Translating into French: looking for a translation service?
Before hiring translation services into French, it is advisable to understand the particularities of this language in order to choose the provider that best suits your needs. From its regional variants to grammatical complexities, French presents unique challenges that require specialised attention.
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French variants: how to choose the right one
French is a global language spoken in multiple countries, each with its own linguistic particularities. For example, the French spoken in France differs from that spoken in Canada, Switzerland or various African countries in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and idiomatic expressions. Therefore, you must have a clear idea about which countries the French translation will be used in.
Selecting the right variant is crucial to ensure that the message resonates correctly with the target audience. This is especially important in creative and idiomatic texts, where regional differences are more noticeable, much more so than in the case of technical or scientific texts.
Level of specialisation: general or technical
The texts to be translated can range from general ones to highly technical documents. It is crucial to determine the level of specialisation required for the project. For example, translating machinery manuals, legal documents, or medical texts requires translators with specific knowledge in those fields to ensure accuracy and compliance with the appropriate terminology.
If your text to be translated is very technical, it will be especially important that the translator or translation company handling the project is specialised in that area.
Common errors when translating into French
Some frequent errors in French translation include:
- False friends: words that look similar in two languages but have different meanings; for example, "actuellement" means "currently” in French, not "actually".
- Gender and number agreement: French requires adjectives to agree with nouns in gender and number, which can be a challenge even for native translators.
- Incorrect use of verb tenses: French has a variety of verb tenses that must be used correctly to maintain temporal coherence.
- Typographical errors: French is one of the few languages that includes a space between the word and the colon, semicolon, exclamation mark, etc. It is a common error to copy the writing conventions of the original text, whether German, Spanish, or English, which are languages that do not use this spacing.
Specific challenges in French translation
French translation presents particular challenges, such as:
- Sentence structure: The word order in French can differ significantly from English, requiring careful restructuring to maintain the original meaning.
- Idiomatic expressions: Set phrases or idioms may not have a direct translation and must be culturally adapted to be understandable and relevant to the French audience.
- Formality and language registers: French clearly distinguishes between formal and informal registers, and using the wrong tone can result in inappropriate or even offensive communication.
Checklist for hiring translation services into French
Before hiring a translation company, consider the following aspects:
- Experience and specialisation: Ensure that the translation company has experience in the type of content you need to translate and that it has translators specialised in the corresponding field.
- Quality and review: Check that the company has quality control and review processes to ensure accurate and consistent translations.
- Cultural knowledge: It is essential that translators understand the cultural nuances of the target audience to adapt the content appropriately.
- Adherence to deadlines: Punctuality is vital. Ensure that the company can meet the established deadlines without compromising quality.
- Confidentiality: Confirm that the company has strict confidentiality policies to protect sensitive information.
- Technology and tools: A company that uses Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools can offer greater consistency and efficiency in projects.
By considering these factors and working with a reliable translation company, you can ensure that your French content is accurate, culturally appropriate and effective for its target audience.
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Josh Gambin holds a 5-year degree in Biology from the University of Valencia (Spain) and a 4-year degree in Translation and Interpreting from the University of Granada (Spain). He has worked as a freelance translator, in-house translator, desktop publisher and project manager. From 2002, he is a founding member of AbroadLlink and currently works as Marketing and Sales Manager.
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