For years, Singapore has been one of the most preferred countries to start a business internationally because of its open economy and strategic location. 

According to official data from the World Bank, the GDP of Singapore in 2021 was worth $366.99 billion and is expected to be $340.00 billion by the end of 2022.

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For the tenth consecutive year, Singapore was ranked as the best country for doing business and currently ranks as the third most competitive economy in the world.

The country also has a vibrant startup system, a market opportunity, a skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and most importantly, a business-friendly environment. It has one of the most favourable tax laws in the Asian continent and has Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements with more than 50 countries. 

If you are thinking of expanding your business to Singapore, you will be sure to enjoy various benefits.

Languages spoken in Singapore

Singapore is home to an estimated 6 million people, who come from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

In 2009, it was identified that the country spoke more than 20 languages, reflecting its rich linguistic diversity. 

Malay has official status as the nation’s national language, and it is joined by English, Mandarin, and Tamil as other recognized official languages.

In addition to teaching the four official languages, Singaporean schools also provide instruction in languages such as Indonesian Bahasa, Japanese, Arabic, French, and German.

The most widely spoken native language in the homes of Singaporeans is Chinese Mandarin, followed by Malay, Tamil, and other languages. The country openly promotes multilingualism, indicating that Singapore will always remain linguistically diverse.

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Also read: Languages Spoken In Singapore 

Increase your reach in the Singapore market with translation

If you are looking to expand your business in the Singapore market, translation and localization are the keys to successfully establishing and growing your business.

Reaching people in their native language is the best way to attract new customers for your business and increase brand awareness. By localizing your products and services, you can reach 65% more of an audience. 

Localization also increases brand engagement and, more importantly, boosts your revenue by increasing your sales.

Now that you are aware of the languages used in Singapore and the value of localization, team up with the best translation company in Singapore and begin to adapt your goods and services to the local market.

4. Whizwordz Translation

With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Whizwords is one of the top translation companies in Singapore. 

Their services include 

• Language Translations
• Interpretation
• Vetting
• Editing
• Proofreading
• Transcription
• Desktop publishing (typesetting)
• Voiceover 
• Subtitling

Whizword’s language translation services in Singapore are available in major Asian languages and a few foreign languages. They guarantee affordable prices, dependable services, promptness, high-quality products delivered precisely, and courteous customer support.

5. GTE Localize

GTE Localize was founded in 2017 and is an ISO 9001: 2015 certified company offering B2B translation services for international markets. 

They offer language translation services in more than 100 languages in many different domains, with offices in the United States, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Services offered by GTE Localize:

• Translation
• Localization
• Subtitling

If you’re seeking translation services as an individual, GTE Localize might not be the best choice for you since they exclusively work with B2B clients.

Also read: Top Translation Companies In The UK – How to Choose The Right One?

6. Translated Right

Headquartered in Singapore, Translated Right is one of the leading agencies in the Asia-Pacific region, providing language translation services to businesses as well as individuals.

They guarantee high-quality translations, proofread and verified by their network of editors and in-house grammatical experts.

Services offered by Translated Right:

• Translation
• Transcription
• Proofreading
• Desktop Publishing
• ICA Translation Service
• Notary Public Translation

Translated Right works with 5000+ professional linguists and their language services are available in 50+ languages.

7. ACTC Translation Center

ACTC Translation Center is an ISO 9001:2015 certified translation and interpretation company based in Singapore. They work with over 300 professional translators to provide language services in 40+ languages.

Their services include

• Translation
• Interpretation
• Software Localization
• DTP
  Transcription
• Copywriting

ACTC Translation Center believes in accuracy, communication, timely delivery, and cost-effectiveness.

Also read: Financial Translations – Importance and Best Practices 

8. Lingua Technologies

Based in Singapore, Lingua Technologies has been providing multilingual professional translation services across the globe for over two decades. They have a vast network of translators across the globe and serve a wide range of clients from different industries.

