Blog Posts - RMC Language Consultancy

Happy International Women's Day!

3/7/2021

While still working in my full-time eight-to-four job, an opportunity arose and I partnered with another translator (in a freelance capacity) to translate and deliver a very large financial translation. At the time, I did not know how much I would have loved the experience of collaborating with another like-minded professional translator to deliver this large task on time. It meant working some long hours and pushing through to the end, but I did not mind at all, in fact, that experience was the hook for me.

This took place at a turning point in my life and career and it was an experience that showed me that this was the path that I could see myself taking long term. I didn't think about it much before, but that experience also reminded me that I had the discipline and drive to do this type of work on a full-time basis.

Just a couple months after that, I resigned my full-time job and started my business. The benefits of being my own boss are numerous – independence, a flexible schedule, the ability to work from anywhere, the ability to chart my own path, take charge of my time and the opportunity to create employment for others. It's very exciting to relive that moment in time when I decided to start my business and not once have I regretted the decision to leave a full-time job behind.

Happy International Women's Day to all women! I hope you are fulfilled in whatever path you have decided to take in life.

Know Your Country Tour - Caura Village

3/3/2021

The Tale of Caura Village - A glimpse into Trinidad's pre-colonial and colonial past

Photo by Jovan Jules

Taking our point of departure from the story of Lopinot in our previous Know Your Country piece, today, we place our focus on the ghost town of Caura Village. Caura, a place of Amerindian heritage, is a valley located along the Tacarigua river in Northern Trinidad. It was first settled by the Arawaks or Tainos and became a thriving community, maintained in its natural state, until the imposition of the Cedula around 1783. It was said to have consisted of close to two hundred inhabitants around the 1790s but this number later increased with the arrival of French Catholics, enslaved Africans and Spanish citizens. At that time, the then Governor, Jose Maria Chacon, granted land to these newcomers who then opened cocoa and coffee estates, along with a school and the Santa Veronica church, whose patron's name was also used in referring to the ward of Caura, La Veronica.

The dynamic of the area became modified and soon a mix of languages and traditions added to the richness of the land, but this was about to change. Governor Sir Bede Clifford decided to construct a dam at the river to provide water for the surrounding areas in 1943. This dam was to span hundreds of acres which inevitably meant the village would have been destroyed and thus began the plan for evacuation. Many villagers trekked across the mountain into the Lopinot Valley, while some moved lower into Tacarigua. However, it is said that due to corruption and bribery, the project never made headway. Additionally, there is a tale that the officials who came to remove the priest/s and destroy Santa Veronica's church were met with great wrath from the priest in charge and he placed a curse upon them and the project, that neither should ever be successful. 'So said, so done'. Everyone evacuated and the dam was never built, leaving it a ghost town.

This abandonment allowed for the river and its pools to remain in pristine condition, becoming a hotspot for locals and tourists to enjoy. Radio stations would often hold 'river limes' with music, cookouts, performances and other entertainment. It is also a site of deep religious significance where Hindus, the First Peoples, Orishas and Spiritual Baptists would congregate to perform their rituals, and is renowned for its neighbouring hospital.

Many await the day when COVID-19 will disappear to once again 'lime' by the river. Hope you enjoyed our tour of Caura!

Read more here: http://www.trinbagopan.com/Townsandvillages/Caura2.html

Intercultural Coaching: Working with Spouses of Heads of Missions and Spouses of Expatriates.

2/26/2021

Groups such as the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SOHOM) in Trinidad and Tobago and globally are an important source of support, camaraderie, professional and personal exchanges for spouses who (in many instances) have given up their professional careers to accompany their spouse and family to live and work in an entirely new culture. As an intercultural consultant, I have been able to see the challenges that international relocation presents to spouses and partners, including functioning in a foreign language environment, having to figure out where to get groceries, specialty items, household items, access medical care, find and settle into a new home and face all the challenges that come with relocating your family and belongings, finding suitable schools for children and the list goes on.

Spouses and partners are expected to slide into a new role of full time homemaker – often after years of working in a professional capacity. Working as an intercultural consultant with the expat or assignee (person being transferred to another country for work) and their spouses and children helps ease their transition and helps them to achieve success in the personal and professional aspects of their new role. Spouses and partners are usually the ones to experience the overwhelm first because the assignee usually 'hits the ground running' and is often consumed by the new role and familiarising themselves with their new colleagues, roles and responsibilities. This can result in the spouse feeling overwhelmed and left to figure out how to manage the household and the remaining responsibilities.

An intercultural consultant can help smooth the transition into a new culture and help you to create a plan for success in your new location. Connect with us at www.rmclanguages.com for more information.

My Cross-Cultural Story

2/3/2021

How I started and continue receiving work in cross-cultural coaching and the importance of having an updated LinkedIn and professional digital presence.

Ten years ago, my first cross-cultural coaching client – a US company – contacted me to work as a cross-cultural training consultant for one of their clients who had just relocated to the Caribbean. With this company, I started working first with European expatriates who were relocating to the Caribbean for their jobs. Although my previous work involved promoting an awareness of cultural differences and how this awareness impacted successful business transactions and relationships, this was the start of my long-term career in cross-cultural coaching.

