Communicaid Language Solutions

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...

Why even “open-minded” translators might not be as immune to bias as they think… ???????? As translators, we know that adapting content to different markets isn't just about language—it’s also about making sure that content connects on a deep, cultural level. But what if I told you that cognitive biases, hardwired into our brains, might still be holding us back? In this short clip neuroscientist, Rachelle Summers explains how our built in biases can subtly influence our decisions and why our brains are so resistant to change. We instinctively cling to the familiar, a survival mechanism that once protected us from danger. This explains phenomena like confirmation bias and anchoring bias, which can subtly influence our work in localization. Confirmation bias leads us to filter out information that contradicts our existing beliefs. With anchoring bias the brain latches onto the first piece of information it receives, making it difficult to shift direction even when new insights suggest a better approach. Often these biases are tied to deeper psychological processes because our ideas also tend to be closely linked to our sense of identity. Changing them can feel like a threat, which is another reason why the brain resists. Are you aware of your biases? How do you overcome them and how do you guide your clients? It’s about presenting evidence clearly, building trust, and allowing time for the mental restructuring that change requires, agreed? Localization is more than just translating words; it’s about connecting with people in a way that transcends cultural boundaries. By understanding how the brain processes change, we can create better content that truly resonates with global audiences and help our clients see the value in embracing new perspectives. What challenges have you faced with these biases in your localization projects, and how have you navigated them? I’d love to hear your insights!

The future of localization is dynamic — Is the localization industry ready for a multilingual world where customers talk back???????? Global business communications are undergoing a seismic shift: What once only required a static, one-way process of translating content is now evolving into a dynamic, interactive environment that engages global audiences in real-time. I believe this transformation comes with a wealth of new opportunities for Language Service Providers (LSPs) to lead the charge and move away from simply broadcasting translations to creating two-way communication channels that foster genuine interactions. We are in a prime position to help leverage multilingual data for our clients not just as a resource, but as a driving force for innovation, customer engagement, and strategic decision-making. By creating intelligent solutions to craft culturally nuanced, real-time responses that resonate with local markets and maintain brand integrity we can shift our role beyond just translation. The future of localization is dynamic, and the possibilities are endless. As global customer engagement transitions from static to interactive, real-time engagement, the question is: Is the localization industry ready to embrace this new role and seize the opportunities that lie ahead? Read the full article to discover how LSPs can lead in this new era of dynamic localization.

Isn’t it a shame that we often wait too long to say nice things? So here’s a challenge for all in Localization this week ???????? Reach out to a colleague per day and tell them something you love, appreciate, or respect about them. Let’s show just how uplifting and supportive the language industry can really be… In the coming days, when you think something nice about someone in translation, let them know. right away. Or leave a comment about them here and tag them. Watch how spreading positivity does wonders. It’s actually a great life hack: When you think something nice about someone, let them know. Works wonders.