Breaking down the language barriers

A YORKSHIRE-based small business is helping entrepreneurs around the world to increase sales by improving their ability to communicate.

Sam Rhodes has returned to her native Huddersfield, in West Yorkshire, to set up a language management company after spending five years living in New Zealand.

Ms Rhodes, who grew up in Golcar, Huddersfield, could have based her business, Transfix, anywhere in the world. She said: "We came back to Yorkshire to be part of the business community, to help customers increase their global market share from wherever their business base is."

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Transfix focuses on a processknown as website localisation as a way to increase global sales. As only one in five people in the world speak English to some level of competency, by adding one or two languages to a website – for example, Spanish and Chinese – the world market can become more accessible to a business, said Ms Rhodes. One Transfix client has a business-to-business online networking site offering a translation service for SME businesses worldwide. Through the site, businesses can contact other SMEs to discuss proposals, buyer knowledge and export information.

"We're delighted to provide our translation service to them as we are encouraging global communication for smaller businesses who might not normally venture out of their own country," said Ms Rhodes. "We're providing a communication line to help those businesses grow."

Language is constantly evolving, so translators must have specialist skills and knowledge of key sectors.

Ms Rhodes said: "If you have an English medical document which needs translating into French, we have a French native qualified translator who has a medical background."