Trends, Technologies, and Predictions for Written and Spoken Language Services

The future of Canada’s translation industry appears to be dynamic and promising, with several emerging trends shaping its trajectory. As one of the world’s largest translation markets—bolstered by official bilingualism and Quebec’s unique language legislation—Canada stands at the forefront of innovation in language services. The global language services market is valued at approximately CAD $85 billion and is projected to reach CAD $130 billion by 2032, with North America accounting for nearly 40% of the global market share.

This comprehensive exploration examines the key trends and predictions shaping both written translation and spoken interpretation services in the coming years.

Market Overview and Growth Projections

The Canadian translation market continues its upward trajectory, driven by globalisation, digital transformation, and the country’s commitment to bilingualism. Montreal-based companies are particularly well-positioned to lead this growth, benefiting from Canada’s bilingual status and Quebec’s robust language laws, including Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language.

The language services market in Canada is expected to reach USD $76.78 billion globally by 2025, with projections indicating growth to USD $98.11 billion by 2028—representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.32%. The machine translation market alone is projected to grow from USD $706 million in 2025 to nearly USD $995 million by 2032.

Several key sectors are driving this expansion. The technology sector requires translation for software localisation, user manuals, and global product launches.

Healthcare is experiencing steep demand for multilingual medical documentation, patient care instructions, and health information applications.

E-commerce continues to see exponential growth as businesses strive to reach global markets, requiring website localisation, product descriptions, and customer service support in multiple languages.

Emerging Trends in Written Translation

Machine Translation and Post-Editing

The use of machine translation (MT) and post-editing is expected to increase significantly in 2025 and beyond. Neural Machine Translation (NMT) and Large Language Models (LLMs) are now deeply embedded in modern workflows.

Companies are drawn to the potential for quicker turnarounds and lower costs, with Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) offering a 30–50% cost reduction while maintaining human-level accuracy.

However, this trend highlights the growing importance of human translators in refining and contextualising machine-generated translations.

By 2025, more than 50% of professional translations are expected to involve AI tools in some capacity, yet human expertise remains essential for nuanced language skills, cultural adaptation, and subject-matter specialisation.

Canada’s federal government has taken the lead with GCtranslate, an AI translation prototype developed by the Translation Bureau at Public Services and Procurement Canada. Drawing on the Bureau’s extensive bilingual dataset, it incorporates government terminology and Canada’s cultural and linguistic realities.

This innovation complements the Translation Bureau’s specialised services by providing instant translations for texts that do not require linguistic expertise.

Adaptive AI and Personalised Translation Models

Generic machine translation tools will no longer suffice for businesses with unique brand identities and specific needs.

By 2025, personalised machine translation models tailored to individual industries, companies, or even specific projects are becoming more common. These models incorporate custom glossaries, style guides, and user-specific preferences to ensure consistency and relevance.

This trend is especially valuable for industries such as legal, medical, and marketing, where precise terminology and brand tone are critical. Cloud-based terminology tools have become more refined, often integrated directly with CAT tools and Translation Management Systems (TMS). These systems can auto-suggest terms in real time and ensure consistency across departments and projects.

Hyper-Localisation and Transcreation

Transcreation, which combines translation and creative adaptation, is becoming increasingly important for brands seeking to reach global audiences. This approach allows companies to localise their content for new markets, adapting not just the language but also cultural nuances, imagery, and even product names to better engage with target consumers.

Global brands are moving beyond simple translation into full-scale hyper-localisation strategies. Content isn’t just translated into a language—it’s tailored to specific dialects, regional preferences, and local regulations.

For example, a campaign for French speakers in Quebec will differ significantly from one targeting French speakers in Europe or Africa. Hyper-localisation extends to visuals, tone of voice, idiomatic expressions, and even product offerings.

This is particularly relevant for Canada, where Quebec French (FR-CA) represents a distinct linguistic market. Companies must navigate not only linguistic complexities but also unique cultural and legal layers, including Bill 96 compliance and Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) requirements.

Video Translation and Subtitling

The demand for video translation and subtitling services is expected to grow significantly, driven by the rise of e-learning platforms and the increasing popularity of video content across various industries.

As the market for online education services is projected to reach USD $325–378 billion in 2025, there is a substantial opportunity for organisations to tailor their content to reach diverse audiences through video translation and subtitling.

YouTube alone sees approximately 300 hours of video content uploaded every minute, with around 5 billion videos being watched daily. Notably, 70% of YouTube’s audience is international and consists of non-English speakers. For brands and video companies to maximise their investment while reaching new audiences, investing in talented translators for dubbing and subtitling has become essential.

This trend is especially strong in sectors like corporate training, compliance education, and academic institutions reaching international learners. Many courses still cater only to English-speaking users, presenting a major opportunity for multilingual video translation and subtitling services.

