Language translation changes with technology. Jessica Hendrickson

Translation needed.

Translation Industry Problems  Humans can only produce between 6-8 high quality pages of translation per day.  The language translation market is expected to grow from over $11 billion in 1999 to close to $20 billion in  American translators compete with translators in other countries.

Research Question  Have new technologies had a positive impact on the US translation industry’s growth and success?

My research objectives  Examine how new technologies impact the US translation industry Software programs Staff Management Client communication

Methodology  Mail survey 27 questions  Sample population (size 230) Dunn & Bradstreet million-dollar database  Translation companies  Stratified random sample (size 111) Small $50,000 - $1,181,000 Medium $1,200,000 - $2,100,000 Large $2,200,000 +

Survey results  111 surveys sent  37 responses (all kept anonymous)  33% response rate Small 34% Medium 22% Large 44%

The use of Computer Aided Translation Programs  50% of respondents use a machine translation program.  Machine translation users by annual revenue 12 respondents over $1 million 4 respondents under $1 million

Technologies impact on management  Technology has had an impact on the search for translators around the world. 28 respondents agree that the internet has expanded the languages they offer for translation.

Technologies impact on management  Technology has had an impact on who translation companies are hiring. 30 respondents hire translators working in other countries.

Technologies impact on management  Technology has had an impact on the hiring process for translation companies. 29 respondents complete between % of their hiring via the internet.

More efficient client communication  94% of the respondents have a company website.  The majority of respondents believe using reduces the cost of communicating with clients.  83% of the respondents distributed more translations via the internet in 2002.

Discussion Have new technologies had a positive impact on the US translation industry’s growth and success? YES

New technologies have…  Increased productivity Software Programs  Expanded language offerings Staff Management  Reduced distribution time Client Communications

Questions