Nothing lost in translation

It is estimated that there are more than seven thousand living languages in the world today. Exyte alone has a cornucopia of culture, with more than 80 nationalities represented across the global team. While the corporate language is English, Exyte’s roots are German - with a firm foothold across Europe. Since the 1990s, the company has been active in Asia and in the United States. It is here, in the state of Texas, that we meet Brian Wofford. As a Construction Manager in the data center business, Wofford coordinates teams and ensures complex technical work happens safely and on schedule. But with a multicultural workforce where Spanish is often the dominant language, clear communication cannot be assumed or left to chance.

“Communication is one of the most important aspects of my job and indeed, for Exyte projects in general,” he begins. “You need to know everyone is on the same page, that everyone has understood and been understood at all times. Without that, nothing works.”

Expecting every employee to speak multiple languages fluently is not especially realistic. However, what is realistic are translation apps and tools. Just a decade ago, online translators existed but were slow and often unreliable, or worse, factually inaccurate. This led to – you guessed it – things getting lost in translation. Today, though, these tools are indispensable. Real-time apps, such as Exyte’s embedded Microsoft 365 tool, Copilot, allow Wofford to translate instantly. “It keeps people safe. It keeps the job moving on schedule. And honestly, it helps us be one team no matter what language we speak.”