Multilingual SEO and Digital Content

Businesses looking to expand their online presence continuously seek international SEO experts. Multilingual SEO is a scalable and cost-effective tactic.

As industry experts note, there is already a substantial amount of content in English but not enough in other languages, even though the majority of the world’s population doesn’t speak English.

Translating websites to strategic languages enables businesses to reach 80% of online purchasing power globally.

The key languages include English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, and Italian.

Personalised, language-adapted landing pages increase conversions by up to 80%, making hyper-localisation not just optional but a competitive edge.

The Evolution of Spoken Translation and Interpretation

Remote Interpreting Technologies

Remote work and global connectivity have permanently shifted the interpreting landscape. Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) and Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI) continue to gain popularity, offering flexibility for businesses and individuals. This trend is bolstered by improvements in platform usability, enhanced video quality, and real-time language support for hybrid and virtual events.

The multilingual interpretation market is valued at USD $20.47 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD $30.58 billion by 2032, with a steady annual growth rate of 5.9%.

Europe leads with over 35% market share, followed by North America at 28%.

Advancements in interpreting technology are making services more interconnected and easier to access than ever.

Direct integrations of phone and video interpreting into Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems represent a significant development. For example, healthcare providers can now access on-demand interpreting services directly within EHR platforms—no extra tools, no switching platforms. This streamlines workflows and allows providers to focus on delivering quality care to patients.

AI in Interpreting: Augmentation, Not Replacement

AI made significant strides in 2024, especially in simultaneous interpreting applications. AI tools now offer automatic transcriptions, meeting summaries, and even speech-to-speech features within Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI) platforms. Real-time speech-to-speech translation and voice synthesis are enabling seamless multilingual conversations across industries.

However, experts emphasise that 2025 will not be the year that machine interpreting replaces human interpreters. While AI applications are improving at remarkable speed, they are still not near reaching the performance levels of high-quality professionals. AI struggles in nuanced settings where cultural understanding and ethical judgment improve conversation outcomes—particularly in medical or legal discussions.

In these cases, AI works best as a support tool, enhancing rather than replacing professional interpreters. Machine interpreting will complement human expertise, expanding access to language services in contexts where human interpreters are unavailable, out of budget, or where AI performances are similar to average professionals.

Medical and Healthcare Interpreting

Medical interpreting services have seen a definitive surge in demand. Video Remote Interpreting technology bridges the gap between phone interpreting services and on-site interpreting services, combining the immediacy of phone interpreting with the nuance of in-person interaction.

With many day-to-day activities—from work and school to medical appointments—shifting to a mostly remote context, VRI is here to stay. Healthcare providers increasingly recognise that patients who do not receive care in their own language may encounter communication barriers leading to misunderstandings about diagnoses, treatments, and medication instructions.

Conference and Event Interpretation

For large-scale events, hybrid interpreting solutions combining human interpreters and AI tools are increasingly used to balance precision with scalability. Event organisers value this adaptability, especially as global gatherings adopt more inclusive multilingual policies.

Canada’s Translation Bureau plays a pivotal role in interpretation of major events, such as the G7 Leaders’ Summit and visits from international dignitaries. The Bureau offers translation, interpretation, and terminology services to federal departments and agencies and to the Canadian Parliament.

Industry Predictions for the Coming Years

Technological Integration and Workflow Automation

Advancements in translation technology, particularly Neural Machine Translation (NMT) and translation management systems, are likely to play a significant role in shaping the industry. These technologies are expected to improve efficiency and potentially change the nature of translators’ work.

AI-driven solutions and workflow automation will continue to accelerate processes, while human expertise will ensure quality and cultural sensitivity. Using the right software can help cut translation costs by 90% stemming from human errors, unnecessary email communication, and time spent on uploading content and searching databases.

Specialisation and Expertise

As the industry becomes more competitive, there is an increased focus on specialisation. Translators and agencies that can offer expertise in specific fields or language pairs will have a competitive advantage. This customisation includes catering language to targeted demographics and respecting cultural intricacies, creating demand for skilled translators who have interest in specific industries.

The legal and financial industries are experiencing growing need for accurate translations of contracts, regulatory documents, and financial reports—essential for international compliance and business operations. Precision translation in highly regulated sectors continues to grow robustly, accounting for nearly a quarter of industry revenue.

Data Security and Confidentiality

As translation services increasingly deal with sensitive information—medical records, legal documents, corporate communications—data protection has become a non-negotiable standard. Language service providers must comply with stringent data privacy regulations such as GDPR, PIPEDA, and industry-specific standards.

