Making Money

Becoming a Successful Multilingual Voice Actor

Tara Parachuk | August 8, 2023

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Close to 60 percent of the world’s population is multilingual, according to J.C. Richards and T.S. Rogers in their Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching study

As our world continues to shrink and globalization impacts every facet of business around the globe, companies are looking for more than just English voice over. More and more brands are looking to break into non-English speaking markets to expand their reach.

In this article

  1. What is Multilingual? 
  2. 10 Benefits of Being Multilingual
  3. Most In-Demand Voice Over Languages
  4. How to Become a Successful Multilingual Voice Actor
  5. Scenario #1: I Already Speak More Than One Language – How Do I  Find Voice Over Jobs in Multiple Languages?
  6. Scenario #2: I Am Learning a New Language – When Can I Audition for Jobs?
  7. Scenario #3: I Can Speak A Different Language But My Native Accent Can Be Heard
  8. Navigating Different Accents & Languages
  9. About Stella Stocker

In this piece we’ll look at:

  • The most in-demand non-English languages for voice over
  • How to become a successful multilingual voice actor
  • How to find multilingual voice over jobs
  • Knowing when you’re fluent enough to audition for jobs
  • Do accents affect landing voice over jobs in other languages?

First, we need to define what multilingualism is.

What is Multilingual? 

To be multilingual means being able to communicate in three or more languages. Someone who can speak multiple languages is often called a ‘polyglot.’ Bilingualism is the ability to speak two languages. These terms do get mixed around a lot. 

10 Benefits of Being Multilingual

Multilingualism refers to the capacity to communicate in several languages. This ability, while impressive, is not uncommon, particularly in regions of the world where multiple languages coexist in close proximity. Here’s an in-depth look at the benefits of being multilingual:

  1. Cognitive Benefits: Research has shown that multilingual individuals often have advantages in various cognitive tasks. For instance, they may have better problem-solving skills, enhanced memory, and more adaptability in shifting between tasks. Their brains are constantly toggling between languages, which can strengthen cognitive muscles.
  2. Cultural Awareness: Being multilingual often means having exposure to multiple cultures. This can lead to a more profound understanding and appreciation of different worldviews, customs, and traditions.
  3. Economic and Professional Opportunities: Speaking multiple languages can open up a plethora of job opportunities. In a globalized world, businesses value employees who can bridge cultural and linguistic divides.
  4. Emotional Connection: Speaking multiple languages can allow a person to connect on a deeper emotional level with individuals from different linguistic backgrounds. It also provides the ability to consume art, music, literature, and films in their original languages.
  5. Neurological Benefits: Multilingualism can delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. The mental workout of switching between languages and maintaining proficiency in each can be a form of cognitive reserve that protects the brain.
  6. Educational Advantages: Students who are multilingual often have an easier time understanding the structure of languages in general. This can make it easier for them to pick up additional languages in the future.
  7. Challenges of Multilingualism: While there are many advantages, there are also challenges. For instance, a phenomenon called “language interference” can occur, where knowledge of one language can interfere with the efficient use of another. There’s also the continuous effort required to maintain proficiency in multiple languages, especially if they aren’t used daily.
  8. Childhood Multilingualism: Many multilingual people acquire their languages in childhood, growing up in diverse linguistic environments. Children have a remarkable ability to absorb languages, and those raised in multilingual households often become naturally proficient in multiple languages.
  9. Adult Multilingualism: While children are especially adept at learning languages, adults can and do become multilingual too. It often requires more effort and structured practice for adults, but the benefits, both cognitive and cultural, remain substantial.
  10. Degrees of Proficiency: Not all multilinguals have the same level of proficiency in each of their languages. One might be a native speaker in one language, near-native in another, and conversational in a third. It varies based on exposure, usage, and education in each language.

In a world that’s more interconnected than ever, being multilingual is a valuable skill, fostering understanding and collaboration between diverse groups of people. However, it’s not just about the number of languages one knows; it’s about the richness of experience, perspective, and understanding that comes with it.

Most In-Demand Voice Over Languages

So what non-English languages should a company or voice over actor target?

Recently, the team at Voices unveiled the top ten most in-demand non-English languages. They are:

  1. Spanish
  2. French
  3. German
  4. Arabic
  5. Portuguese
  6. Mandarin
  7. Italian
  8. Japanese
  9. Russian
  10. Dutch

It’s also worth noting the top six fastest-growing languages in the world. They are:

  1. French
  2. Arabic
  3. Spanish
  4. Mandarin
  5. Hindi
  6. Urdu

There is also one final language to keep track of, Telugu.

This south Indian language is the fastest-growing language in the U.S. The number of U.S. residents speaking Telugu rose by 86% between 2010 and 2017, according to the World Economic Forum. For U.S.-based businesses and voice actors, this rapidly rising language may be one to target.


Note: While these languages are certainly ‘hot’ right now, Voices voice actors speak over 100 languages. Explore foreign language voice over and see a list of all of the languages Voices voice actors speak.


Another trend that’s rising is multilingual voice acting in general, due mainly to the large opportunity that opens up once a new language is mastered by the voice talent. 

Below, we’ll explain how to become a multilingual voice actor.

How to Become a Successful Multilingual Voice Actor

Becoming a successful voice actor takes hard work, passion, and a set of unique skills that will set you apart from other voice actors in the industry.

One way to distinguish yourself from others in the voice actor community is to highlight any accents or languages you may be able to speak in order to open yourself up to being hired for more jobs.

You may be wondering if it is even possible to be highly successful as a multilingual voice actor, or if you should stick to one language and master that first. Stella Stocker, a multilingual voice actor, shares her experiences of working as a voice actor in both German and English.

