• Blog
• POSTED ON June 10, 2022

6 Asian Languages Aspiring Translators Must Learn And Why

It is no longer a secret that the world is getting smaller, as digitalisation makes global communication faster and easier. This global connectivity brings about numerous opportunities for people to find jobs and work together with others from across the globe.

With such increased interconnectivity, the demand for translators, who can make communication between different people from different cultures even more accessible, has also grown substantially over the recent years. This increasing demand for translation has led to a boom in the industry and has opened up plenty of career opportunities for people with a passion for language.

If you are one of those who aspire to become a professional translator someday, you should know that there are specific languages you must learn to translate to succeed in the industry. Some of them are Asian languages that are valuable and widely spoken in many countries. Here are 6 of the most important Asian languages you should master if you want to work in a translation agency in Singapore or become a freelance translator.

1. Chinese

Chinese is among the most widely used languages globally, spoken by over a billion people. Although traditionally a written language, Chinese has been increasingly used in spoken form over the decades. Because it has a billion speakers worldwide, it does not come as a surprise that Chinese is one of the Asian languages translators should learn if they want to succeed in their careers.

However, aside from the fact that there are a billion Chinese speakers out there, learning Chinese is essential for every translator because China is one of the central business hubs in the world. Many entrepreneurs and businesses invest in China and work with Chinese companies. Hence, if you know how to speak and write Chinese, there will surely be plenty of earning opportunities for you as a Chinese language translator. 

2. Japanese 

From being a language isolate, Japanese has become one of the most important international languages today. It is currently spoken by more than 150 million people around the globe. Although this number may not seem much compared to the number of Chinese speakers, their market is still profitable for translators, thanks to their great interest in online shopping.

While this habit brings numerous business opportunities, it also makes competition between online retailers quite stiff. If an online retailer wants to sell to Japanese buyers, they must make sure they commit no translation errors or cultural misunderstandings. This is where the Japanese translation services come in.

By understanding the Japanese language and culture, you can help many online sellers and other businesses meet the expectations of the Japanese-speaking population.

3. Korean 

Korean is considered challenging to master, but it is also one of the most valuable languages today. This is mainly because South Korea is a country with several dynamic markets and numerous business opportunities.

Aside from the fact that it is the fourth-largest economy in Asia, South Korea is also an ideal place for Western businesses that intend to have a physical location. 

If entrepreneurs want to expand to South Korea, they need localisation services to overcome language and culture barriers. However, Korean is a complex language, so localisation is not likely a breeze. Therefore, businesses that want to expand to South Korea need Korean translation services.

If you’re going to have plenty of translation jobs, or if you are curious about the famous Korean culture, learning Korean is definitely worth your efforts. 

4. Russian 

Russian is among the top ten most spoken languages globally, with over 166 million speakers worldwide. This language is considered reflective of Russian culture and history, so learning the language is necessary to understand the Russian mentality. 

Moreover, Russia’s literary heritage is very much celebrated globally. Hence, if you are interested in translating not just contracts and documents but also literary works, Russian is one of the languages you should learn.

5. Thai 

Thailand has approximately 2 to 3 million international workers and has the world’s third-highest foreign workforce. Although the country has more than 20 various ethnic groups, many of them now speak Thai as a primary language.  

Because of this, there is no doubt that Thai is among the most vital Asian languages translators should master. If you understand Thai, you can connect to almost 70 million Thai speakers worldwide and translate for different people in different industries like BPOs and export houses.

6. Vietnamese

Learning Vietnamese can be challenging since it has 6 tones that are hard to master for English speakers. However, if you want to succeed as a translator, you need to learn to speak and write Vietnamese. 

The main reason is that Vietnamese is spoken by more than 100 million people worldwide and is a language that facilitates culture, traffic, and trade in Southeast Asia. Hence, if you can translate text into Vietnamese, you are opening doors to numerous projects that involve trading and business between countries.

Conclusion

The translation industry is growing tremendously as global connectivity increases with technology. You might be surprised to know that nearly half of the worldwide population speaks languages other than English. Because of this, the demand for translators is expected to grow even more in the coming years. With many people counting on you to get their messages across, it is necessary to know as many languages as possible.

For the most accurate and reliable translation services in Singapore, Eureka Translations is the company everyone should be aware of. Eureka Translations prides itself on having certified translation experts who can accurately translate any text, whether a contract, certificate, or document. If you need translations or want to learn more about the industry, feel free to contact us or visit us at Raffles Place anytime.