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Propelled into the 21st Century

Claire Thompson, Director of DeScribe Language Services, explains how the translation and interpreting industry has gained agility during lockdown and how this benefits clients.

Claire Thompson

Director of DeScribe Language Services

The “Stay at Home” message has brought most of us in closer proximity to Zoom and other technologies and the translation and interpreting sector is no exception. We are delighted to now have access to technology sophisticated enough to further both professions.

Embracing ‘AI’

Common Sense Advisory suggested that 2 billion professional translators would be needed to meet true global language services requirements in an industry currently growing at a rate of 6–7% per year. Google alone machine translates approx. 140,000,000,000 words daily. So how has additional, time-critical work generated by the Covid-19 epidemic been handled?

In some multilingual countries, governments have used machine translation (MT) to get Covid-19 messages out to the public in several languages in real time. This sentence would have sent waves of horror through linguists a few years ago, but the new generation of MT, neural machine translation, can generate useful content. Trained to process language in context, it produces fewer errors and professional translators can, in the right circumstances, let MT undertake the initial ‘hard graft’, leaving them to edit the translation to a professional standard or to the standard requested by their client.

When can I use MT?

Text Type

High volume text for brief information purposes

Informative documents

Texts which need a (re) action from another person

Examples

Social media posts

User guides, automated responses, nonfiction books

Advertising copy, user interfaces, poems, plays

MT or no MT?

MT, edited or unedited.

MT post-edited by a professional translator.

No MT. Choose a human translator when your document entails language creativity or local cultural knowledge.

A quick clarification is needed here that language services providers will only use MT software that is secure for business purposes. The translation sector is now embracing this technology judiciously. Language service partners can advise where MT may complement existing electronic translation tools and provide clients with their translations more quickly, greater capacity and accessible cost.

RSI, OPI, TCI, VRI… Pardon?

An even more pronounced shift has been seen in interpreting with the rollout of quality Remote Simultaneous Interpretation (RSI)

software, allowing interpreters to interpret an event from a different location — useful during lockdown! It uses a professional interface simulating the controls an interpreter would normally have in their interpreting booth, so key health appointments and business meetings have been able to continue and, although it will not be appropriate in every scenario, the interpreting sector may overcome physical distancing for the foreseeable future.

Technology for RSI platforms now provides high audio and video quality and reliability, far superior to previous Teleconference Interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting and Over the Phone Interpreting systems. Added benefits to clients and linguists include that interpreters may have greater work capacity due to reduced travel time and expenses and, in terms of CSR, the service leaves a smaller carbon footprint.

A recent, complex assignment for one of our clients involved a team of 8 interpreters on site using a total of 6 languages between them for delegates from 23 countries. If venue space is tight and the structure of the event allows, interpreters could work all or part of the assignment from a remote hub, releasing pressure on client budgets. Logistics, interpersonal interaction and event format are considerations your language service provider will be able to discuss with you and work out the best solution for your meeting, but the interpreting sector now has a feasible, additional service option to offer where appropriate.

Technology has proved itself our friend through this period and we can look forward to making our clients’ lives easier. DeScribe Language Services hopes to meet you in the Sussex Chamber website’s Business Toolkit area soon! In the meantime, stay safe, keep your friends and family close and your customers even closer.

Useful links

Institute of Translation and Interpreting’s advice to buyers: www.iti.

org.uk/language-services/advice-to-buyers

Sussex cleaning company makes moves to fight Coronavirus

Companies across Europe are turning to British manufacturer, Bio Productions, during the Coronavirus crisis as the pandemic continues to affect global supply and demand.

In March, sales records were shattered as Covid-19 spread around the world. “Business boomed as organisations looked to us to improve their cleaning procedures. We exceeded all our monthly sales records,” says Managing Director, Angela Gill. “It was an extremely busy period for us as we dispatched products across the UK and Europe.”

The business has been dealing with increased interest from existing, silent and prospective customers alike, as companies have looked further into the Bio Productions catalogue to protect their workforces with a wider range of products.

“We’ve seen a change in what our customers are looking for,” Angela explains. “There has been a definitive dip in sales for biologicals, which are less effective at combatting viruses, in favour of biocides like our Sta-Kill Biocidal Cleaner and Deodoriser.”

Other companies, including competitors, have also been in touch asking for help to fulfil orders for in-demand products because Bio Productions manufactures its products in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

Yet the company has faced increasing challenges since the United Kingdom entered lockdown. “Sourcing raw materials

Angela Gill

from Europe has been difficult,” Angela continues. “We’re getting limited deliveries that are often delayed and the price of some materials has soared from £800 per barrel to £7000 and above.”

With almost half of the nation working from home and schools shutting indefinitely, the demand for cleaning chemicals has also fallen in April. At the same time, customers that are still operating face falling profits and have requested longer payment terms. explains. “We know it’s a tough time for everyone, and so we’re endeavouring to weather the storm as best we can and ensure we can still supply their essential cleaning products.”

The crisis has also led to changes in the workforce. After hiring extra staff in March, Bio Productions has since divided its manufacturing teams to comply with the Government’s social distancing advice.

With demand falling during lockdown, 50% of workers have recently been furloughed but the company’s machines continue to operate.

“There’s no doubt these are unprecedented times,” Angela says. “Our hearts go out to the businesses that have been brought to their knees. We’re fortunate enough to know that demand will return when lockdown lifts. We’re also incredibly proud to be British manufacturers, which will become even more important in the next few months as the global demand for cleaning chemicals surges.

“Once schools, offices, pubs and restaurants re-open, customers around the world will need our cleaning products. Our message is that we’re ready to support them, just as we have supported our customers that are still operating during these tough times.”