The summary of this recent study is this - global companies aren’t investing enough in communicating across language divides. This means communication errors from poor translations, language miscues or non-standardized use of terminology in the workplace. Read more.

Failure to pay attention to global communication in the form of local language and consistent terminology is hampering growth in all sizes of business. 

A study carried out by the Localisation Industry Standards Association and global information management provider SDL, which is best known for its translation and terminology management software, found that global business growth is hindered because decision makers have little knowledge of core technology such as content management, terminology management, and budgets associated with global communications.

Terminology management refers to the process of defining the important terms and phrases used within a company. It covers aspects such as how these are used in context, how they are written, and how they are translated so that they mean the same thing in multiple languages.

Even though respondents were aware of the importance of terminology management in driving brand consistency and aiding customer loyalty, few had implemented processes or software to manage it. 56% said the greatest benefit of terminology management would be consistant management of a global brand, while 32% identified the ability to deliver the right global content to the right people at the same time as its key focus.

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