Navigating the Challenges of the Language Industry

An Interview with Roza of Verbika Translations 

In the dynamic world of language services, adaptability, communication, and collaboration are key to success. Roza, co-founder of Verbika, embodies these qualities, having built a thriving translation company from the ground up since its inception in 2021.  

In this candid interview, Roza shares her journey into the language industry and the value of strong partnerships like the one she has with Argos Multilingual. From managing tight deadlines on complex projects to navigating the evolving landscape of machine translation and post-editing, Roza offers thoughtful perspectives on what it takes to succeed in a rapidly changing industry. 

Participants:  

Roza Movsisyan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Verbika Translations 

Paola Mormandi, Supply Chain Manager, Argos Multilingual 

Stephanie Harris-Yee, Global Marketing Director, Argos Multilingual 

The Interview 

Stephanie: Roza, can you tell us a little about your company, yourself, and your role in the language industry? 

Roza: Sure! I co-founded Verbika in 2021 with my business partner, Nina. While our company is quite young, both of us have nearly a decade of experience in the translation industry. I’ve always loved this field, and that passion drove me to start the company. 

Stephanie: That’s exciting! How did you get started in the language industry? 

Roza: It was a bit by chance. My background is in business, but years ago, I joined a translation agency as a sales and marketing manager. I quickly fell in love with the industry. My role involved a lot of travel, attending conferences, and meeting new people—it was an exciting introduction to the field. 

Stephanie: How long have you been collaborating with Argos, and how did the partnership begin? 

Roza: We started working with Argos almost from the beginning of Verbika in 2021. I met Dominic from your team at a conference in Bratislava, and we began collaborating on Greek translations, which is one of our main focuses. Over time, we expanded to other languages, and the partnership has grown steadily since then. 

Stephanie: That’s great to hear. What aspects of the collaboration do you find valuable or unique? 

Roza: I really appreciate the straightforward communication, especially with the vendor team. It’s clear and efficient, which helps a lot. One thing I’d love to see more of in the future is video meetings for certain accounts—it’s always nice to connect face-to-face for better understanding and collaboration. 

Stephanie: Have there been any particularly memorable or challenging projects you’ve worked on with us? 

Roza: Yes, last December was incredibly challenging. We received large batches for 10 new projects, totaling half a million words across many languages, with a very tight deadline around Christmas. Despite the holiday crunch, our team worked tirelessly and delivered everything on time. It was tough, but we were proud of the result. 

Stephanie: That’s impressive! Amazing work on that. 

Roza: Thank you! It was definitely one of the most challenging projects we’ve handled. 

Stephanie: What are some of the biggest challenges you see in the language services industry overall? 

Roza: Machine translation and post-editing are big challenges. Rates are often very low, which means we have to negotiate with translators who are already struggling with inflation and economic challenges. Many refuse to work on post-editing projects because they require just as much time as traditional translation but for less pay. It’s a difficult balance to strike. 

Paola: That’s a challenge we face on our side as well. It’s important to find a solution that works for both freelancers and clients while maintaining quality. 

Stephanie: How do you see the industry evolving in the next few years? 

Roza: The industry is changing rapidly, with more focus on AI and technology. I think it will become more like an IT-driven industry rather than the traditional translation field we’ve known. To survive, companies need to adapt quickly by diversifying services and embracing new tools and solutions. 

Stephanie: What strategies are you using to adapt? 

Roza: We are proactively adapting by supporting companies in creating AI-driven localization strategies that enhance efficiency and scalability. To make sure teams are fully prepared to leverage these advancements, we are investing in developing training programs designed to equip employees with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with AI tools and technologies. Additionally, we are engaging in partnerships with leading AI companies to develop innovative solutions and integrate AI technologies into translation workflows, enabling smarter, faster, and more reliable localization processes. 

Stephanie: That sounds like a solid plan. How does Argos support your growth and work as a language partner? 

Roza: Argos is one of our main clients, and we’ve dedicated two project managers to the account. That level of collaboration is a big deal for a small company like ours. It’s definitely a win-win partnership, and we hope to continue expanding our work together. 

Stephanie: What do you think makes for a strong partnership in the language services industry? 

Roza: Good communication is key. Having dedicated points of contact on both sides makes a big difference. Support with technology, like floating licenses for MemoQ, would also be helpful, especially for smaller agencies working with specific tools. 

Stephanie: What’s the most interesting or unexpected thing you’ve learned in your career? 

Roza: I love the sense of community in this industry. Meeting people from different cultures at conferences and learning from their experiences is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. 

Stephanie: Do you have any funny or unusual career stories? 

Roza: Once, I couldn’t get into my Airbnb after a late flight and ended up spending the night on the streets in Bucharest until a kind taxi driver helped me find a hotel at 4 AM. It was stressful at the time but definitely memorable! 

Stephanie: Wow, that’s quite a story! 

Roza: Yes, travel always brings surprises, good and bad. 

Stephanie: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the language industry? 

Roza: Be prepared for challenges, and focus on offering unique services that help translation companies succeed. Diversifying beyond just translation is essential in today’s market. 

Stephanie: Any final thoughts or feedback about our partnership or the industry? 

Roza: I’m happy with our collaboration and always open to feedback on how we can improve. It’s been great working with Argos, and we look forward to continuing to grow together. 

Paola: Thank you so much for your time and insights, Roza. We truly value your partnership. 

Roza: Thank you as well! It’s always a pleasure. 

Stephanie: Thanks again, Roza. Have a great evening! 

Roza: You too!  

Roza Movsisyan 

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Verbika Translations 

Verbika