5 Surprising Facts That Show Why French Translation Is Essential

French is one of the most critical languages in the world. As a result, French translation services are in high demand. CBC News reported recently that St. John’s International Airport in Canada decided it needed better French translation after being fined for mistranslated French messages and signs. French is also essential for international businesses. In 2011, a Bloomberg Rankings report named French as the 2nd most powerful foreign language for businesses (not including English). Here are five facts that show why:

 

French Translation Fact #1: 300 Million Speakers

Currently, there are over 300 million French speakers in the world. People fluent in French are commonly referred to as “Francophones.” Approximately 40% of francophones live in Europe. Additionally, 20% of EU citizens report knowing how to speak French, making it the third-most-understood language in the continent.

 

French Translation Fact #2: French Is Official

In 29 countries, French is recognized as an official language. Many of them are former French colonies. For example, in addition to France, French is an official language in the countries of Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Congo, Mali, and Senegal.

 

French Translation Fact #3: It’s Spoken In The U.S.

It’s interesting to know that some states in the U.S. have native speakers of a French dialect. Francophones can be found in Louisiana, Vermont, Michigan, Maine, North Dakota, Missouri, and Massachusetts. French is also spoken in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

 

#4. French Was Not The Original Language In France

Before French became the official language of France, the nation spoke Latin. Most locals did not speak French until after the French Revolution ended in 1799. This is surprising considering that the French Academy, the council that governs the use of the French language, was founded in the 1600s, long before the government decreed that French be the country’s official language.

 

#5. French Language Day

UN French Language Day is observed annually on 20 March. The United Nations celebrates six “Language Days” each year, dedicated to the six official languages of the United Nations: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

 

French Translation Services at Language Connections

Are you looking for language translation services? The French translation team at Language Connections consists of trained linguists who provide exemplary professional translation and interpreting services. We translate and interpret both from and into French. Our French specialists come from diverse backgrounds and are experts in their subject areas so that we can complete the projects perfectly in most industries. If you have any questions about French medical translation, technical translation, legal translation, or others, please reach out.

 

 

 

5 Languages That Require Localization Services The Most

Investing in translation and localization services for local languages is the secret weapon for effectively marketing to global target audiences.

According to CSA Research, 75% of consumers are more likely to buy products from websites in their native language. However, determining which languages to translate content into can be difficult.

Let’s take a closer look at five languages you should definitely find a localization provider for if your organization intends to spread internationally.

 

Localization Services In English

It is without a doubt that English is the most spoken language in the world. It is used in 94 countries by 339 million native speakers. In addition, it is the de facto language of the United States and an official language of Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and several other countries, making it an essential language for business owners.

Because English is the language of pop culture and science, it is an unstoppable force on the Internet. In fact, English is used on 53% of all websites. Therefore, if you’re aiming for an audience that frequently uses electronic devices, make sure to translate your content into English.

 

Localization Services in Mandarin Chinese

According to Ethnologue, one in six people in the world speaks Chinese.

China has emerged as one of the world’s most crucial e-commerce markets. E-commerce sales share increased significantly from around 24.5% in 2021, a significant driver of the country’s retail economy. E-commerce retail sales are expected to reach $3.99 trillion USD by 2026.

That’s why it’s so important to improve your global business brand by investing in Chinese translation.

 

Localization Services in Spanish

Spanish occupies an important place in the United States. There are more than 53 million Hispanic people. Considering the U.S population of about 329 million, this comprises 16% of American consumers. According to Pew Research Center, 78% of Spanish speakers go online frequently on mobile devices, desktops, and laptops.

Investing in website advertising localization and Spanish translation will allow you to tap into the vast Spanish-speaking market in the U.S. and abroad.

 

Localization in German

Did you know that Germany has the most extensive online market in Europe? Germans are very open to global products, though they lean slightly toward European ones.

They are also very well-educated consumers, researching other similar products and features before purchasing anything.

For businesses looking to go that extra mile and have a competitive edge, hiring a German translation agency will help you be a success in the German market.

 

Localization In Portuguese

Portuguese is the second most spoken language in Latin America, behind Spanish. Around 215 million people speak Portuguese in Portugal, Brazil, and parts of Africa.

Brazilians spend a lot of money on electronics and beauty products, as Brazil has one of the world’s largest beauty product markets. Furthermore, Brazilian e-commerce is growing in popularity. It is necessary to provide web pages in Portuguese.

To make a good impression on potential customers worldwide, translate and localize your marketing content, including website localization, video translation, or even phone interpretation.

