Translation Blog

Many industries have rapidly changed since COVID-19, and UK translation companies are one of them. The global COVID-19 pandemic required a concerted global response, requiring efficient, fast, and most importantly, accurate communication. UK translation companies played a huge part in helping this happen, providing billions with access to public health information in a language they understand.

This article uncovers how healthcare translation services by UK translation companies helped in the fight against COVID-19. We’ll also discuss how they continue to bring benefits to today’s multicultural world.

How Translation Services have Helped in the Past

The Spanish Flu pandemic hit the world in 1918 and infected around 500 million people, accounting for a third of the world’s population at the time. Of these 500 million, approximately 50 million perished. This public health catastrophe made it clear that the rapid distribution of information between relevant parties was pivotal to fighting disease. It taught us hard lessons and caused the world to collaborate.

Following the outbreak, information and data sharing were seen as essential tools in the worldwide efforts against illnesses in the future. UK translation companies thus created unprecedented scientific translation techniques to deal with future pandemics. Research units, hospitals, universities, and medical institutions could benefit from this rapid communication and save lives.

UK Translation Companies & the Emergence of COVID-19

A century later, a new global pandemic emerged: COVID-19. The first cases of COVID-19 began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on the 20th of January 2020.

From that moment, both WHO and China started sharing information concerning the virus with the world. Researchers needed to communicate their findings, governments needed to communicate their restrictions, and COVID-19 patients needed to communicate their symptoms to doctors.

As the virus spread to other nations, these countries also began sharing information and advice. Indeed, the first tool against the virus was data and information sharing, meaning UK translation companies were placed on the frontline. People from different nations needed to understand safety protocols, lockdown measures, furlough schemes, unemployment benefits, and housing rights.

Passing on all this information was by no means an easy feat for UK translation companies, especially true when you consider that over 700,000 people in the United Kingdom don’t speak English fluently. There are over 300 languages spoken in London alone! All these UK citizens need to be informed of government changes, highlighting the importance of the language services sector.

Why not Use Machine Translations in COVID?

With a sudden surge in demand for medical translations, you might wonder why machines cannot be utilised instead of relying on UK translation companies. Some proponents of machine translation would claim that it has made leaps and bounds. However, accuracy and context are paramount when it comes to COVID-19 and medical translation.

While it might be easy to translate simple text using Google Translate, machine translation lacks the nuance of human language services. An example is a Japanese translation of “wash your hands” using Google Translate. While technically grammatically correct, the text was presented in a way in which a parent might talk to a child. When used on a poster, this comes across as condescending or patronising, reducing compliance.

Another issue with machine translation is that it is unavailable for certain language translations. The most popular translator Google Translate supports just over 100 languages out of over 7000 languages worldwide. And while less than 2000 people speak 40% of the languages, machine translation cannot reach everyone, UK translation companies can!

For this reason, professional translation service providers are much better equipped for widespread language translation under high-pressure situations. COVID-19 information was vital and needed to get to everyone to help reduce the pandemic risk. To this end, the translation industry had to make the information available in various languages.

What more can UK Translation Companies Do beyond COVID-19?

The changes COVID-19 brought to the world didn’t stop at just health and medicine. As a result of lockdowns, more people are spending time working from home. The way we work has changed seemingly forever! We have had to switch from casual meetings and face-to-face events to online video calls and Slack messaging.

Video is now the most crucial content form on the internet and has become a communication tool for organisations and businesses. Therefore, providing video-based language services to companies—such as transcription and voiceover—is crucial for business communications. UK translation companies are the primary facilitators of this change, helping to shape our new online future.

Let Renaissance be Your Trusted UK Translation Company

Renaissance Translations were one of the UK translation companies helping the world fight through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our network has expanded considerably since the global crisis, and we have a large network of linguists specialising in multiple subjects. This includes medical and healthcare translations alongside engineering, legal, financial, and other sectors.

Our expert linguists and project managers are ready to help with all your language translation projects. We are members of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact our UK translation company today!

The world is developing an ever-increasing global economy. This uptick in expansion into new markets means an increased demand for language translation services. Translating languages helps businesses connect with global audiences, driving revenue and making their companies an international success. But which language translation service should you invest in?

This article aims to analyse the most translated language pairs in the UK. We will also try to understand how language pairs correlate with trade, helping you decide on the best language translation for your unique business goals.

Why Do UK Businesses Need Language Translation?

