Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and your 80-pound German Shepherd, Luna, comes to you in bed. Instead of barking, she speaks to you in a language you understand. Before you call for help, thinking we’ve lost our minds, experts say that this technology exists to translate the sounds made by animals into something more understandable for us humans.
We will go further into the above subject a bit later, although it’s clear that it will remain in the realm of science fiction in 2024. But until then, let’s get back to reality. Fortunately and unfortunately, many things will change in the world of translations in the newly started year. From artificial intelligence to language models and hybrid translators, here’s what is emerging and disappearing in the field of languages in the year that has just begun.
Artificial Intelligence = Fake Translations?
It seems like no matter what we do, we can’t escape this topic. AI, AI, AI! Although we addressed it in 2023. In detail. Multiple times! The truth is that artificial intelligence is here to stay with us just like the internet has for over three decades. With both good and bad aspects. When it comes to translations, and especially translators, there has been speculation for a long time about their complete replacement by a computer.
However, the data shows that we won’t witness such a radical change anytime soon. At most, similar to 2023, the translator and AI will work together for a better and easier way to handle translations or any other linguistic services. The computer can deal with more work at once, yet humans remain the ones who add nuance and substance to the final translation.
A translation done via Google Translate or ChatGPT looks, sounds, and feels fake, to use a word we are all familiar with from a few years now. Any experiment, no matter how minimalist, of translating a text using only these tools, without human assistance, reveals that AI is far from ready to take over the work from humans. Especially not at a 100% level for years to come.
The Rise of Extremely Specific Needs
A translation agency is a suitable choice in most cases. Especially if you are a medium or large corporation because it can address almost any kind of request. No matter how specific these requests are, the necessary resources are just a few clicks away. For example in 2024, translations for video content will be in high demand, as nearly 90% of internet users watch videos every day.
Equally important is having access to as many languages as possible for clients, especially those in high demand. Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, German, and Russian are projected to be the most sought-after languages for translation in 2024. Our agency has the necessary resources to meet any requests when it comes to these languages. Additionally, we offer interpreting services, subtitles, and voiceovers in any combination for these (and 100 other!) languages.
Localization, The Bomb Waiting to Explode
Whether we like it or not, this sub-industry of translations is in high demand. And it will soob become a leader in the linguistic world in 2024. Why? Because, in most cases, translations are not the final point of the client’s needs. Localizing the message for the target audience is equally or even more important than the translation itself. And the industry is not ready for the boom.
We see an increase in the requests of the companies we work with when it comes to localization. They come from their desire to expand their services into new and more specific markets than the general ones. Localization makes the brand’s message and the products it sells more noticeable for local audiences. It’s for those target groups toward which the company directs its attention.
What Disappears from Translations in 2024?
When it comes to disappearances, one thing is certain: the traditional translator is on the verge of fading away. However, they won’t disappear entirely, as some proponents of artificial intelligence claim, deeming AI superior to anyone with two hands and two feet. On the contrary, the traditional translator is evolving into a hybrid one, to an even greater extent than in recent years, where the transition to a supertranslator has already begun.
Uncertainties are also on the verge of disappearing. More and more companies, small, medium, or large, understand that a translation agency brings not only a quality element to the job. But, more importantly, a level of security that you can’t find on your own. Or on freelancing websites. Or worse, on Facebook groups where translations are offered “per kilogram” or “at unbeatable prices”. In the near future, every translation-related need will be handled through an agency.
Doggy What?!
We owe you an explanation for the introduction of this article. Even though, technically speaking, it exists, the technology that would allow us to communicate with our pets in the backyard is not yet advanced enough to enable it. However, the mere fact that we have technologies capable of things that until recently seemed like Pokemon lore allows us to dream about what’s next for all of us. Both as translators and respective recipients of their services.
Translations are an ever-evolving industry. If we look at the numbers, in 2023, the entire industry was valued at $39.37 billion. By 2028, it is projected to reach $46.22 billion, according to statistical data. Why? Because the world aims to be increasingly interconnected. And that doesn’t necessarily mean physical closeness but, more importantly, cultural and linguistic proximity.
We people simply want to understand each other better.
Translations are the engine driving the development of these ideas. No matter how good an idea is, it cannot go too far outside the compounds of one’s mind without high-quality translations.
