There are lots of different challenges you will come across during English to French translation and vice versa. If you want to overcome these challenges, you will first need to know the specific problems that may come your way. This will ensure that you make the best of the opportunities of localizing in that language. Since French speakers are found virtually everywhere, it is essential that you know the tips and tricks to translate it most accurately. According to statistics, apart from English, French is spoken on all five continents. There are more than 280 million French speakers and 68 million native speakers all over the world.
Need to know the intricacies
The need to understand beyond the basics of French lies in another most exciting fact. That is, French has its Italic-Roman roots and Germanic heritage, which makes it the principal donor of words to English. Surprisingly, most of the words in the English language has a French connection and influence. Moreover, it has difficult and intricate grammatical structures, which makes it challenging to consider it as a ‘language of reference.’ Therefore, hiring Result Oriented French Translation Services is essential to ensure a broader reach to the audience around the globe, especially for businesses operating on a global scale.
Not one but many
The most significant challenge in English to French translation is that there is nothing called one right French. There are many variations in the French language, depending on the area. This means that the French language is spoken in France, Monaco, Belgium, Canada, the United States, and the Middle East is different from that spoken in the UK, North America, and Australia. The primary difference is in the pronunciation, culture, grammar, terms, names, and formalities. To make it easy for you, identify the specifics, and translate it accordingly. This will prevent you from confusing your audience.
It is a longer language
It is a fact that all languages are not created or translated at equal lengths. When it comes to French translation, the translated documents will have more pages than the source text. This is because French is a longer language. This is because it has more words in a sentence. According to research reports, all French translations are 15 to 20% longer. To overcome this issue, the best way is to prioritize the original documents and messages within it and then translate it. This is where native and professional translators come in handy.
The complex grammar
The styles of grammar in French and English are entirely different. This is due to the multiple language origins of these two languages. The significant differences lie in the syntax despite its similar Subject-Verb-Object order. It is due to the variation in word order that changes the sense entirely. There is also a difference in gender because French is a two-gender language. This means that the nouns have genders assigned and can be either male or female. There may also be a difference in verbs and adjectives. The only way to solve this is to have a careful ear for native grammar.