A new research report "The Price of Translation" reveals that pricing within the US$12 billion-plus global translation services industry has remained relatively stable in recent years.

For most languages, prices fluctuated by only 10% up or down over a four-year period, according to the report by Common Sense Advisory, Inc., an independent market research firm specializing in the language services industry. The findings came from a detailed online survey completed by nearly 300 language service providers (translation firms) about their pricing structures, processes, and customer bases.

The 112-page report includes average pricing data for the 10 languages with the greatest global economic impact (e.g., French and Chinese), as well as 23 "next-wave languages" used in rapidly developing markets or in countries important to the global supply chain (e.g., Arabic and languages of India).

Note: The full report is available to subscribers only.

Source: Multilingual News, May 28, 2008,

Evidently "translations" has become a sexy marketing term. Or does The Container Store mean that translations belong in the trash?

As seen on their website, this $25 wastebasket is "a très chic, environmentally friendly addition to your home. It’s made with authentic Japanese newspapers and magazines that have been beautifully ‘re-purposed.’ Each is a unique work of art."

The store’s marketing department may be a little confused in using the term, since the text on the trashcan is almost entirely Japanese (you can see a few English words if you look closely). Perhaps someone will provide a few translations for us.

At least they don’t call it an interpreting wastebasket.

Thanks to Marian Schwartz for spotting this.

Patricia Bown from McElroy Translations will explore the Spanish translation market at the Spanish Special Interest Group meeting at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 9, at the Austin History Center.

She will address the changing needs that the Spanish translation market faces and how to prepare for it as a Spanish translator (areas of specialty that are in high demand in Spanish translation, qualifications agencies seek when hiring translators, and types of translations requests they get).