ever in today’s world. With the rise of social media and the internet, people from all over the world are constantly consuming content from a wide variety of sources.
As a business, it’s important to recognize the diversity of your audience and create content that is respectful and inclusive of different cultures. Here are some tips for creating culturally appropriate content for different audiences.
Research the culture
Before creating any content, it’s important to research the culture you are targeting. This includes understanding their values, customs, and traditions. This will help you avoid any cultural missteps that may offend your audience.
Take the time to learn about their history, language, and social norms. You can do this by reading books, watching documentaries, and talking to people from that culture.
Use inclusive language
Language plays a significant role in how we perceive different cultures. It’s essential to use inclusive language that avoids stereotypes and generalizations. Avoid using language that is derogatory, insensitive, or offensive.
Use language that is respectful and inclusive. This includes using gender-neutral language, avoiding racial slurs, and recognizing the diversity within a culture.
Consider visual imagery
Visual imagery can be a powerful way to communicate culture, but it’s essential to use it carefully. Be mindful of the images you choose and how they may be perceived.
Avoid using stereotypes or images that may be culturally insensitive. Instead, use images that represent the diversity within the culture and its values.
Be respectful of religious beliefs
Religion plays an important role in many cultures, and it’s essential to be respectful of these beliefs. Avoid using religious imagery or language that may be perceived as offensive.
Instead, focus on the values and traditions of the culture.
Collaborate with members of the culture
Collaborating with members of the culture you are targeting can be an effective way to create culturally appropriate content. This can provide you with valuable insights into the culture and help you avoid any cultural missteps. Additionally, it shows your audience that you are respectful of their culture and willing to learn from them.
Seek feedback from diverse sources
Once you’ve created your content, it’s important to seek feedback from a diverse group of people.
This can include people from the culture you are targeting, as well as people from other cultures. This will help you identify any cultural missteps and make adjustments as needed.
As a business, it’s essential to recognize the diversity of your audience and create content that reflects this diversity. By doing so, you can reach a broader audience and create a positive impact.
Teneo Linguistics Company can assist your business on this journey by providing a variety of customizable language services in more than 180 languages. Visit www.tlctranslation.com to get a quote today.
Language services are essential for businesses and organizations that operate in a globalized world. From translation to interpreting, language services help to bridge communication gaps and enable effective communication across borders.
In turn, security is crucial in selecting a language services provider (LSP) because of the nature of the information that is shared. Businesses and organizations often share confidential and sensitive information that could have significant consequences if it falls into the wrong hands.
For example, a company may share financial information, legal documents, or trade secrets with a language service provider to be translated. If this information is not adequately protected, it could be accessed by unauthorized parties, leading to financial loss, legal disputes, or damage to the company’s reputation.
All Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC) language professionals are bound by confidentiality agreements. In the process of handling sensitive documents, TLC uses standard security certificates, protocols, and secure systems to protect the information.
Here are some best practices for ensuring security in language services:
Choose a reputable language services provider
When choosing an LSP, it’s essential to do research and choose a reputable provider with a strong track record of security. Look for providers that have ISO 27001 certification, which is the international standard for information security management. This certification ensures that the provider has implemented a comprehensive security management system to protect client data.
TLC has continued to pass its ISO 27001 certification audits over the years. This achievement translates into a commitment to protecting TLC clients’ data and systems.
Secure data transmission
LSPs should use secure methods for transmitting data, such as encrypted email or secure file transfer protocol (SFTP). SFTP is a protocol that provides secure file transfers between computers, and it’s a preferred method for transmitting large files securely.
Ensure secure storage
Customer data should be stored in a secure and protected environment. This includes using firewalls, access controls, and encryption to prevent unauthorized access to client data. Providers should also have backup and disaster recovery plans in place to ensure that data can be restored in case of a breach or system failure.
Protect confidentiality
LSPs should have strict confidentiality policies in place to ensure that client data is not shared with unauthorized parties. Providers should also ensure that their staff members sign confidentiality agreements and receive appropriate training to understand the importance of protecting client data.
Monitor and assess security measures
An LSP should regularly monitor and assess its security measures to identify and address any vulnerabilities. Providers should also conduct regular security audits to ensure that they are in compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Ultimately, choosing a reputable language service provider, like TLC, can ensure that their language services are secure and reliable. Don’t be afraid to inquire about the above information when deciding what LSP to work with.
