Expectations in Localization for 2018

Due to its modern-day roots being woven into the very fabric of technology, and the virtual landscape of the internet, the localization industry is one that is ever-evolving, extremely fast-moving, and growing at a ridiculous speed. Now, anyone could say this about any industry, right? That’s somewhat correct, but when we look at the localization or translation industry, we’ll find that since so much of its assets, methods and modes of operation are hard-wired into technology, the industry itself is pulled along with said technology’s growth; as it quickly becomes more and more efficient in what localization services need it to do. This of course includes anything from: communication between clients across the world, from text to speech to video, data and terminology memory banks that become more advanced as you use them, software suites and virtual tool-sets offered by various translation services, as well as the pricing for each of these utilities becoming more affordable by the year.  In an industry moving so far forward so quickly, what can we expect in the year to come? Are there any big changes coming? And what are the little things to look out for?

To offer a brief outline of what this article will be about, firstly we need to keep in mind client expectations, in regard to both accuracy and efficiency. Beyond that, we have the rates at which technology and software are progressing, allowing for the aforementioned accuracy and efficiency to come into fruition. We’ll also be looking at the ways in which communication has become easier for the industry, helping people around the world engage, which is potentially the most important aspect of the localization industry; as well as pricing, methods and why any of this truly matters within the localization industry.

Communication

Communication is in many people’s opinions the most powerful factor of localization, because what is localization if not the process of helping people communicate intentions and ideas into another region? Here we set up the foundation of our article, how translation services can grow in 2018, which aspects of the year will contribute towards bettering the industry and its intention of communication. Tools, software, hardware, data banks and memories are all useful appliances in the field of translation, contributing towards creating an instantaneous, or slowly built process that will help clients communicate with each other. A local interpreter or translating a manual is fine and dandy, but nowadays communication in localization has been built up to mean so much more. Although the core concept remains the same, the steps towards achieving this have become very advanced, as it now relies on technology, internet connectivity and often private virtual spaces between clients.

Video Remote Interpreting

So, what’s one way this goal can be achieved? The first method on our list which is becoming increasingly more popular, is video remote interpreting. When we look deeper into the services provided within the localization industry, going beyond that of basic translation, software suites or digital spaces that we will talk about later, we come to VRI, which is a much more hands on service that allows an even deeper, more personal degree of communication between partners. Video remote interpreting, or VRI is a fairly new concept to the world of translation, and it’s a concept that’s only been made available due to advances in technology, allowing business clients of different languages to interact with one another in the same room, using the help of a translator on the other end of a video call. This may sound strange to you, perhaps even bulky, why would a business go through all that trouble just to get someone on a screen to translate for them? There’s a few factors into why video interpretation is used by so many companies, and they’re all very reasonable.

Firstly, let’s say you just can’t get a hold of a local translator, due to circumstances such as your location, the languages that are in need of translation, or maybe a service just doesn’t exist in your area. These are all possible issues you can run into during the very first step of localization, luckily though, a video interpreter is available literally anywhere around the world, at any time, and since it’s internet-based, you’re able to search for the perfect fit in regard to language, dialect and ability. There’s no issue in waiting, because you have the entire world’s catalogue of remote translators at your fingertips, who are able to help you and your client understand each other – whether the client is in the same room, or also in another part of the world, the translator can simply jump into the same call and make sure all parties are on the same page.

Ultimately, VRI is one of the most reliable, available and efficient forms of translation service which can be utilized in almost any situation, and, since you’re not having to bring a translator on-site, there’s no expensive fees either. The one issue that lingers around video translation is technology itself, in regard to two key aspects. The first is simple and can be solved with the purchase of quality equipment such as camera and microphone, ensuring that your video call is as comprehendible as possible. The second is the reason why VRI is in our article, as it still requires work that is out of the hands of the localization industry; internet connection speeds and strength. Some parts of the world are unfortunately not as developed, or tended to in regard to internet connectivity, even comparing that of the United States to the United Kingdom, we see a significant difference in the ability of our internet connection. However, luckily as time goes on, internet capabilities continue to become more and more advanced, and 2018 holds more time in which speeds and strengths can be increased, making video remote interpretation much more viable around the globe.

Software 

The biggest and most promising step into 2018 for the localization industry is of course software, programs and digital tool sets that make the lives of translators that much easier. Translation memory, software suites and voice application are all prime examples, and it would appear that 2018 holds even more in terms of progression and maintenance for all involved.  One piece of kit that everyone should have on their radar is the Global Technology Platform, or GTP, a software suite available for all clients of Janus Worldwide – including features such as a term and content checker, translation memory, upload space for text review and a private, secure, digital area for all clients to use, allowing them to keep up to date, notified and in contact with everyone involved in the project.

Having a strong intention and enthusiasm for your goal is the perfect foundation, but without the help of forward thinking companies such as Janus Worldwide, companies without localization experience are doomed to fail from the very beginning. That’s why it’s critical that we plan, choose the perfect service for our plans and progress forward in 2018 with the translation tools needed to succeed.

Pricing

Less about a specific product or service, pricing is another ever-changing aspect of the localization industry, for the better. As resources become more widely available, such as equipment, experience, ability and virtual spaces, we find that more and more translators are offering them, because of this, the general pricing may alter and reduce. Some may feel more options is a downside, if more people are offering these services, then how will we know which are good? Luckily, the translation industry is one based on reputation and ability, so if a service is poor, you’ll be able to know about it very quickly through user feedback.

If we look at some statistics, we see that the pricing is generally quoted per project, and on average can vary from $40 – $65 per 250-word piece. In a similar vein we can look at software and digital services, which are priced per month or annum, and are based on the features you will receive, ranging anywhere from free – $50 subscriptions, or one-time payments of up to $1000. Ultimately, we find that localization services can be costly, but in foresight, we can clearly see that the pricing is going down at a rapid rate, while retaining the same high quality. On top of this, we should also take into account the highly competitive nature of the market, in that each company wants to be bigger and better than the rest, offering more languages, features and abilities than everyone else. This competition is great for all, including the customer, and by proxy the pricing will eventually correct itself, becoming more and more affordable.

Why does it matter?

We’ve talked about the upcoming year, the intention, the means, the cost and the expected changes, but in conclusion we ask ourselves, why does it matter? Translation and localization services matter, they are necessary to growth because in a world where industries are surrounded by walls of language barriers, translation services are the hammers needed to break them down and reach an entirely new market. We feel that 2018 is the perfect year to do that, with technical advancements coming from every direction, there’s no better time to capitalise on growth and dive into an entirely new market, completely prepared.