“French: A language where even goodbye (Au Revoir) sounds fun!”
Ahh, the French and the English. For centuries, their history has intertwined with each other. But even with cultural and linguistic differences, today, one cannot deny the importance of both languages. English is one of the most spoken in the world, whereas French is one of the most taught languages. Despite several linguistic differences, translations occur regularly between these two languages.
Over the years, France has been a booming place for businesses, with several reputed companies, such as Chanel, Cartier, Capgemini, etc., engaging fruitfully with global audiences. However, they require the assistance of French-to-English certified translation services to provide globally acceptable content. These services help businesses to convert official documents such as contracts, merger agreements, trade licenses, registrations, patents, etc. A certified French translator guarantees the accuracy and validity of these documents, often with a signed statement and seal.
French-to-English translations may seem easy and direct, but the reality is quite different. This blog will explore some linguistic elements that must be considered before translating French to English.
Key Factors to Consider for a Flawless French-to-English Translation
More Words in French? No worries!
Expressing a simple term in English requires a plethora of French words. For example, “please” in French would be translated as “S’il vous plaît.” Several studies conclude that a line in French is about 15-20% longer than its English counterpart. So, while translating documents like certificates and app content, be mindful of spacing issues. It is always better to collaborate with a reputed notarized French translation service before translating this type of complicated document.
Be Mindful of the Complicated Grammar Structure
French is a Romance language that has evolved from ancient Latin, whereas English belongs to the Germanic language group. Nouns in English, like table, chair, and book, are gender-neutral, but French assigns masculine or feminine genders to all nouns. So, the table in French would be la table (feminine), and the book would be le livre (masculine).
Additionally, French has a complicated sentence structure, making it challenging for untrained translators. Hence, professional linguists must be hired to ensure every sentence in translations is grammatically accurate.
French has Several Levels of Formality
French and English differ not only in grammar but also in formality. While English has one level, sir and ma’am, French has different levels, influencing word choice in translations.
For example, you translates to “tu” informally and “vous” formally. Thus, “Hello, what is your name?” in French would be:
- “Bonjour, comment vous appelez-vous?” (formal)
- “Bonjour, comment t’appelles-tu?” (informal)
Not all French Words have English Alternatives!
The Merriam-Webster dictionary adds several new words to the English dictionary every year. However, some of these words do not have a French equivalent. This challenge is encountered while translating some new generation words, like “cancel culture,” highlighting the issue of the continuous evolution of all languages. The solution to address this is shared knowledge for overall growth.
Do you want to explore more about certified French translation services? Then check out this blog: Are French Translation Services a Predicament to Discover?
DO YOU WISH TO HAVE FLAWLESS FRENCH TO ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS?
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Get the Best French Translation Services
As you might have guessed, translating from French to English is not child’s play. It requires careful attention, a meticulous approach, and a vast knowledge of both languages. So, why not leave the job of translation to the professional?
Professionals who?
Well, us, Somya Translators, India’s leading French translation company. For 16 years, we have translated countless documents from French to English.
Some of the translations we offer are:
- Legal Contracts
- Merger Agreements
- Financial Reports
- French Websites
- French E-Learning Videos
- Patient Medical Reports
- Training manuals
- Product Descriptions
- Certificates
And much more.
Other than this, we are also adept at providing exceptional French to Portuguese translations.
So why wait? Reach out to us and establish an enriching presence in the French-speaking region. Together, we can eliminate every language challenge and create endless possibilities.