Before we delve into the most popular language translation pairs, let’s answer one crucial question: Why is translating languages important? In the most basic sense, translating languages helps facilitate communication – but there are several reasons why this is crucial for business:

• Helps to make your transactions more transparent: It would be difficult, perhaps more costly, to engage in mutually beneficial exchange without language translation. Moreover, the outcome of such communication might be less predictable. This could lead to unhappy customers or worse – financial losses and legal upset.
• Helps to drive revenue and increase sales internationally: The ability to speak a foreign language or communicate in languages other than English can yield economic payoffs. You can begin to trade in international markets. And with good language translation, you can connect with customers and build brand loyalty worldwide.
• Helps to appeal to a wider UK audience: The UK is a country full of different nationalities. Some of these individuals arrived in the UK long ago, whereas others arrived recently, searching for the communities to find their feet. Translating content into foreign languages helps to reach the entire multicultural UK population.

What Are the Most Popular Language Translation Pairs in the UK?

Considering that the de facto language of the UK is English, you’ll be unsurprised to discover that English is in every top language translation pair. British businesses are translating English content into other languages, while companies brought into the UK are looking to do the opposite and make their content understandable to English speakers.

The other half of the equation is less easy to guess! Here are the most in-demand languages in the UK:

1. Arabic Translation

Arabic and English are the most in-demand language translation pair in the UK. Translating into the Arabic language is notoriously challenging, especially for English speakers. This could partially explain why it is highly sought after – companies need professionals to translate Arabic accurately.

Arabic is also natively spoken across a multitude of rapidly growing markets. For this reason, it is one of the most important languages in the business world. And while it was overlooked in the past, imports and exports between the UK and Arabic-speaking nations have grown. This rise in trade indicates that Arabic translation services for document translation are needed.

2. Chinese Translation

China has one of the largest growing markets worldwide. Translating languages such as Chinese is thus sought-after by any UK business wanting to enter the thriving Asian market. Many Chinese products are also being brought into Great Britain, requiring translations from Chinese to English.

On top of its market size and business potential, Chinese is also the most spoken native language in the world. There are more than 1 billion speakers globally! With the significant number of Chinese speakers comes the need for professional language translation services. It is also one of the official languages of the UN and has long been recognised as a business language.

3. Spanish Translation

It’s not surprising that Spanish is among the UK’s most popular language translation services. Spain is an important business partner for the UK. While trade between both countries has slowed following Brexit, it is still relatively high compared to other EU nations.

The thing about Spanish is that it isn’t simply just for Spain! Central and South America have some of the largest concentrations of Spanish speakers, and it is an official language in 21 countries. Translating into the Spanish language thus helps companies engage audiences not just from Europe but from all corners of the globe.

4. German Translation

German translations are another highly requested language translation service in the UK. Germany is one of the UK’s largest European trade partners, surpassing even France with its high numbers of imports and exports. German is also one of the official languages in Switzerland, another strong UK trading partner.

Translating languages used for trade is crucial for any company expanding overseas. The companies bringing products into the UK also rely on these services. The imports and exports with Germany cover a number of sectors, including technical and medical industries.

5. French Translation

French language translation is also in high demand in the UK. Both countries have a long, intertwined history, and the French market has had significant ties with the UK market. French consumers and organisations are approaching the UK market, and UK businesses are targeting French customers.

French is also considered a global language, spoken in countries such as Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Rwanda, Switzerland, and Morocco. Translating languages spoken worldwide is a smart move for businesses wanting to grow into global markets. With one translation, your content can be understood on several continents.

Future Predictions for Popular UK Language Translation Pairs

As we have uncovered, many of the UK’s most in-demand language translation services are of previously rare language pairs. As economies continue to shift, the most common languages that translation agencies work on will continue to move accordingly.

Since Central Europe houses the continent’s fastest-growing region, its languages are increasing in demand. Certain nations with growth rates of about 4%, like Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, are becoming important markets. These markets aren’t as saturated as those in France and Germany, meaning there is room for growth.

This room for growth means translating languages such as Polish, Slovak and Hungarian are likely to rise in the near future. All brands must work with translation companies that can provide professional language translation services to enter these markets ahead of the curve.

Language Translation Services you Can Rely on…

Whether you want to translate into any of these common UK language pairs or any other language, Renaissance Translations can help. With a network of over 5,000 professional translators, our company offers comprehensive language translation services in more than 120 languages. Translating languages is what we do best!

Our Company is member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL LSP Partner Programme. Get in touch today with our professional project managers to discuss your project. Alternatively, you can request a quote online to begin budgeting for your project.

As the world is becoming increasingly globalised, more companies need accurate translation services. Many businesses choose to adapt their content for other markets using free translator tools powered by AI. Using a machine to translate your materials is quick and cost-effective, but it scores low in another crucial criterion: translation accuracy.

An accurate translation is arguably the most important part of any translation. Without precise translation, you open your company up to embarrassing mistakes, confused customers, damaged reputation, and legal ramifications. Here we explain further why accuracy is vital to every good translation and give tips on checking the quality of your work.

Why is Accuracy So Important in Translation?

