Conference Partners

"Language as an Economic Factor"

Conference for translators and interpreters
Dortmund, 23-24 October 2010

International commerce nowadays is barely conceivable without cross-border business relationships. Irrespective of the size of the businesses involved, country borders have long ceased to act as barriers when defining sales and purchasing markets.

There is hardly any region where this is more evident than in Europe, where the internal market reaches across 27 different countries – of which 16 already share a common currency.

At the same time, Europe means numerous different countries, with a wealth of different cultures, and hence many different languages. Even if a Federal European State were to become reality, these languages would remain: after all, they play a vital role in the culture and history of Europe’s peoples. Language fosters and highlights regional diversity – a very positive aspect in many ways, but also a challenging one. Without the skills of many translators and interpreters, who ensure that all those involved understand each other, the European Parliament could not function.

Germany was the world's leading exporting nation in 2008, and – despite China’s ascendancy during 2009 – is still a massive exporter: consequently, language plays a major role in German commerce. A role that is often underestimated, or not recognised at all. To raise public awareness of language services providers (LSPs) in business, Ralf Lemster Financial Translations GmbH – in cooperation with Mr Jerzy Czopik – is organising an international conference for translators and interpreters. The event will take place in October 2010, at the Zeche Zollern industrial museum site in Dortmund, Germany.

This event builds on the tradition of two previous LSP conferences which took place in 2007 and 2009,  attracting a great deal of interest in the German LSP community. This year’s conference is tied into the special context of Germany's Ruhr region as one of Europe's Capitals of Culture 2010.

Of course, the conference will provide excellent networking opportunities: we are pleased to welcome numerous keynote speakers. Please refer to the current programme for details.

We still welcome your suggestions and proposals! Of course, we will also be pleased to welcome you as a speaker.

Ralf Lemster & Dipl.-Ing. Jerzy Czopik

Latest update: on the day preceding the conference (Friday 22 October) we will be offering the opportunity for freelancers to get certified in accordance with EN 15038; we will also offer some interesting seminars. Details to follow shortly.