How do you collaborate with bilingual copywriters and translators for your bilingual slogans for tourism?

It’s important to highlight that the ideal bilingual copywriter should possess excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills in both languages that they serve. They should also have a thorough understanding of the cultural and linguistic differences between the two languages to create content that resonates with audiences and avoids any misinterpretations. In Spanish, for example, “bizcocho” means cake in some parts of latin America. But in the Dominican Republic, specifically, “bizcocho” is a slang used when referencing a woman’s reproductive organ. I only know this, because I am from Puerto Rico and Dominican’s comprise the second largest foreign-born population with ~67,000 as of 2019.

-Being bilingual, I’m able to communicate and help other people from different backgrounds. - I’m sure speaking more than one language is important and it helps to support yourself to get a a good job.

Collaborate closely by offering cultural context to bilingual copywriters and translators. Fuse creativity and linguistic clarity to create phrases that are widely appealing while yet expressing the character of the local culture. It's a collaborative dance in which each participant contributes linguistic and cultural flair to create slogans that cross language barriers in the dynamic world of travel.

One thing I have found helpful is to speak not from Google translate to use the same English "saying" or "idiom" translated to Spanish etc, but from a local fluent speaker; explain what your saying or slogan is trying to convey and they may provide a completely different saying that carries that same message.

The syntaxis of any communication is of utmost importance. ‘Syntax’ is derived from the Greek word Syntaxis, which means ‘together’ and ‘sequence’. When you translate something, anything-in any language- the order of things shift. This is why, when translating a Slogan (which mainly relies on a pun or a rhyme), I make the distinction that this may not make sense to the translated audience, specifically because the syntax is thrown off. This is also why I always clarify, and provide further insight as to what the intended meaning is, while also including the clarification “as my mother would say”, when I translate traditional Puerto Rican proverbs.

Being culturally respectful and staying true to the essence of the culture is the most important piece that is currently missing in all Tourism Marketing Campaigns. In December of 2019, the Billings Chamber of Commerce had to remove parts of its campaign because it was criticized by a local blogger saying campaign language and imagery was tone-deaf and racist. With three billboards reading “Onward Pioneer” and “Conquer New Endeavors”- it’s no surprise that the Native American community took offense. This past February 2023, the PR Department of Tourism invites foreigners to “Live Boricua.” This is offensive because the term ‘Boricua’ comes from Borikén, the way that our indigenous ancestors called the island before it was colonized.