Why translation is an environmentally friendly profession

With an increasingly globalised economy, the exchange of information is not only increasing, but it is also taking place in all languages. This is a great challenge for those professionals involved in language translation. In this article, discover why this profession and the figure of the translation agency is not only necessary and fundamental, but also environmentally friendly.

Translation is an environmentally friendly profession

Translation is an environmentally friendly profession because it helps to reduce the carbon footprint. By facilitating communication between people in different countries, it prevents unnecessary travel. It also contributes to environmental conservation by enabling people to better understand the risks and dangers that exist in the world.

Translation is a very environmentally friendly profession. All translators work online, meaning no unnecessary travel, paper or material costs. And, as most customers are international, communications are conducted by email or videoconference, which also reduces the environmental impact.

Interpreters in a translation agency can also contribute to sustainability through the use of technology. Some interpreters use devices such as tablets to do their work, allowing them to reduce the use of paper and materials. Furthermore, translators usually work with a variety of sources, regardless of whether they work in English, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese, which means that there is less impact on the production of new materials or publications. This helps reduce the use of natural resources and the amount of waste generated by the publishing sector.

Finally, good translation can help preserve endangered native languages. If there is a continuous and sustained interest in learning and understanding a language, this promotes the preservation of its associated culture, contributing to the conservation of the environment.

In short, translation is an environmentally friendly profession where professionals work responsibly to reduce environmental impact.

The importance of translation in the economy

In a globalised world, translation companies are becoming increasingly important for international trade. Legal documents, contracts and patents are some examples of texts that require professional translation in order to be understood by all parties involved. Translation is also crucial for scientific research and technological development. Many scientific advances are due to international collaboration, which is possible thanks to the translation of relevant texts. In fact, without translation, much relevant information would be lost or inaccessible. Finally, translation has an important role to play in education. As the world becomes more interconnected, students need access to educational materials from around the world. Translation makes this possible by facilitating access to information and knowledge beyond the local sphere. This results in a more complete and equitable education for students around the world.

The advantages of environmentally friendly translation

Environmentally friendly translation is a form of translation that aims to minimise the environmental impact of translation activities. This is achieved through the reduced use of paper, the prioritisation of recycled or recyclable materials, energy use and overall travel impact. 

How to be an environmentally friendly translator

Translation is an environmentally friendly profession because it enables people from different countries and regions to communicate and understand each other. Translators can help reduce energy consumption by avoiding the need to transport printed materials or physical products across borders. They can also help in the fight against climate change by providing access to information on environmental issues and offering creative solutions to global problems. In your work as a translator, be aware of your ecological footprint. Try to minimise the use of paper wherever possible by opting for digitisation of documents and electronic distribution. If printed material must be used, choose recycled and environmentally friendly paper. In addition, offer your services to sustainable companies and sponsor projects that contribute to the protection of the environment.