INTERNET IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Searching the Internet in a Foreign Language using Open-Source Techniques, 12 November 2026

This workshop provides a practical framework for conducting investigations across foreign-language digital environments.

It focuses on how to overcome linguistic, technical, and cultural barriers to access and analyse non-English online information effectively.

The session is aimed at investigators and analysts who want to expand their capabilities beyond English-language sources, as well as those seeking to enhance existing multilingual investigation skills.

Held online via Teams
Certificates of CPD available

Aims and Objectives

Foreign-Language OSINT Framework: Provide a structured methodology for investigating non-English digital ecosystems.

Technical Enablement: Equip participants with tools and configurations for multilingual research.

Search and Discovery: Teach how to identify and access relevant sources across different language environments.

Cultural Intelligence: Highlight the importance of cultural and behavioural understanding in analysis.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Operate Across Language Barriers: Apply structured approaches to foreign-language investigations.

Build Multilingual Search Queries: Use translation, transliteration, and native-language logic effectively.

Investigate Individuals Online: Understand naming conventions and identify people across platforms.

Use Tools and AI Effectively: Apply OCR, translation tools, and AI-assisted techniques.

Analyse Digital Ecosystems: Understand how culture and platform dynamics influence available information

AGENDA - GMT

9.20am–9.30am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator

9.30am–10.30am: Session One: Introduction to Foreign Language Research
• Challenges and opportunities of foreign-language OSINT
• Major language systems and scripts
• Language identification techniques
• Finding local-language sources online

10.30am–10.40am: Questions
10.40am–11am: Break

11am–12pm: Session Two: Tools and Research Setup
• Browser setup for multilingual research
• Keyboard and script support
• Translation tools and browser extensions
• OCR and AI-assisted translation

12pm–12.10pm: Questions
12.10pm–12.30pm: Break

12.30pm–1.30pm: Session Three: Search and Social Media Research
• Building multilingual search queries
• Finding foreign-language news and media
• Researching non-Western social media platforms
• Naming conventions and identifying individuals online

1.30pm–1.40pm: Questions
1.40pm–1.50pm: Break

1.50pm–2.50pm: Session Four: AI, Culture, and Applied Research
• Using AI to support foreign-language investigations
• Understanding digital cultures and online behaviour
• Profiling national internet ecosystems
• Short case study or practical exercise

2.50pm–3pm: Questions
3pm: workshop finishes

Our expert speaker

Paolo Walcher has worked as a strategic intelligence analyst and OSINT specialist across corporate, governmental, and law enforcement environments.

His expertise focuses on language-enabled OSINT, with a particular emphasis on Arabic-language investigations and navigating complex non-Western digital ecosystems. He integrates linguistic, cultural, and regional understanding into intelligence processes to enable more effective analysis and decision-making.

Paolo has delivered training and analytical support internationally, covering areas such as geopolitical risk, counterterrorism, conflict monitoring, and security business intelligence. He holds an MSc in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University and has professional experience with BMW Group Security and Bellingcat.

HOW TO BOOK

Cost: £245 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £295 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate

Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.

Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.

Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card. The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.