Communicaid Language Solutions

The best translations don’t just carry information: they carry meaning, nuance, and human connection. For a message to resonate it needs to evoke the right emotion. Translating a voice goes beyond just words! That’s how humans have the unique ability to connect through language and emotions. Artificial Intelligence is a fantastic tool, but it can never replace the magic of human touch, wouldn’t you agree? To effectively translate you need to also grasp the context in which a message is delivered. Machines have a tough time doing that because they are not sentient. Because in the end, words don’t just communicate. They make us feel…

Localization is a big part of my life, but she is not my only passion. ???????? It’s easy to let LinkedIn become one-dimensional just work, work, and more work. But we’re all more than the sum of our jobs, right? For me, beyond the world of translation and LangOps, I have a deep passion for anything with an engine….especially aviation. Flying in a B-17 was a dream come true, and I couldn’t resist capturing the experience on canvas. Oil painting lets me slow down and see the details in a way that a roaring engine never could. What about you? I know so many of you professionally, but what else makes you tick? What would be the most surprising thing about you?

Even Global Brands End Up Sounding Local ???? Which pronunciation of a familiar brand name has surprised you the most abroad? What works in one language or culture doesn’t always resonate the same way somewhere else. What seems like a universal constant, global car brands, turns into a playful symphony of accents, interpretations, and even entirely different pronunciations. While the laughter in this clip is genuine, the lesson is serious: This simple game highlights a core truth about localization: even the "universal" always has a local touch. ? Pronunciation changes meaning. ? Familiarity changes perception. ? Cultural context changes connection. Our world is increasingly global yet deeply diverse. Getting localization right isn’t just about avoiding missteps; it’s about creating moments of shared understanding and trust. So next time you think, “That brand speaks for itself,” remember this car ride and the laughter.

Remember: You Are Never Alone in Translation ?????? Yesterday, a colleague reached out to me for advice on a delicate professional matter. It reminded me just how supportive our language industry truly is, yet I often see many of us hesitant to seek help when it’s needed most. Why is that you think? In a field where most work from home, it’s easy to feel isolated and lose focus amidst distractions. Even without roommates like “Timmy”… The weight of delivering quality work while managing multiple demands can be overwhelming. How do you keep focus? I was grateful to be a sounding board for my colleague and shared with her a simple yet powerful principle: “Count it all joy.” Our challenges, no matter how tough, shape us into something stronger. We talked about the metaphor of a $5 bar of steel. Left as is, it's worth just that—$5. But turn it into horseshoes, and it’s worth $12. Transform it into hypodermic needles, and its value skyrockets to $3,500. And if you craft it into balance springs for fine watches? That same bar is now worth $300,000. So, what changes its value? Heat, pressure, twisting—each step of the process refines it further. The same is true for us. Our trials, the difficulties we face, are what make us more resilient and valuable. The challenges we encounter in our profession aren’t there to break us—they’re refining us. The trials of our faith produce patience. Patience, perseverance, and progress come from the process. Let’s not shy away from reaching out for support when we need it. We’re all in this together, and through the fire, we become invaluable. Keep fighting the good fight Localizrsss! How do you manage to keep focus among the distractions???????

It’s a bit counterintuitive: Dieter Runge explains why he believes human interpreters bring many irreplaceable strengths to the table.???????? In this LocDiscussion segment, Boostlingo’s co-founder Dieter J Runge touches on the necessity for interpreters to adapt and develop new skills in response to technological advancements, while also reaffirming the enduring value of human qualities in interpreting. "I mean, it's the same as everywhere, right? Like, we're all going to have to upskill over time. But listen, human interpreters bring many irreplaceable strengths to the AI-enhanced environment, right? "Cultural competence—human interpreters understand subtleties of culture, tone, and context that machines struggle to grasp. This is especially important in situations where misinterpretation can have significant or even severe consequences. You know, you take a look at a medical or legal setting—you can't get it wrong. "Interpreters have, to use a term, emotional intelligence. They can read the room; they can read the emotional states of both speakers. As far as I know, there is no AI yet that can do this. I'm never going to say never, but interpreters can read the emotional states of both the speakers and the listeners, and they can adjust the tone and style to match the needs of that situation. This is something that is not yet capable of being done, at least in my understanding—not effectively yet."