TLC’s customers already know high-quality translation services are always provided. And they also have the peace of mind of knowing that TLC has processes, systems, and technology in place to provide the highest possible level of data security out there. Data security is even more important now when people work remotely or in a hybrid scenario.
In today’s globalized world, it is essential for businesses to have an online presence. With the internet, it is easier than ever to reach a worldwide audience. However, to do so effectively, it is crucial to consider the impact of translation on search engine optimization (SEO) and website traffic.
This piece addresses how translation can impact SEO and website traffic and offers tips for businesses to optimize their translated content. Teneo Linguistics Company (TLC) can play a significant role in implementing a successful multilingual SEO project.
SEO is a set of processes aimed at improving a company’s website visibility in search engines. The higher a website ranks in the SERPs (search engine results pages), the more likely it is to receive traffic from search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. SEO is essential for businesses as it can increase their visibility, credibility, and their revenue.
TLC offers professional website localization services. Most web users prefer to search and browse websites in their own native language. But it’s not just about creating another language version of a company’s existing website but rather a version of the content that considers cultural context and target audience, stylistic issues, legality, multilingual SEO, adaptation to the local market, planning for space issues, and ongoing updates to the website.
Another factor to consider is the quality of the translation. Poorly translated content can negatively affect SEO and website traffic.
Search engines like Google use algorithms to determine the relevance and quality of website content. If the translation is of low quality, it can affect the website’s credibility, which can result in a lower ranking in the SERPs.
TLC is ISO 17100 certified, which is specific to the translation services industry. It provides the requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects of delivering quality translation services. When a company reaches this ISO certification, they have proven they offer reliable, consistent translations. TLC’s translation process is established and holds up to even the finest scrutiny.
To perfect translated content for SEO and website traffic, businesses can follow these tips:
Hire professional translators: Professional translators have the ability and experience to ensure that the translation is accurate, relevant, and of high quality.
Conduct keyword research: Businesses should conduct keyword research in the target language to identify relevant keywords and phrases to include in their translated content.
Adapt the content to the target culture: Translating content is not enough. Businesses should adapt their content to the target culture to ensure that it resonates with the local audience.
Use hreflang tags: Hreflang tags tell search engines which language version of a page to serve to users based on their location and language preferences. This can improve the visibility of the translated content in the SERPs.
By following the tips outlined above, businesses can improve the visibility of their translated content and increase their website traffic from non-English-speaking countries. However, it’s important to leave it to professionals like TLC to ensure a company doesn’t see a negative impact from inaccurate or unreliable translations.
Don’t miss out on valuable website traffic simply because your content isn’t presented in other languages. Learn how TLC can assist your company by visiting www.tlctranslation.com.
Multilingual desktop publishing (DTP) is the process of creating and publishing print or electronic materials in multiple languages. It combines language experts with designers to keep a business’s designs as consistent as possible between different languages.
Multilingual DTP requires a deep understanding of the different scripts, alphabets, and typographical conventions of each language. This also includes the cultural context in which the text will be used.
DTP is something that companies may not think to prioritize but is valuable in business expansion. With the growing number of languages being used on the internet and in digital media, this service is becoming increasingly important for creating content that is accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
Multilingual DTP allows businesses to effectively communicate with a global audience, expand their customer base, and improve their brand image.
By using various languages and localizing content, businesses can increase their visibility and credibility in different regions and cultures.
Additionally, multilingual DTP can help ensure that business materials such as brochures, manuals, and websites are accurate and consistent across different languages. This improves the overall quality of the materials and the brand image.
Overall, multilingual desktop publishing can help businesses increase their reach, improve communication with customers, and enhance their global brand image.
Using a professional for multilingual desktop publishing is recommended for several reasons:
• Expertise – A professional has the expertise to handle the complexities of multilingual desktop publishing. This includes language-specific character sets, typography, and layout issues.
• Accuracy – Professional translators have the necessary language skills to translate and adapt content for different cultures and regions accurately. This helps ensure that the meaning and tone of the content are preserved in each language.
• Consistency – A professional can ensure that the visual design, branding, and formatting are consistent across all languages. This helps maintain the integrity and consistency of the brand image.
• Efficiency – A professional can handle the time-consuming process of multilingual DTP. This frees up time for businesses to focus on other important tasks.
