Most Translated Languages in the World: Top 5 Languages

Businesses that want to expand must be aware of the most translated languages worldwide. Choosing a suitable language translation service depends on the type of business opportunities you’re looking for, but understanding the most translated languages provides a brilliant starting point for finding a language translator to work with and succeeding in your global expansion goals.

Internet World Stats has ranked the top ten most popular languages, with English at the top. Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic have approximately 1.5 billion internet users, putting them among the most in-demand languages. After these come Portuguese, German, French, Russian, Indonesian and Japanese, with 1.3 billion users.

Online businesses are aware of this and tend to work in these markets accordingly, and you can do the same. Here are the five most translated languages that have translation demand. If you plan to expand in one of these markets, a translation agency can help you increase your chances of success.

1. Chinese Translation

Chinese translation is one of the most requested languages. The population of China is over 1 billion, and there are also 1.3 billion native Chinese speakers. That accounts for 16% of the world’s population! In fact, there are more native Chinese speakers than of all other languages, so a translation to Chinese helps businesses reach a vast audience.

There are seven primary dialects of Chinese, so if you’re targeting a specific area, ensure to specify which dialect needs translating. Mandarin is the most widely spoken. When looking for a language translator, ensure they can easily handle all dialects to effectively target the Chinese population.

2. Spanish Translation

Spanish translation comes second on the list of the most translated languages in the world. With over 500 million native speakers across countries like Europe and Latin America, Spanish offers you an opportunity that few other languages can match. It’s the official language of 21 countries and is spoken on four continents.

Since Spanish differs from region to region, a professional language translator will ensure it considers all the different dialects. This is an essential consideration for all languages, but a translation of Spanish needs special care due to the wide distribution of its speakers.

3. Arabic Translation

Arabic translation comes thrid on the list of most translated languages. The Arabic language has seen a massive rise in internet use and now boasts over 46 million users. Furthermore, many Arabic language searchers have made Google develop domains tailored explicitly for 15 different countries.

In fact, Arabic is so widely spoken that not working with a professional language translator can cost you sales. Around 280 million people speak this language, and it is the official language of 22 countries. Some of these regional dialects are so unique that they sound like their own languages, so professional translation helps ensure you choose the suitable variation for your target market.

4. French Translation

French translation is also on the list. Translating your website into one of most translated languages means that you reach out to 36 million internet users in France. Website translation is a great way to target internet users who shop online, so it’s of no wonder that French has surpassed other languages in its demand for professional language translators.

You’ll also reach out to parts of Canada, such as Montreal, where French is an official language. Other regions speak the French language including Monaco, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and some parts of the Caribbean. French-speaking countries also include African nations with growing economies: Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

5. Japanese Translation

Japanese translation also comes on the list of the most translated languages. There are 109 million Japanese users online, which makes it one of the most popular languages worth engaging in. Some Japanese people don’t speak English or other languages, so essential for marketers who want the attention of this audience to invest in a translation.

Japanese is hard to translate and must be done by a professional language translator. The language has several writing systems that make them more expensive in terms of time spent on localisation. However, localising content to tailor it to the unique Japanese culture is essential if you need an accurate translation.

Future Trends for the Most Translated Languages to English

Although these are currently some of the most translated languages worldwide, trends show that the translation of other languages might surpass these in the following years. Hindi and Korean (in Asia), Finnish and Danish (in Europe) will become popular languages online. The most popular languages will undoubtedly change as the local online markets grow.

This trend needs to be noted, especially if you’re a language translator or linguist in the translation profession. The internet penetration rate in developing countries is also growing faster than ever, so a dynamic environment will undoubtedly bring changes.

Renaissance Translations’ Professional Language Services

If you need to hire a professional language translator, contact Renaissance Translations today. Our company has a team of skilled linguists qualified in translating into all languages. Choose one of the most translated languages on this list, or request a translation of any other languages that will benefit your business growth.

We have extensive experience in multiple industries, so we can help regardless of your sector or field. Our translators can also take on different types of content, from brochures to video subtitling. If you have content to translate, you can get in touch with our professional project managers. Contact our team, and let’s discuss your project today!