Breaking the language barriers on-site
When hundreds or thousands of people are involved in major projects such as construction builds, you’ll typically find a number of different nationalities and languages being spoken on-site.
For businesses to effectively communicate across the project workforce, there’s often a need to consider using more than just the English language.
Here at Eldon (now NRL), we fully understand how to support businesses with language solutions to ensure everyone has access to the same information, to prevent language barriers and misinterpretation. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, for Site Managers to check they’re able to effectively communicate with all workers on-site.
Translating site documentation
For site induction material and communication updates, consider whether it would be beneficial to translate these into more than one language.
This personal touch won’t go unnoticed by your workforce, and it will help them to feel welcomed onto the project.
It’s also a good idea to consider signage around the site and any posters on noticeboards. Think about the key information you’ll need to ensure is effectively communicated – which could even include different language versions of their employment contracts and site handbooks.
Translation companies, such as Eldon (now NRL), will be able to work with you to provide the documentation in as many languages as you’ll need. Whether you’re looking for a few pages of text to be translated, or a lengthy document, linguists will be able to support you to convert these documents into as many languages as you need.
Using interpreters for business and employee meetings
You may come across occasions when it’s more productive to have an interpreter attend face-to-face meetings during the project, to support those parties who don’t speak English as their first language.
Having an interpreting service that you can call on means you’ll have the option to offer support across a number of languages – to help ensure everyone involved in meetings can engage with the conversation and decision making.
When HR related activities are undertaken, such as performance reviews and disciplinary meetings, you may also need to consider using an interpreter. Often these sessions can be more effective when a representative is able to speak the same language.
When booking interpreters through a language solutions provider, you can also be reassured of complete confidentiality and discretion.
Choosing a trusted language partner
If you’ve never used a language solutions provider before, then it’s worth familiarising yourself with how they work.
Translation services are typically charged by word count, and your chosen supplier will work with a team of translators who are fluent in your language choice and fully qualified to deliver translation services.
Whilst interpreting services can usually be booked by the hour – in person or through video technology such as Teams and Zoom.
It’s important to check the credentials of your proposed language solutions provider though. Organisations such as Eldon (now NRL) are long-standing corporate members of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), which means we’re able to certify the translation work we deliver to clients. As well as being ISO 9001 accredited, to demonstrate the quality of the service we provide.
Remember to check the credentials of any language solutions provider you plan to use, to ensure you’re confident the work they will be undertaking will be delivered with complete accuracy, precision and confidentiality.
Get in touch
If you’d like to consider NRL Language Solutions as your next language partner, get in touch.