ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SHORTAGE OF PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATORS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS IMPACT ON INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

ABSTRACT

The article analyzes the key factors influencing the shortage of professional translators in the United States, including educational, economic, technological, and sociocultural aspects. Particular attention is paid to the consequences of this issue for intercultural communication in areas such as business, healthcare, education, and public administration. Data on translator salaries and employment are utilized to highlight regional differences and the current situation in the labor market. Measures to address the shortage of professional translators are proposed, including educational initiatives, government support, and technology integration. The need for a comprehensive approach to solving the problem is emphasized, taking into account both current challenges and prospective changes in society’s linguistic needs.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье анализируются основные факторы, влияющие на дефицит профессиональных переводчиков в США, включая образовательные, экономические, технологические и социокультурные аспекты. Особое внимание уделяется последствиям данной проблемы для межкультурной коммуникации в таких сферах, как бизнес, медицина, образование и государственное управление. Используются данные о заработной плате и занятости переводчиков, чтобы подчеркнуть региональные различия и сложившуюся ситуацию на рынке труда. Предлагаются меры по преодолению дефицита профессиональных переводчиков, включая образовательные инициативы, государственную поддержку и интеграцию технологий. Подчеркивается необходимость комплексного подхода для решения проблемы, учитывающего как современные вызовы, так и перспективные изменения в языковых потребностях общества.

Keywords: professional translators, labor shortage, translation market, intercultural communication, education.

Ключевые слова: профессиональные переводчики, дефицит кадров, рынок перевода, межкультурная коммуникация, образование.

Introduction

Modern globalization processes and the strengthening of international cooperation have resulted in a considerable increase in the demand for qualitative intercultural interaction. Professional translators help bridge the gap in the world of languages, ensuring successful communication of representatives of different cultures, countries, and organizations. Still, during the last years, the United States has faced an insufficient number of professional translators. Such a situation represents a serious barrier for most economic sectors, sciences, and even diplomatic activities. This shortage is increased by factors such as problems in specialist training, the low prestige of the profession, and the rapid development of automated translation systems so often lacking in the accuracy and cultural sensitivity required.

This article tries to peer beneath the lack of professional translators in the United States and discusses the consequences of such a problem on intercultural communication. The study further goes on to offer potential solutions for the problem at hand, including educational initiatives and integration of technologies that might enhance translation efficiency.

Main part. Key factors influencing the shortage of professional translators in the United States

In this context, the profession of a translator plays a very important role in ensuring intercultural communication, especially in the current age of globalization and the growth of multilingual populations. Data from 2023 showed that there were over 51,000 interpreters and translators in the United States; women made up 61,6% of all specialists [5]. However, the reality is the opposite, despite such statistics: there is a huge shortage of qualified professionals in this field.

Some of the reasons for this scarcity include the few institutions of higher learning that offer specialized courses on training translators [1]. Even though there are many universities in the United States, only a few have special departments or faculties for translation studies. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers courses in linguistics and global languages, among which are significant world languages: Chinese, French, and German. Programs of modern languages and linguistics have also been famous at Harvard University, but these provisions are not strong enough to meet the ever-growing demand of professional translators in their field.

Economic conditions also play a vital role. The average salary of a translator in the United States was around $61,730 in the year 2022. This figure is not even near the nationwide average salary at $59,428. Nevertheless, the level of remuneration varies depending on region, specialty, and experience. For example, translators are paid higher in a high-cost-of-living city such as New York or San Francisco, but the cost of living is much higher in those cities. As of 2023 data, the state with the highest average annual salary for interpreting and translation services was Virginia (fig. 1).

Figure 1. Average annual salaries of interpreters in the highest-paying states [6]

Competition from automated systems of translation, along with freelancers' propositions from all over the world, presses paying rates and reduces attractiveness for the profession from the perspective of future specialists.

Technological changes, above all creation and development of machine translation with elements of artificial intelligence (AI), is the factor determining conditions of supply and demand balance in translation services market. However, modern technologies, though capable of processing a lot of text, very often cannot provide the required accuracy and consideration for the cultural peculiarities of intercultural communication. Nevertheless, some companies and organizations prefer automated solutions with a view to economy and, hence, decreased demand for professional translators' work. Sociocultural factors also contribute to the shortage of specialists, creating additional barriers to professional training and the popularization of translation as a profession (table 1).

Table 1.

