Approx read time: 4 mins 🕒
Exporting offers UK businesses growth opportunities that can’t be matched by staying local. Yet, one of the most common barriers to international trade is also one of the most overlooked: language.
A growing body of research shows that businesses that invest in professional translation services are far more successful in foreign markets than those that assume English will suffice. From customer trust to legal compliance, the ability to communicate in a buyer’s language is a core requirement for export success.
In this blog, we’ll explore why professional translation matters, what the data shows and the risks for UK exporters who neglect it.
Export success is tied to language investment
It is well established that companies who invest in language skills perform better when trading internationally.
According to the UK Government’s Export Academy, SMEs that commit resources to language capabilities are 30% more successful at exporting than those that don’t.
For exporters, translation ensures product information, marketing materials and contracts are accurate, culturally relevant and aligned with local expectations. Without this, businesses risk losing opportunities before they even begin.
The evidence shows clearly: translation isn’t an optional extra for UK exporters, but a proven driver of growth.
Language gaps remain a top barrier
Research by economist James Foreman-Peck for the UK Government found that language deficiencies were the biggest contributor to perceived cultural problems among UK exporters.
Many businesses continue to rely solely on English, which may work in some Anglophone markets but limits potential elsewhere.
Relying on “global English” is also risky.
While English may be widely taught, it is rarely the preferred language for buyers. In fact, studies consistently show that customers are far more likely to trust and engage with businesses that communicate in their native tongue.
For exporters, this highlights a simple truth: addressing the language gap with professional translation directly removes one of the greatest barriers to trade.
Translation is often a legal and commercial requirement
Professional translation is a legal necessity.
Product labelling, technical manuals and contracts often need to be translated into the local language to meet regulatory standards. Failure to comply can result in rejected shipments, fines or global reputational damage.
Beyond compliance, the commercial imperative is clear.
According to government sources we've researched, nine out of ten global users will ignore your product if it is not available in their native language. That means that even if your product is high-quality, it may never reach its full potential if customers cannot access it in a way that feels natural and trustworthy.
Why underestimating translation can cost exporters dearly
Despite this, many UK businesses still undervalue translation.
From our experience, we'd highlight that some exporters still rely on bilingual staff, friends or family for translations, rather than professional linguists.
The problem is that being a native speaker does not guarantee translation quality.
Without linguistic expertise, mistranslations and cultural missteps can undermine credibility. Worse still, poor translations can create compliance issues or misunderstandings in contracts, putting businesses at significant financial risk.
For exporters, this can be the difference between a strong overseas presence and a failed market entry. Translation protects your reputation, ensures compliance and helps win customer trust.
Translation as a strategic investment
All the evidence points to one conclusion: professional translation is a strategic investment, not a cost.
For UK exporters, it delivers tangible benefits:
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Increased competitiveness: Better communication with international buyers.
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Regulatory compliance: Meeting legal requirements across industries.
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Customer trust: Building relationships through cultural and linguistic accuracy.
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Growth opportunities: Unlocking new markets with fewer barriers.
At Wolfestone, we’ve seen first-hand how professional translation supports UK businesses to succeed globally. Our team provides translation across industries, including life sciences, manufacturing and legal, all under ISO-certified processes for quality and security.
Whether you’re entering new markets or scaling up existing trade relationships, partnering with a trusted language service provider ensures you can communicate clearly, compliantly and confidently.
Contact us today to discuss your export needs.
𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 2021 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.
