Localization Today

By  Ewandro Magalhães The Voyager space probes’ Golden Records — which carry the voices and sounds of Earth into space for any extraterrestrial who might one day find them — exemplify the ultimate edge case in translation and localization. How do you convey meaning when you can’t assume anything about your audience — not their language, their cognitive processes, or even their sensory capabilities...

By  Winston Scott The Mayan Languages Preservation and Digitization Project is a wide-scope initiative that aims to provide resources for essential services to Mayan language speakers. This article describes the project’s efforts with the hope that it serves as a roadmap for all indigenous language communities.

Recorded live at the International Translation Forum in Riyadh, this episode brings together Eddie Arrieta and Mary Jane McCullough—CEO of Global Wordsmiths and lecturer in translation technologies at Carnegie Mellon—to explore how translation underpins Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Mary Jane shares her first impressions of the Forum’s warmth and purpose, discusses her panels on sustainable language...

Live from the International Translation Forum in Riyadh, Eddie Arrieta sits down with Sarah Robertson, CEO of the UK’s Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), who—after a 16‑month tenure—has already steered the 40‑year‑old body through rapid change. They trace her unlikely journey from architect and heritage NGO leader to helming ITI, explore her first impressions of the global language e...

Recorded live at the International Translation Forum in Riyadh, this episode features Eddie Arrieta in conversation with Dr. Waleed Alsubhi—chairman of the Saudi Arabian Translation Association (SATA), head of translation projects, and assistant professor at the University of Jeddah. They discuss how Saudi Vision 2030 has reshaped the localization landscape, from the establishment of the Literatur...

Recorded live at the International Translation Forum in Riyadh, this episode brings together Eddie Arrieta and Gokhan Doğru—Turkish translator, technologist, and founder of Localization School. Over the course of their conversation, Gökhan traces his 15‑year journey from Istanbul’s translation department to PhD research in Spain and Ireland, and on to building an online training platform during CO...

As the Nimdzi 100 approaches its next release, Marjolein Groot-Nibbelink, the former CEO of Multilingual Media, shares her new role leading the project. Marjolein discusses the importance of mid-market data, the role of AI in the industry, and how the Nimdzi 100 will continue to be a critical tool for localization professionals worldwide.

In this conversation, Will Rowlands-Rees, Chief AI Officer at Lionbridge, discusses the transformative impact of AI on the localization industry and the critical role of human expertise in embracing this evolution. He highlights Lionbridge's initiatives, including Aurora AI Studio and global data training efforts, showcasing the company's leadership in leveraging AI for operational efficiency and...

In this conversation, Alexandra Feeley, Director of Market Development at Oxford Languages, shares her take on the company's mission to digitalize under-resourced languages and how they are paving the way for better localization through language data. She discusses the importance of authoritative language resources, the challenges of working with underrepresented languages, and the role of AI in e...

By  Mimi Moore In this interview, the organizers of Global Language Advocacy Days discuss their dedication to creating a world where language is valued as a fundamental right — central to identity, community, and access to essential services.

By  Agustín Da Fieno Delucchi , Alfredo de Almeida, and  Jorge Russo dos Santos Traditional localization roles are morphing to meet the demands of an AI-powered, omnichannel world. In this article, the authors argue that successful localization professionals will find ways to meld their linguistic and cultural expertise with technical literacy to maximize the power of AI.

By  Cameron Rasmusson Remote work has cemented itself as a highly desired workplace perk across industries. Moving into 2025, the biggest outstanding question is whether employers will continue their quest to kill remote work in the cradle.

Tim Brookes discusses the survival of the Mongolian language and script, the decrease in their use over the past century, and the art and beauty of Mongolian calligraphy. He highlights the work of Tamir Samandbadraa Purev, an award-winning calligrapher who has dedicated his life to preserving his native script.

How is AI transforming the localization industry? Susan Morgan, VP of AI Sales at Lionbridge, gives an inside look into AI adoption at Lionbridge, the role of AI in creating multilingual content, and how the future of localization is set to evolve.

In this episode, Casper Grafuhl, President of Oxford Languages, discusses the journey behind choosing Oxford's Word of the Year and how it highlights cultural trends. We explore the impact of "brain rot" on society, digital content consumption, and the importance of language in shaping our understanding of the world.  

We interviewed Mimi Moore, owner of Wolfson House, program manager for Women in Localization, and author of the article "The Language of Diplomacy. Insights From Diplomatic Interpreter Lefteris Kafatos" from our September 2024 Issue. From rigorous training to high-stakes environments, Mimi explores the challenges and rewards of interpreting in diplomacy, emphasizing the indispensable human element...

By  Veronica Hylak This year was marked by relentless technological acceleration driven by artificial intelligence. Veronica Hylak identifies the eight biggest takeaways from 2024’s many AI updates, including their major impacts on data privacy, online search, intellectual property, and energy use.

Review by  Renato Beninatto Mark Saba’s  Native Experience Marketing  offers a refreshing approach to global marketing — one centered around the idea of authenticity. Saba’s framework provides a roadmap for marketers who are ready to leave behind outdated models and embrace a more inclusive way of communicating with the world.

By  Bruno Lewin ,  Joe O’Brien , and  John Wilcock Globalization experts from Microsoft share advice for effectively and ethically using generative artificial intelligence for translation and localization. They recommend evaluating cost, speed, and quality when compared to alternative technologies, as well as using context-aware techniques and responsible AI principles to improve translation quali...

By  Jonathan Otis After a significant slowdown in 2023, the language sector’s M&A landscape rebounded this year, with nearly every language service provider that generates over $50 million annually completing at least one acquisition. This deal-making boom reflects not only the economic, political, and technological tides influencing industries worldwide, but also specific forces driving LSP c...

By  Marjolein Groot Nibbelink This year,  MultiLingual  magazine was crowned with an APEX Award for Publication Excellence, a top awards program for independent publishers. The magazine’s former publisher reflects on how the winning issue was produced and what the award means for the publication’s devoted staff and readers.

By  Ewandro Magalhães The author reflects on the slow pace of technological progress in the interpretation space, from the advent of simultaneous interpreting in 1945 to the dawn of remote work in 2020. Now, with the emergence of AI-based machine interpreting, he urges both individual interpreters and language service providers to embrace these new, innovative solutions.

From blending technology with creativity to elevating localization to a strategic level within the organization, Francesca shares her take on innovation, efficiency, and the evolving role of localization in software development. This conversation highlights the bold strategies that set Phrase apart and inspire the localization industry.

From carving ancient symbols into wood to publishing An Atlas of Endangered Alphabets , Tim Brooks reveals the beauty and struggles of the world’s rarest writing systems. These scripts are more than symbols—they are lifelines of culture, identity, and history. In his book, discover stories like the revival of the Ahom script in India, once thought lost, now a symbol of pride and resilience for its...

The following is our conversation with Anna Rita DeBonis, Ph. D. candidate in Intercultural Relations and International Management at the Universidad de Glistuti Internationali di Roma, and Amanda Alvarado, solutions consultant at Artable Us.