Language Connections are willing to help improve your company’s credibility and Influence in foreign markets with their native languages.

 

 

4 Successful Ads Helped By Marketing Translation

Effective translation does not just involve the word-by-word transformation of one text into another language. Businesses must create marketing campaigns and advertisements for international markets using localization services to adapt content to fit the cultural context of target markets. Here’s why hiring a language services provider is always a wise choice for global organizations.

 

Marketing Translation Case #1: De Beers

De Beers Group is an international business that specializes in diamonds. In 1993, the company decided to enter the Chinese market; a market with limited experience with diamonds. Therefore, De Beers created an ad campaign that called for the Chinese translation of its slogan, “a diamond is forever.”

 

After half a year of competition, a sentence from a university professor was selected for the Chinese version of the slogan: “zuan shi heng jiu yuan, yi ke yong liu chuan”. This localized version of the De Beers motto was heavily promoted in advertisements and became the most classic slogan in mainland China.

 

The Chinese slogan not only conveys the meaning perfectly but also accords with traditional Chinese values. Most importantly however, the successful advertisement allowed De Beers to enter the Chinese market and brought greater acceptance of diamond culture among Chinese consumers.

 

Marketing Translation Case #2: After Bite

A catchy slogan is one of the best ways to allow consumers to understand your brand. After Bite cleverly adapted its motto for the Spanish market by using the rhyming phrase, “te pique el insecto que te pique”

 

Case #3: KFC

Brands always look to language translation services when it comes to localizing their marketing campaigns.

 

KFC is one of the largest fast-food restaurant chains. Its Group Meals campaign in India encourages people to order more KFC food. However, there are more than 1,600 languages in India. How did KFC make this advertisement known to more people?

 

Finally, KFC chose to use localized voiceovers and changed the text in the video while the ad remained the same creatively. In total, there were six different versions of the same advertisement targeted based on location, which undoubtedly brought massive success to the fast-food king.

 

Case #4: Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign is also a brilliant example of localization. Just like KFC’s campaign, Coca-Cola also maintained the ad’s creative idea but changed the text for different markets.

 

Whereas bottles in the US said Share a Coke with John, Sarah, or Bobby, in Ireland, they chose Irish names such as Aoife and Oisín. Perhaps the best example came from China, where Coca-Cola used words like “classmate” or “close friend”, as it’s impolite to address anyone by their first name in China.

 

History has shown several ads and marketing campaigns succeeded because companies care about local languages and cultures. Investing in a professional marketing translation and localization agency will help your business succeed in the global market.

 

 

 

8 Hilarious Advertising Translation Fails

Every brand wants to go global and expand into foreign markets. One of the most vital things is to invest in marketing translation and localize campaigns to fit your organization’s target markets. Slogans are always an effective way to let consumers know about a company. However, even crafting a simple slogan can prove difficult without help from language service providers, especially when dealing internationally. LSPs can help companies understand the local culture, habitats, and languages to create successful marketing campaigns in these countries. Here are some funny examples of advertising translation fails.

 

Car Manufacturers Need Accurate Advertising Translation

It seems that car companies struggle the most with marketing campaigns. Many prominent manufacturers have made errors when translating their slogans for non-English speaking markets, which can lead to amusing results.

 

Mitsubishi Motors

Mitsubishi Motors clearly failed to hire adequate translation services. It did not translate the vehicle name “Pajero” in Spanish, which means “wanker” in Spanish, when Mitsubishi Motors entered the European market.

 

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz entered the Chinese market under the brand name “Bensi,” which means “rush to die.” Mercedes-Benz then modified its name to “Benchi”, which means “run quickly”, and has now become one of the most popular brands in China.

 

General Motors

When General Motors introduced the Chevy Nova in South America, the company was unaware that the Spanish expression, “No Va”, meant “It won’t go.”

 

Food Companies Need Advertising Translation Services

Even food companies have made hilarious mistakes when translating their slogans from English to other languages.

 

KFC

When KFC opened its first restaurant in Beijing, a cannibalistic translation error changed “finger-licking good” to “eat your fingers off.”

 

Coors

Coors launched a campaign in Spain with its slogan, “Turn it loose”. However, the customers didn’t rush out to buy the beer because they were puzzled over the Spanish translation: “suffer from diarrhea.”

 

American Dairy Association

It is another Spanish translation fail. While the American Dairy Association’s “Got Milk?” campaign was very successful among English speakers in the States, Spanish-speaking people were confused about why the association would translate its slogan to “Are you lactating?”

