Language Translation & Localization: Past, Present & Future

 

Language translation is the process that takes written content from one language and reproduces it in another. Localization on the other hand, goes one step further. That is, because it adapts that content to a specific culture, region or audience. Localizing language is focused more on tone, as well as stylistic and formatting choices. That's why skilled translators are in such high demand across industries like technology, healthcare, law, marketing, and government. Partly because they know the word-for-word language translation. But furthermore, because they understand that every culture and audience is different. Which is precisely what our language translator training course teaches!

 

Language translation work of the past, the present and the future:

• Language translation in the past

Translating a written text from one language to another used to heavily rely on the individual translator's manual effort, and their intuition. Often making judgement calls to decide how much to stick to the source vs how much to adapt into another language. Every word was either written by hand or with a typewriter. Which consequently, would have a single document taking days or even weeks to complete.

• Language translation work in the present

Our language translator training course consists of 3 parts. A which are broken down for you below:

Part 1: The first part of the course emphasizes the theory of translation. You start off learning the principles, goals and models of professional language translation. Students learn to spot the differences between literary and document translation. All the while noting the stylistic, and situational contexts in the document.

Part 2: the second part of our language translator training course emphasizes the equipment and software. We introduce you to the tools of the trade, and teach you how to use translation & localization technology to your benefit. Here are some of them:

• CAT Tools (Computer-Assisted Translation): These are programs that save and reuse terminology or phrases that you have already translated. They speed up your work and improve consistency as you build up its memory.
• Translation Memory: This type of equipment stores your translations so that you don't have to repeat the same task over and over.
• Terminology Management: Helps you maintain correct, industry-specific terms.
• Machine Translation & Post-Editing: After finishing a record of your conversation, it will correct errors and make it sound professional.
• Software & Website Localization tools: The tools that professional translators use to adapt apps, websites and softwares for global audiences.
• Project Management: The tools that professional translators use to manage all of their projects, including multilingual ones for international clients.

Part 3: the third and final part of the course involves working with a language coach. Students receive hands-on practice translating real text, and feedback from a professional coach. Focusing on sight translation exercises, students improve their knowledge of language translating. And finally, students submit a final project using CAT tools to translate a text.

 

"What is the future of language translator training? A.I can already translate text"

This is true. Especially as tools like ChatGPT, Google Translate and DeepL continue to improve, many wonder how humans will coexist with A.I in the workplace. Not just for language professionals, but every single sector of human work is wondering this same thing. But here is the reality: A.I is a helper, not a replacement. Here's what we mean:

 

• Culture and context: Machines cannot understand humor, tone, slang, or cultural nuance. Therefore, human translators are valued as they ensure that messaging remains authentic and human-centered.
• Specialized industries: Law, medicine, or government for example all require a high level of data privacy. As A.I continues to develop, such industries will prioritize human work over A.I. After all, machines and technology are vulnerable to hacks and cyber attacks. Which only result in lawsuits, financial losses and even bodily harm due to mistranslations.
• Editing & Post Editing: As A.I evolves, menial tasks and time-sucking routines will become automated. But skilled, human translators will still be needed to polish, correct and finalize the work.
• Translation work is becoming more complex: Whether it's localizing video games for an overseas audience, or adapting cell phone apps - there is a LOT of work for human translators! Who will focus more on cultural adaptation, formatting and user experiences... all things that go beyond what A.I is capable of handling.

 

The bottom line is:

A.I is only taking the menial tasks away. For example, think of all the mundane, routine tasks that take a lot of time and effort in your current job. By completing our language translator training course, you are future proofing your career! Again: because companies are looking for talent that knows how to work with technology. They need you to learn it, so that you can master it. So, take your bilingual skills and learn about translation technology, to position yourself for success!

 

At the very least, bilingual adults should register to attend our FREE 1 hour information webinar! Ask all of your questions and get answers! ...Did we mention that it's free?

 

Our online translator classes are taught by expert instructors ✅ who have real-world experience in their interpreting specialty. They have worked hard to make fully remote online courses that are unique and engaging ✅ using a hands-on approach that is unparalleled by the competition. If you or someone you know is interested in our online Medical Interpreter Training Programs with live instruction✅, our fully remote yet real time classes ✅ are offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Somali, Urdu, Ukrainian languages online and onsite.