Lionbridge Opens Translation Institute in India, Provides Free Software to Empower Translators
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Partners with Indian University to Offer Translator Certification in Indic Languages to Meet Growing Need for Qualified Translators
WALTHAM, Mass., July 25 -- Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LIOX) today announced the introduction of a translator certification in Indic languages, part of the company's continued development of an industry-ready translator base in Indic languages. Lionbridge is actively investing in the development of this community and empowering it with access to Lionbridge's market-leading translation technology in order to cater to the growing demand for Indic languages as companies seek access to the vast Indian marketplace.
With 11 languages each spoken by over 25 million people in India, companies cannot rely on English, or even just Hindi, to reach the total population. This has rapidly increased the demand for qualified translators to support the launch of efforts such as new consumer products, eCommerce web sites, and clinical trials, among others. Faced with a skill-pool that has the knowledge and expertise, but does not meet translation industry requirements, Lionbridge has introduced the Aksharmala program, a comprehensive Indic language translator training and certification program. Appropriately, Aksharmala is an Indian garland woven with letters of the alphabet.
In addition to consumer product focused companies, India is one of the largest and fastest growing markets for wireless devices. "Many of our current mobile device clients already produce their products in as many as 15 different Indic languages. This accelerates their market opportunity and deepens their geographic penetration within this market, but unlike in Europe or East Asia, there is no ready-made pool of experienced, professional translators for Indic languages," said Robin Lloyd, vice president and general manager of India Operations for Lionbridge. "Aksharmala is the logical next step in building a mature translation and localization industry within India."
Continued Lloyd, "By leveraging our unique intellectual property and global experience, Lionbridge will train, equip, and develop a network of translators to support the explosive growth of Indic-language content and products."
To facilitate language training and certification, Lionbridge formed a partnership with SNDT, a well-known educational institution that runs post- graduate programs in several Indic languages. This combines Lionbridge's rich experience and expertise in the translation domain with a world-class academic institution skilled in delivering a high-quality curriculum. Aksharmala is free for students.
Lloyd added, "The translation industry in India is still in its infancy. We are helping translators make the leap from paper and pencil to mouse pad and keyboard, introducing concepts like Translation Memory, Machine Translation, and Glossaries that are still new to this audience. Our Logoport linguistic engine provides the perfect enablement environment for these new resources as it is both free and web-based, eliminating two of the primary performance barriers for this community."
A comprehensive screening test was designed to test applicants on various aspects of language competence. The program combines theoretical training with hands-on practice in the form of assignments that progressively take the student through increasing levels of complexity across different domains. Completion of each assignment is followed by review and sharing of feedback. Standard language quality processes are used to evaluate the assignments. As part of the program, students can gain domain expertise in several areas, including the legal, technology, and healthcare sectors.
About Lionbridge
Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LIOX) is a leading provider of globalization and testing services. Lionbridge combines global onshore, near shore and offshore resources with proven program management methodologies to serve as an outsource partner throughout a client's product and content lifecycle - from development to globalization, testing and maintenance. Global organizations in all industries rely on Lionbridge services to increase international market share, speed adoption of global products and content, and enhance their return on enterprise applications and IT system investments. Based in Waltham, Mass., Lionbridge maintains solution centers in 25 countries and provides services under the Lionbridge® and VeriTest® brands. To learn more, visit http://www.lionbridge.com/.
Contact:
Aaron Dun
Lionbridge
781) 434-6158
aaron.dun@lionbridge.com
Jason King
Lois Paul & Partners
781) 782-5793
jason_king@lpp.com
Source: Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.
