In 2004, The Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) supported a series of special events focused on localization and globalization efforts in South America. “We see big opportunities for Latin American translation agencies to play on a bigger role in the worldwide language services business,” says
Don de Palma, GALA board member and president of the market analysis firm Common Sense Advisory. “An educated work force, European language expertise, and time-zone proximity should make many U.S. companies look southward for translation.”

On November 21, 2004, in Rosario, Argentina, GALA sponsored the Jornada Internacional de Traducción (The International Translation Conference), which focused on localization challenges in Spanish-speaking markets. According to María Gabriela Morales of Rosario Traducciones y Servicios and co-organizer of the conference, “This event helped align the needs of language service providers with companies who need those services.” After the Jornada, GALA hosted a networking and information exchange dinner for translation service companies to discuss market complexities and innovative solutions.

On November 23, 2004, the LISE Brasil conference in Florianopolis, Brazil introduced software publishers to the need for professional internationalization and localization. Organizer José Eduardo de Lucca of GeNESS says “Brazil is the sixth software market in the world and around 85% of this software is produced here. Exports are vital to our economy; however, understanding of the process of software internationalization and localization is only rudimentary in Brazil.” As association sponsor of the event, GALA used its prominence and visibility to help promote these ideas to a broad audience of Brazilian companies.

De Palma adds that “companies search everywhere on the planet for innovative solutions, and their search should not be restricted to the North Atlantic.” Support from industry leaders such as GALA will likely help to spread awareness about this burgeoning market.

About GALA
GALA is a fully representative, non-profit, international industry association for the translation, internationalization, localization and globalization industry. The association gives members a common forum to discuss issues, create innovative solutions, promote the industry and offer its clients unique, collaborative value. Currently GALA has over 125 company members from 29 countries.

Laura Brandon is GALA Administrator.