 

 

Other Companies Who Need Advertising Translation

 

American Airlines

To advertise their leather seats, American Airlines used the slogan “Fly in Leather,” which translated in Spanish for the market in Mexico as “Fly Naked.”

 

Parker Pen

When Parker Pen was advertised in Mexico, it wanted to use its slogan, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you,” which was used in Spain even though it translated to “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”

 

 

A foreign market always means more potential to increase your profitability. If you can localize your product effectively, there is no doubt your organization see an increase in profits.

The most efficient way is to hire an agency that provides professional translation and localization services. The translation experts will be helpful in document translation, marketing translation, and even video translation, making sure your marketing slogans will not become a laughing stock!

 

6 Industries That Need Korean Translation Services

Do you like listening to K-pop music or watching K-pop videos? Have you ever seen Korean drama programs? More people like Korean culture, and many have even started learning Korean. Surprisingly, Korean is the ninth most spoken language in North America, with about 1.2 million speakers. Most of these speakers live in the United States. Meanwhile, Korean language translation services are becoming more and more critical in the business fields. About 85% of medium and small enterprises in South Korea are trying to establish international branches. One of the many reasons why corporations are expanding into the South Korean market is that South Korea is ranked sixteenth in the top countries for business. Korean industries are also looking to expand into new overseas markets. In both cases, Korean translation services are in high demand.

 

Ecommerce and Korean Translation Services

Ecommerce is the first on the industry list. Because South Korea has the fastest internet speed worldwide, web-based businesses benefit from the internet speed and could grow quickly. Luckily, ecommerce translation can help.

 

Technology and Korean Translation Services

Since South Korea has a very high rate of Internet usage at 93% in 2021, it is wise to launch new platforms and software in the country.

 

FinTech and Korean Translation Services

Due to a focus by the Korean government on supporting fintech development, Korea is an excellent place for fintech expansion. Hiring a fintech translation provider can grant access to this burgeoning sector.

 

Fashion

With the influence of K-Pop trends from Korea, the fashion scene is booming. Estimated to grow to more than $26 million by 2024, the fashion world can expect to reach many new customers by entering the Korean market.

 

Cosmetics

The cosmetics industry in South Korea is expanding its influence abroad. Korea’s cosmetics industry focuses on health and wellness, and its beauty products emphasize a natural look. In addition, attractive packaging and reasonable prices are also its features.

 

Tourism

The U.S. remains one of the top five destinations for South Korean outbound tourists. It has always been the top choice for non-Asian and long-haul destinations. Koreans overwhelmingly choose the U.S. as their travel destination, mainly because of the variety of travel opportunities and American-style shopping; fine dining; theme parks; cultural attractions in major U.S. cities; relatively inexpensive golf experiences, and U.S. national parks.

 

Finding the Right Korean Translation Services Provider

Whether your business is considering expanding to South Korea or from South Korea to other countries, finding the correct translation service provider is crucial. The success of marketing in South Korea depends on the quality and dedication of the translators.Luckily,  Language Connections can provide professional translation services to help your business succeed.

 

How Ecommerce Translation Services Can Boost Your Business

Coronavirus devastated the world economy. Physical markets and shops were closed, and employees were sent home for safety purposes. However, the ecommerce industry flourished during the pandemic. Thanks to the Internet, it became easy to buy products from around the world with a simple click of the mouse. Here’s how ecommerce translation services can help your business thrive in today’s global economy.

 

The Important of Ecommerce Translation Services

According to a recent evaluation of the ecommerce market , China has the largest ecommerce market size at $672 billion, far above the US’s $340 billion.

As this industry continues to rise, ecommerce translation has become essential to successful selling products and services as well as building your brand. 75% of customers reported they prefer to purchase products on an ecommerce website if it is in their native language. Therefore, investing in professional translation and localization services to ensure your website is properly translated into the languages of your target markets can promote trust in your brand and improve the user experience.

 

Top Online Shopping Sites Need Ecommerce Translation Services

The business potential of online shopping is vast, and there are several well-known online shopping sites.

 

Amazon

Amazon is one of the most popular online marketplaces used by individuals and businesses. Over 2.5 billion shoppers visit monthly, and you’ll get access to its huge customer base once you join Amazon. The company’s size ensures that marketplaces are available in the majority of countries in the world.

 

Shopify

Shopify is one of the best ecommerce platforms. Unlike Amazon, Shopify lets you get your own space to set up and run a business. It powers over 1 million businesses in approximately 175 countries through its platform.

