Archives for April 2021

Favour Finnish, buy local

28.4.2021 by Katja Virtanen

The COVID-19 pandemic has been taking its toll on our health and economy for over a year now. The impacts of the pandemic are bound to be present for a long time to come, and it’s not yet possible to predict what kind of an effect the epidemic will have on Finland’s economy and employment in the coming years.

Over the course of the year, we have seen unprecedented fighting spirit and innovativeness from Finnish companies to save the economy and jobs. According to a survey conducted last autumn, the majority of Finns also want to buy products and services that employ Finns, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. This is a question of sustainability that supports the employment of Finns and repatriating profits and tax revenue for the benefit of Finnish society.

An easy way to revive the Finnish economy is to favour products and services certified with a Key Flag. Buying Finnish products and services can help preserve many jobs and save many companies in Finland.

Of course, it’s worth buying from a Finn in every situation. With a little twinkle in my eye, I’d like to share more good reasons why it’s worth doing business with an international company that is Finnish to the bone.

1. Concept of time

Different cultures have different understanding of punctuality. For Finns, running five minutes late can be cause for major stress whereas in some other cultures, at least an academic quarter hour is the norm. In the European forums of my own industry, we Nordic representatives are already gathered around the conference table nervously waiting when our colleagues from the south are only slowly entering the room.  

According to a study by an international language service industry research company, Nimdzi Insights, buyers of translation services value on-time delivery above everything else. When looking at this indicator, Finnish translation agencies must be quite unbeatable.

2. Efficiency

Finns usually cut directly to the chase. It may be difficult for us to understand why matters should be discussed endlessly and different perspectives dwelled on before any actual decisions are made. And it may be even harder for us to understand why excessive time is spent on something other than the matter itself. Our way of working is that we find out the basics and make a solid decision, after which everyone is up to speed and knows what to do.

Delingua’s efficiency is unparalleled even among Finnish translation agencies. Our customers praise us for our fast response times and ability to solve problems. In the hectic daily life, it’s a bliss to know that your partner will immediately roll up their sleeves and get down to business without any further ado.

3. Honesty

In principle, Finns do business with honesty and integrity. We generally assume that the other party is also honest and, for example, doesn’t arrive at contract negotiations with an ulterior motive. We have backbone, and often we’re also frank. Since we don’t say one thing and mean another, doing business with us is easy.

We also get feedback from our partners saying that we are exceptionally fair as an ordering party and colleague. Reliability is also one of Delingua’s values. We deliver on our promises, and our word can be trusted. It’s all fair and square, with no sugar-coated flattery.

4. True friendship

It usually takes time for Finns to get to know each other properly. But when the ice is broken, both friendship and business partnerships grow into genuine, lasting relationships.  

At Delingua, our customer orientation means being more than customer-oriented. We want to be true friends with our customers: Even though we are not in constant contact, we’re always there to catch you and cooperation is a real joy for us. We may not necessarily have the fanciest words for it but you mean the world to us.

Not all individuals and companies operate the same way in any culture. Selecting a language service provider depends on the customer’s needs, and we’re surely not the only one who has figured out a great way of working.

Delingua is a Finnish family business, and that is reflected in our operations: we are personal, genuine and conscientious. If we’re not friends yet, we hope to get to know you soon! Leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Accessibility and podcasts

20.4.2021 by Katja Virtanen

The accessibility requirements of the Act on the Provision of Digital Services require that audio-only broadcasts, such as podcasts, must also be accessible. According to the legislation, organisations affected by the requirements must provide text alternatives for time-based media within two weeks.

Of course, it is to be hoped that accessibility will also be promoted by parties other than those expressly required to do so by law. Not to mention that the EU’s Accessibility Directive is likely to be extended to all public digital services in 2025, whether or not they are published by private or public operators.

Transcription of podcasts

For podcasts, the text alternative referred to in the legislation usually means a transcribed text version of the audio recording. As the text alternative must fulfill the requirements of accessibility, a simple script or summary of the podcast is not sufficient.

In practice, the entire content of the recording must be provided in text form, and the text must also indicate who is speaking at any given time. Any background noise, such as the sound of a doorbell or laughter, must also appear in the text. Repetition and filler words are not required in the text; however, in other respects, the transcription should be as precise as possible.

The text version should be available in the immediate vicinity of the audio file. The text itself can be either part of the content of the accessible webpage or a separate file that can be accessed easily from a link.

Why is it important to write a text version of a podcast?

Whether required by law or not, making a text version of a podcast is always a good idea. We’ve listed five reasons why you should write a text version of a podcast.

