Edited by Anna Sobell
Globalisation is opening up trading and cultural doors all over the world, enabling businesses to quickly discover new international partners. However, the language barrier remains a frequent sticking point for many organisations. So, how can language training fuel the machine of business, and can it trump translation?
Translators and interpreters provide businesses with the ability to access small and emerging markets – and with over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, that’s plenty of new opportunities! Which begs the question: if you can just hire a translator or interpreter, do you really need second language skills in the workplace?
A translator or interpreter may be essential to a business trading through a number of the 7,000+ languages of the world, but sadly many of these languages are in danger of disappearing. In fact, two-thirds of the world’s population speak one of just 12 languages (and over half of these are the languages of our European neighbours). Therefore, by adding second language skills to your organisation’s learning and development programme, you can have significant global reach without the need for a translator or interpreter.
In a world where language diversity is shrinking, adding extra languages to your business’s wider skill set seems like a wise move – especially when you factor in the many personal and professional benefits that your employees will experience as a result. But how about the other side of the coin: what can translators and interpreters bring to your business?
Demand for translation services is on the rise. In fact, the translation industry has often been labelled ‘recession-proof’ – a bold claim, but unsurprising when you consider how central languages are to business success in an increasingly globalised market.
In the US, for example, jobs for interpreters and translators are on course to increase by 29% from 2014 to 2024, and the market for outsourced language services and translation-enabling technology grew by more than 5% from 2015 to 2016.
With such seemingly unstoppable growth in both translation services and translation technologies, it would be easy to assume that learning a new language for business purposes might become unnecessary.
However, while translators may be able to help you transform the written word into a user-friendly document or report for your foreign-language partners, they will be unable to bring the personal touch to your meetings and conversations – and there is great value in forging personal relationships with your clients around the world without using an interpreter.
A learnt second language used in business can help to improve and maintain trust, respect and relationships in leaps and bounds; something that a translated website/report/press release etc. definitely can’t do. It’s all about the human touch. There’s no denying that translators and interpreters can be a great help for ad hoc or urgent matters, but investing in language training can easily position your company and its employees above your competitors
Many translation services utilise clever technology to do the heavy lifting – but if you have ever tried to translate using an online translator, you may have an idea of how hit and miss these can still be.
Often, the key information is in place but the context is missing, so your finely crafted words can quickly become a halting imitation. Paying an expert company to translate for you should ensure that your words are not only translated word for word, but that they also make sense – however, they may still be missing the finer details that capture the essence of your business’s vision, values and creativity.
The reality of translating technologies suggests that they will always lack the complexity of conversational language, and so effective translations will continue to be dependent on the human touch.
With this in mind, it is easy to see the continuing value of a second language to your organisation: if translators and interpreters are still uniquely valuable to translation services companies (as opposed to sole reliance on translation technologies), then it stands to reason that multilingual employees will continue to be important to globally focused organisations (and that language learning is a wise long-term investment).
Introducing language learning to your organisation is a smart strategy for staying ahead of the global market and anticipating business opportunities overseas. You can also add depth to your translation requirements as they arise through your own nuanced understanding of the language and the intended context, which helps to ensure that your business communications remain clear and on-message, whatever the language.
Language Services Direct can help you structure a language training programme that will keep your business on track for global success. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and to find out more about how we can help you grow your business with confidence in new markets through language training.
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