Sociocultural factors contributing to the shortage of professional translators in the United States [2, 4, 8]

The shortage of professional translators in the United States is particularly pertinent to translation from and into Arabic. This trend is associated with the increasing Arabic-speaking population within the country due to migration from the Middle East and North Africa. This can be explained, among other reasons, by the complexity of the Arabic language and its dialects, which presuppose profound linguistic knowledge and cultural competence of the translator. Still, another reason is a low number of special educational programs offering training in the Arabic language and its professional application, which restricts the flow of new specialists. This has led to a shortage of competent professionals, further worsening the situation by making such services hardly accessible for Arabic-speaking populations and degrading the quality of intercultural communication. The factors that explain the shortage of professional translators in the United States are limited education opportunities, changes in the economic and technological planes, and also barriers in terms of sociocultural issues.

Therefore, the problem should be tackled through a strategic approach which is meant at increasing the attraction of the profession, enhancing education quality, and adjusting to current technological challenges.

The impact of the shortage of professional translators in the United States on intercultural communication

Translators serve as vital go-betweens among linguistic and cultural communities, allowing messages to cross the line between the two correctly, clearly, and relevant to a given culture. An insufficiency of qualified practitioners engenders many insurmountable difficulties that block the path for intercultural interaction in fields like business, health, education, and public administration.

Indeed, according to research, the highest concentration of translator jobs was recorded in Salinas, California, where in 2023, employment has reached only 4,32 per 1,000 people. In large part, this is because the high percentage of migrants employed in agriculture creates a huge demand for translators who can help solve their problems with healthcare, labor laws, and educational programs (fig. 2).

Figure 2. Employment and salary ratio of translators

Also, in the commercial sphere, it gives a way to several misunderstandings, losses, and interruption of business relations. The United States stands at the heart of international trade, where the correctness of translation contracts, marketing, and negotiations are highly valued.

In the medical field, the shortage of translators poses significant risks for patients, particularly in multilingual communities. The United States contains more than 40 million people who speak Spanish, plus substantial Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, and speakers of every other language. In states where large numbers of immigrants have concentrated – California, Texas, Florida, among others - translators are increasingly needed in the course of medical consultations, advising patients, and patient rights needs. Shortages result in misunderstandings about health advice and the health risks for patients as a result of poor service. This shortage of translators extends to the education sector, especially in school districts with large immigrant populations.

Translators are quite instrumental in integrating non-English-speaking families into the education system. Very few parents can make out what goes on with the curriculum, school policies, and even the rights of their children without their help. For instance, in California school districts where there is a high population of Spanish-speaking students, the absence of translators makes clear communication between schools and families difficult, hence affecting the performance of the students. Finally, in public administration, the shortage of translators complicates the implementation of programs aimed at supporting multilingual and multicultural communities. Translators help guarantee equal access to information and services through government services in places such as Houston and Miami, with their representatives from dozens of cultures.

In reality, a shortage of specialists leads to delays, inaccuracies of translations, and further erosion of civic trust. That may heighten the isolation of some cultural groups and block ways to broader societal life.

Strategies to address the shortage of professional translators in the United States

The shortage of professional translators in the United States is a highly complex issue related to both economic and cultural spheres. It requires, therefore, not only educational and economic measures but also technological support. As translation is an interdisciplinary profession, the need for long-term planning is even greater, which takes into account not only current needs in the labor market but also future challenges due to technological advancement and changes in the demographic structure of the population (table 2).

Table 2.

Potential measures to address the translator shortage [3, 7]

The combination of these strategies will not only address the current shortage but also create a sustainable system capable of adapting to the evolving linguistic needs of the country. The development of the translation profession will strengthen intercultural communication and enable the United States to maintain its position as one of the leaders in the international community.

Conclusion

The shortage of professional translators in the United States is a multifaceted issue linked to educational, economic, sociocultural, and technological factors. The lack of qualified specialists hinders effective intercultural communication, particularly in sectors such as business, healthcare, education, and public administration. This results in a decline in the quality of services, increased health risks for patients, reduced educational opportunities, and a widening social gap between cultural groups. Key causes of the shortage include a lack of educational programs for translator training, the low prestige of the profession, and competition from automated technologies.  Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive approach that includes the development of educational initiatives, promotion of the profession, government funding for certification programs, and the integration of technologies that complement rather than replace the work of professional translators.

The needs to be taken into account, both current challenges and prospective shifts in society's linguistic needs, are changes in the labor market and technological advancement. The combination of these measures will not only resolve the current shortage but also establish a sustainable foundation for the development of the profession in the future, which is critical for supporting intercultural communication in the context of globalization and the cultural diversity of the United States.

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