It all began in 1978: China launched its Open Door Policy and began to reform the economy. Since then, the Chinese GDP has grown by an average of more than 9% yearly. During those four and a half decades, a lot has changed, and China has become almost unrecognizable from the country it was back then. Today, thanks to China transforming into a global economic powerhouse, this remarkable country continues to offer exciting and potentially rewarding opportunities for businesses across a range of sectors worldwide. However, one obstacle remains: the Chinese language.
What are Chinese translation services?
It’s impossible to overstate the importance of good communication. It forms the core of our most significant relationships, whether personal or professional. What’s more, when it breaks down, things can quickly go wrong!
If you’re among the 84% of the world’s population that can’t speak Chinese (that’s right – a whopping 16% can!), then don’t worry; you can still engage with Chinese-speaking communities and companies, by drawing on the services of expert Chinese translators.
These language solutions essentially erase the linguistic barrier between two parties unable to speak each other’s language. This can involve translating any number of documents, from contracts to online content or official certificates. Language services can also involve translating spoken words, in the form of Chinese interpreting services. However, Chinese translation services involve far more than simply translating one word to another.
Let’s say you want to draw up an official contract, enabling your company to trade with a Chinese business. This contract not only needs to be highly accurate to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises down the line, it also needs to respect the rules and conventions in China. That’s why high-quality Chinese language service providers also offer legal specialists, who can ensure your translation meets the standards of both China and the United States. For sensitive or official documents, it’s important to opt for ISO-certified Chinese translation services.
When should I choose ISO-certified Chinese translation services?
Certain situations demand an extra layer of quality assurance. With ISO-certified translation, the result adheres to international standards in terms of accuracy and consistency. They comply with international benchmarks that guarantee compliance – paramount when it comes to legal contracts, business documentation and technical or highly detailed content.
Some of the more common scenarios for selecting ISO-certified Chinese translation services include:
- Legal contracts
- Financial documentation
- Confidential and secure documents
- Large-scale, multilingual projects (ensuring consistency across all languages)
- Certificates and diplomas
- Official documents for government use such as passports, birth certificates or immigration papers
How is the Chinese language different from English?
Chinese and English are two of the most widely spoken languages in the world. They are also two of the least similar, with differences covering not only linguistic and grammatical aspects but also cultural and structural elements. These include:
- Script
The written form of the English language uses the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet. It is based on a phonetic script, so the letters represent the sounds pronounced. Chinese, by contrast, is a logographic language. This means the characters don’t represent the sound articulated, but instead stand for a whole word (or the meaning within a word). Whereas English has only 26 letters, Chinese comprises thousands of characters. It doesn’t end there – each character can take on different meanings depending on the context, and even vary in pronunciation! This leads us nicely onto…
- Pronunciation
It is likely little surprise to read that there are significant pronunciation differences between the two languages, as well. It might, however, surprise you to learn that English is the language with the more complex vowel and consonant sounds, as well as a huge range of regional differences. Chinese, though, features tones – and they impact meaning, too, making them a crucial component of communication.
- Honorifics
This aspect of Chinese communication refers to the way politeness and respect are embedded within the language itself. Whereas in English, respect is displayed through tone, register and word choice, in Chinese, particular terms and forms are used depending on social status, age and how well you know the person.
- Idioms
Chinese is abundant in its idiomatic expressions. Often, they draw on classical literature or Chinese history. This can make understanding the idiom difficult for someone unfamiliar with Chinese traditions and culture. In English, however, the meaning can often be guessed, even without knowledge of the expression’s origins, for example, “a blessing in disguise”, referring to an event that worked out for the best, despite initial appearances. The equivalent Chinese expression is unlikely to be deciphered without prior knowledge: 塞翁失马 (sāi wēng shī mǎ) literally means “the old man at the frontier loses his horse”, but conveys the same idea of a setback that turns out for the best in the end. This expression has its roots in an ancient Chinese philosophical story.
The distance between China and the United States may have narrowed considerably thanks to globalization and China’s Open Door policy. However, communication remains difficult without the assistance of reliable Chinese translators that can assist in circumnavigating these challenges. If you’re looking for a language agency that can help guide you through the process, here are some factors to bear in mind:
- Choose an agency with a wide network of expert Chinese translators and interpreters.
- Look for an agency able to offer ISO-certified Chinese translation services for peace of mind. These agencies tend to operate with greater levels of professionalism, too.
- Consider the agency’s range of interpreting equipment, if you need Chinese interpretation services in addition to document and content translation.
- Seek out testimonials and reviews.
If you need to draw on expert Chinese translation or interpreting services, look no further than Capital Linguists. With an impressive history of providing unparalleled language services, this agency is not only trustworthy and reliable, but it goes the extra mile. Thanks to its vast network of native Chinese experts operating across a range of sectors and specialties, Capital Linguists’ translations are adept at preserving the original meaning with unrivaled levels of accuracy. Each translation also respects cultural nuances and conventions ensuring you make the right impression. From document translation to interpreting, as well as transcreation, localization subtitling services and more, Capital Linguists is proud to offer premium Chinese language services globally. Reach out today for your tailor-made free quote!
