Demand for skilled translators rises in Karnataka amid linguistic diversity

NT Bengaluru: The demand for skilled translators is on the rise in India, driven by the country's rich linguistic diversity and the rapid growth of the digital economy. As businesses increasingly recognise the importance of regional languages in reaching local markets, the need for professional language experts has become critical. This surge is further fuelled by the growing number of non-English-speaking internet users, compelling industries to prioritise content creation and communication in regional dialects.

The global translation services market is expected to grow steadily, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 2.07% by 2028. In India, this growth is even more pronounced, as businesses seek skilled translators for tasks ranging from business communication and documentation to live events and conference interpretation according to research from Market Research Future (MRFR). "Every translation is at least one step removed from the original text," says Siddharaju, a well-known translator who specialises in translating regional literary works from Kannada to English, Kannada to Telugu and Kannada to Hindi.

This highlights the complexity involved in accurately conveying the meaning and context of a message when translating between languages. Several sectors, including finance, law, technology, medicine, and literature, have seen a sharp rise in demand for language specialists. Translation is becoming a well-paid career option, particularly as more businesses focus on localizing their products and services to cater to regional audiences. Proficiency in regional languages like Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi, alongside English, is becoming increasingly valuable in this evolving market. “Poetry is what gets lost in translation,” reflects Nagaraj Navunda, a Kannada poet to English and Kannada to Tulu, emphasising the unique challenge of translating literature, particularly poetry, where the emotional depth and nuance are often hard to preserve in another language.

India's push toward promoting local languages in education and administration has also significantly contributed to the demand for translators. The government’s emphasis on integrating regional languages into public policies and programs has made it essential for language experts to bridge communication gaps.

Several sectors, including finance, law, technology, medicine, and literature, have seen a sharp rise in demand for language specialists