The electronics industry is extremely international. While China has long been the dominant figure in electronics manufacturing, various issues, including US import tariffs on Chinese goods, have encouraged multinationals to move to other countries, most notably India, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
These moves will have numerous ramifications, and companies will have to make significant adjustments to the way they work. One of the greatest challenges is linguistic; most multinationals have large Mandarin-speaking manufacturing teams. These language skills will become irrelevant if they choose to move manufacturing to a non-Mandarin speaking country. It’s not surprising, then, that translation has become an even more crucial cog in the electrical manufacturing machine than ever. Let’s take a closer look at one of the new hot spots for electronics, Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Electronics Industry
Malaysia is a major producer of consumer and industrial electrical and electronic products, and these industries account for a large proportion of the country’s economy. Though not as prolific as China, multinational companies in the semiconductor, electronics, and technology industry such as Motorola, Toshiba, and OSRAM choose to have their products manufactured, designed, or assembled, packaged, and tested in Malaysia. There are also many homegrown companies that produce electronic products, such as household appliances.
Malaysia began to have a manufacturing presence in the 1970s when Intel, HP, and OSRAM opened manufacturing centers there. Malaysia is home to some of the world’s leading semiconductor design, assembly, and test centers and has lower labor costs than China, Taiwan, and South Korea, making it a popular option for local and international companies.
Malaysia’s Many Languages
Although it is a relatively small country, Malaysia is famous for being multilingual, with speakers of approximately 137 languages calling it home. The national language is Malay, while English, Tamil, and Mandarin are commonly spoken with varying fluency levels, particularly by the younger generation.
Thanks to the country’s multi-ethnic and multilingual nature, Malaysians frequently use non-Malay words, particularly in slang. The popular phrase, emblematic of Malaysia’s mix of cultures, ‘Wei macha, want to makan here or tapau?’ (meaning ‘Hey friend, eat-in or takeout?’) combines four languages in one sentence!
Despite the linguistic prowess of its citizens, if your company plans to expand into Malaysia or manufacture your products in the country, professional Malay translation is the only way to guarantee a high standard of communication with no linguistic misunderstandings.
Translation for the Electronics Industry
In the rapidly growing Malaysian electronic industry, reliable translation performed by experienced, specialized translators is essential to business success. The kinds of documents that need to be translated in this field vary throughout the process of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling electrical goods. Some examples of documents that may need to be translated include:
- Technical specifications
- User manuals
- Export documentation
- Legal documents and contacts
- Quick start guides
- Packaging
- Health and safety information
- Warranty information
- Email correspondence, memos, and meeting minutes
- Software and website content
- Promotional and marketing materials
Why Hire Specialized Translators?
It goes without saying that specific terminology and technical language is frequently used in the design and manufacturing of electronics. Therefore, translators working on this kind of project must be highly knowledgeable about the field and understand all the terminology. Translators should also use translation technology, such as translation memories, that record each company’s preferred terminology and past translations. This allows for accuracy and efficiency every time.
Specialized translators, however, are not only necessary for technical documents but for every step of the process of designing, manufacturing, marketing, and selling electronics. Legal translators will be needed for all legal documents and contracts, for instance, to avoid any costly misunderstandings. Meanwhile, expert marketing translators will ensure your product and brand image is consistent and appealing to the target audience.
Final Thoughts
As more and more companies start to branch out, away from China and into other countries to manufacture their electronics, the demand for translation into languages like Thai and Malay is increasing. While it can be tempting to opt for the cheapest translation service on the market, the value of specialized translation carried out by skilled, qualified professionals cannot be underestimated.
If your electronics company is looking for a trustworthy translation service with experienced translators and efficient project managers, look no further than BeTranslated. Our team will support you with professional insight and top-quality translations from your first inquiry to delivery. Contact us today for more information or a free, no-obligation quote today.
