French English Translation Botches

By: Armando Riquier
Submitted: 2008-04-15 00:56:02
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It is no wonder why many website owners are getting their sites translated into French considering that there are roughly 128 million people in the world who speak this international language. In addition to France and Canada, French speakers also come from Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, in Europe. They come from Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco and Algeria in Africa. They also come from Vietnam and Cambodia in Asia, and the list could go on. Whether the web pages are those of a not-for-profit organization or of a business engaging in e-commerce, French English translation services are useful in reaching a considerably larger part of the world population.

The Price Considerations

Most web pages were uploaded to be viewed by as many people as possible. However, price is definitely a concern for owners who simply can't afford the costs that interpretation and translation can bring forth. How can these webmasters participate in the exchange of information with French speaking visitors?

The Available Choices

A site that does not participate in e-commerce or isn't related to a non-profit organization, may only require translation of certain of its sections. They may be pages that the owners of the site consider very informative and important. This is one way to save some money on French English translation projects. Also, there are a few free services that are available for non-commercial sites, and there are student translators who need experience to complete a practical. Freelang.net is one such place where assistance is available for brief, non-commercial translations for free. If the site boasts of heavy traffic, a webmaster shouldn't take chances with low cost or free French English translation services because they have a higher probability of being tainted by errors.

The Botches

French English translation, like any other language translation work, can be involved and complex because some words and phrases simply can't be directly translated. For example in French, there's an familiar and unfamiliar way of addressing people in place of the word 'you', which has two 'forms': 'tu' and 'vous'. Consequently, the verbs 'tutoyer' and 'vouvoyer' have no real immediate translation in English. Dictionaries often simply define one as being the familiar address and the other as the unfamiliar. But, this isn't always readily grasped by English speakers learning French, especially beginners. Experience teaches the mature French English translator to simply describe instead of define. 'Tutoyer' could simply indicate being on a first name basis and 'vouvoyer' as not being on a first name basis. Some common French English translation blunders can even be seen in names. The first name of the famous soccer player, Michel Platini, has been confused with the American female name of 'Michelle'. Goofs don't only occur when English speakers attempt to translate to French, but also when French speakers translate to English. In a  French Bed and Breakfast, an American citizen observed a sign reading: "The genuine antics in your room come from our family castle. Long life to it." Once the decision has been made to procure French English translation services, an evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of available choices has to be made.

Armando Riquier has many years of experience writing, translating and working with Tectrad, a company specialized in translating finance, legal and corporate matters. Maintain an excellent image with your investors, shareholders and foreign customers through quality French English translation of all your documents.

Article source: Expert Articles

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