• Cost savings – By using a professional, businesses can avoid costly mistakes and ensure that their multilingual materials are of high quality. This will save them money in the long run.
Ultimately, using a professional like Teneo Linguistics Company can help ensure that businesses effectively communicate with a global audience.
People all around the world will ring in 2023 this weekend, which means partaking in their own unique traditions. Here is a glimpse of how citizens of various countries celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Brazil
On NYE, Brazilians can be seen dressed in white attire to symbolize luck and prosperity in the new year. This tradition came from the Candomblé religion, where people would wear white during rituals seeking peace and spiritual purification. This is followed by a trip to the beach where individuals jump through seven waves. The person who jumps the seven waves will receive spiritual cleansing and strength to overcome obstacles in the coming year.
Canada
While many people spend the evening at bars and parties, residents of more rural areas in Quebec spend the night ice fishing with groups of friends.
A Canadian New Year’s Day tradition involves plunging into icy cold waters in the name of charity. The polar bear swim started back in the early 1900s in Vancouver and has now become a tradition across the country.
Denmark
In Denmark, it’s traditional to throw old plates and other dishes at friends’ and neighbors’ front doors on New Year’s Eve. The more that accumulates on the doorstep, the better luck you will have in the new year.
Danish citizens also participate in what is called hoppe ind i det nye år or in English, “to jump or leap into the new year.” This involves jumping on furniture. The proper tradition is to climb up on a chair just as the year is drawing to a close and then jump down off of it at the stroke of midnight.
France
Although celebrating very similarly to the United States, France does have some unique traditions for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Residents of all ages in France brave the freezing ocean for a dip or un bain des givrés. One of the most popular beaches for this communal swim is that at Malo-les-Bains in Dunkirk. When the clock strikes midnight on NYE, it is tradition for citizens to kiss under the mistletoe.
Greece
In Greece, families hang pomegranates on their doors. At midnight the family moves away from the house and after midnight one lucky member, usually, a child, re-enters the house stepping in with their right foot. It is believed that the first person to step foot inside the house will bring good luck to everyone in the house. Another family member smashes the pomegranate. Tradition says that the more seeds that fall on the ground, the more fortune and luck will enter the house.
Haiti
Besides the new year, the people of Haiti have another reason to celebrate. January 1st is Haitian Independence Day, which commemorates Haiti’s declaration of independence from French colonial rule on January 1, 1804.
To celebrate, citizens eat joumou soup – a mix of squash, beef, potatoes, and vegetables – which represents freedom to Haitians.
Ireland
Banging bread against walls and doors is a common NYE tradition in Ireland. This is done to ward off evil spirits and protect the home. If bread isn’t available, pots and pans or wooden spoons will suffice. Another Irish tradition involves placing coal inside the house. Having coal in the house is a sign that the new year will be prosperous and filled with wealth and abundance. Coal represents warmth, potential, and opportunity.
Japan
In Japan, 108 bell tolls can be heard from Buddhist temples at midnight on New Year’s. This symbolizes the earthly temptations and Buddhist belief to get rid of the 108 worldly desires regarding sense and feeling in every citizen.
The Japanese also have a custom of sending New Year’s Day postcards to friends and relatives, similar to the Western custom of sending Christmas cards.
Philippines
If you walked into a Filipino’s home on NYE you would see a table with round fruits at its center. This tradition is known as bilog-bilog. In Hispanic culture, round-shape fruits symbolize richness or wealth because their form resembles old-fashioned gold and silver. Besides the round fruits, citizens can be seen sporting polka dot clothing or anything round-shaped. Around an hour before the clock strikes midnight, Filipinos create a lot of noise to ward off bad spirits and negative vibes. Once the new year arrives, citizens jump as high as they can at midnight to bring growth for the new year.
United States
Whether in person or in front of the television screen, US residents traditionally ring in the new year by watching the ball drop in New York City’s Time Square. The first ball drop was held on December 31, 1907, and was organized by New York Times owner Adolph Ochs.
It is estimated that one million people watch the NYC ball drop live. The night wraps up with champagne, fireworks, and a kiss.
Teneo Linguistics Company is a certified small, woman-owned business that specializes in a variety of customizable language services, in more than 180 languages. The TLC team wishes everyone a safe and happy New Year.