Accurate translation is important for many reasons, including:

• Business Expansion Success: Many expanding businesses count on an accurate translation to cater to global markets. They have to make their materials accessible to people in other countries who speak different languages, and accuracy ensures that their translated content is understood and communicated effectively.
• Maintaining Professionalism: Inaccurate translations – such as those performed by free translator tools and AI software – are riddled with mistakes in spelling and grammar. Even if the translation makes sense, these mistakes look highly unprofessional. Accurate translations avoid this issue, helping your company maintain its professionalism.
• Avoiding Embarrassment: When you use a machine to translate branding, mistakes can be even more damaging. Company names and taglines may translate to something that doesn’t have the intended meaning and can be seen as offensive or off-putting, such as these examples from global brands. Translation accuracy ensures you will protect your reputation no matter what markets you try to reach.
• Averting Legal Ramifications: Depending on the type of translation, inaccurate translations may result in legal ramifications. For example, if you are trying to send a message about the economy, the wrong wording could send stocks tumbling. Likewise, if you work in the legal field, using the wrong terminology can lead to lawsuits being filed against you.

How to Assess Translation Accuracy

You should now understand the importance of accurate translation services for any expanding business. But identifying whether or not your deliverables are accurate can be challenging, especially when you don’t speak the target language.

The best way to ensure this is to use a professional translation agency rather than free translator tools, such as Google Translate. A machine translates each word and phrase literally, whereas human translations follow advanced processes for guaranteed precision. Here are a few of the things professional translators look for when checking translation accuracy:

• The wording should effectively communicate the meaning of the original content
• The target text should be entirely free from spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
• The text should use proper conventions for measurements, dates, and addresses
• The translation should retain the style and tone of the source materials
• The text should reflect appropriate and modern uses of the target language
• If the client provides a glossary, the translation should adhere to all terminology provided
• The translation should take the culture of the language into consideration

It is also down to you to choose a reliable language partner that can deliver accurate translations. Only the best translation agencies have the experience and skills required to provide text that is accurate in its meaning, style, and tone.

Types of Accurate Translation Services

Qualified translation agencies not only offer improved accuracy when compared to free translator tools. They also offer numerous types of accurate translation that machines cannot provide. For example, only literal translations are possible when using a machine to translate. Comparatively, all reliable agencies deliver the following language services:

• Translation Services: Accurate translation services are necessary for any business that wants to expand globally. They will need accurate translations of several materials, such as brochures, websites, apps, business emails, employment contracts, and more.
• Proofreading: Proofreading is essential before making any piece of content available to the public, helping to guarantee accuracy. However, it is especially important if that piece requires translation into another language. You will want a native-speaking translator to provide accurate proofreading services before distributing your materials.
• Audio Transcription: Audio transcription refers to the transcription of any audio file. This can include audio files that require an accurate translation from one language to another, increasing the audience and improving the searchability of the content.
• Video Subtitling: Another accurate translation example is video subtitling and captioning. Video subtitling is necessary to make a video available to people in a country that doesn’t speak your language. Another alternative is voiceover services, which adapts the audio rather than providing text subtitles.
• Transcreation: Literal translation may not capture innuendos, a sense of humour, and other factors that are difficult to convey in another language. Transcreation is a context-focused translation that ensures that the content carries the same feeling, tone, and message as the source. Accurate translation is an essential part of the transcreation process.

Trust Our Accurate Translation Services

If you need an accurate translation, look no further than Renaissance Translations. We have over 5,000 qualified translators able to offer accurate translation services in all languages and subject fields. So whether you need to translate machine instructions, marketing materials, or websites, we guarantee 100% accuracy every time.

We also offer numerous different services that free translator tools do not, including technical translation, proofreading, localisation, audio transcription, video subtitling, transcreation and more. Our company is member of the Association of Translation Companies in England and we are also members of SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact us today for a quote and ensure you make a great impression with any audience.

Charity translations are essential for NGOs and non-profit organisations, helping these businesses expand their reach overseas. You can translate charity documents using free online tools, but it is always best to work with a professional translator. Professional charity translations are accurate and authentic, instantly improving your funding prospects and donations from across the globe.

If you’re thinking of translating charity documents but are unsure of the benefits, we are here to set the record straight. This article looks at eight key reasons your non-profit or NGO should invest in a professional charity translation today.

Why is Charity Translation Necessary?

There is great significance when it comes to charity and NGO translations. Brands and businesses operating solely in English hold themselves back. There are plenty of people and investors living internationally who may support your cause, but unless you translate your charity documents into their native language, you won’t receive their support and donations.

It is pertinent to understand how working with a professional charity translator is for everyone and how it can be an excellent investment. Here we take a closer look at all the advantages it can bring:

1. Creating a Shared Understanding

Given the surge in globalisation and various multicultural societies worldwide, connecting with people without high-quality translation services can be challenging. Professional charity translations can help create a shared understanding across multiple languages, benefiting NGOs. You can explain your mission and goals to people across the world.