Their services include

• Translation
• Transcription
• Layout and Print
• Interpretation
• Captioning and Subtitling

Lingua Technologies values translation quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery. They can translate any kind of document from one language into another, thanks to their global network of native-speaking professionals.

9. Elite Asia

Elite Asia is a well-known translation agency in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Japan. With its expert translation services, it aids companies in navigating global markets in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

They guarantee to provide error-free translation services in 30+ languages with competitive pricing.

Services offered by Elite Asia 

• Translation
• Localisation
• Interpretation
• Multilingual marketing

To guarantee that proper translations are produced on time, their translation and interpretation services are supported by real-time communication systems and updated multilingual reference materials.

10. Lyric Labs

Singapore-based Lyric Labs has been in business for more than 15 years and is an ISO 9001 and DIN EN 15308-certified translation company. They offer complete translation services to Singaporean companies, organisations, individuals, and government agencies.

Lyric Labs works with a network of more than 1,500 translators and uses advanced tools and technologies to deliver translations. They promise 100% reliability and guarantee it.

Services offered by Lyric Labs

• Translation
• Web and App localization
• Desktop Publishing 
• Audio and Video translation

Lyric Labs provides certified translation for ICA and MOM, business documents, technical translation, translation for training materials, and more.

Also read: Localization & Translation Costs – Breakdown Of Factors Involved

How do you decide which translation company is the right fit for you?

Certain things can be detrimental to deciding on the right translation company for you.

ISO Certification

Look for companies with ISO certification, as they guarantee high-quality services. While most businesses have ISO 9001 certification, ISO 17100 certification is specific to translation services.

 These companies have a robust translation process and ensure quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery of the project.

The process also involves editors and proofreaders, and the translated documents go through a quality assessment to ensure the translations are accurate.

Check with the translation agency and confirm their certification and processes before starting your project.

Languages and services offered

Does the translation agency provide services in the language you are looking for?

What types of language services does the agency offer?

Not all translation agencies provide all types of translation services. Some agencies might only offer translation services, while others offer a broad range of services such as video captioning and subtitling, interpretation, website and app localization, and more.

On the other hand, some translation agencies might offer all these services but in limited languages.

So, it is vital to confirm beforehand the languages and services offered by the company.

Dedicated team and project manager

What is the translation process followed by the translation agency?

Is a dedicated team assigned to your project that takes care of the translation process from start to finish?

It is always beneficial when a dedicated team is assigned to work on your translation project with a project manager. This guarantees a smooth process flow and prevents any important tasks from being omitted.

A dedicated team working on the project ensures effective communication and increased productivity, resulting in the project being completed on time.

Native Translators

It is crucial to pick a translation business that only employs native speakers with a minimum of four years of experience in the subject matter.

A good translation should seem like it was created exclusively for the intended audience. The translations need to be accurate, free-flowing, customized, and appropriate to the audience of your target language. 

Only a native translator with good knowledge of regional nuances can deliver an effective translation without losing its essence. 

Cost

Cost is a crucial factor to take into account when selecting the best translation agency because projects almost always have a defined budget.

However, quality and cost often go together. If you expect superior quality translations at a low price, chances are that the quality of the translations is compromised.

It is usually preferable to spend more money upfront on a high-quality translation than to pay more later on for revisions or to have the translation done from scratch.

Also, check if the translation agency offers free revisions or charges reduced rates for translating repeated segments. Some translation agencies make use of translation memories and other technologies that help the client save money on repeated translations. 

Also read: Reduce Localization Costs: 6 Simple Tried & Tested Ways

Conclusion

With increasing competition in the global market, translation and localization are the keys to establishing your presence in new markets and experiencing international success.

Singapore is one of the most preferred places to start a business, and the opportunities are endless. However, it can also be challenging to reach the people of Singapore if your products and services are not localized.

So, choosing the right translation partner who can help you succeed in the market is essential.

There are benefits and drawbacks to every translation agency. The best translation companies in Singapore can be chosen using this as a guide.

See if we are a good fit for your translation project. Contact us.