FROM MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES TO NICHES: DOES SPECIALIZATION MATTER?

July 7, 2021
Maria Joaquina Marques

The translation market covers several areas and several business sectors that can be large and include multinational companies, or that can be restricted market segments. Regardless of the companies’ size, the role of translation should not be neglected and it is important to think about whether specialization is relevant and can make the difference to the competition.

When designing marketing and internationalization strategies, clients must prepare the translation of their content, such as promotional videos, marketing materials, technical manuals/handbooks, websites, among other examples, so that expanding and conquering other markets and/or clients runs smoothly and in an impactful manner. While there are companies that operate in several sectors, with several brands and with several products and have a wider register, there are others that operate in specific niches and, therefore, use a narrower, more technical vocabulary.

The specialization of a translators team will be a surplus value in both scenarios, since each field uses very specific terms and, thus, the client knows that the quality of their material will be safeguarded. Whether they are companies related to the financial, healthcare, technology or multimedia areas, whether each project is assigned to one or more translators specialised in that field, one thing is certain: the final result will be more reliable, as they have access to reference materials and know when and how to use a given term and phrase.

In written translation, as well as in interpreting and in audiovisual translation, it is important that the translator knows how to highlight their differentiating features and aspects so that the clients trust their business partners. Although translators are capable of translating different types of content in due time to get the job done, currently, the markets are fast and constantly changing, therefore, specialization can offer new business opportunities for companies and for translators alike.