Local business specializes in languages

By Chloe Gregg
Editor in Chief

With spring semester starting, many students are already looking toward graduation and upcoming job prospects. For students who have a passion for connecting languages and cultures all around the world, 7C Lingo might be the right place to start looking.

7C Lingo is a Lansing-based company that specializes in all things language: from interpretation, translation, transcription, subtitling, to even cultural and diversity training and more, 7C Lingo has it all.

“We started back in 2007,” said CEO and founder Fathy Shetiah. “I’m originally from Egypt and came to the U.S. at the age of 14. So, I’d already had an introduction to language and culture and a big interest in that. However, I never knew what that really meant until 2007.”

While working at a bank, Shetiah met many people who needed interpreting services, which he was happy to help out with. From there, Shetiah said he realized his passion could grow into something bigger, and 7C Lingo was born.

“The heart of (7C Lingo) is connecting the world,” Shetiah said.

7C Lingo is named for the seven continents that connect the world together, according to the company’s website, and it is all about overcoming those superficial differences, such as a language barrier, to find common ground.

“We do quite a few different things, but mainly language services,” Shetiah said.

According to former LCC student Shauna Stocken, a member of the Linguistics Team at 7C Lingo, one language 7C Lingo frequently helps customers to book ASL (American Sign Language) clients). Students who are bilingual in ASL (or other languages), could potentially find work at 7C Lingo.

“Interpreting with us is on a job-by-job basis, so it's a great way to make extra money regardless if you're a full-time student or have another full-time job,” Stocken said. “We also offer bonuses for individuals recruiting other bi-lingual and ASL speakers.”

Stocken said many students and faculty in LCC’s ASL program already work with 7C Lingo. 7C Lingo is made up of freelance translators and interpreters, which according to Stocken means that the schedule is extremely flexible.

“For interpreting that means they are able to work onsite, video remote, and telephonic interpreting assignments,” Stocken said. “The style of jobs and interpreters being able to choose which jobs work best in their schedules makes this job perfect for students, those with part- or full-time jobs, families, etc.”

April Davidson, the program faculty chair and practicum supervisor for LCC’s ASL Program, said although LCC tries not to endorse specific agencies to students, they do teach them what to look for in a reputable agency.

“We teach them, rather, what to look for in a reputable agency and what questions to ask when considering any such agreement,” Davidson said. “I would recommend students research them just as they would any other interpreting agency.”

For more information on how to get involved with 7C Lingo, visit the website here.