Role of Translators and Interpreters in Global Business

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of globalization on the translation industry and the demands it places on translators. The paper argues that translators are not only individuals with some knowledge of the source or target language, but they also often act as mediators between the discourse of the source culture and the discourse of the target audience. To be a successful translator, one has to possess the knowledge of both the general culture of the target audience, specialized knowledge within the domain of that particular text, and perfect knowledge of the target language, not to mention the ability to detect any particularities in the source text and language. The article argues for the imperative of equipping modern interpreters and translators with a set of extra-linguistic assets imposed by the modern economic structure of the world. The paper traces back the history of the English language as an example of the domineering linguistic power that has been solidified by socio-political and economic status leading up to considering it a globalized code. The outcome of this universal metamorphosis has reached such a point that it requires from people worldwide and namely in specific areas of trade to adapt to these exigencies. In this sense, global and business exchanges cannot be successfully realized without a strong probability of understanding the message issuing from the other. Hence the need to create interlinguistic agents that are able to minimize the existing nuances between people of the world primarily for universal economic reasons. Those people are supposed to reach beyond the linguistic requirements for the act of translation and to embrace the demands of the specific business field or area which in is in itself a part of competency within the boundaries of modern training impositions. The article contends as well for the need on the part of modern translators to embrace modern technological innovations that are supposed to be shielded to support the human trials to bring in concrete shape poles-apart nations. In a globalized world, technology invades all life domains where translation studies are no exception. The paper concludes by suggesting strategies for translators to position themselves as assets to their organization and to counteract the belief that anyone with language experience can translate.