Today, the world economy is far more complex than it has ever been throughout human history. There is one thing that hasn’t changed that much and that’s the fact there is no common language to bridge the boundaries. No business can expect to be successful in the international market if it fails to accept that it has to adapt to the vast number of languages spoken in the world.

Failing to recognise these language barriers in international business means a business’s global presence will never realise its full potential. It’s important for all businesses striving to gain from global markets that they try to break down the language barriers in international business and issues of translation by ensuring they get experienced business translators to do their business translations.

Even starting a translation business may help the business deal with its business translations, as many different types of business translation may be needed ranging from translating business correspondence to translating a video about a product using subtitles or voice-overs. These translations may be needed to attract customers to buy a product or to strike supply deals with clients overseas who don’t speak your language.

There are many different aspects to a business that has a presence in a country where a common language isn’t shared, so a business translation can help in many different ways such as translating calls from customers who don’t speak English.

Language problems cause business difficulties

Language barriers can cause both misinterpretations and misunderstandings, typically when translating business correspondence. When this happens there could be serious implications for the business especially if the intended business message doesn’t get understood because of a poor translation. It may be vital for the business’s existence to understand the viewpoints of overseas parties and make important business decisions. This is an uphill task if a suitable business translation is delayed or is not accurate so it’s misunderstood which only heightens the language barriers in international business.

Language barriers at work

Some businesses set up a base overseas so that their business success can be monitored but this may involve hiring workers who don’t speak the business’s native tongue. They even on occasions seek advice on how to start a translation business in order to provide effective communication channel and handle any issues of translation, When workers find it difficult when trying to understand the company’s language they may fail to grasp even the most simple issues or concerns that turn up every day. They may not match important deadlines and due to feelings of embarrassment may simply nod when asked if they understand a task rather than admitting they don’t understand.

These sorts of business challenges and language barriers in international business need to be overcome before the business loses its status because it has failed to address the challenges faced and does nothing to solve them. Sometimes a quick response is turning to online translators or even electronic translators the later which only handles word for word translations which aren’t always accurate enough for the business community to accept as valid translations.  Even online translators have no idea of the context of a translation and will often misinterpret the context and come out with a translation that doesn’t match even basic translation standards. This is one reason why some businesses what to know how to start a translation business of their own.

A human translator creates the best business translation

Despite the presence of machine translation which may help to break down language barriers in international business, if a business wants to be sure that the translation of a key business document like a supply contract is done accurately so no misunderstanding can take place it will need to hire a human translator. This sort of translator quickly gets to the bottom of a business document and is underway completing an accurate translation in no time at all.

Language isn’t a science and it’s embedded in the culture of its speakers, so the best translator will be able to unravel the message behind a business document because he or she understands the mechanics of the language and how it’s used in particular contexts. It’s important for global businesses to reduce language barriers in international business as much as possible. If they don’t, there could be all sorts of negative repercussions on customer relations if misunderstandings become too commonplace even to the point that the financial relationship may be impacted.

Pitfalls for a business without the presence of a human translator not only fail to resolve issues with translation but could interrupt the transfer of key knowledge concerning the business and its product. If the business is based in an English speaking country but has a business relationship with clients in Germany, it’s important that any shared messages and translating business correspondence can easily be decoded and translated into the required languages.

Understanding local culture and its nuances

This is central to putting across a good business image and can include a number of activities like:

• learning the customers’ local language
• training non-local employees in the local language
• planning marketing campaigns that are translated into the local language
• respecting the customers’ local language.

If you focus on the local language through your marketing campaigns, this will win you credibility from your customers. The first to take advantage will be potential local business partners who know that your marketing methods using the local language is an effective way to attract new customers.

Conclusion

Businesses who are out to expand into global markets will achieve their aims if they have a well-planned marketing campaign including the targeted customers’ local languages. This is putting a foot into the world of their targeted customers. It helps to deal with issues of translation and breaks down language barriers in international business. It enables the effective translating of business correspondence that’s key to the survival of a business that is based in more than one country.