 

eBay

eBay is an online shopping site best known for its auctions and consumer-to-consumer sales. eBay is also available in many countries. The main feature of eBay is that consumers can search for products available nationally or internationally. Millions of transactions go through every single day.

 

Most ecommerce platforms support cross-country operations. In order to scale your business and gain more market share, it is necessary to translate your products or services into different languages.

 

Ecommerce Translation Services: Machine vs. Human

Translation is an essential tool for communication between international ecommerce businesses.

An auto-translation program such as Google Translate is the most accessible and economical way to get a translation done. But online translation services may copy the same grammatical structure and do literal word-for-word translations. Certain words or terms take on very different meanings when translated in this manner,..

In contrast, business translation services can precisely translate a text’s tone, slang, cultural and contextual references, and idioms. They can also provide accurate localization services. You can get a professional translation service through a translation agency or a freelance translator, however hiring a dedicated language service provider with experience working the space is preferable.

 

How A Chinese Translation Service Can Transform Your Business

Did you know that Chinese is the third most spoken language in the U.S.? China has the largest population in the world at around 1.4 billion people. The Chinese diaspora exists on almost every continent; in the U.S., 3.5 million households speak Mandarin or Cantonese at home. Considering the fact that China is an emerging and competitive market, hiring professional language translation services can help your business expand into the Chinese market.

 

A Chinese Translation Service Can Navigate the Complex Language

The evolution of Chinese characters was a long progress that began with the earliest Chinese hieroglyphs and have culminated in today’s simple characters. Today, simple Chinese characters are the most commonly used language in mainland China.

While other regions of China, such as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, have created their own distinct dialects and written forms, in these regions, they prefer to use traditional Chinese characters instead.

These variations make Chinese a unique challenge for translators and providers of interpreting services. For example, if your company has contracts with both the Shanghai branch and the Hong Kong branch of a Chinese company, a professional agency can ensure that the language contained in both contracts is precise, thus avoiding potential legal problems.

 

A Chinese Translation Service Provides Industry Knowledge

In the 1990s, China’s industrial development entered the world stage. During the first ten years of the 21st century, China’s industrial development has become a crucial to the world’s industrial development and comprises a significant part of the world economy. For instance, the Chinese economy can be separated into 41 major industrial categories, 191 medium categories, and 525 subcategories, making it the only country with all industrial categories according to the United Nations Industrial Classification.

At present, China is laying out the world’s cutting-edge high-tech strategic emerging industries, including cloud computing, big data, health, mobile Internet, robotics, 3D printing, new advanced materials, autonomous driving, new energy vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace, genomics, and other industries and technologies.

No matter what industry you are in, there are always many opportunities to deal with Chinese companies, whether your suppliers, customers, or even employees. Professional Chinese translation services can help you conduct business effectively should you decide to expand into this growing market.

 

A Chinese Translation Service Can Attract More Clients

There are numerous Chinese companies globally. You can find the “Made in China” label on most of the products you buy from the mall. If you want to work with a Chinese company or find potential business partners, communicating with your potential clients in Chinese needs to be clear and efficient. However, it becomes complicated to put the documents into other languages rather than in Chinese most of the time.

Thus, for those who want to cooperate with Chinese companies, it is necessary to invest in document translation services, legal translation services, and other translation services for business. With the help of Chinese language translation services, you could quickly get to work with the different brands in the China market.

 

 

3 Ways French Translation Services Can Aid Your Organization

Have you ever noticed that a lot of products in the U.S. always have a French translation on them? Whether you have or not, a lot of industries invest in French translation services. Spanish translation might be a more logical choice. However, the reasons for French translation are not necessarily practical but rather serve a marketing purpose. The French language is often associated with sophistication and luxury. Purchasing French translation services from a professional translation company could help your organization seem more high-end and trendy. This is perhaps best exemplified by luxury brands like Dior, Chanel or Yves Saint-Laurent. In order to tap into the French market, you might want to invest in translation services. Hiring a professional translator can create more effective marketing and foster more influential partnerships.

To illustrate this idea better, we determined three ways that French translation services can help your organization succeed:

 

1. French Translation Services Can Clean Up Your Organization’s Image

Since the French language is linked to elegance and sophistication, French translation services can enhance your organization’s image. For example, almost all labels for cosmetic products are in French, mainly because the most popular brands are French. However, this is not always the case. If you go grocery shopping you might also notice that some products are translated in French only, not Spanish in order to create a sense of luxury. Another reason might be the U.S.’s proximity. Because one of Canada’s official languages is French, maintaining the same French labels allows providers to distribute the same products in the U.S. and Canada without having to change the packaging.

