Trends in translation always used to go hand in hand with contemporaneous technological innovations and economic models. E-commerce, for example, has a marked effect on the types of translations that will be needed in the future. Meanwhile, technological improvements also influence the way translations are produced.
The future of the translation sector during these times of COVID-19.
Below, we analyze the main focal points related to the field of translation that will become particularly relevant in 2020. As we will see, the vast majority of them are related to networks and the way people consume and search for content on these networks.
Multimedia localization
Multimedia content (audio, video, flash movies, animation, e-learning content, rich media, and interactive materials) is an invaluable tool today for business worldwide. Multimedia has become both an effective and efficient way of connecting with a target audience. It is the process of modifying media, such as audio or video, with the aim of adapting to the preferences and the needs of people across the globe.
Often translation solutions are the key component of multimedia localization. However, additional aspects such as cultural differences and local regulations must always be taken into consideration by multimedia localization providers. By combining both translation and technical skills, they are able to produce high-quality media that reflect both the target audience and the source material. Multimedia localization can be a powerful communication tool—regardless of whether it is utilized for commercial or informational purposes. Due to high demand, increased need, and interest in information, more and more businesses and organizations are turning to multimedia such as e-learning modules and videos as a way to inform, train, and educate their customers and employees both locally and globally. In numerous cases recently, a lack of information or the wrong information—either provided inadvertently or maliciously—somewhat amplified the effects of feeling the fear of the unknown during this time of COVID-19.
Video translation
Video is becoming ever more entrenched as the main content format in the modern world. It is effective, it is viral, and platforms and websites position it better than they do text. This is mainly because users consume it more. Therefore, another important market niche in the translation sector will be the one that handles effective subtitling and dubbing of this visual content.
Online education
In an increasingly globalized environment, teaching is no longer merely local. Today, we can learn to play the piano with lessons on YouTube or attend private engineering classes from the other side of the world. Ultimately, education seems to be moving towards a borderless and barrier-free approach and one of the main barriers that we have to tear down is that of language.
The translation industry must therefore increase working with these types of audiovisual formats. What difficulties can arise? Mainly, handling the technical jargon inherent in each discipline.
Machine translation
Since the 17th century, attempts have been made to develop methods to allow for instant text translation. Fast content translations—and of the highest quality—are currently needed globally.
Thanks to the sophisticated solutions as well as the know-how of translation agencies to select the best solution for each project and feed the engines, machine translation automatically translates much of a text with increasing precision. Then we can tweak and correct any inaccuracies or errors that may have occurred in the process. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this is a system that can be recommended as long as you utilize a full post-editing service to ensure the best possible quality.
Video Remote Interpreting
Video remote interpreting (VRI) is a video-telecommunication service that uses devices such as web cameras or videophones to provide sign language or spoken language interpreting services. This is done through a remote or off-site interpreter, in order to communicate with persons with whom there is a communication barrier. VRI is a growing field with one popular application being in the hospital emergency room. In this setting, it is essential that patients and caregivers communicate readily with medical personnel, but it may take time for a face-to-face interpreter to arrive on site. Hospitals with VRI capability can connect with a remote interpreter quickly and conduct triage and intake surveys with the patient or caregiver without significant delay. VRI is an extremely important tool when it comes to working with patients who do not speak English. When treating Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients, it is highly recommended for healthcare providers to add a video remote interpreter for medical interpretation during the communication session. Nowadays, VRI can also help reduce the spread of infection. Healthcare facilities can take steps to limit exposure by using VRI to communicate with their patients rather than meeting them in person.
Video Remote Interpreting bridges the gap between Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) and in-person interpreting solutions, reducing the time and cost associated with travel and adding the advantage of visual support to OPI services.
The challenge of artificial intelligence (AI)
AI will allow both a much more direct and dynamic translation of much of the content on the web. Furthermore, well-trained artificial intelligence can learn quickly from its mistakes. It will therefore become an extremely useful element for translation agencies, since it will allow us to speed up our work.
In conclusion, the latest trends in translation show great advances in technology, but at the same time highlight the importance of a good agency of professionals who can manage each assignment properly, such as ourselves here at SeproTec, where we always work with one eye looking firmly towards the future.
It is also important to emphasize that 2020 is a seemingly good year to understand how external factors influence our sector. CSA predicted that the language services industry would continue to grow and that the market would increase to $56.18 billion by 2021. However, the unexpected global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will affect all these market trends greatly. Organizations will continue to make their products and services available in more languages, however, this may be at a much slower rate than before, as we have seen in recent times the significant economic impact of the coronavirus on financial markets and vulnerable industries such as manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, and travel.
On the other hand, the coronavirus crisis has only heightened the need for innovation and co-creation.
We expect to see a different market split by segment for this year than previously predicted.
