Proficiency in multiple regional languages is a sought-after skill, especially in the corporate world, and is attracting talent across disciplines

A decade ago, she started dabbling in translation assignments to put to use her educational qualifications, which includes a master’s in English and a post-graduate degree in translation.

Soon, R. Prasanna Lakshmi, now 51, began getting assignments from Malaysia, the United States of America, United Kingdom and France to translate material from English to Hindi and Tamil.

“I started translating material online for flight brochures and announcements, medical questionnaires, etc. I have been freelancing as a translator for a decade and I work from home,” said the Kancheepuram-based teacher, who also holds Hindi tuition classes for students. These days, she is as much in demand for translation skills as her tuition classes. She earns anywhere between ₹2 and ₹5 per word.

Not long ago, a foreign language skill was something to flaunt on people’s job profiles, while proficiency in multiple regional languages was only a matter to brag about to friends and family. Now, the ability to understand and write content in regional languages is a skill that is becoming sought after, especially in the corporate world.

There has been a steady rise in the demand for translators specialising in local languages in the past few years, said Ravi Kumar, President, Indian Translators Association, New Delhi. “There has been an average 20% rise year-on-year in demand for translators in Indian languages, especially so in the last five years,” he said.

Languages in demand

Translators specialising in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Punjabi are said to be the most sought after. Many of those who are registering themselves as translators are full-time professionals: from lawyers to doctors, and are doing so for reasons ranging from love for languages to the prospect of additional income.

What is causing this spurt in demand for translators in regional languages? The boom in online business, the experts say. “The purchasing power of Indians has increased, so has access to the Internet. So, companies want to reach out to people in local languages. Domestic companies also want to invest in search engine optimisation,” said Mr. Kumar. He also said product-wise, translators for content for mobile applications in local languages were sought after.

New entrepreneurship

Apart from this, the need for translation of content for official documents, marketing and promotional material, booklets and brochures and legal documents is also keeping what is being termed ‘language entrepreneurship’ going full steam.

Ludhiana-based Sandeep Kaur Gill (33) was always proficient in Punjabi and had studied the language until Class 12. However, it was when she was teaching English to non-English speaking students from different nationalities in a university in the United Kingdom that she realised the utility and monetary gain in being skilled at a second language.

“I started taking up translation work once I came back to India a few years ago and began working as an English lecturer in a college. I got my first assignment when someone asked me to translate some legal papers from English to Punjabi,” she recalled.

Ms. Gill familiarised herself with a software that allows users to type scripts of different languages using a regular English-alphabet keyboard. As word of her skill spread, work started pouring in for Ms. Kaur, who holds a Masters in English; today she even refuses work. “Yes, it is freelance work, but the time it demands is a lot. The big assignments will need you to put in around three to four hours each day,” she said.

Not an easy task

Ms. Lakshmi also said the work was time-consuming. “Each assignment needs at least two or three days. Between teaching students and employees at home, it is sometimes difficult to manage,” she said.

These assignments pay per word, usually around ₹1 to ₹2. However, this is still only half of what foreign language translators earn. “This is because to earn a reputation as a foreign language translator takes time and involves higher levels of proficiency,” said Mr. Kumar.

So, for those who paid good attention in their language classes, it’s time to cash in on those skills.