Problems in English To French Translation

By: Armando Riquier
Submitted: 2008-03-31 17:06:32
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English to French Translations can pose enigmas rarely found with other language combinations. Acquainting oneself with these difficulties so as to easily surmount as many of them as possible is therefore sound advice.

A Universal Language

The first step to overcome obstacles in producing a good English to French translation job is to gather enough information about and educate oneself with the French language. The number of French speaking persons (Francophones) is thought to be close to 128 million, residing on 5 continents. Such valuable statistics, although not all-inclusive, uncovers a good deal about the actual speakers, that is to say, the fact that diverse customs and forms of living are seen within the French-speaking population. While all of these cultures display several signs of influence from France, their traditions remain different. A great example of the mix and separation of cultures is viewed in the fact that a majority of French natives are affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church. While in contrast, Islam is definitely the major religion of North Africa, where French is the usual second language.

The Linguistic Mix

A linguistic mix of tongues has originated from the merge of the French way of life with those of other countries, giving birth to a diversity of dialects. So looking at the fact that Francophones are represented over 5 continents, the people who need some English to French translations should keep in mind that their targeted audiences may come from Asia, Europe, Africa, or South America. This means that the election of dialect is vital for the translation to really 'grad' the people for which its destined.

European French and Québécois

Some problems of English to French translation appear even dealing with francophone cultures that are alike such as those of the province of Québec, Canada and France. 'Québécois' is the common term for the French language in Québec. It is one of various dialects whose speakers have displayed great determination in the promotion of the practice of French in the face of the very dominant English language. Even so, their tenacity could not stop the creation of a merger of French and English called 'Franglais'. Therefore English to French translation jobs for the Canadian public had better conform to this region's specific dialect. The same fusion of language can also be witnessed in northern Africa where French vocabulary has settled into Arabic and Arabic into French.

To really make it businesses need credibility toward the people constituting their markets. Accordingly, English to French translation should not be committed merely to anyone, instead constant attention must go into every bit of work requiring a translation. This is always the case with translation between language combinations involving mass numbers of speakers. However, how should company directors be counseled when they don't know the specifics of their audience? What type of French should be selected to have a 'standardized' translation that works for a majority of audiences? It is usually considered that the French language of France, particularly the one used around Paris, is 'standard'. Therefore, this is the 'dialect' students learn in schools and universities around the world and the one to make use of to produce a 'neutral' English to French translation if needed.

Armando Riquier is a long experienced translator and writer who works with Tectrad, a professional translation agency. Find out how Tectrad can contribute to your sales with quality English French translations.

Article source: Expert Articles

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