Clients now expect encrypted file transfer, secure cloud platforms, and signed non-disclosure agreements as part of standard operating procedures. Agencies that invest in cybersecurity and data handling protocols are gaining a competitive edge. Concerns about AI have heightened, with clients wanting assurances that their sensitive documents won’t be used to train third-party models.

Ethical AI and Inclusive Language

A growing trend in 2025 is the emphasis on ethical and inclusive language. Businesses are increasingly conscious of the social impact of their messaging and require language services that align with inclusive values. Translation providers are expected to understand and apply gender-neutral terminology where applicable, avoid culturally insensitive phrases, and adapt content to diverse audiences.

Canada’s federal government is committed to supporting inclusivity in written documents within the public service. Sustainability is also becoming a core focus, with companies exploring green technologies to reduce the environmental impact of their services, including digital-first workflows that reduce paper usage and carbon footprints.

Addressing Workforce Challenges

The industry may face challenges in meeting growing demand due to shortages of qualified translators. The field can expect to see around 7,200 openings for translators and interpreters each year throughout the decade. Translation and interpreting continue to rank among the fastest-growing professions, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 20% job growth—much faster than average for all occupations.

This could lead to increased efforts in training and recruitment, as well as the development of more efficient workflows combining human expertise with technological solutions. Institutes are increasingly investing in translation studies programmes to cater to demand for skilled and professional translators, conducting translation marathons and practical workshops for hands-on experience.

Canada-Specific Market Dynamics

Official Bilingualism and Quebec’s Language Laws

Canada’s unique position as an officially bilingual country creates sustained demand for translation services. The federal government’s Translation Bureau supports the Government of Canada in serving and communicating with citizens in both official languages, Indigenous languages, foreign languages, and sign languages.

Quebec’s language legislation, including Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language, requires businesses to comply with strict French-language requirements. Companies operating in Quebec must navigate francisation requirements, OQLF registration, and employee-threshold deadlines to obtain francisation certificates. This regulatory environment creates consistent demand for specialised Quebec French (FR-CA) translation services.

Multilingual Customer Support

Over 350 languages are currently spoken in Canada—a number that has nearly tripled since 1980. Companies are investing more in translation services to create marketing materials, websites, and customer support in multiple languages, ensuring their businesses stay current with growing trends in language diversity.

Customers want to see that businesses can support them in their native languages. Multilingual support expands product reach and allows communication between companies and people of various backgrounds, ranging from live chat and over-the-phone support to translated customer support materials.

Indigenous Languages and Accessibility

The Translation Bureau is exploring support that AI can provide for translation into Indigenous languages. This initiative aligns with broader Canadian efforts to preserve and promote Indigenous languages. Inclusivity initiatives, such as expanding sign language interpretation and increasing access to Indigenous languages, are gaining momentum.

Global Expansion Opportunities

Canadian translation companies may increasingly look to expand into international markets. Some companies are already establishing offices in other countries to tap into new markets and language pairs. Asia-Pacific, particularly China, India, and Southeast Asia, is now the fastest-growing region for language services.

Asian markets are rapidly digitising and globalising, demanding both translation into local languages and from local languages into English and other Western languages. English remains dominant—about 49% of all websites are still in English—though its dominance is slipping from around 56% in 2019, with Spanish, German, Japanese, French, and Portuguese carving larger slices of the internet.

Conclusion: Balancing Technology with Human Expertise

These trends and predictions suggest a future where the Canadian translation industry becomes more technologically advanced, globally oriented, and specialised. The industry will need to balance efficiency gains from technology with the irreplaceable human touch in areas like transcreation and cultural adaptation.

Despite the rapid evolution of AI, one fact remains: machines cannot fully replicate human creativity and cultural intuition. The translation and interpretation industry in 2025 will be a blend of innovation and tradition. AI-driven solutions and workflow automation will continue to accelerate processes, while human expertise will ensure quality and cultural sensitivity.

As demand for multilingual content continues to grow across various sectors—including e-learning, e-commerce, and global marketing—Canada’s translation industry appears poised for continued expansion and evolution. Companies that understand the nuances of language—not just the words, but the culture behind them—are the ones that will truly connect with their audiences.

The organisations that thrive in 2025 and beyond will be those that embrace technology, meet compliance standards, and invest in expert human linguists. For language professionals, success lies in adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic positioning—embracing technology rather than fearing it, refining expertise in specialised domains, and proactively seeking opportunities in emerging areas of demand.

Sources and Further Reading

• The Business Research Company – Translation Services Global Market Report
• Government of Canada – Translation Bureau
• Redokun – Translation Industry Trends and Statistics 2025
• Pairaphrase – Translation Industry Trends 2025 Outlook
• Kent State University – Language Translation Industry Trends 2025
• Coherent Market Insights – Multilingual Interpretation Market 2032