The translation and localisation industry will see extensive growth over the next few years as more and more businesses of every size choose to expand their operations abroad. Forecasts suggest that the global translation industry could be worth an estimated $56 billion by 2021, with a number of emerging technologies and trends helping to fuel that growth.
Here are five translation trends that we expect to drive the translation and localisation service industry over the next year.
1. Artificial intelligence will become more widespread
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more mainstream and influencing a much wider range of business functions. AI in translation is nothing new, but it is expected to grow rapidly over the next year. One of the main advantages of AI in translation is its ability to understand linguistic nuances that other forms of machine translation might miss. Website chatbots that are available in limitless languages is one area where we expect to see significant growth.
2. Video localisation is set to surge
The power of video online is indisputable, with 80 percent of all the online content posted in 2019 expected to be in the form of videos. When businesses have invested in producing high-quality videos, many will quite rightly choose to use localisation services to make sure those videos are seen by customers and clients in as many of their target markets as possible.
3. Machine translation combined with human editing is on the rise
At Linguistica International, we’re not the biggest fans of machine translation when used as a standalone translation tool, simply because the results are not of the quality we’d want to put in front of customers and clients.
However, we’re the first to admit that when it’s combined with human editing and proofreading, machine translation does have its place. If you have a significant number of translations, such as product descriptions, that you want to be performed quickly, and a limited budget, then combining the two can represent a viable solution.
Over the next year, we expect to see a rise in the use of neural machine translation, which uses network-based technology to produce more contextually accurate translations. This, combined with a human editor, can create accurate, culturally relevant translations.
4. More companies will choose to globalise
Research from the Institute of Export and International Trade has found that more businesses are seeking expansion opportunities overseas than ever before. Selling to EU countries remains the most popular trade route for UK businesses (we’ll see whether that changes over the next year or two), but China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam are also proving to be popular markets in 2019.
5. Translation services will generate an improved ROI
With more and more businesses opening up to markets overseas, translation companies are continuing to refine their services and processes and deliver more cost-effective work than ever before. They are using all the available resources and tools to generate the best possible return on investment for their clients. This includes the following:
- Computer-assisted translation – We create a database that keeps track of repeated phrases, sentences and industry-specific terms so human translators know exactly how to translate those words. Automating part of the process in this way saves time and reduces a business’s costs.
- Cloud collaboration – Collaborating on the cloud ensures the individual elements of a project move much more quickly and seamlessly than they would via email.
- Internationalisation – Internationalisation is the process of producing software and applications in a way that simplifies localisation for foreign markets. That can save businesses significant time and money further down the line.
Partner with Linguistica International in 2019
We can cater for all of your translation, localisation, copywriting and proofreading requirements in more than 200 languages. All of the work is completed by native-speaking professional translators with more than five years’ experience. Join the likes of Orange, Manchester United and Santander and partner with Linguistica International in 2019.