 

2. French Translation Services Will Attract Bigger Clients

You might be wondering what the size of the clients have to do with French but it goes hand and hand with the fact that some of the biggest brands in the world are French. For instance, if you purchase French translation services, you could get to work with the big brands that dominate the French market. If you work for a government organization, investing in government translation services can even foster better economic relations between foreign and French-speaking nations.

 

3. Translation Increases Your Audience

Obviously translating important materials into French can increase your organization’s audience. Establishing your organization as a globally-conscious brand is essential in our interconnected world. Therefore, making sure all marketing materials are translated professionally is critical to business success. French translation could also involve getting patent translation for legal purposes and even an interpreter for meetings to meet with clients and make things go smoothly.

 

Top 5 Most Important Documents That Need Business Translation

Companies that expand their operations internationally often face logistical challenges as a result of their growth. Language barriers can be one such challenge. To help with this problem, translation service companies offer comprehensive business translation services that cover all of a company’s translation needs. The following examples are some of the most important types of documents that a business will need to have translated as it expands into new countries.

 

1. Business Translation For Legal Documents

When expanding operations internationally, it is imperative that the business complies with the rules and regulations of the new country. Legal document translation services can help with compliance by making sure that key decision-makers understand the nuances in the laws and regulations of the new country. In addition, various other legal documents such as contracts, employment agreements, and affidavits will need by translated in order to maintain the business’ legitimacy.

 

2. Business Translation for Internal Documents

Companies that operate offices around the world likely have employees that speak different languages. For these situations, it is imperative that internal documents like memos, manuals, and important e-mails be translated into the languages that employees speak to avoid any confusion or accidents. Company rules should be translated as well to make sure employees understand what is expected of them.

 

3. Business Translation For Marketing

In order to successfully sell a service or product in a new market, a new marketing campaign will have to be developed. Marketing translation services can help with this problem by translating marketing documents like flyers, brochures, and pamphlets. In addition, digital marketing materials need to be converted as well; to that end, website translation can be a useful service so that the target consumer can view the product or service in their native language.

 

4. Technical Document Translation

For businesses that sell products, technical translation services are essential. Various technical manuals have to be translated into languages that consumers speak. These could include owner’s manuals or operating instructions. For businesses that sell products that could require advanced technical care, blueprints and schematics should be translated as well for easier maintenance.

 

5. Financial Document Translation

For any business that operates internationally, financial translation services are vital. Different countries use different financial terminologies–in addition to using different formats for financial documentation. In order to prevent chaos and disorganization, financial documents should be translated into a common language for review and potential auditing. Translating these documents will also help make the tax process run smoother and with less confusion.

 

3 Ways Financial Translation Services Can Transform Your Business

Translation agencies provide many vital services to their clients, one of those being financial translation services. Most companies that operate internationally can benefit from these translation services, not just ones in the financial industry. Some examples of these services include the translation of financial documents, statements, audits, and reports. Financial translation services also include the review of rules and regulations to make sure companies are compliant with the laws of every country they operate in. The proper implementation of these services is essential for a company that has a global presence. The following paragraphs go into more detail on what to expect from translation services and why they are important.

 

Financial Translation Services And The Regulatory World

Companies that operate globally need to be compliant with the financial rules and regulations of each country that they work in. This means filing the right paperwork, providing documentation, and cooperating with the appropriate financial authorities. It is nearly impossible to provide all these documents without the help of a translation service company. Countries and languages differ in how financial terms are used. When submitting documents to regulators and other officials, special attention has to be made to how the documents are translated. Mistranslations could be costly, and could lead to serious problems in the future. This is why it is imperative to use professional business translation services for all financial needs.

 

Translation For Important Financial Materials

An important component of financial translation is the translation of reports, statements, audits, and other documents. Companies that operate offices around the globe will find this particularly useful. Offices of the same company in different countries might work in other languages. For example, a German speaking office might need to report important information back to the company’s headquarters, which operates in English. In this case, document translation will be necessary to make sure information is properly transferred back and forth.

 

Financial Translation Services And Its Challenges

There are unique challenges associated with financial translation services that are important to understand. Translating financial materials is not the same as legal translation or marketing translation. The translator must be experienced in financial matters; if not, they could miss potentially important details that could derail operations. This is why reputable translation service companies will often have accountants, economists, other financial professionals take on cases that require financial translation services.