The average smartphone user has ten applications installed[1]. Users go shopping with them and the apps provide motivation while they are jogging as well as adjust the temperature in their bedroom. When launching an application on the market and into the clients’ lives, you should support them in their native languages. Why? Because it pays off.
Did you know that, in 2020, Android users downloaded 108.5 billion mobile applications[1]? Every third person uses them in Poland and, according to indications, these numbers will grow[2].
English is the leading language among mobile applications, and it would seem that many Polish people speak it well enough to use an application without facing any problems. Meanwhile, research conducted by the Polish Central Statistical Office shows that only 30% of Polish people know English on a communicative level[3]. On the other hand, the Office for Electronic Communications reports that “most Internet users have mobile access to it on their phones (91.2%)”[4].
Conclusions? Almost every person in Poland aged 15+ has a phone on their person, but only one in three speaks English well. When you plan to enter the market, you should make sure you have your application translated into Polish to gain the customers’ favour and increase sales.
When analysing the statistics, bear in mind Polish expatriates. According to the estimations, as many as 4.5 million Poles live abroad[5]. They create a large group of mobile applications users as well.
Mobile apps are no longer just entertainment, social networking sites, and games. They move into our everyday lives more and more often – controlling an air conditioner and even a washing machine from your smartphone is now possible. Manufacturers of audio and video devices and household appliances equip their products with applications that offer incredible possibilities. However, most of them remain beyond the users’ reach as even the most user-friendly interface won’t replace the users’ native language. In general, application users, who are forced to use a foreign language, only use the basic functions and do not benefit from the full functionalities of devices or programs.
Whether a mobile application is translated or not now has a decisive impact on the purchase decision regarding a vacuum cleaner, oven, or TV set. We are more likely to shop in our native language than in a foreign language, and the same applies to the subscription of services. The language version of the mobile application has a direct impact on sales, builds trust in the brand, and makes it more possible to succeed in foreign markets.
Global brand applications are systematically translated into Polish, Dutch or Swedish. However, there is still a lot of work to be done.
As an example, let’s take a look at Strava – a popular in Poland sports application. Cycling and running enthusiasts are especially fond of it. In 2020, Poles covered a total of 3.3 million km, measured in English. The press office of the application manufacturer does not say how many Strava users there are in Poland. We know nothing about translating the application into Polish as well. So far, it is available in 12 languages, including Portuguese and Dutch[1].
Krawaty do włosów (hair ties, but the Polish word “krawat” means a man’s elegant garment) and karma dla studentów (students’ food, but the Polish word “karma” means dog or cat food) are just examples of how one of the e-commerce giants has the names of its products translated. Automated translation is sometimes amusing, but it can also mislead the user (especially in user manuals) or discourage the user with vocabulary that sounds artificial. Localising the translation will help prevent such errors. When you plan a foreign language version of a mobile application, use the services of an experienced translator who will provide the correct translation in terms of linguistics and adapt it to the culture of a given country and specific traits of the market.
I am at your service if you are looking for a translator who will make your mobile application understandable and adapted to the cultural context. I provide 100% human and error-free translations that will help you win the hearts of your mobile application users.
[1] https://mobiletrends.pl/raport-przecietny-uzytkownik-korzysta-30-aplikacji-miesiecznie-10-dziennie/, viewed on July 26, 2021.
[2] https://www.telepolis.pl/wiadomosci/prawo-finanse-statystyki/google-play-store-2020-pobrane-aplikacje-przychody, viewed on July 26, 2021.
[3] https://next.gazeta.pl/next/7,163022,27035256,co-trzeci-polak-korzysta-z-aplikacji-mobilnych-69-procent-z.html, viewed on July 26, 2021.
[4] https://www.polishexpress.co.uk/tylko-niecale-30-proc-polakow-zna-jezyk-angielski-w-stopniu-komunikatywnym-polacy-na-potege-klamia-w-cv, viewed on July 26, 2021.
[5] https://www.money.pl/gielda/uke-92-9-polakow-korzystalo-z-telefonu-komorkowego-70-5-z-internetu-w-2019r-6479674512459393a.html, viewed on July 26, 2021.
[6] https://businessinsider.com.pl/finanse/makroekonomia/na-emigracji-zyje-10-proc-polakow-w-europie-malo-kto-nas-przebija-w-tej-kategorii/j7kzxw4, viewed on July 26, 2021.
