Trends In The Language Translation Industry

By Atlas LS

Languages are the most common way to communicate. There are more than 7,000 of them in use today. They can be spoken, written, or signed. The most important thing about languages is that they serve as a medium for communication and convey meaning from one person to another. In the past few years, there has been a marked increase in the demand for translation services. This has been attributed to the spread of globalization and the need for people to communicate with each other. Here are some of the significant trends currently affecting the language translation industry.

trends letter blocks - language translation industry trends

1. Increased Use of Machine Translation

In the past few years, there has been a marked increase in the use of machine translation tools instead of human translators. This has been attributed to the fact that they are more efficient and cost-effective than human translators. But despite the increase in AI translations, human translators are still more accurate than AI because of their ability to customize translations for content such as jokes, idioms, sarcasm, etc. When working on legal translation projects, it is essential to ensure to use a human translator since they are much more reliable.

2. Transcreation

Transcreation is different from translation because it involves more than just words. It also involves the images and illustrations that are used to convey meaning. The other significant difference between these two processes is that there are no fixed rules governing their relationship. Translation deals with words only, while transcreation encompasses all things used to convey a message or idea to another person. Conference interpretation, billboards, advertisements and more are covered under transcreation.

3. Virtual Translation

Virtual translation is a relatively new trend in the language translation industry. It involves using technology to bring a human translator in for events for a particular language while avoiding having to be on-site at the event. Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) is another form of virtual translation. It involves using a remote human interpreter to interpret for a group of people who are physically present in one place. RSI is a cost-effective solution to on-site simultaneous interpretation as translator travel is not needed. For that reason, it is also beneficial in time sensitive situations. By using RSI, your business will receive high-quality translations without the need for on-site staff and equipment.

Translation has been happening since human beings first needed to communicate. It has evolved into an industry that provides language translation services all across the world for various different events and purposes. The evolution of the language-translation industry is a dynamic process that continues to change and adapt to the needs of people. Businesses are using conference translation services to help them communicate with their customers. As technology evolves, the demand for language translation services will continue to rise.

FAQs

What is the difference between machine translation and human translation?
Machine translation tools are efficient and cost-effective but lack the nuance and cultural understanding that human translators provide. Human translators are especially important for content like jokes, idioms, and legal documents, where accuracy and customization are crucial.

What is transcreation, and how is it different from translation?
Transcreation goes beyond just translating words; it also involves adapting images, illustrations, and other visual elements to convey a message. Unlike translation, which focuses solely on words, transcreation ensures that the entire message is understood across cultures.

What is virtual translation?
Virtual translation involves using technology to bring a human translator into an event remotely. This method, including Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI), allows for high-quality interpretation without the need for on-site translators or equipment, making it more cost-effective and efficient.

Why is Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI) a cost-effective solution?
RSI eliminates the need for translator travel and on-site equipment, making it an ideal solution for time-sensitive events and reducing costs while still providing high-quality simultaneous interpretation.