> Languages > Chinese
Which version of Chinese?
There is often confusion with the names used to describe the Chinese language.
There are several forms of spoken Chinese, or dialects. Mandarin is the principal version with over a billion speakers - about 870 million speak it as a first language, and an additional 180 million or so people speak it as a second language. When people refer to spoken “Chinese” this is the version they are generally referring to. Other dialects include Cantonese, spoken mainly in Hong Kong and Guangdong (Canton) province in Mainland China, and Taiwanese, and there are many more.
When it comes to written Chinese there are two forms – Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Simplified Chinese (using a character set that has been “simplified” from the traditional Chinese characters) is used in Mainland China, Singapore and broadly throughout South East Asia. Traditional Chinese (using the traditional Chinese characters) is used in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and generally in material for use in Australia and elsewhere in the English speaking world.
Thus translations into Chinese are either in Traditional Chinese or Simplified Chinese, and it is vital to use the correct written form for the appropriate market. It is therefore not uncommon to have both a Traditional Chinese translation and a Simplified Chinese translation of a particular text.
Chinese Translation
The vast majority of texts can be readily and easily translated between English and Chinese. Nevertheless the major differences between Chinese and Western traditions, thought and culture do create challenges when dealing with certain concepts and subject areas. However Chinese-English translators are trained in techniques and approaches to overcoming these difficulties.
The translation of English names into Chinese can be difficult. Company names using standard vocabulary (The International Language Company, for example) can often be directly translated into the corresponding Chinese words. More often though company and personal names will be transliterated – the approximate sounds of the English name reproduced in Chinese. There are many Chinese character combinations possible, and therefore many different possible ‘translations’ for most names. The translator will take care that the characters (sounds) chosen in Chinese have positive connotations and create an appropriate impression for the Chinese speaker.
Chinese Typesetting
Whilst Microsoft Office applications and web design programs can handle Chinese fonts (double byte characters), most English graphic design programs cannot. InDesign and Illustrator are exceptions, and with these programs Chinese translations are normally supplied as standard files with the Chinese text typeset and then outlined to curves. For other programs, the Chinese translation is normally typeset in Illustrator then placed in the design file as outlined eps files.
Typesetting Chinese text poses no particular difficulties or problems for the experienced Chinese typesetter. Generally a Chinese translation will take up less space than the equivalent English text, which can allow more white space, larger point sizes, etc than the English version. Chinese text can be typeset either vertically or horizontally, with the latter more common these days.
In addition to an appreciation of Chinese design aesthetics, appropriate font selection is vital for Chinese typesetting, and should be left to our Chinese typesetters. Choosing fonts based on European aesthetic considerations frequently results in a less than optimal impact to the Chinese eye.
The International Language Company Advantage:
The Best Translators
We use only experienced, professionally qualified Chinese translators
with a proven track record of consistent professional-quality
work.
Quality Assurance
All translations undergo full checking and proofing procedures
to ensure accuracy and eliminate ‘human error’. All typesetting
is double checked and subject to translator sign off before
delivery.
Confidentiality
Full confidentiality of all material is guaranteed at all times.
Experience!
We have over 18 years experience translating and typesetting
all types of materials in over 80 languages.
