French is one of the top languages in the world. It’s widely used in many countries, and the number of French speakers is growing rapidly every year. So if you want to offer freelance French translator, now is the best time for you to start and become a professional translator. The business for French translation will never cease, mainly because it’s a prevalent language. Aside from that, the United Nations use French as a working language, which means it’s one of the languages used when conducting official business in the UN.
There are many reasons why being a French translator may be the best career path for you. So if you’re currently studying French to add as another skill, you may use it to hone your career in the future. Here are some of the reasons that can help you decide.
French is the Only Language Aside from English That’s Spoken in Five Continents
Just like the English language, French is also considered a global language. It’s spoken in five continents, and some of the countries in these continents are Canada, Haiti, France, and Madagascar. In total, there are 274 million French speakers worldwide, and it’s expected to grow in the coming years. In addition, about 190 million people use French as a second language, and 274 million use it as a first or second language. Out of that number, 80 million people use French as their native language.
French is Top 6 of the Most Common Language that Internet Users Use
As of 2016, there are about 102 million internet users that use French. Aside from that, about 4.1% of the content from the top 10 million websites is written in French. These numbers will grow as more continents, such as French speakers in Africa, are going online. In fact, most French speakers are coming from 29 countries in Africa alongside their native languages. And over the next decade, French will become the most widely spoken language in Europe.
Ranked the Most Useful Language in Business
Bloomberg ranked French as the third most useful language in business, with English and Mandarin ranking higher. In addition, over 87 different international organizations use French as an official, administrative, or working language. Some of these organizations are the United Nations, the European Union, the World Trade Organization, the Red Cross, FIFA, and more. That’s because it’s one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. And it has become an important language for international businesses, and that’s because the French economy is the sixth-largest in the world.