By Bhavana Kumari
About the internship:
Modlingua Pvt. Ltd. is India’s No. 1 certified quality translation and interpretation providing company based in New Delhi. Since the time, when I started learning a foreign language in 2010 I was not very much clear what will be my career options and what will be my future. I had a passion for learning a new language for that tI opted this stream for my professional career. While doing the internship at Modlingua, I got an opportunity to know the vastness for this line of professionalism. Our internship started on 7 June 2017, and ended on August 25, 2017, continued for approximately three months. We had a weekly meeting through the online platform like Go to Meeting and Facebook. We also had information access using Whatsapp and Gmail. Mr Ravi Kumar, the founder of Modlingua Group, who also served as a faculty member for Spanish and Latin American Studies (2000-2013) at Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, was coordinator and supervisor of our internship program.
During the internship program we were given online lectures using PowerPoint presentations and later we had to submit one assignment in approx. 800-1000 words based on our learning and understanding during the lecture program. We had to submit six assignments in total; lastly, we had to give a report on the overall internship program. The first assignment was to create our professional online profile on the site of Modlingua Pvt. Ltd. This formally made us the part of Modlingua. Along with that we were given a list of courses and asked to choose at-least four courses as per our area of interest. I selected Content Writing and Citizen Journalism, Project Management and Quality Standards, Entrepreneurship and Blogging. Our following assignments were based on the topic of our lectures. The lectures were very enlightening and fruitful for any new language learner. It was not like any monotonous, boring classroom lecture, but an interesting one, where we could discuss our problems, doubts with our supervisor right at the moment. One can access the lecture from any place just by entering the access code provided by the supervisor. This was the best things that I liked. Even though you are busy you can listen to the teachings online, no need to attend physically.
In between our supervisor, Mr Ravi Kumar used to test our reasoning and analytical skills in respect of translation and language learning by giving different types of pictures on our Facebook group. We need to interpret those pictures as per our understanding, knowledge and imagination. This used to be very exciting, interesting and challenging assignment for me. The challenge of interpreting the real hidden significance of a particular picture is not everyone’s cup of tea. Pictures and painting are themselves a kind of art that explains lot of unsaid words. Not everyone is able to grasp the sense of the essence of the picture that an artist that tried to put on canvas using brush and colours. Some of such picture tasks were of a wolf pack, of ants working together or other images. It is interesting to see how the thinking and perception of people vary. These exercises also broaden our ideas.
Interns were also asked to help and suggest ways to promote the brand Modlingua. This was a kind of trial project for learning how to create your own brand and how to be good at social marketing. I tried to do my best through sharing the videos link to my friends, family members, acquaintances through whatever possible means I could do. The videos which were uploaded on the YouTube channel of Modlingua were not only related to our courses but also about the important social, cultural and linguistic topics. In between Mr Kumar also used to share useful and important videos with us via the Facebook page. Language learners are supposed to know about anything and everything, because language is a mode of communication, it can be regarding communicating emotions, social issues, or scientific achievements of the human world.
Our third assignment was to write on the relationship between Content writing, Online Marketing and translation, Globalization, Localization, Internationalization, and Translation of Content and then write about one of those topics, I wrote on Globalization, Localization, Internationalization of translation services. For the fourth assignment, we had a conference lecture with Prof. Ioanna about entrepreneurship and personal branding for translators; helping us to know the differences between in-house translators and freelancers. Then we had to write one topic choosing from how as a language professional can achieve considerable visibility in society as well as in the business field? As a freelancer how to we make new clients and how we retain them, alternate options for language professionals: entrepreneurship could the options? And lastly relating the concept of power relations in society and position of a translator, my article was about the concept of power relations in society and position of a translator. My article was much appreciated by the readers, all thanks to Modlingua for giving me a platform where I can express out my ideas and thoughts and know how much people can relate to it.
We had tea meeting organized by the supervisor Mr Ravi Kumar on July 8 at Connaught Place. All the interns had an informative interactive session with each other and this concept of an informally formal meeting was something I saw for the first time. Though, I could not attain this get together with our supervisor and friends.
Our another lecture was about Quality Standards and its connection to translation services, explaining the development of various quality standards in translation process across the globe, also summarizes what are linguistics and non-linguistics aspects in translation and how both play an equal role and crucial role. The fifth assignment was based on the same topic. My article was a commentary on the lack of awareness about quality standards in India and how this is hampering the professional development of translators and language professionals.
Our last conference lecture was about Project Management, how it improves quality and increases efficiency at any workplace, the relation of project management and translation management, the role of charter and documentation in project management. I wrote about project management in translation services.
My personal experience has been very positive. I always wanted a platform where I can learn and write freely. Modlingua provided me with that space. The topics which they covered during the internship are quite important for any language learner. Unfortunately, we were not taught these subjects in our graduate and post-graduate program. These courses need to be introduced even at the university level where the language programs are being conducted. I had a passion for learning a new language for full filling this passion of mine I started learning foreign language and tried to make it a professional career. While doing an internship at Modlingua, I got an opportunity to know the vastness for this line of career. Modlingua is the largest translation service providing company in India and I am glad to be a part of this unit. I joined Modlingua as an intern to improve my language skills, acquire professional competence with an opportunity of interacting with people from all walks of life. Also, with a vision to gain excellence in my interest areas in order to groom my in-depth persona. After the completion of the summer internship, I am well satisfied and can see the changes in the level of knowledge I had in my field of expertise.
About Modlingua
Modlingua Learning Pvt. Ltd. is ISO 9001:2008 Certified Translations and Interpretation Company based in New Delhi, India.
“Modlingua Learning Pvt. Ltd.” (Modlingua®) aims at becoming your preferred language partner by delivering high-quality language solutions within the stipulated time and at competitive prices. Their team members are either native speakers or have taken formal language training in the native countries. Special attention is paid to ensure that the translators not just possess excellent academic credentials but are also sufficiently experienced in specific domains. They emphasize on translation quality, global project management, task automation, process consistency, flexibility and customer service. Modlingua enjoys an international reputation of being a socially responsible company involved in promotion and development of translation profession within India and across the globe. They excel in regularly organizing events, seminars and conferences on various themes related to translation, project management, cultural studies and social media. Modlingua maintains a consultative relationship with various government agencies, universities and research centres across the globe.
