With more businesses continuing to strive for a global reach, the need for language translation services is continuing to soar. Recent projections show that the language services industry will increase to $56.18 billion by 2021. Below is a look at the current scope of the language services industry and how it continues to help businesses grow.
Translation Services and Languages that are in High Demand
As the demand for translation services increases, language services providers are focused on meeting their customers’ needs. Some of the translation services that clients seek include:
- Medical Translations – With advancements in the medical industry constantly happening, the need for medical translations is growing. Medical and pharmaceutical translations require top-notch accuracy, especially since medical data contains complex terminology and information that is vital to human life.
- Books – As e-books become increasingly more popular, book translation is an important service for publishers and authors who want to reach new customers. Medical books, textbooks, novels, and other types of literature are just some of the important works that can be translated and made available in new markets.
- Tourism – With the help of translation, the tourism industry can continue to experience tremendous growth. By translating and localizing their websites, software, and apps, tourism companies can reach new travelers by giving them easy access to book and plan their own trips.
- E-learning – As more companies use e-learning courses for training their employees, they are seeking translation services to help bring their learning modules to other regions. Since only about 25% of the world’s internet users speak English, online courses should be translated and localized into multiple languages to reach the most users possible.
Additionally, various languages are at the forefront of the translation industry. The top 5 languages, after English, spoken as a first or second language across the globe are:
- Mandarin Chinese, which is the native language of about two-thirds of China.
- Hindi, which is the preferred official language of India.
- Spanish, which the first language spoken by about 360 million people globally.
- French, which is the official language of more than 29 countries worldwide.
- Standard Arabic, which is the literary standard language across the Middle East.
The Need for Qualified Language Translators is Growing
With the demand for translation services increasing, the need for language translators has also risen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the translation job outlook will increase by 19% by 2028, which is a much faster growth trend compared to other occupations.
With many new translator jobs being filled, it is important for companies to work with a language services provider (LSP) that has a careful hiring process in place for linguists, including only hiring translators who are native speakers of their languages.
Localization of Content is a Vital Part of the Translation Industry
Translation is a vital service for helping companies expand their global footprints, and a critical part of it is the localization of content. Through localization, you can be certain that your translation project adheres to the cultural nuances of a region. Examples of content localization include:
- Software – With the global enterprise software market expected to surpass $500 billion by 2021, software localization provides vital opportunities for companies that are seeking to enter new global markets. Through software localization, businesses can attract more customers and improve international sales.
- Videos – With video localization, you can ensure that the videos you are using for marketing or training resonate with the culture of the region you are trying to target. Because videos are a popular tool for websites, they are viewed countless times. As such, video localization is an effective tool for reaching new clients.
- FinTech – As part of one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, FinTech companies are recognizing the need to localize their products and services to reach additional markets. Because FinTech companies handle sensitive data, proper localization is critical.
- Cybersecurity – With cyber breaches frequently on the rise globally, it is vital that cybersecurity companies overcome language and cultural barriers through multilingual training and localized products.
Translation Services are Significant to Increasing Brand Recognition and Sales
One of the most valuable outcomes of using translation services is how much they boost brand recognition and sales. Marketing material is often the first contact that customers have with your company; as such, translating your website, posters, and brochures into a region’s language makes an excellent first impression. Additionally, precise wording and consideration of a region’s culture will make a huge impact on potential customers. Therefore, partnering with an LSP for your marketing needs can ensure that you send the best message to the audience you are seeking.
As an industry that has doubled in size over the last 10 years, language services will continue to grow. Working with a qualified LSP can help you achieve the best translation for your project.
Summary
As more businesses strive to expand globally, the language services industry can help them achieve their translation goals and increase sales.
