According to the United Nations, over seven thousand different languages are spoken by the estimated eight billion people in the world. In the United States alone, there are over 350 different languages spoken with a net population of about 335. The latest data from the Migration Policy Institute from 2016 showed that only 60% of 64.7 million Americans who speak a foreign language at home were fluent enough in English to successfully interact with others. The incredible linguistic diversity that exists in the U.S. and around the world requires both sufficient investment in language services as well as effective regulation by the appropriate regulatory authorities. Let’s learn more about the world of packaging translation services!
Packaging Translation Regulations From The FDA
The pharmaceutical industry has an acute need for packaging translation. Because the misuse of certain products has the potential to severely impact a person’s health or life, packaging for these products is strictly regulated. In the 1970s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created packaging regulations to better serve America’s consumers. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA created CPG Sec 562.400, Foreign Language Declarations on Food Labels in 1973. Revised in 1995 and again in 2016, the policy states that food and beverage labels that fall under under the act need to be translated into different languages to expand accessibility to consumers who do not speak English as a primary language. Therefore, investing in translation and localization services for your product packaging labels is much more than just practicing brand management. It facilitates inclusion and expands a company’s customer base.
Packaging Translation And The Markedness Model
In accordance with regulations similar to those of the FDA, some of the world’s most well-known companies use multilingual packaging to attract customers from around the world. Apple, Microsoft, and PepsiCo are just some of the many global holding companies that prioritize package localization to accommodate every major consumer language base in the regions to which they provide products and services. This is in accordance with the sociolinguistic theory of the Markedness Model, which refers to the interactional strategy of selling marked and unmarked language package labels to best target different markets. Consumers are more likely to buy products with labels that best fit the unspoken cultural rules of their linguistic environment. Global companies that follow this principle have historically been able to successfully expand their brand internationally and become household names with the help of business translation services.
Translation Services From An Experienced Provider
With over 30 years providing professional marketing translation services, Language Connections is the perfect fit for your business. Whether you need help creating bilingual packaging labels or even trilingual lists of ingredients for your skincare line, we do it all! Because of our large network of professional translators, we are proud to provide services in over 100 languages. Request a quote today to start the process of successfully getting your product labels translated in compliance with government regulations.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
Language Connections Inc.
2001 Beacon Street, Suite 105,
Boston, MA 02135
Phone: +1-617-731-3510
Email: service@languageconnections.com