The role of interpreters in the global marketplace

The role of interpreters in the global marketplace

Interpreters have existed for generations ever since the time of barter trade when small communities and large kingdoms interacted and traded with one another. Today, even in the 21st century with advanced digital technology, the role of interpreters remains as important as ever before.

Due to the effects of globalization and countries willing to trade with each other on a grand scale, the need to understand the other language is very important. This is only possible with the help of expert interpreters and translators. With their help, brands and governments can convey messages in a language their target audience will understand.

But what is the role of interpreters in the global marketplace? Why do businesses rely on them to transact business? Are their roles that important? Below, we review the different fields where interpreters operate, and the roles that they play.

Who is an interpreter?

An interpreter is a language expert who aids verbal communication between two parties by serving as a link between the two. The expert is knowledgeable in both languages and communicates what one party is saying to the other party and vice versa.

Interpreters should not be confused with a translator even though they serve the same purpose. A Translator translates written text while an interpreter translates verbal communication without writing anything down. Interpreters perform their role in real time as communication is taking place.

Both translators and interpreters play major roles in global business but for the purpose of this post, we will limit the subject to interpreters only. Here are some of the fields where you will find many active interpreters.

Medical industry

There are interpreters in this industry who promote communication between caregivers and patients. As doctors and nurses tend to their patients, they need to pass on vital information to them but if they can’t understand each other, this is not possible. An interpreter helps both parties out by relaying the caregivers message to the patient.

This process is repeated in reverse when the patient explains to the doctor how he or she is feeling.

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Interpreters should not be confused with a translator even though they serve the same purpose.

Localization

Information technology has come a very long way and today, developers create products that are used by people in different regions far removed from theirs. One area where interpreters and translators aid the process is by localizing the language so people from other countries understand how to use the product. Communication in a local language is better understood than communicating in a strange one.

Interpreters know the proper approach to pass information across to the users in the target country that the developer may not.

Specialized Business

Specialist industries like marketing, economics, finance and real estate do a lot of marketing to attract clients. While this is much easier within the geographical boundaries of the brand, expanding to a foreign country with a different language and culture is a tricky affair. Get it wrong and your entire campaign and business project will end up a colossal failure.

However, such risks can be mitigated if an interpreter is brought into the mix. Even more true is if the brand is making a pitch to a particular client or a group of clients in a particular country. Communication in a language they can understand is a winning formula.

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Conference

These days, brands, governments, NGOs and other public entities host international conferences in foreign nations. The quality of a conference is influenced by the level of attention it is able to gather and the quality of guest speakers at the event.

When you have participants coming from different parts of the world, the last thing you need is a speaker who can communicate effectively or at all, with the audience. But if an interpreter is present, communication is much easier. Today, there are platforms like Circle Translations that have interpreters who speak international languages like

  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Mandarin
  • Portuguese
  • Swahili
  • Arabic
  • Spanish

And any other international language you can think of. With their help, you can enrich your conference by inviting experts from different countries that will make your conference a success.

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Creating a strong brand is only possible with effective communication.

How can an interpreter help your business to flourish?

An interpreter can help your business in the following ways-

Increase brand awarenesses

Creating a strong brand is only possible with effective communication. And to do that you need effective advertising. Effective advertising is only possible if you can communicate in a language the audience can understand. Hiring translators and interpreters is one sure way of getting your messages across. When you use experts, you position your brand in a good place to exploit opportunities as they become available.

Improve customer satisfaction

Many business owners don’t know this but customers enjoy a greater utility when they understand that a product will satisfy a particular need they have long before they use it. Interacting with your customers in a language that they understand will pay for your business in the present and future.

Regulation compliance

What is termed harmless conversation or communication in one country may be viewed as a violation in another country. An interpreter will help you walk the fine line between communicating with your target audience without violating the laid down laws of communication within the jurisdiction. Suffice it to say that interpreters can help you avoid sanctions.

Interpreting Services are not as expensive as you think, especially when you hire experts from Circle Translations to help you deliver the right messages to your target audience. For all interpretation and translation services, contact us and let’s help you out.