Here are three different scenarios you may find yourself in, as a bilingual or multilingual actor.

Scenario #1: I Already Speak More Than One Language – How Do I  Find Voice Over Jobs in Multiple Languages?

If you are a voice actor who can speak more than one language – the possibilities for work increase. You want to let clients know that you are versatile and you can easily do this by making sure you select the different languages you are able to speak on your Voices profile.

But simply saying you can speak another language may not be enough – in the voice over world, clients often have to ‘hear it to believe it.’ It’s critical that you have a demo that showcases the different languages you can speak authentically. Make sure to separate your demos (e.g. if you speak German and English, you will want to have a German and an English demo that are separate from each other).

Make note of the demos that are in a different language by including the language in the title of your demo. For example, on Stella’s profile, she puts (German) beside her German-speaking demos to make it easy for clients to hear exactly what they’re expecting or hoping to – help make it easy for clients to find you!

Scenario #2: I Am Learning a New Language – When Can I Audition for Jobs?

When planning to audition for a job in a different language other than your first language, you want to make sure that you have a great command of the language.

“Watch films in your target language and imitate the accents. Travel to a country where the language is spoken and immerse yourself. It takes years to get to a point where you can sound convincing in a language that isn’t your mother tongue,” advises Stella.

Growing up in different parts of the world, Stella has learned to speak German and English fluently – so, these are the jobs she auditions for. However, having lived in France as well, Stella has a command of the French language, but she recognizes that it’s not enough to book gigs. “The first language I learned to speak was German, quickly followed by English and then some French. However, I am working on improving my French, as it is not yet good enough to work in voice over with,” Stella admits.

Having an awareness of your voice over skill level and fluency in another language is important in being a successful multilingual voice actor, as you want to audition for jobs that are suited for you. Saying you can speak French when you are not fluent, is not the best way to attract clients and build up your reputation as a skilled voice actor.

Scenario #3: I Can Speak A Different Language But My Native Accent Can Be Heard

Stella identifies her natural accent as Received Pronunciation, but because she has lived in various parts of the world (she now resides in London, UK) her native accent is a combination of all of the regions she has resided in.

“I was born in Germany and lived there for six years, then a stint in France, followed by nearly five years in the Congo. Then back to Germany where I finished school and on to the UK to study drama. Then to NYC for a few years and then to Berlin and I’ve been calling London home for six years now. I suppose living in different places makes you adaptable and pragmatic,” she says.

In terms of languages, Stella has a wide range of languages and accents under her belt.

“My mother brought us up to speak Hochdeutsch (High German), which would be the equivalent to Received Pronunciation in the UK. I can speak Swabian (spoken in South Germany). My English is RP and, unfortunately, I am not very skilled at accents. I am currently working on improving my American accent,” she says.

If you are like Stella and have lived in multiple countries and cities around the world, you may be finding that your native accent is a mixture of all the places you have lived – and the result may be a unique-sounding voice. But take it from Stella, “You’re not always required to be accent-free. There are quite a few jobs out there looking for ambiguous accents, etc.,” she says.  

As Stella’s experience points out: you’re likely to find that there is no shortage of opportunities to find voice over work in your native language or accent, as clients are always looking for a ‘new’ sound. It’s just crucially important that, as a voice over artist, you’re honest with your abilities and promote your skills only in languages you feel comfortable working in.

As for Stella, she still does most of her voice over work in English but says that about 20% of the jobs she completes are in German – mostly for commercials and explainer videos. She often goes back and forth between German and English jobs, which can be challenging if recorded all in one session.

It is important as a multilingual voice actor to remain consistent in the language or accent you were hired for and not slip back and forth between languages. Stella’s tip: “I record one language and then take a break, and come back to it afresh to record the other language. Taking an extended break in between is really important.”

Ultimately, if you are a bilingual or multilingual voice actor looking to navigate this realm, you must be persistent and consistent.

“Take every single opportunity to audition for work. When I first started out on Voices, three years ago, it took me around 40 auditions to book the first job. As you’re auditioning you are learning. Your editing gets more refined, you get more ‘likes,’ and eventually jobs. Take part in voice over workshops. It has helped me tremendously. Finally, keep at it, no matter how long it takes. Eventually you’ll book work,” says Stella. And that means you’ll be making money doing voice overs!

About Stella Stocker

Stella Stocker is a professional actress and voiceover artist living in London, UK. She is bilingual (English, German) and grew up in Germany, France, and the Congo. Having trained in the UK and the US, she is acting in film, TV, short films and on stage and has a passion for period drama. Stella loves to be challenged and has an inquisitive nature. She has been working in the voiceover industry for ten years and has voiced commercials, corporate films, short films, documentaries, and characters in video games. Her voice is versatile with a broad age range from late teens to mid-forties. Her natural accent is RP (Received Pronunciation). You can find her online at stellastockervoice.com or stellastocker.com.

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Comments

  • Avatar for George Pendergrass
    George Pendergrass
    July 31, 2018, 2:46 pm

    To whom it may concern:
    I legitimately desire to use my voice in a variety of voice-over work situations.
    This is an interesting time in my life. I have experience as a professional singer, actor and a recording studio artist. I have done a few voice-over jobs. However, I have always wanted to get deeper involved as a voice-over specialist, doing voice-overs for a myriad of occasions. However, I never connected with the right people and I was always lead to believe it would be too difficult to get started or to afford the equipment needs and requirements of this type of work.
    If you have any insight on what I can do to get started in this industry I would greatly appreciate it.

    Reply