When a doctor in Zurich successfully treated a patient from New York, he reminisced about Rudyard Kipling’s timeless quote,
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.”
As in that moment, it was not just medicine that saved the patient’s life—it was clear and accurate communication. In a world where such cross-linguistic interaction is common, language and interpretation often play a vital role in maintaining clarity, resolution, and success.
In this blog, we will explore which industries often require addressing these language and communication barriers to operate efficiently.
Why Are Language and Interpretation Services Invaluable?
With the tremendous rise in globalization, language barriers cannot just be dismissed as minor inconveniences. These barriers lead to miscommunication, which hampers several vital industries. They can delay legal proceedings, break down business deals, or, in the worst cases, cost lives. To avoid such drastic consequences, it is essential to collaborate with professional interpretation services during high-stakes multilingual events. Professional translation companies cater to various industry needs by offering unmatched onsite interpretation and remote interpretation services in multiple languages.
Industries That Heavily Rely on Language and Interpretation
Let’s dive into the industries where language and interpretation are not just required but central to daily operations.
Healthcare
Did you know that U.S. law mandates medical services to offer multilingual interpreters to patients with limited English knowledge?
The healthcare industry is arguably the most vital user of interpretation services. The importance of accuracy cannot be downplayed in a hospital, as mistranslation can lead to fatal outcomes. Let us understand with the following example.
Tragic Case of Willie Ramirez
In a tragic turn of events, an 18-year-old Willie Ramirez was misdiagnosed due to miscommunication of the word “intoxicado.” This all unraveled in January 1980, in a hospital in South Florida, where Ramirez’s family rushed him for a severe headache. Unfortunately, he was initially diagnosed and treated for drug overdose. The reason? His family members revealed that Willie was “intoxicado”—a term used for someone feeling ill. In a twisted play of fate, the medical practitioners assumed Ramirez was intoxicated and hence started treating him for overdose rather than his true illness, brain hemorrhage. By the time the correct diagnosis was made, it was too late. The damage was irreversible, leaving Willie paralyzed, and the hospital had to settle for $71 million with his parents.
The above case underscores just how important interpretation is in the healthcare industry.
Even within the healthcare industry, interpretation services are further divided into
- Video interpretation in healthcare: Specifically used for consultations.
- Onsite interpretation: Used in vital settings like surgeries or medical summits.
Legal
In California, more than 7 million people have low English proficiency, yet the court only provides 200,000 certified interpreters.
“The word of law hinges on the precision of the word itself.”
Legal practitioners cannot afford mistranslations in essential scenarios, like court cases or consultations. Although courts are obligated to provide interpreters to non-English-speaking individuals, many cases are dismissed due to a lack of qualified interpreters. Over the years, simultaneous interpretation has seen a rise in usage, especially in trials, to maintain the flow of interaction.
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Business and Finance
Can you imagine a global bank mistranslating its slogan that ended up costing $10 million? This is what happened in 2009 to HSBC Bank when they launched a worldwide campaign with a marketing slogan, “Assume Nothing.” However, in several languages, the slogan was mistranslated into “Do Nothing”—costing the bank upwards of $10 million for rebranding and corrective efforts.
In the global scenario, several MNCs and banks face such communication challenges. These range from
- Negotiating deals in foreign lands.
- Understanding local financial regulations.
- Presenting financial data in different markets.
With professional onsite interpretation services, businesses can ensure clear communication across several regions in multiple languages.
Like interpretation, even financial translations demand the utmost accuracy. Want to know how professionals match the required accuracy? Check out our LinkedIn article to know more: Financial Translation: Ensure Utmost Accuracy with These Tips!
Travel and Hospitality
Annually, over one billion people travel internationally, making clear communication necessary in the hospitality industry.
- Hotels, airlines, and tour operators rely on multilingual interpreters to serve their global customers.
- Interpretation services even help to ensure smooth bookings and safety briefings.
The growth of the tourism industry directly increases the demand of professional interpreters.
Entertainment and Events
Entertainment is all about accessibility. Not just for linguistically diverse people, but also for those with hearing disabilities. Due to these increasing requirements
- Sign language and multilingual interpreters have now become a necessity at large events.
- Global media networks offer news coverage with simultaneous interpretation services.
- Sporting events, like the Olympics, deem it necessary for participating teams to bring along professional teams of interpreters.
In global tournaments, translation services have been playing an irreplaceable role. Check out our blog to know more: Translation Services and Their Impact on Global Tournaments!
Wrapping Up
If the global marketplace isn’t shrinking, then why must language and interpretation services be left behind? The demand for interpreters and multilingual solutions is rising. Riding the wave of this trend is Somya Translators, an Indian ISO 1700:2015 certified translation agency.
Our unmatched interpretation services extend to
- Simultaneous Interpretation
- Consecutive Interpretation
- On-site Interpretation
- Remote Interpretation
- Whispered Interpretation
- Continuous Interpretation
- Telephone Interpretation
- And many more.
So, don’t let communication be the hurdle that holds you or your business back. Contact us today and get a wide range of language support tailored to your field and enter the global stage confidently.