Comprising seven Emirates, the United Arab Emirates’ population is mainly made up of expatriates, 80% of the people to be exact. With such a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, there are communities of virtually every nationality within the UAE. This means that doing business in the UAE won’t be as straightforward as it would be in Canada, for example, but with the help of language experts, you can bridge the language (and cultural) barriers.
As far as Middle Eastern business and international trade go, the UAE leads the way. It’s also a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Thanks to the UAE’s rising profile, it’s recognized as a regional and middle power.
As a melting pot of cultures and languages (because they speak more than Arabic here), it takes a lot of localized content to penetrate this market. And that’s where business translation comes in. If you want to do business in the UAE, everything from your brand message to your customer reviews must be localized. Here’s what else you need to keep in mind besides localization.
Understanding the Languages for Doing Business in the UAE
Arabic is the most commonly spoken language in the UAE. But they conduct a lot of business in English. They also frequently speak French, Russian, and Hindi here.
Since Arabic is the most common language and the language used by the government, all official documents are issued in Arabic. This is why it’s helpful to conduct business with the help of professional interpreters and translators to assist you with technical and legal documents.
Business Etiquette
Here’s a brief outline of the three main aspects of business etiquette in the United Arab Emirates:
Dress Code
Always dress conservatively and modestly. Women cover their arms and knees whenever possible in public. On the other hand, men wear formal suits.
Titles
The Emirates expect formality. Therefore, it’s wise to remember that you must address rank and titles whenever you talk to someone.
Greetings
“As-salaam Alaikum,” meaning “peace be upon you,” is the typical greeting in the UAE, and one you’ll answer with ‘Wa Alaikum as-salaam,” which translates to “and upon you be peace.” Introductions also start with a handshake, but unless they extend their hand first, you should avoid shaking hands with a woman.
The Need for Localizing for Doing Business in the UAE
While it’s true that many Arabs do understand the English language, it is always essential to localize your offerings when engaging with this unique market. The cultural difference between a country like the USA (for example) and the UAE is quite significant. So the locals can easily perceive your marketing efforts negatively if you don’t tailor it to the local dialect.
The whole idea of localization and business translation is modifying the content to feel organic to the target audience. This makes it feel like it was created with their cultural references in mind. It also shows your brand’s willingness to adapt to new markets and flexibility to meet needs. Localization, therefore, removes the barriers that language can sometimes bring into play. It also ensures that the Arabic audience will receive your message as an authentic one.
Wrapping Up
Do you have plans for doing business in the United Arab Emirates? Then it’s essential to use business translation services to localize content as part of foreign direct investment. This includes elements like your website, service and user materials, product reviews, videos, and marketing materials. This will help ensure the success of your global expansion plan. And that’s exactly where Day Translations comes in.
Our business interpreting professionals have in-depth knowledge of the market in the United Arab Emirates. We have a deep understanding of everything required to ensure the success of your translation project. Get in touch with us right now to explore our full suite of language services that’ll help you transcend the dialect barrier!