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Most translated languages

The Top 10 Most Translated Language Pairs

Strategic Priorities for Global Business

Language is central to the flow of information, commerce, and culture. For internationally active organisations, knowing which language pairs dominate professional translation volumes, particularly the most translated language pairs, provides more than operational insight—it shapes strategy. Understanding these trends helps businesses allocate localisation budgets efficiently, prioritise regional expansions, and improve communication effectiveness across borders.

Drawing on authoritative data from CSA Research’s 2020 survey of over 7,000 translators and interpreters worldwide, this article analyses the ten most translated language pairs globally.

We examine the economic, demographic, and strategic drivers of demand behind each pairing, providing practical insight for decision-makers.

The Top 10 of Most Translated Language Pairs by Global Volume

According to CSA Research (2020), English is involved in 19 of the top 20 most translated language pairs, confirming its central role in global communication. The table below outlines the top 10, based on the share of linguists reporting these pairs as their primary working combination:

RankLanguage Pair% of WorkPrimary Markets
1English to French translations11.51%France, Canada, West Africa, EU institutions
2English to Spanish translations10.87%Spain, Latin America, U.S. Hispanic market
3French to English translations5.31%France, Canada, Africa, international publishing
4English to Portuguese translations5.12%Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique
5Spanish to English translations4.26%Latin America, Spain
6English to German translations3.67%Germany, Austria, Switzerland
7English to Italian translations3.59%Italy, design and fashion sectors
8German  English translations3.22%DACH region, EU trade, academic publishing
9English to Arabic translations2.64%MENA region, intergovernmental institutions
10English to Russian translations2.54%Russia, Eastern Europe, energy sector

1. English to French translations

French is an official language in 29 countries and one of the working languages of major international organisations, including the United Nations and the European Union (UNESCO, 2021). The high volume of English to French translation reflects the need to serve Francophone markets in Europe, North America, and Africa.
Key industries include legal services, financial documentation, consumer products, and international development. Businesses expanding into Canada (specifically Quebec) or West Africa require accurate French localisation for regulatory, commercial, and cultural reasons.

2. English to Spanish translations

With more than 460 million native speakers and widespread use across 21 countries (World Bank, 2022), Spanish is a top-tier localisation priority. Demand spans both sides of the Atlantic—Spain and the entirety of Latin America—and also includes the 60+ million Spanish speakers in the United States.

This language pair is common in e-commerce, education, entertainment, and software localisation. For example, English to Spanish translations are essential for global platforms offering customer service and onboarding in multiple markets.

3. French to English translations

While English to French dominates export translation, French to English is critical for sharing content generated in the Francophone world with global audiences. French remains a primary language in scientific research, public health documentation, and diplomatic correspondence.

International businesses headquartered in France, Belgium, or Switzerland translate materials for global operations. NGOs working in West or Central Africa also rely on this pair to distribute reports to Anglophone stakeholders.

4. English to Portuguese translations

Portuguese, with approximately 260 million speakers globally (UNESCO, 2021), has become a strategic translation language largely due to Brazil’s size and economic influence. As the ninth-largest global economy (World Bank, 2022), Brazil drives most of the demand in this pair.

Industries generating high volumes of English to Portuguese content include agriculture, fintech, oil and gas, and education. Companies aiming to enter the Brazilian market must adapt digital interfaces, contracts, and marketing materials to Portuguese, with localisation tuned to Brazilian linguistic norms.

5. Spanish to English translations

Spanish to English translation is in high demand across media, public sector services, and immigration documentation. In the United States and UK, service providers in healthcare, law, and education frequently translate client-facing materials from Spanish to English.

In Latin America and Spain, businesses use this pair to share their offerings with international (primarily Anglophone) clients, investors, and regulators. It’s also a common pair in international journalism and academic publishing.

6. English to German translations

German is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and a cornerstone of the DACH economy (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Germany’s export-driven economy, particularly in manufacturing and engineering, means product documentation, legal disclosures, and compliance reports frequently require English to German translation.

Furthermore, many EU technical and legislative documents are localised into German for domestic regulatory alignment. For UK-based companies exporting to the EU, this language pair is essential.

7. English to Italian translations

While smaller in population than German or Spanish, Italy is a design and cultural powerhouse. English to Italian translation plays a pivotal role in the luxury goods, tourism, gastronomy, and fashion sectors.

For instance, international brands launching campaigns in Milan or Rome need not just accurate, but tonally and culturally nuanced translation. Italian consumers, especially in sectors like fashion and design, respond positively to locally adapted content.

8. German to English translations

German-speaking markets produce a vast amount of technical, legal, and academic content that needs translation into English for international collaboration. This includes scientific research, financial communications, and EU-level policy.

