Welcome to Language Unlocked!

Willkommen, bienvenue and welcome dear readers,

I'm thrilled to be launching my first LinkedIn newsletter: 'Language Unlocked', your monthly dose of insights, facts, expertise and fun from the exciting, ever-evolving worlds of language, culture and localisation.

As Head of Commercial at Comtec Translations (consider us your friendly neighbourhood language partner), I spend most of my days supporting our clients to navigate the wonderful nuances of language and culture, and sharing best practice. So, why not share these practices with the world?!

Each month, Language Unlocked will bring you highlights from our latest posts, blogs, webinars and events, along with a fun and quirky language fact (emphasis on 'quirky')! And, as a Council Member for the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), I'll make sure to keep you updated on the latest translation trends, and what these mean for our industry, and yours!

Enjoy the first edition below, and please share any comments, feedback and requests for future issues. Until next time, dear reader.

Best wishes,

James Brown, Head of Commercial

Comtec Translations

Our 2024 predictions: 11 localisation trends you can’t miss

With a staggering projected annual growth rate of between 4.6% to 6.5% from 2024 to 2032, some experts expect the localisation market to reach a valuation of $108.9 billion by 2032. But what are the key trends that are going to drive this growth? In this article, we look at these trends in detail and uncover what they mean for providers and consumers of language services.

AI in Focus: What ChatGPT CAN'T do!

By now, we’re probably all familiar with ChatGPT, the remarkable creation by OpenAI that has earned its stripes as a powerful tool for facilitating translations.

But, like any tool, ChatGPT has its boundaries. It’s vital to understand where it shines, where it stumbles – in some cases quite spectacularly (and potentially dangerously) – and why.

In this article we’ll look at the world of ChatGPT, exploring its capabilities and limitations in the realm of translations; we’ll also look at the intricacies of translation, a highly skilled, nuanced, and expert art beyond mere linguistic conversion.

Crafting Meaning: The Creative Genius of Translators

The often unsung heroes of storytelling, translators are masters of words and culture. Without them, the globalisation of ideas, theories and culture would not be possible. But how much do we really understand, or even know, about this ancient profession?

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the art of translation, from its ancient origins to what’s involved in tackling a piece of text, bringing it to life in another language and for another audience.

Language Fact of the Month

German has lots of words that don't have equivalents in English. One of our favourites is "Kummerspeck", which literally means "sorrow bacon". It's used to describe the weight gained from comfort eating.

About Comtec

Within the localisation industry, we're known as the language experts. And you won't find a team more passionate about language than Comtec. With more than 40 years' experience across 250+ languages, we understand the challenges of our clients' industries and what it takes to succeed, fast. We're a team of brilliant, commercially-minded language and culture experts who lean into technology to deliver the most engaging messages to any audience. We're also the first localisation agency in the UK to be a certified B Corporation!

https://www.comtectranslations.co.uk/