Growing importance of Translation in India

Nowadays the demand for translation and language related services has increased exponentially. Translation is not only needed for the promotion of literature and cross cultural activities, it has become an essential tool for keeping pace with the globalization phenomenon which is inseparable from technology and localization processes.

The role of Translation becomes more critical when companies with global reach need to contact in real time their customers in local languages. Therefore, it is quite evident that over the past decades, localization has progressed from being an added effort by some software publishers to a multi-billion dollar professional industry. Localization, web site globalization, language engineering, and software internationalization have become important issues for companies that want to market and sell their products in international markets. In many cases, localization has proven to be the key factor for international product acceptance and success.

Translation, localization, IT and Technology have added unprecedented dynamism in economic, social and cultural activities across the globe. India, being one of the major players, has undergone revolutionary changes within its economic, social and cultural systems giving way to Informational Technology and Business Process Outsourcing. The steady economic growth and reforms have helped Indian economy attract record inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and joint ventures creating a high demand for language consumption in local languages as well as foreign languages. It is important to note that Languages being essential tools of communication have also undergone fundamental changes in order to be part of essential determinants of economic changes. Therefore, language learning is not merely a natural acquiring process; rather, it has become a specialized field that needs professional

training and technological integration.

Therefore, translators can no longer rest on their laurels but, like any other service provider, must continuously upgrade themselves by coming to terms with an ever developing technology (including IT resources such as CAT tools and project management tools) and adapt to increasingly stringent professional demands involving good commercial practices, project management processes, terminology management, development of quality standards and effective client services.

It follows that there is an urgent need to identify the gaps and take effective measures by providing required training to language professionals, translators, interpreters and other stake holders including service providers and service takers and make best use of the immense opportunities being offered in this area.