Moreover, many charities’ missions aren’t limited by country boundaries. Perhaps your goal is access to clean water worldwide or to support endangered animals in Africa. A shared understanding is crucial when conducting international charity work, as you must translate legal documents. Your charity translator can help spell out clear terms regarding legal matters and avoid damaging errors.

2. Evoking the Right Feelings

To increase donations to your cause, your charity content must evoke certain feelings of concern, understanding, empathy, and a sense of wanting to offer help. Considering that many charities and NGOs operate internationally, these feelings need to be translated. This requires localisation, providing a personal connection to the reader rather than word-for-word charity translations.

When you translate and localise your charity materials, you get the appropriate context for that particular region. This requires professional translation services by native speakers. These native speakers know the cultural sensitivity needed to develop maximum content impact. This experience helps your translator create insightful charity materials that require special handling.

3. Reaching a Larger Audience

A significant reason to translate your charity documents is that translations enable you to reach a larger audience. Your translator can help to expand your charity goals and purposes, reaching everyone across the world. In this way, your translator can help you on your mission of trying to change the world for the better.

When working with a professional translation company, charities can better serve their target audience. They don’t just reach a larger crowd; they connect and engage with them. This helps charities to open up to new geographical locations and attain more unique opportunities overseas.

4. Effectively Spreading Information & Ideas

As just mentioned, charity translations give you a large audience to lean on for donations, support, and investment. However, translations are also crucial to spreading new knowledge, ideas, and information on this new worldwide platform. It is vital to achieving effective communication across varying cultures.

High-quality services from a professional charity translator understand that brands can use translation to change history. They always have experience working with charitable organisations and know how to handle sensitive issues charity work entails. Translate your charity content professionally, enabling people to come together and expand their knowledge for your meaningful cause.

5. Appealing to a Wider Audience

English is widely spoken, but some people do not understand it. And simply because a person speaks English, it doesn’t mean they can effectively communicate in it. Language is a lot more than simply speaking and listening to words. It can be an expression of a society, belief or culture. This means that most people respond better when they talk in their native language.

Therefore, charity translations are vital for appealing to and connecting with non-English speakers worldwide. This is especially true when dealing with NGO services that need to reach many people. These people might have a decent grasp of English and can string some words together. However, your NGO translator can translate your charity and make it form a connection.

6. Considering Non-English Speakers

While English currently holds a place at the pinnacle of world languages, this might not be the case in the future. As the world grows, other languages are also growing in prominence. Developing nations are starting to assert their roles within the world. As a result, this has provided citizens with a voice, a voice with which they want to be communicated.

A professional charity translator can translate your content ahead of this potential shift. They can help people that speak other languages feel heard, and these non-English speakers can hear you. People worldwide feel appreciated and acknowledge the effort, leading to more donations and support – all through the power of quality charity translations.

7. Moving Your NGO Forward

The business world already understands the importance of translation; it provides opportunities to enter new markets, gain more customers, and ultimately boost sales and profits. It is now time for charities and NGOs to get on board.

Charity translations from a professional translator are vital in today’s world. Geography is no longer an issue for business, nor is it for charity work. With the rise of technology, you can easily use websites and online materials to connect with people internationally. Instead, there is a new barrier: language. Charities can quickly reach their worldwide audience but struggle to communicate.

But that isn’t the case anymore! You can translate your charity documents to communicate effectively with new donors and potential investors worldwide. With such demand, high-quality translation services will always be needed. And if your charity doesn’t get on board, it will soon struggle to compete with global, multilingual charities. Translations are vital in moving your NGO forward.

High-Quality Translations Help Support Your Cause

Translations are an essential part of our world today. The world is multilingual and multicultural, meaning effective and clear communication is vital. You need to exchange ideas between cultures and languages without losing their intent. This helps reach wider audiences, form meaningful connections, boost donations, and support your cause.

For example, medical missions, humanitarian organisations, refugee charities, and other non-profits can all benefit from charity translation services from a reputable translation company. With a professional charity translator, you can reach more people and connect with them on a more practical level. They also help you avoid any errors that might negatively affect your mission.

All in all, enlisting the services of a translation company with experience in offering high-quality translation services is one of the best things you can do. Translate your charity documents, and you are bound to see the results.

Renaissance Translations’ Professional Charity Translations

We have helped many NGOs and non-profits with our professional charity translations. Our list of clients is very long and includes UNICEF, UNESCO, World Bank, CRDF Global, UN Women, Health Security Partners, and many others. Our network of expert charity translators knows precisely how to translate your content into more than 120 languages to build a deep and cohesive understanding worldwide.

Your partnership with Renaissance Translations comes with professional memberships such as ATC and SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact our professional project managers to discuss your charity translation project today. Please call 0161 3940408 or email [email protected].