I was informed today of a religious book that has been translated into 77 languages, and it got me to thinking...which industry uses the most translators? Is it religion? Surely the Bible is the champion for being translated into the most languages. Is that an indication that translators of religious materials are busiest? Or is it commerce, with its many and daily international transactions? Or is it sales material? Or maybe publishing, to keep popular publications, like the Harry Potter books, moving?
Actors go to Hollywood, and carpenters move to where there's a housing boom. Where should a translator turn to find the most work, over the long haul? Which pays off best: an emphasis on literary material, or a niche position with a particular technical jargon? I'm sure that professional translation services would tell a different story than publishing houses.
Let me know what you think.
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