In 1998, two English teachers, Steve Crook and Mark Lister, both living in Madrid, embarked on a journey that would create a future of communication across borders. They joined forces and established Eagle Language Service S.L. with a vision to offer a wide range of language classes taught by experienced teachers in their respective mother tongues. Little did they know that these humble beginnings would pave the way for a successful translation company that would celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The Early Years and Expansion:
Within a short span of two years, Eagle had grown significantly, offering individual and group language classes in French, Portuguese, German, Spanish and English. One of the earliest clients was José Luis Martínez-Almeida, the current Mayor of Madrid. (At this point, we would like to point out that at no time was Ana Botella one of our students, although we did translate the Spanish Olympic bid for the 2020 Games into English and French!)
The business model flourished, and our reputation for high-quality instruction spread. However, it was during this time that clients began inquiring about translation services, recognising the linguistic expertise and attention to detail exhibited by the Eagle team. Encouraged by the poor quality of translations received by their teaching clients, Eagle gradually entered the realm of professional translations, only employing translators who worked into their native languages.
The Shift towards Translation:
As the demand for translation services increased, Eagle seized the opportunity to provide reliable and accurate translations. Our commitment to quality and linguistic proficiency became evident in every project we undertook. It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when translations surpassed language classes in terms of revenue, but it coincided with a surge in franchised teaching academies that often compromised quality. We at Eagle, on the other hand, upheld the commitment to excellence, ensuring that quantity never overshadowed quality.
Establishing Presence and Building Reputation:
In 2005, Eagle made a strategic move by investing in office premises in Malaga, which is today the fastest-growing city in Spain. The company’s growth and reputation for delivering top-notch translations within guaranteed deadlines continued to flourish. In 2007, Eagle achieved a significant milestone, being entrusted with translating the documents for the high-profile hostile takeover bid by Gas Natural for Endesa. Though the court case was ultimately cancelled, we successfully translated six million words before the project concluded. The success of this venture allowed us to further expand, acquiring another office in Lanzarote, where Carmen de Leon, the Senior Project Manager, efficiently manages a significant portion of Eagle’s translation projects.
Eagle Today:
As Eagle Language Service celebrates its 25th anniversary, it stands as a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence in the translation sector. Over the years, the translation industry has undergone remarkable transformations, with technology playing an increasingly prominent role. The emergence of AI translation tools poses a significant challenge. However, our commitment to combining human expertise with technological advancements ensures that translations not only maintain linguistic accuracy but also encompass cultural nuances that automated systems often miss. A look at the recent automated translations for the Spanish Rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU highlights this point.
Looking to the Future:
With 25 years of experience, Eagle Language Service is poised to embrace the opportunities and overcome the challenges of the evolving translation landscape. As the world becomes more interconnected, the need for effective cross-cultural communication will continue to grow. Eagle remains committed to its founding principles of accuracy, cultural sensitivity, reliability and customer-centricity. The team of dedicated translators and project managers positions Eagle to deliver exceptional linguistic solutions to clients across various industries. Here’s to 25 years of translation excellence and countless more to come!