This pair is also prominent in academia, as researchers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland frequently publish in English to access international readership and peer recognition.

9. English to Arabic translations

Arabic is the official language in over 20 countries, with more than 300 million native speakers (UNESCO, 2021). English to Arabic translations are essential for businesses and organisations engaging in the MENA region, including Gulf countries (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia) and North Africa.

Major sectors include energy, construction, finance, and governmental or humanitarian communication. Translation into Arabic often involves managing right-to-left formatting and dialect variation—key factors for effective localisation.

10. English to Russian translations

Despite recent geopolitical shifts, Russia remains a significant market, particularly in energy, defence, and scientific sectors. Russian is also spoken in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries, expanding the relevance of this language pair.

English to Russian translation supports international trade, software localisation, and educational outreach. In technical sectors, precision in terminology and regulatory conformity are paramount.

Strategic Considerations for Businesses

Why These Pairs Dominate

The top 10 pairs align closely with three driving forces:
  • Economic Weight: Languages from high-GDP nations—German, French, Portuguese (via Brazil)—feature prominently.
  • Global Reach: Spanish, French, and Arabic are official languages across multiple continents.
  • Content Generation: English is the source language for much of the world’s digital and corporate content.

Implications for UK-Based Businesses

Uk BusinessFor UK firms targeting global growth, focusing on the most translated language pairs is key. Translating into French, Spanish, and German ensures strong European market reach, while Portuguese opens Brazil and African markets. Arabic translation, a top most translated language, unlocks the MENA region, including the Gulf and North Africa. Translating inbound French, Spanish, and German into English supports research, compliance, and collaboration. Prioritising these languages streamlines localisation, boosts credibility, and drives global success.

To maximise impact, UK businesses should partner with professional translation agencies like Global Voices, which leverage native linguists to deliver culturally accurate Arabic translation and other most translated language services. This ensures content resonates with local audiences, from marketing campaigns in Dubai to legal documents in Madrid, enhancing engagement and trust in diverse markets.

Quality and Cultural Fit

These language pairs are not just about conversion; they demand precise, culturally informed translation. French spoken in Senegal differs from that in Paris; Portuguese from Lisbon varies significantly from that in São Paulo. Quality assurance, sector-specific terminology, and localisation expertise are essential for credibility and success.

For businesses targeting the most translated language pairs, such as English to Arabic translation, cultural fit is paramount. Arabic dialects across the MENA region, from Gulf Arabic in Dubai to Maghrebi Arabic in Morocco, require nuanced localisation to resonate with local audiences. A marketing campaign that succeeds in Saudi Arabia may fall flat in Egypt without tailored phrasing and cultural references. Partnering with native linguists, like those at Global Voices, ensures translations reflect regional sensibilities, enhancing trust and engagement in these high-value markets.

Moreover, quality translation extends beyond words to context and intent. For instance, legal translations from German to English for the DACH region demand precision to meet regulatory standards, while English to Spanish translations for Latin America’s e-commerce sector must adapt to local slang and consumer behaviour. Investing in professional most translated language services with robust quality control processes guarantees that translations are not only accurate but also strategically aligned with business goals, driving global success.

The UK’s Domestic Demand

According to the Office for National Statistics (2022), Polish, Urdu, Bengali, and Romanian are among the most spoken non-English languages in the UK. While not among the top 10 global pairs, these languages are crucial for domestic services—particularly in public health, education, and legal affairs.

The growing linguistic diversity in the UK underscores the need for professional translation services to support local communities. For instance, translating health guidance into Urdu or Bengali ensures accessibility for South Asian populations, while Polish and Romanian translations are vital for Eastern European residents navigating education or legal systems. By leveraging expertise in these most translated language pairs domestically, UK businesses and public services can foster inclusivity, improve service delivery, and build stronger community ties, complementing their global most translated language strategies.

Aligning with Language Demand to Drive Growth

The most translated language pairs globally reveal where businesses should invest their localisation efforts. Whether you’re exporting British tech to Brazil, launching a service platform in Spain, or adapting public health materials for Arabic-speaking audiences, understanding the translation landscape is a competitive advantage.
London Translations supports organisations across all sectors with expert translation and localisation in the world’s highest-demand language pairs. Our linguists bring sector expertise, cultural fluency, and rigorous quality standards to ensure your message performs—no matter the market.

Let language work for you. Connect with us to explore how we can help you communicate with impact, at home and abroad.

References

CSA Research. (2020). The state of the linguist supply chain: Translators and interpreters in 2020. CSA Research.
Office for National Statistics. (2022, November 29). Language, England and Wales: Census 2021.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2021). World languages in education and culture.

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