The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/933479
countries; and the loss of large EU agencies could mean that jobs move there too in the long-term. Translations will then be required within the EU and could be outsourced to translators based in EU27 countries. Just-in-time manufacturing and shipping work is also expected to change considerably. Companies with UK-based manufacturing facilities are already moving their entire operations to EU27 countries. The demand for translations may remain the same, but regulatory difficulties could make it harder to place that work with translators in Britain. Future-proofing your business A number of colleagues are beginning to alter their balance of British and EU clients, while some are actively looking for new clients in the USA. Some are adding specialist subjects to their portfolio in the hope of shifting the focus of their work from perceived high-risk sectors, such as marketing, to lower risk ones. A few said they are learning another language. Many commented that the key to survival was to improve and maintain standards so that clients would continue to work with them even if red tape made this more difficult. By and large, translators believe that Brexit could benefit colleagues working in non-EU languages, especially in countries where Britain is likely to sign trade agreements, such as China. UK-based translators working in predominantly EU languages, in particular between English and German, are far less sanguine about their future. What clients think Opinions about the likely impact of Brexit vary widely among translators. The question is whether those who remain unconcerned are being complacent, or whether those who are worried are panicking unnecessarily. I asked five of my direct clients for their assessment of the impact of Brexit on their business. Only one reported no change: as a long-term intermediary between Russian and German companies, they not do expect any change and will remain loyal to their long-term translators. Only minimal change has been experienced by a client that sells British heritage memorabilia to museums. They have, however, curtailed their exploration of the EU market, focusing instead on the US, for which they do not require translation work. One of my clients noted that the way the political negotiations are being conducted is putting pressure on his business. He is also seeing a move within Britain towards using British products and components, rather than imported ones, and that is affecting his contact with his German partner company. The others, especially companies that import basic materials from abroad and then sell a value-added product on the international market, have put further expansion into the EU on hold, or scaled down their plans, and will focus on other countries until the regulatory framework is clear. This affects all translations, but especially translations into EU languages. These companies are particularly worried about leaving the Single Market. Leaving the customs union, or incurring any additional tariffs and duties, would hugely affect their customer base. At present, all they can do is watch and hope. In the meantime, they are concentrating more on the UK market and, again, on the US market. They haven't forgotten about the EU, but they are ensuring that they have something to fall back on, should drastic changes occur within the EU. It seems that translators are not panicking unnecessarily. We are responding to the signals our clients give us. And, like them, all we can do is prepare for difficult times ahead while hoping for the best. Notes 1 This article uses 'the EU'/'EU27 countries' to refer to the states that will remain part of the EU post-Brexit 20 The Linguist Vol/57 No/1 2018 www.ciol.org.uk A TRANSLATOR'S BREXIT PLANNING AHEAD Some translators are drawing up new business plans or considering new business models Colleagues are starting to alter their balance of British and EU clients; some are looking for new clients in the USA © SHUTTERSTOCK