What Drives Demand for Translation in the US?

In a country as diverse and fast-moving as the United States, communication is everything. But with over 67 million U.S. residents speaking a language other than English at home, the need for clear, multilingual communication is bigger than ever.

What’s fueling the surge in demand for translation services? And how can businesses keep up?

Let’s explore the real factors pushing the growth of translation services in the U.S.—with examples from markets like translation services in Maryland and translation services Portland.

1. Immigration and Demographic Shifts

One of the biggest drivers of translation demand is the growing population of immigrants and multilingual communities.

Maryland Example:

Maryland is the most multicultural state in the nation, with large populations speaking Spanish, Korean, and Amharic. Governmental institutions, hospitals, and schools frequently need translation services in Maryland to translate:

• Legal forms
• Medical instructions
• Public health campaigns

Case Study:
A public health agency in Maryland collaborated with a regional translation agency to translate COVID-19 vaccine information into eight languages. The translation increased vaccination rates among immigrant populations that had previously been excluded because of language limitations.

2. Global Business Expansion

U.S. companies want to sell their products worldwide. But to succeed globally, they must speak the customer’s language—literally.

From websites to product manuals, everything must be localized to make sense culturally and linguistically.

Portland Example:

Tech startups and sustainability brands in Portland, Oregon, are increasingly going global. Translation services Portland help these businesses localize:

• E-commerce websites
• Mobile apps
• Digital ads

Real Example:
A Portland-based eco-product company expanded into Germany and Japan.

• Translate their product listings
• Adapt marketing materials to local preferences
• Update shipping instructions

After localization, they saw a 45% increase in international orders within three months.

3. Federal and State Compliance

Legal requirements also drive the demand for professional translation services.

For many industries—like healthcare, insurance, education, and finance—providing materials in multiple languages isn’t optional. It’s required by law.

Maryland in Action:

Healthcare organizations in Maryland must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which mandates language assistance for non-English speakers.

Hospitals and clinics regularly use translation services in Maryland to translate:

• Patient rights and consent forms
• Discharge instructions
• Mental health resources

This ensures they meet legal standards while improving patient outcomes and reducing liability.

4. E-Learning and Online Education

The rise of remote work and digital learning platforms has opened up new markets around the globe. U.S.-based online educators now have students in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

To effectively support these learners, course content needs to be both translated and localized.

Real-World Example:

An online coding bootcamp based in Portland wanted to offer its program in Latin America. With the help of translation services Portland, they translated their curriculum and subtitled video lectures in Spanish.

The result?

• 3X student enrollment from Latin America
• 20% higher completion rate from translated content
• New revenue stream without extra product development

5. Legal and Immigration Services

Translation is essential for legal processes, especially when dealing with immigration paperwork, court documents, contracts, and asylum cases.

Maryland Example:

Immigration attorneys in Maryland depend on local translation services for fast, certified translations of:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage licenses
• Affidavits
• Court transcripts

Accurate legal translation can mean the difference between a successful visa application and a denied one.

Case in Point:
A Baltimore law firm saw a significant improvement in client outcomes after switching to a certified legal translator. Fewer resubmissions, faster processing, and better communication helped their clients stay on track.

6. Multilingual Customer Support

Today’s customers expect support in their own language—especially in service-heavy industries like telecom, banking, healthcare, and travel.

If they don’t get it, they leave.

Stat to Know:
A study by CSA Research found that 75% of customers prefer to buy from websites in their native language, and 40% won’t buy at all if the information isn’t available in their language.

Portland in Focus:

Tech companies and SaaS firms in Portland often use translation services Portland to localize:

• Chatbots
• Help center articles
• Email campaigns

This builds trust, reduces churn, and improves customer satisfaction across global markets.

7. Localization for Marketing and SEO

Search engines serve local content. If your brand doesn’t translate and localize its marketing assets, you’ll miss out on search visibility in other languages and countries.

Real Example:

A skincare brand in Maryland wanted to grow in the French-speaking markets of Canada and West Africa. By working with translation services in Maryland, they:

• Translated blog posts
• Localized product descriptions
• Created region-specific CTAs and offers

Their French content now drives 30% of their site traffic from new regions—and continues to grow.

8. Rise of Multilingual Cities

Even within the U.S., cities like Portland and Maryland communities are becoming more linguistically diverse.

Businesses must respond by providing services, support, and marketing in multiple languages—not just for overseas customers but for people in their own backyard.

Portland Multicultural Growth:

In Portland, the growth of Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Slavic communities has led local businesses to invest in translated materials—menus, safety signage, training manuals, and digital ads.

Translation services Portland help bridge the communication gap and make these businesses more inclusive and competitive.

Final Thoughts

Translation is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a business essential.

Whether you’re:

• A hospital in Maryland
• A tech startup in Portland
• A national brand going global

…translation helps you reach more people, build trust, and grow your business.

Partnering with regionally experienced providers like translation services in Maryland or translation services Portland ensures your message lands with clarity—everywhere it goes.