1. Everyone can enjoy the podcast

Podcasts may contain essential information, clever tips or great entertainment. Preparing a text alternative for a podcast makes the podcast accessible and gives everyone an equal opportunity to benefit from and enjoy the content. You can write the text alternative yourself, use available software or order a transcription from a service provider. In terms of accessibility, it may be a good idea to order the transcription from a service provider, who can also provide editing, a plain language version or a translation, if necessary.

2. The podcast is easier to find

In addition to high-quality accessible content, it is important that the podcast is easy to find online. When you add a text alternative to a podcast on your website, you considerably improve the discoverability of both the podcast and your whole site in search engines.

3. Reading is faster

While listening to a podcast is pleasant, our lives are very busy. If you don’t have the time to listen to a 60-minute podcast, you can find the same information in the text version much faster. The text version can be browsed quickly, and reading it may be faster than listening; studies show that people can read close to 10,000 words an hour.

4. You can find old content more easily

Do you remember what you said about spring trends in episode 15 of your podcast? It is usually quite difficult to remember what was said in each episode. If there are text alternatives of your episodes, you can search the text and stay more aware of what has already been said.

5. Increase your audience with a translation

If you are reaching for a larger audience, use a translated transcription. The speech in the podcast is transcribed into another language. You can also use a voiceover to do the entire podcast in a different language. Multilingual podcasts have already become a global trend.

The most important element in podcast accessibility and discoverability is the text alternative. Translations are a route to even larger audiences and better accessibility. If you want to go even further, you can also publish the podcast as a video. For that, you will need subtitles, and they can also be made in multiple languages.

Delingua loses 49.9 kg

13.4.2021 by Delingua

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on people’s healthy habits, including a balanced diet. This unusual situation can be mentally and physically exhausting, and the authorities are practically instructing people to stay home with a fridge full of food. Many are wondering how to lose their lockdown-induced weight and improve their energy levels, particularly at work.

Not to worry – it can be done! At Delingua, a playful quip in 2018 about the biggest loser in the company resulted in a wellness challenge in which 10 Delingua team members competed in losing weight. In total, the participants lost an incredible 55 kg. This time, eight Delingua team members took on the challenge, losing a total of 49.9 kg during the first three months of the year! The average weight loss per person was about 6.25 kg.

Training and delicious dishes

The wellness group was supported by Personal Trainer Marja Juntunen who had a remote meeting with the participants every couple of weeks. She helped the participants keep their eyes on the prize and maintain their motivation, even in times of weakness.

Regular meals, a suitable level of everyday activity and adequate recovery have been some of the key factors in the weight loss journey. Some participants have found more time for exercise when working from home while those working at the office have appreciated the diverse and seasonal lunches of our workplace restaurant Pihka. Since restaurants closed down, the low-calorie ready-made meals of Epic Foods have become a staff favourite and a staple in our fridge. Weight loss doesn’t have to be boring and tasteless!

Walkies and office workouts

In 2015, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health estimated that adult Finns sit, lie or stand still for more than three quarters of their waking hours. Working from home and the general COVID-19 restrictions have certainly not improved the situation. Modern work can be carried out lying sprawled on the sofa. That is why it is important to promote your health every step of the way.

We have enjoyed brisk walks with Delingua’s numerous office dogs. During the pandemic, four new puppies have been recruited to assist our office dog Toto. Exactly 50% of Delingua team members are now dog owners.

Adequate recovery

In the past, working from home may have been considered a more relaxed alternative to working at the office, but the pandemic has increased stress factors in remote work. There are no more spontaneous chats with colleagues, and people spend their breaks alone, staring at their screens. Moreover, the end of the working day is not as clear-cut as before. Unfortunately, this has had an effect on both the general workforce and our own team.

The need for sleep and the ability to recover vary from person to person. Every person has and needs their own ways of ensuring adequate recovery. When office workouts, restorative days off and refreshing walks in a forest no longer do the trick, we particularly recommend handicrafts. In fact, Delingua’s handicrafts club has gained several new members during the pandemic. The number of sock knitters is quickly approaching the number of dog owners.

Delingua’s office workout

We also recommend getting out of your chair regularly and trying out an office workout. Quick exercise relaxes muscle tension and restores energy levels after sitting still for a long time.

Here are some basic moves:

Roll your shoulders back and pull your shoulder blades down. Repeat this movement 5 times.

Pull your chin back slowly. Hold your head in this position for a moment. Repeat 5 times.

Stand up against a wall, with your lower back and head touching the wall. Keep your feet about 5 cm from the wall and bring your arms up to a 90-degree angle. Move your arms gently up and down. Repeat this movement 10 times.

Stand in front of your chair and squat down so that your behind touches the chair. Do 20 squats.

With these results and tips, we challenge all of our customers to increase their well-being and energy levels, whether you are interested in losing weight, being more active or controlling your stress. Who’s in?