Joan Detz Speaker Services

Recently, I received a wonderful email from a speaker who chose to present in Spanish (instead of her native English).  She went to the extra work to polish her foreign language skills because she wanted to build a strong rapport with her Latin American audience. 

I’m sharing excerpts from her email below, so you can benefit from her excellent advice: 

“… I mentioned that I was preparing a workshop for a conference in Latin America , and that my goal was to present the workshop in Spanish.  It is called ‘Podemos Hablar?’ (Can We Talk?) and it is about resolving/preventing conflict through empathic listening…. So far, I have learned some valuable lessons about giving a speech in another language.

Lesson 1 — Start with a presentation you have already done or know very well.  I chose to do this, and I am so glad that I did.  I can tell exactly where I am at in the presentation, even when the slides are in Spanish, because they are the same slides I have used (in English) before. 

Lesson 2 — Don’t rely too much on online translation services!  They provide a good start, but they are far from perfect!  Thank goodness I had a co-worker who was willing to correct the translated version for me!  I also learned that two people can translate the same words differently.  I had the speech translated by one person, the powerpoint translated by another person.  My speech translator chose to use more formal language than what is on my slides, so I’ve had to reconcile the two a little bit.

Lesson 3 — Practicing in advance is even more important when you’re going to speak in a different language.  I’m good at reading Spanish–but I don’t want to read to my audience.  It is really hard to memorize key phrases, word pronunciations and inflections, and still have enough energy for a compelling delivery.  I hope that my audience will be kind to my sincere attempt–and forgive me if I mess up a word or two (or three). 

Lesson 4 – Delivering a speech in a different language takes 2-3 times more energy than doing it in your native language.  The first time I read through the speech, I was amazed at how much energy it took.  The more I practice, the better it gets, but it’s still pretty draining!” 

Cathy Standiford, 2008-2009 President-elect, Soroptimist International of the Americas.  (Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.  For more information, visit www.soroptimist.org.)

I continue to get great questions from attendees at my Speechwriter’s Roundtable program. 

Q.  “My foreign language skills and overseas experience have helped me in my current job.   How can I use them to get assignments with foreign clients?”

A.  Recently, I’ve been working with speechwriters from around the U.S. - showing them how to strengthen their resumes in these tough economic times.  A few suggestions:

1.  If you’re fluent in any foreign language, note that on your resume.  It’s a huge asset.

2.  If you’re conversational in any foreign languages, note that on your resume, as well.  Keep in mind:  You don’t have to be fluent in a foreign language to bring value to a prospective client.  Simple conversational skills are valued, as well.  (It comes down to supply and demand:  Few US speechwriters speak other languages.  Become one of those few!)

3.  If you’re a world traveler, that’s a plus, too.  Do you travel to Thailand or Germany or Turkey every year to visit your spouse’s family?  Then you’ve gained a good understanding of that country’s culture, and your cultural experiences will bring value to prospective employers. 

A note:  I’ve been asked to review many speechwriting resumes in recent months.  The biggest weakness I’ve found?  Those resumes did not “sell” the candidates’ international expertise.  Only after consulting with the speechwriters did I learn they had decent French skills … or they traveled to Japan every year to visit in-laws … or they spoke at a German Chamber of Commerce program. 

Make sure your resume reflects your international experiences and skills.