Did you know translators read faster than most people? ???????? At least, that is what a study from the University of Trieste, Italy claims. Let’s find out: Are you able to follow the pace in the video all the way to the end? If you are, did you know, it is very likely due to your extraordinary language skills… There is evidence that multilingual individuals tend to develop cognitive advantages, including faster reading speeds in their native or dominant language, compared to monolinguals. Incredible, right? Our reading speed in a second language may also improve with extensive use. Translators, especially those who work frequently with specific subject matter, also develop a higher reading speed due to their deep familiarity with the vocabulary and context of the texts they translate. This is sometimes referred to as domain-specific reading. So in case you ever feel “not quite enough” as a linguist, may this be a another reason to illustrate just how amazing you truly are! Today let’s celebrate, the brilliance of linguists and translators – the so often unseen heroes of Localization who bring the world closer together through their skills and cognitive superpowers.

How can we make localization more attractive to buyers? ???????? In a recent post, Patrice Dussault, s.a.h., b.a. reminded us that, for too long, translation services have been seen as "cost centers"—a necessary, but often undervalued, part of doing business globally. This narrow view makes traditional language services vulnerable to budget cuts, especially when seen as one-directional broadcasting mechanisms unable to facilitate continuous engagement. It got me thinking: how can localization get recognized better going forward? Taking advantage of new technologies, the language industry has now the opportunity to enable continuous dialogue. Customers might finally have the ability to talk back in whatever language they choose. Unlike traditional translation, LangOps is multidirectional, empowering businesses to optimize customer experience, expand global reach, and drive multilingual engagemen —all while improving operational efficiency. So it might be counterintuitive but the key to make human translators more valuable might well be in some of the AI automation we are going through right now. And LangOps might well be the “Missing Link” to get the recognition localization deserves as the revenue generator we have always been. What do you think?

Speaking the language is always a Tie Breaker!???????? When you make the effort to speak someone’s language barriers tend to come down, agreed? I am not nearly as well versed in Spanish as I am in the other 4 languages I speak but I am happy to report that after a nearly 2 year streak on Duolingo: "Estoy rompiendo, pero ni de cerca tan mal como Walter White."?????? How about you? Do you continue learning new languages? My entire career foundation rests on being multilingual. Since I left my native Belgium in the 80s, every fork in the road of my life has involved language skills. From the countries I’ve lived in, my path in Localization and the jobs I’ve held in the translation industry , to becoming a naturalized American – none of it would have been possible without the five languages I speak. Have you ever wondered what your life would look like if you only spoke one language? Our ability to communicate in multiple languages isn’t just a skill; it’s a gateway to opportunities, connection, and experiences that shape our very existence. What about you? How have the languages you speak shaped your life and career? What doors have languages opened for you?"

What if AI is the greatest opportunity for translators that no one saw coming? Here's a bold take: ?????? Earlier this week, during our LocLunch with Marina Gracen-Farrell and Roberta Tabolacci, one key observation echoed through the room: The work of translators in the language industry is fundamentally changing. ?? Here’s what else I heard: ? Post-editing rates from LSPs are disappointingly low. ? Translators are being forced to rethink how they work. ? The rapid changes in Localization are taking a toll on its workforce. ? Students are wondering if there's even a future in translation. Thank you, Lucie Newcomb, for sharing this compelling clip from Nicholas Thompson with me yesterday. In it, the CEO of The Atlantic, argues that many of the jobs AI is creating for translators simply wouldn’t have existed before. Too expensive. Too time-sensitive. AI is breaking down those barriers. What if AI was actually the best thing to happen to the localization industry? Did you know just four years ago, the industry was stagnating at a 2-4% growth rate. Today, the global language services market is booming at 6-7%, now worth $54.6 billion—up from $38.16 billion in 2015. ?? So, while it’s easy to focus on the challenges AI brings, we should not forget the opportunities. What do you think the future of translators looks like in the Age of Intelligence?

We will miss Lilly dearly at Communicaid...