SDL Q1 in Line with Expectations; Glitch Slows LanguageLine
SDL says first quarter 2018 in line with expectations, while US-based remote interpreter LanguageLine Solutions reports slowing revenue growth due to a weak dollar and a technical glitch.
Lance Ng
Slator Contributor. Has been, at various times in his career, writer, translator, educator, banker, financial advisor and entrepreneur.
Machine Translation and Online Education: Series A Values Youdao at USD 1.1 Billion
Leading Chinese Internet company focuses on online education to tap the monetization potential of their machine translation capabilities. Among the investors is the venture capital arm of Lenovo’s holding company.
China Tech Leader Accused of Faking AI-Generated Simultaneous Interpreting
An interpreter accused multi-billion listed company of passing off human interpretation as the output of its AI translation engine on social media. The post sparked off a media frenzy questioning company’s marketing spin.
Peking University Hosts 10th China Translation Profession Forum
Experts from academia and senior executives from LSPs gathered in Beijing to discuss high level topics on developing translation education and industry capabilities in China.
Japan’s Largest LSP Gets a New Boss
Director of Planning and Management Shunichiro Ninomiya takes over as President of Honyaku in two months’ time, replacing Ikuo Higash, who has headed the executive team for 17 years. Higashi will become Chairman of the Board.
Slator Pro Guide: Solution Sales for Language Service Providers
The 44-page Slator Pro Guide gives salespeople the tools and insight to drive localization services revenue growth.
AI Interpreter Fail at China Summit Sparks Debate about Future of Profession
Tencent’s attempt to showcase their latest AI voice recognition and real-time translation engines backfired. Netizens screenshot and circulated embarrassing mistakes, sparking off an online debate on when and what jobs will be replaced by AI.
UK Media Localizer EIKON Taps Private Equity for Growth Financing
UK-based EIKON receives investment by private equity fund YFM to finance expansion in the US and technology development as deal-making in media localization heats up.
Super Investor SoftBank Bets USD 23.5m on Singapore Media Localizer IYUNO
SoftBank Ventures puts USD 23.5m into Singapore media localizer IYUNO Media Group.
Reader Polls: Denmark’s Big Bet, Microsoft’s Bold Claim, Accelerating M&A
Acquisition activity picks up in the new year as more announcements create ever bigger LSPs. The Danish government tries their hand at aggregating public sector translation demand, and Microsoft claims “human parity” in machine translation.
Keywords Translated 250 Million Words in 2017 And Diversifies Aggressively
Keywords Studios chalks up a record 2017, ballooning in revenue, profit and size. The company expects more of the same in 2018, with more acquisitions, increased capacities in six locations, and two new studios already in the pipeline.
11 Million Words from WIPO, Anyone?
WIPO issues potential 11m words translation contract. Freelancers and LSPs subcontracting to other LSPs excluded. Bidders must employ native translators in Spanish, French, and English.
Spot Bad Translation, Win Prize: Beijing Taps Public to Improve Bilingual Signage
Officials of the capital city has decided to implement new national standards for English public service signages in an innovative manner. Prizes will be given out to participants based on quantity and quality of submissions.
Technicis Acquires TextMaster, Accelerates Deal-Making
After Translation Probst and Arancho Doc, Technicis acquires fellow France-based language service provider Textmaster, as CEO Benjamin du Fraysseix accelerates deal making.
Denmark Issues Giant Language Services Tender Worth USD 86 Million
A dozen Danish government agencies related to the judicial sector issue a massive collective tender for language services. The entire contract will be awarded to a single vendor in order to “achieve cost savings and economies of scale”.
Lingo24 Revenues Grow 8% in 2017 to GBP 9.5m While Losses Narrow
Lingo24 saw steady revenue growth in 2017 while losses narrowed. The company expects its proprietary technology will help it to outcompete larger rivals and return it to profitability in 2018.
LanguageWire Buys Frontlab in Tuck-in Tech Acquisition
LanguageWire acquires fellow Denmark-based software company Frontlab, adding additional feature to its proprietary TMS and productivity technology. LanguageWire CEO says LSPs that currently use Frontlab will not experience any difference.
Donnelley Financial Publishes Full Year 2017 Results
Donnelley Financial Solutions reported flat sales and disappointing profits. But growth in translation services helped offset softer performance in other areas.
Reader Polls: MT Row, Regulators, Tech Adoption, Success Factors, 2018 Outlook
2018 started off well for half of our respondents. Quality perceived as key to long-term success as yet another LSP closes. Linguists are too cautious on emerging technology and Slovakia government steps in to control court translation services.
ULG Acquires VIA, Pushes Annual Revenue Past USD 100m
ULG acquired legal and compliance specialist VIA and continues to execute its acquisitions-led growth strategy. Legal dispute between founder Brink and ULG resolved.
thebigword Bounces Back
UK language service provider thebigword manages to make the MoJ contract profitable. Both revenue and profits jumped; CEO confident 2018 will see another substantial rise in revenue and is looking to raise funds and make acquisitions.
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