Embracing linguistic diversity in the digital age

The internet is used by people who speak many different languages. However, content in widely spoken first languages still strongly influences what users prefer and how they behave online. To make sure the European Union’s digital space stays inclusive and reflects its rich variety of languages, developing and using automated translation tools is more important than ever.

A recent study conducted in six European countries found that 59% of web users prefer content in their most preferred language for web browsing—usually their native language, which is most often the official state language—rather than English, the widely considered lingua franca of the web. Moreover, many users, especially older individuals, are more likely to abandon a webpage if it is not available in their preferred language. 

The survey also revealed that users consider it especially important for the following types of websites to be available in their most preferred language:

- News websites (65%)

- Governmental websites (54%)

- Health and medical websites (48%)

- Ecommerce websites (44%)

- Social networking websites (43%)

- Financial or banking websites (42%)

To stay competitive and inclusive, websites and content creators must prioritize high-quality content in both local languages and neighboring countries' languages. This multilingual strategy helps them connect with more users, improve engagement, and ensure everyone can access their digital spaces regardless of language preference.