Subsequently, three more companies contacted me on LinkedIn and I began working with African, Asian, Eurasian, Middle Eastern, North and Latin American, and UK clients relocating to the Caribbean, and Trinidad and Tobago expats leaving the Caribbean to work globally. I have been the go to intercultural consultant for two of these companies in the Caribbean region since.

Do not underestimate the importance of presenting yourself and your skills, especially on digital platforms, including social media, membership directories and on your website. The opportunities are out there, and even during a global pandemic there are opportunities.

If you need help to successfully bridge language and cultural gaps, email us at admin@rmclanguages.com or connect with us on social media.

The Rich History of Lopinot, Trinidad

2/2/2021

Photo by The Progressive Minds Journal

Lopinot is nestled in the mountains of the northern range of Trinidad, North of Arouca. The village got its name from the French Count who settled there in the 1806 – Charles Joseph Comte Loppinot de la Fresilliere. He was granted 478 acres of land by the King of England and established a cocoa estate, which was then called La Reconnaissance, living there with his family and enslaved Africans who worked the land. It is rumored that his ghost lurks the grounds, a tale passed on from generation to generation.

The estate's house has been restored and transformed into a museum, while the cocoa house still stands close to the river, and his tomb is clearly visible in the cemetery. It is also believed that before the Count's settlement, there used to be a strong Amerindian presence, as seen by the artifacts on display in the museum.

So how did it become synonymous with parang? Caura, a neighbouring village which had a strong Spanish presence, was once a thriving community, but the then governor's decision to build a dam required the village to be evacuated and so they came across the mountain and into Lopinot. For this reason, the Roman Catholic church of Caura named after Saint Veronica was rebuilt and renamed in the newly settled Lopinot village called La Veronica.

Who would have thought that a small rural community, hidden in the hills away from the hustle and bustle of urban centres, would be so culturally and historically rich? Fascinating isn't it?

Read more here:
http://www.trinbagopan.com/Townsandvillages/Caura2.html
http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/communities/lopinot.html

Our Reintroduction

1/11/2021

Last Call to Register for Basic Spanish!

1/7/2021

Our online basic Spanish class begins this Monday 11th January 2021 and ends Wednesday 17th March.

Registration is still open! Wondering if this is for you? Here are some comments from previous participants:

“Will definitely be recommending these classes and this lecturer to my friends and colleagues.” – CMLK

“Love the pace. No added pressure, just making it an enjoyable experience. I retain more that way.” – TS

“It was intense and short but definitely met the goals and stimulated the need to continue learning.” – JB

For course details, read more here.
To register, sign up here.
For more information, email us at admin@rmclanguages.com.

Register now take advantage of this opportunity.

Our Journey in 2020

12/30/2020

Changing Careers? Looking to improve your language skills?

12/14/2020

Enhance your skills and become more marketable by learning a foreign language.

Our basic Spanish course starts on 11 January 2021.

Learn here with a native Spanish speaker in a fun environment.

Check this off your Goals for the New Year list early in 2021.

Attend class from anywhere.

Block off the time in your calendar and GET IT DONE!

Register here!

Your Investment:
Early bird price (individuals):
TTD$995/person if you register by 5 Jan 2021

Early bird price (groups):
TT$2700/group for 3 people or more (payable as a lump sum) if you register by 5 Jan 2021

Regular price
TT$1200/person after 5 Jan 2021

Read more here.

Come Learn Spanish With Us!

12/7/2020

Basic Spanish Online Course 2021

Our basic Spanish course is back by popular demand. After receiving many requests, we will be offering another basic class in early 2021. At RMC, we are committed to helping you improve your language skills and become more marketable in these ever-changing times. Here are some FAQs:

Is this programme suitable for someone who can’t speak Spanish at all?
Yes! We work with beginners helping to build competency in all four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

How do I know which level is best for me?
We offer individual assessments to help you determine the appropriate level for you.

On what dates do classes start and end?
Classes begin on 11 January and end on 7 March 2021.

What days and times are classes?
Classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 6:30 pm GMT-4.

How do I register?
To register, please fill out this form and we will get back to you.

What topics will be covered in this course?

Greetings – Expressions of Courtesy
Introductions – Introduction of Self and Others
Numbers
Reading and Understanding Forms
Places in the Town and Public Transportation
Hotel Scenarios
Food and Ordering in a Restaurant
Directions, Time and Signs
Shopping
Email and Business Correspondence
Useful Business Terms

How are classes delivered?
Classes are delivered online, live with a tutor. After you register, we will send your login credentials for the online learning platform.

What is the cost?
Early bird price (individuals):
TTD$995/person if you register by 5 Jan 2021

Early bird price (groups):
TT$2700/group for 3 people or more (payable as a lump sum) if you register by 5 Jan 2021

Regular price
TT$1200/person after 5 Jan 2021

What payment methods are accepted?
We accept payment by bank transfer/deposit to a T&T bank or by PayPal (credit card).

What happens if you miss a class?
All sessions are recorded and uploaded to the platform for easy access.

Do I receive a certificate?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of participation for attending 80% or more of live classes.

Spots are limited, so as to maximise the participant-tutor interaction, so register now to take advantage of this opportunity.

For more information, email us at admin@rmclanguages.com

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Services:

Translation
Editing
Proofreading
Interpreting
Intercultural coaching
Foreign language tuition for adults and children
Corporate conference services

Contact us:

868 750-6315

admin@rmclanguages.com

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