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Every word your organization publishes is an investment in clarity, trust, and connection. Yet, translation is too often viewed as a cost. It is seen as a necessary expense rather than a strategic investment. But for organizations that serve multilingual communities or operate across borders, professional translation delivers measurable returns. It saves money, reduces risk, and strengthens brand trust. More importantly, it amplifies your marketing reach and shows a vast, diverse community that you see them, value them, and actively want their business.
1. Cost-Saving: Preventing Expensive Mistakes
Accurate translation and interpreting prevent the kinds of errors that can lead to costly rework, compliance violations, and reputational harm. In healthcare, the financial impact of professional interpreter access is especially well-documented.
A landmark study published in Health Services Research found that when hospitals provided consistent access to professional interpreters, 30-day readmissions among limited-English-proficient (LEP) patients dropped significantly, producing estimated monthly savings of $161,404 even after interpreter costs (Karliner et al., 2017).
More recent research continues to confirm these trends. A 2023 review concluded that professional interpreter use is positively associated with better outcomes across readmissions, satisfaction, and quality of care (LWW Journal, 2023), while a 2025 BMC Health Services Research study found that optimized interpreter-service delivery reduces overall care costs when used consistently and efficiently (BMC Health Services Research, 2025).
The pattern is clear: proactive investment in professional translation and interpreting prevents costly errors and inefficiencies later in every industry, not just healthcare.
2. Risk-Reducing: Protecting Compliance and Public Trust
Language errors can quickly escalate into compliance violations or safety risks. In sectors governed by Title VI, Section 1557, or ADA standards, organizations must provide meaningful access to limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.
Systematic reviews show that professional interpreters improve safety and health outcomes, while untrained or ad-hoc interpreters increase the risk of clinical errors and liability (Kwan et al., 2023).
For hospitals, government agencies, and corporations alike, professional translation is a proactive form of risk management. It protects against lawsuits, OCR complaints, misinformation, and the reputational fallout of appearing insensitive or inaccessible.
Think of a local hospital campaign or city initiative that reached immigrant families simply because it was translated correctly. That is brand-building.
3. Brand-Building: Connecting Authentically Across Languages
Language isn’t just functional; it’s emotional. When people see and hear information in their own language, they feel understood and that builds loyalty.
According to CSA Research, 76% of consumers prefer to buy products with information in their own language, and 40% will never purchase from websites in other languages (CSA Research, Localization ROI Framework, 2025).
Academic evidence echoes this: multilingual packaging and advertising significantly increase purchase intention and brand favorability (Tan et al., 2024).
Meanwhile, the global language-services market reflects the growing value placed on quality. The 2025 Nimdzi 100 Report estimates the top 100 language-service providers generated $14.2 billion in revenue, up from $13.3 billion the year before — with clients increasingly prioritizing accuracy, cultural competence, and strategic partnership over lowest cost (Nimdzi Insights, 2025).
The takeaway: professional translation is a brand asset, not a commodity.
4. Measuring the ROI
Translation ROI isn’t abstract. It can be quantified. The CSA Research Localization ROI Framework (2025) recommends measuring three categories:
- Revenue gains – new-market sales, improved customer retention, higher conversion rates.
- Cost efficiencies – fewer errors, less rework, reduced operational friction.
- Risk mitigation – lower readmissions, fewer compliance violations, fewer public complaints.
When organizations align translation with these metrics, its value becomes visible in both operational and financial terms.
5. Translation as a Strategic Advantage
At Bromberg & Associates, we view professional translation and interpreting as a part of a strategic infrastructure that is essential to communication, compliance, and connection.
Professional human translation delivers ROI by:
- Saving money through efficiency and error prevention,
- Reducing risk by ensuring accuracy and compliance, and
- Building brands through trust, cultural relevance, and accessibility.
In an era when credibility is built on clarity, investing in human translation is a strategy for sustainable success.
Want to see what professional translation can do for your organization? Let’s make every word count.
References and Further Reading