There’s much more to a great Chinese translation than a word-for-word literal interpretation. You also have to consider localizing and proofing your Chinese copywriting in order to present a successful message. Chinese linguistic characteristics vary region-by-region. It’s absolutely essential that you translate materials according to the needs and expectations of your Chinese customers and audiences. Our company can help you do this!

People in China appreciate the importance of a shorter sentence. Our Chinese translators recognize this and they avoid creating run-on sentences that detract from your overall message. We break things down and we build them back up again in Chinese so that an audience in China finds your materials easy to read and understand.

It can be difficult to break down English and foreign phrases into euphemisms that Chinese people will readily understand. Computer translations provide literal interpretations of the source. Non-native speakers struggle to capture your source language message within the Chinese target language because they are not totally comfortable with it. Our company avoids these problems by only using native speakers of Chinese to translate documents into their mother tongue.

There are major differences between active and passive verbs in the Chinese language. Some unqualified translators can miss the meaning behind the source text and translate it improperly into Chinese. This results in confusion and sometimes outright silliness. The last thing you want is a Chinese audience mocking your translated text. That’s why you should use our professional translators who will verify that the target Chinese text looks and sounds exactly the way Chinese readers expect. A big part of this involves fully-understanding how verbs work in Chinese.

Chinese readers appreciate the use of proverbs and idioms. These should be incorporated into your text. Obviously, if you use a non-native speaker of Chinese to translate your materials, there is less likelihood that they will be able to provide this type of linguistic service. Our translators know the Chinese language because they grew up – and live – in China. This means that they can adeptly incorporate the phrases and proverbs that Chinese readers expect from your source text. It can make all the difference between connecting with your audience and having them ignore your message.

It is illegal in China to say things like ‘the world’s best’. These are quantifiable statements that cannot be verified by actual fact, and, for that reason, putting them in advertisements is prohibited. If you use an unqualified translator to handle your materials, they may make a mistake. This can lead to major legal problems for you or your company. Don’t make this error – hire our company because our translators understand the ins and outs of Chinese advertising law.

If you want your brand name and trademarks translated effectively into Chinese, it would be a mistake to use unqualified or bargain-discount translators. English brand names and names from other foreign languages need to be effectively reproduced using Chinese symbols that represent a positive message and meaning to a Chinese audience. Literal translations are often ineffective – and sometimes they are impossible. This means that you need a team of qualified Chinese linguists ready to offer you suitable brand name and trademark options in Chinese. Furthermore, you need a comprehensive service that will avoid reproducing any brand names that are already trademarked in China. Our company provides effective and efficient brand name translation services both to and from Chinese.

If your Chinese translator has been out of China for a while – or worse yet – never lived there in the first place, chances are they will be out of touch with how the Chinese language has changed. Globalization and massive market encroachments have sped-up the changes that have taken place within the Chinese language. Just as all languages change over time – so does Chinese. In the case of China, however, these changes have been even more rapid and noticeable over the past few decades.

Consider phrases and sayings that were commonly heard in the United States in the 1950s. The phrase ‘he’s a cool cat’ would no longer really be appropriate to identify someone who was trendy. At the very least, such a phrase seems antiquated and very outdated. There are many similar examples in Chinese as well. This means that you need a translator who is current with the language and the culture. Our company has these skilled Chinese translators and they are ready to help you.

It seems clear that Chinese is a multifaceted and complicated language that requires a skilled mind along with a certain amount of savvy to translate effectively. Literal translations are usually no good. Cultural and regional differences mean that what is appropriate in one area may not be useful in another. There are also many phrases and proverbs that Chinese people respond to that should be included in your translation’s text. Failing to do so could mean a missed chance to connect with your audience. Finally, the Chinese languages changes over time just like any other language. That’s why it’s important that your translator has current experience actually living in China.

Our company is always willing to help explain the differences between Chinese and other languages. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us to learn more. We are expert Chinese translators because we live, work – and play – in China. Let us help make sure your message comes across clearly and that you can communicate effectively with this burgeoning and expanding new market.