In the field of translation, language pair signifies two languages, one being the ‘source language’ and the other being ‘target language’. Many of the most frequently translated language pairs involve English as one of the languages. This is because English is a widely used language in global business, technology, and other international fields. However, there are several other languages which are equally important and in demand when opted as a language pair with English. However, there are a few language pairs where English is not either the source or target language, yet these language combinations are in high demand due to market forces. Nevertheless, any set of combinations of different languages are driven by economic factors and market forces that has an end goal of global reach. In this context, there are ten language pairs which are in high demand among global clients. These are as follows.
- English-Spanish– due to the large number of Spanish speakers and the influence of English in global communication, this language pair is the most sought after language pair globally.
- English-French– French is spoken across all continents (except Australia) and France and francophone nations have strict legal requirements for local language content and its open economy.
- English to Portuguese– The large Portuguese-speaking population, especially in Brazil, drives the need for translation between English and Portuguese.
- English-Arabic- Arabic is a major language for translation due to its religious and cultural importance and its global reach. It is spoken in entire Middle East and North Africa.
- French-English- Translation in this direction is also significant, reflecting the importance of French in global business and culture. Just like English speaking companies who target businesses in Francophone countries, Francophone businesses also target Anglophone nations that make this language pair in great demand among translation agencies.
- English-Japanese: Japan’s influence in technology and popular culture contributes to the need for translation between English and Japanese.
- Spanish-Portuguese: The geographical proximity and historical connections between Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries contribute to this translation pair.
- English-Chinese: China’s growing global presence and influence lead to a high demand for translation between English and Chinese.
- English to German: Germany’s strong economy and influence in many fields make it a major language for translation.
- English-Hindi– India being one of the biggest markets globally has given this language pair a prime importance for reaching new audiences and customers.
