It has always been relatively easy to find articles like this one, and the article below from TIME, on the web. However, the difference in more recent months seems to be the number of authors outside of the translation industry who are weighing in on the subject of website globalization and translation.

"The view that it's OK to get by in English has changed, even between business-to-business companies. Companies are starting to use translation as a competitive edge," said John Yunker, co-founder of Byte Level Research LLC in San Diego and author of Beyond Borders: Web Globalization Strategies.

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"Should people care about translation? Absolutely. Global trade is exploding," said Ron Rogowski, who now covers Web globalization at Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester Research Inc. "Companies are looking outside their home markets to grow revenues and get to new customers and also to do things like improving cost efficiency, which comes from outsourcing. When you're disseminating information, the importance of getting it right is critical."

Translation memory technology facilitates “recycling” template content that is duplicated between client documents. It is NOT machine translation. Rather, it is a productivity tool used by translation professionals. McElroy has traditionally used the industry leader Trados® for TM technology to ensure consistent quality and decrease client translation costs whenever possible. Unique translation memories are maintained for McElroy clients.

I decided to post these two excerpted invterviews on expanding your business into Japan, and the Japanese culture, as well as a good up-to-the-minute site that answers specific questions about all things Japanese. In spite of the fact that the media is saturated with all things related to doing business with China and India, Christos Fotiadis reminds us that Japan still has the second-largest economy in the world. This important fact may not make you want to rush out and buy those "Japanese in fifteen minutes" CD-ROMs then hop on the next plane to Tokyo, but it could be enough to reconsider your priorities in terms of what languages you want to translate your website into. A Japanese translation of your website is as much a viable option and important consideration as it was five years ago.

Why Japan first?

Japan is the second-largest economy in the world. Any company that wants to call itself a global company must have an answer in Japan. They’re an attractive market as much as here in the U.S. or in Europe because of how much they culturally embrace technology. Software aside, they create the most amazing uses for technology that I’ve seen. They evolve any particular use or application of technology to the ultimate degree.

What resources have been helpful for you in Japan?

JETRO is a wonderful resource. There are a couple of books including “Say Yes to Japan” and “Japan Unmasked”. From an American or western perspective, it gives some great insight into things that helped me from stepping into it. I think what I’m doing is normal by American standards. When I get there, I want to mold into the Japanese culture.

I don’t want to try to change them beyond what they are willing to accept. I think this is where my Greek upbringing helps me.

In Japan, respect and doing things a certain way is a big deal. As a kid, I learned respect via the old-school method my parents taught us. It reminds me of the Japanese ways, too. That topic in particular is important in Japan and people expect that. It became an easy transition for me. You have to be genuinely engaged and do it not just because the business demands it but because you have to like it, too.

McElroy Webmaster regularly dives into technical research as McElroy encounters new challenges and explores new opportunities. This year he has moved toward a more active role in direct communication with clients who appreciate the depth of technical understanding that Evan brings to their projects. Evan suggested a “Tech Talk” E-Buzz feature that he will author every other month. Thanks Evan!

Since May, I’ve watched my role here at McElroy become increasingly people-oriented. I am meeting prospects at conferences, talking directly to clients and discussing potential projects with prospects. For this first article on website translation technology, I thought it would be useful to provide a general overview of the technology landscape as it exists in the minds of non-website translation industry businesspeople I’ve spoken to since getting out from behind my computer.

Not every company that markets overseas needs their website translated, but most of them do, and would discover vastly improved relations with their buyers.