French-Italian liaison interpreting in Morocco: on a business trip with the chairman of a tile company
A successful business negotiation in Italian and French
I was contacted by a ceramics company from my area whose chairman Mr S. was scheduled to visit some client companies in Morocco to negotiate new agreements and supplies.
The chairman, a gentleman of around 60, doesn’t speak French – the official language of Morocco – and the representatives of the Moroccan companies don’t speak Italian. That’s where I come in, to act as a bridge between these two worlds.
On va
au Maroc
Working together
First contact by email
The chairman’s secretary had heard about me through word of mouth, so she got in touch by email to let me know what was needed. She wanted me to go to Morocco with her boss on a three-day trip, providing language assistance so he could communicate with client companies and for the rest of his trip helping him communicate with people like airport and hotel staff and our chauffeur. After a few email exchanges with detailed information about the trip’s itinerary, we set up a call to get to know the chairman.
Getting to know each other
When I met the chairman I introduced myself and explained what my role would be in situations like the one his secretary had outlined. I wanted to learn from him what issues he wanted to discuss with the Moroccan representatives, the agreements he wanted to propose, and get an overview on what his relationship was like with those we’d be meeting.
Mr S. appreciated how much detail I wanted, and gave me valuable information to help me prepare for the meetings scheduled.
Learning about ceramics
Next, I started to learn about the ceramics sector, both in terms of the products the Italian company produces and the Moroccan companies. Before I set out as a freelance interpreter, I actually spent a year working in a ceramics company in doing things not all that different to what this client was asking of me, so I was able to build on a firm foundation of technical knowledge and terminology. I also brushed up on some phrases and expressions to do with business negotiations and – just in case – also looked up some alternatives I could use if there were any disagreements or disputes. Luckily, I didn’t have to use those! As an interpreter I always try to imagine all of the possible scenarios that could arise when I’m on the job so I can plan for any complicated or unexpected expressions. That way I know I’m ready to translate practically anything that comes up, and I can do my job with less stress, which lets me perform better.
Services the chairman chose
Mr S. sent a car to take me to the airport and fly with him to Casablanca. We were scheduled to arrive in the evening, and spend a day visiting two client companies in Morocco’s largest city. The next day, we had a day trip to Tetouan on the Mediterranean coast to meet representatives from another company based in the area before heading back to Italy on the third day.
For this trip we used liaison interpreting. This involved my client saying short sentences in Italian which I would translate into French between each sentence, and when our Moroccan hosts replied I translated what they said from French to Italian. This kind of interpreting is great for business negotiations involving a small handful of people and exchanges are rapid, such as during visits from foreign clients, visits to foreign clients’ headquarters, or trade fairs and expos.
I was also needed outside the meetings, during business lunches and dinners: we had meals with some of the Moroccan clients, so I was needed to translate relaxed, upbeat conversations.
More broadly I supported Mr S. at the airport, checking into the hotel, with the driver who took us from Casablanca to Tetouan, at restaurants, and everywhere else he needed interpretation between French and Italian.
Planning a business trip?
Difficulties
One of the main hurdles I had to overcome for this job was being taken seriously and asserting myself. In the beginning the Moroccan clients were reluctant to talk to me directly because I’m a woman, and were always trying to address my client one-on-one instead. It was only after a bit of negotiation that they softened towards me and began to talk to me directly.
There were some tricky moments with my Italian client too. He remembered a little French from his schooldays, so sometimes instead of relying on me to translate what he was saying — the whole reason I was there — he tried to communicate in French himself, translating his Italian thoughts literally, and finding it hard to get complicated, convoluted ideas across, asking me to translate some terms. Situations like this are probably the hardest to manage at the time, because as an interpreter I’m not a walking dictionary spitting out one language’s equivalent of another, translating an Italian sentence word for word. The process of translation relies on the context in which terms are used, and on rewording muddled sentences to make them more straightforward in the target language.
Another problem on this job was that in Tetouan Spanish is a more common second language than French, meaning the Moroccan clients’ sentence structure and word choice was often influenced by Spanish. Luckily, I studied Spanish at university so although I haven’t mastered it fully, I was nonetheless able to work out the meaning behind the Moroccan client’s words and turn it into clear Italian.
The long drives were another tricky part of this job. It takes about five hours to drive from Casablanca to Tetouan, so we had to set off at the crack of dawn. When we got to our destination, we were already tired from the long journey. When organising a trip, keeping travel time in mind is crucial so you can ensure your interpreter is well-rested enough to do the job.
Results
Presenting business offers and making new agreements.
Smooth exchange of ideas and views.
Precise, effective communication with French speakers.
Successful negotiations.
What the client has to say
Thank you Francesca for your support during our meetings at [nome azienda] and [nome azienda] and for dealing with all the unforseen events!
Great job.
Merci !
Get in touch to book French-Italian interpreting services
When having talks with foreign clients or business partners, having someone at your side who can translate for you means you can focus on what your own message is, and on what you do best. I can be that someone.
Fill out the contact form. Based on the information you give me, I’ll be back in touch within 48 hours with a quote, outlining the next steps we can take together.
Other occasions you might need a liaison interpreter
- Trade fairs: liaison interpreting can be used at events like trade fairs, when you might come across and get to know new business partners.
- Meetings with foreign clients: in your offices or theirs, in Italy or abroad, liaison interpreting allows you to sit face-to-face with the people you want to work with.
- Medical appointments: if you need language help at a medical appointment or consultation, liaison interpreting is a great option.
