A large number of professionals and workers from diverse countries are involved in construction projects, often speaking different languages – translation issues on construction sites are nothing new. 24.2% of employees in the main construction industry hold a foreign passport – the trend is increasing. In 2023, 94,000 construction workers were sent from abroad to Germany. (Main Association of the German Construction Industry e.V. 2024) This diversity of languages can act both as a bridge and as a barrier. Inadequate communication can lead not only to misunderstandings but also significantly prolong the entire project duration. The high proportion of international workers underscores the necessity of overcoming language barriers to ensure efficiency and safety on construction sites.
In this blog post, we address the challenges of communicating with subcontractors and employees from different language backgrounds and explain how modern tools can effectively resolve these issues.
Challenges in Communication on Construction Sites
The construction industry is a sector where many stakeholders – project managers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and workers – come together. Often, not everyone speaks the same language, making clear communication difficult.
Language Barriers on Construction Sites
Language barriers arise when people communicate in different languages. On construction sites, a misunderstanding of plans or safety regulations can lead to budget strains and delays.
Communication Issues with Subcontractors
When subcontractors speak different languages or dialects, misunderstandings can lead to the following:
- Technical terminology: Difficult to translate, can misinterpret construction plans.
- Safety regulations: Misunderstandings can cause accidents.
- Delays: Work needs to be redone.
- Faulty planning: Unclear terminologies disrupt processes.
- Additional time: More time is needed for translations and clarifications.
- Lack of standards: Inconsistent terminology weakens communication.
Solutions for Translation Issues on Construction Sites
Three effective methods:
1. Translation apps and tools
- Google Translate: Many languages, real-time text and image translation.
- DeepL: High translation accuracy for complex texts.
- Valoon: Real-time translation in 50+ languages in WhatsApp – construction-specific vocabulary. (Learn more)
2. Multilingual training and documentation
Make construction plans and safety instructions available in multiple languages.
3. Common language
Introduce English + technical terms as the construction site language.
Conclusion: Effectively Solving Translation Issues
Language barriers delay projects and increase costs. A combination of translation tools, multilingual training, and clear standards ensures efficient and safe processes. With Valoon , time-consuming clarifications are a thing of the past.
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