Why the UK translation market is a growth sector
The demand for translation and interpreters is growing and viewed as a growth industry at the moment. In addition, as globalization has resulted in businesses working across geographies, cultures, and languages, businesses are forging into new markets and having to tap into customers in those markets.
European translation
Having been an integral part of the EU for so long, the UK will continue to build markets in Europe and continue to contribute to the UK economy. This will be more difficult now that Britain has left the union, and language will play a pivotal role in both securing business but then also in maintaining these links. English as the main language for business may not persevere for much longer, and it is reasonable to consider that one of the continental languages will become more prominent instead.
With UK businesses trying to stay in Europe, there’s been a growth in the demand for certified translation services London, to help translate key business documents and communication from English into a vast array of languages, such as German and Spanish. These are now the languages of choice for business, and governments in the EU and UK business will have to adapt. Despite leaving the EU, the UK companies will want to continue providing services and products in a range of European languages to maintain links with established customers.
The market is thus there, and as British businesses look for a foothold in the new Europe, there has been a marked rise in the use of translators, interpreters, and language experts.
Growing outside of the EU
This growth in the language market, specifically translation, has also seen a marked increase as the UK establishes itself outside of the EU. This provides further opportunities for translation companies and translators to build demand. Trade and agreements with non-EU members provides opportunities to build in-roads in new language markets such as China, Japan, and the Middle East.
With more than 900 million native speakers, Chinese accounts for more than 14% of the world’s population and the most widely spoken language in the world. In addition, the Chinese economy is growing, and Chinese businesses are spreading globally, providing opportunities and demand for translation services. This is but one example of language in markets outside the EU that are seeing the growth in translation.
Non-business translation needs
Business-to-business needs have generally driven the current growth in the market. Although the business sector has been primarily responsible for the marked growth and expansion, there are other sectors that have also pushed this growth.
The online education sector
There has been a dramatic growth in the online education sector, and although most of this growth was due to the pandemic, it is expected to continue to a certain extent. Online courses and open learning have presented themselves as an industry that is growing uncontrollably and one where language skills and specifically translation, are key. Either learning websites need to be translated, or the training materials need to be translated into the language of preferred instruction.
Higher education
Universities, colleges, and formal institutions of learning have also changed forever. Students are being taught online, which has affected the language needs of the educators and the students. Prior to the pandemic, there was a marked increase in the number of international students at U universities, and the number looks set to grow as the online option is extended, allowing students from anywhere in the world to register to study as long as they have the right qualifications.
As the world changes and the UK looks to find its place in a world where the EU is no longer its main trading partner, language and the skills thereof will be some of the most important resources there are. This is a market that has seen marked growth and increases in revenue, and all forecasts show that this is expected to continue.
Where these language and translation skills are available
The skills can either engendered in-house, and this will entail some very detailed and engaging training and education and may take a while. It’s a little more complicated than learning holiday Spanish on Duo lingo or Rosetta stone. Learning the skills to be a translator will require dedication and time.
Use free software
There has been a growth of free language translation software and apps, and some of the biggest tech firms have jumped on this bandwagon, such as Google Translate. These are great for the odd sentence or phrase and can be quite accurate, but for detailed text and business documents, there is a need for something a little more professional and accurate.
Hire a professional service
The latter is always the recommended route for business and education in that it’s ok to make a language mistake when ordering a meal on holiday, but a multi-million Ero contract or sales on the continent will require language skills of the highest order.
As the needs grow, translation as a business opportunity is developing, and the entire face of the industry has changed. It is a professional sector that has benefited from the competition and the opening of markets further afield than Europe.
