Celebrating linguistic diversity with our multilingual talents!
Kristina – Client support manager (Lithuania)
Fluent in: Lithuanian, German, Russian
Can you share a memorable experience when a client appreciated your multilingual skills at Paysera?
Once, a Russian-speaking client living in Germany called a German line. He tried to speak in German, but it was very difficult for him and he had a strong Russian accent. Hearing the client struggle, I offered to communicate in Russian. Upon hearing this, I heard a sigh of relief and gratitude. It's nice when you don't cause difficulties for the client and help solve the issue without them having to twist their tongue.
What’s your opinion on having an accent when communicating in a non-native language?
I believe that my Russian is fluent, or at least, authentic to the native region, though it's common for Russian speakers to have a stronger accent. As for my German, I can't deny the fact that my German is spoken with a distinct foreign accent. However, our clients never make me feel self-conscious about it. They are pleasantly surprised to receive assistance in their mother tongue, not something they expect at every foreign bank. In fact, many compliment my proficiency in German and are intrigued to know where I learned the language.
Levan – QA Engineer (Georgia)
Fluent in: Georgian, English, Russian
Do you have a funny or interesting fact to share about your native language?
The Georgian language, one of the oldest and one of the languages included in 14 unique scripts, is subjectively one of the most beautiful. This is the language in which the world-famous Georgian poem Vepkhis tkhaosani was written by Shota Rustaveli. Also, on 5 September 1977, Voyager 1 blasted off into interstellar space with a message from President Jimmy Carter engraved on a golden record containing images, sounds, and 27 songs from around the world. Included on the Golden Record, now more than 12 billion miles from Earth, is the folk song Chakrulo performed by Erisioni.
There are a lot of word combinations in the Georgian language, for example, we have one such interesting sentence, "Shemomechama", which means “I didn't want to, but it came out that way”. We celebrate Georgian Language Day on 14 April.
Have you ever tried to teach a colleague a phrase or a word from your native language? How did that go?
As for teaching the Georgian language, since we are a multicultural company, we try to communicate with each other using the words of our language. Since Georgian is a more or less difficult language, we try to teach simple words to our colleagues and learn from them. For example, they write to us "Hello Dzma how are you?" This means “Hello, brother, how are you?” In this way, we try to greet each other using each other's language.
Marija – Head of Translations (Lithuania)
Fluent in: Lithuanian, English, Russian
What’s your favourite part about working with a diverse group of translators from various backgrounds?
When working with translators from various linguistic backgrounds, I learn a lot about the nuances of different languages. Paysera offers content in a range of languages from various families, including Baltic, Slavic, Germanic, Finno-Ugric, Semitic, and more. Some of these languages are quite similar, and you might easily understand them even if you've never formally studied them. In contrast, others are distinctly unique due to their specific linguistic characteristics. For instance, Arabic texts are written from right to left. In French, the number construction system is distinctive, and languages like German frequently form compound words. Although language-specific features sometimes pose challenges for our translation team when translating a text into 17 languages, often stemming from both linguistic and technical issues, each instance is a journey of discovery and an opportunity to learn more about other languages.
Did you ever have a funny language misunderstanding at Paysera?
Sometimes, when translating texts, especially shorter ones or single words, a lack of context can lead to inaccuracies. I remember an instance when the card name 'Visa' was mistakenly translated into Lithuanian as 'Whole'.
Mohamad – Client support manager (Bulgaria)
Fluent in: Arabic, Bulgarian, English
Was there ever a time when your ability to speak 3 languages was instrumental in solving an issue in your work?
Speaking many languages gives you many advantages, especially in daily work tasks. I remember when my ability to speak Arabic came into play. I was the only Arabic speaker in the office at the time, and we had a client who was facing trouble with his card. He was at the airport, unable to use his card since it had been blocked. As he could only speak Arabic, I was able to step in and assist him, resolving his issue with ease. This satisfying experience was a direct result of my language skills.
Do you have a favourite quote from one of the languages you’re fluent in? If so, would you like to share it?
Yes, there is a good quote that always reminds me about the virtues of patience and the potential of achieving great results. The quote is, "Rome was not built in a day." This phrase not only highlights the enchanting beauty of Rome but also serves as a reminder that this magnificent city was built over time.
Anželika – Financial operations team lead (Lithuania)
Fluent in: Lithuanian, English, Russian, Polish
What unique experiences have you had due to speaking multiple languages that a monolingual person may not relate to?
Speaking multiple languages can provide a greater understanding of different worldviews, expressions, and ways of thinking. It might also make it easier to travel and communicate with a broader range of people around the world. Additionally, research has shown that multilingual people may have improved cognitive abilities, such as better problem-solving skills and more effective multitasking.
What do you believe is the most crucial element in successfully picking up a new language?
A crucial element in successfully picking up a new language is motivation and a personal desire to learn.
