Translation Blog

Both Chinese and Hindi have more native speakers than the English language, with roughly 982 million and 460 million, respectively. However, with 375 million native speakers, the English language is the most spoken in the world. It’s also a second language for more than 1.1 billion people. This makes the total number of speakers around 1.5 billion worldwide.

Why is English such a popular language globally? It might have something to do with historic British expansion. There was a time when it was said that the sun never set on the British Empire. Or perhaps it’s related to the global economy, which long treated English as the universal language of business.

Likely, both of these factors played a role. However, it’s also worth noting that English is an incredibly versatile and expressive language that lends itself to evolution. As a result, the English language is constantly growing and changing. This helps provide endless opportunities to express emotions, and ideas, and to create new identities.

Those who are most familiar with the English language, including linguists, authors, and literary historians, have plenty to say on the subject.

1. The English Language is Incredibly Versatile

Noting both the versatility and appeal of English as a whole, American linguist and author Richard Lederer says, “English is the most universal language in history, way more than the Latin of Julius Caesar. It’s the most punderful language because its vocabulary has a certain critical mass that makes a lingo good for punning.”

Indeed, one of the most notable advantages of the English language is how flexible it can be. Although the English alphabet features just 26 characters, the ways they combine to create words and express meaning are practically infinite. More importantly, however, is that words can have multiple meanings, and the accepted meaning of a word can change over time. Words can also merge together to create new terminology that conveys greater meaning than the sum of its parts. English is also famous for adopting words from other languages. This openness to evolution is not just an indicator of English-speaking cultures that embrace change, but of the language’s ability to change with a culture over time.

2. English is an Expressive Language

“The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination: it is the property of the language itself,” said Sir Derek Walcott, Saint Lucian poet, playwright, and recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

English translation can be incredibly difficult because of the complex expressions and flexible nature of the English language. However, these are also its greatest strengths, especially when it comes to expressing ideas and emotions.

3. Mastery of the English Language Is No Easy Feat

Crime writer and poet Dorothy L. Sayers aptly summed up the process of learning English when she said, “The English language has a deceptive air of simplicity; so have some little frocks; but they are both not the kind of thing you can run up in half an hour with a machine.”

It is widely agreed upon in linguist circles, not to mention anecdotally, that English is among the most difficult languages to learn. Oddly enough, this is even true for many native speakers. Consider how many English speakers confuse there, their, and they’re. Others stumble over rules like “i before e, except after c,” because there are so many exceptions. Now think how difficult it must be for non-native speakers to learn such a wildly dynamic and contradictory language. There’s no shortage of instances where the English translation is a matter of knowing the rules and when to break them.

4. Shakespeare is an English Institution

Of the beloved William Shakespeare, American literary historian and author Stephen Greenblatt say, “First of all, there was a volcano of words, an eruption of words that Shakespeare had never used before that had never been used in English before. It’s astonishing. It pours out of him.”

Shakespeare is typically the greatest playwright in history. He had an amazing knack for observing the human experience and making it relatable and entertaining. Perhaps his greatest feat, however, was finding the right words to describe it all—or simply making up new English words when the ones he wanted didn’t exist. Shakespeare is credited with adding thousands of words to the English language throughout his life and career, including common phrases that are still in use today.

5. There’s Always Room for More

As French author Mireille Guiliano notes, “In France we have a saying, joie de vivre, which doesn’t exist in the English language. It means looking at your life as something that is to be taken with great pleasure and enjoy it.”

Language is inextricably linked to culture, insofar as we use language as an expression of social and cultural values, ideals, morals, and the principles that govern our lives.

However, English isn’t perfect. Sometimes infusing its sentiments with words and phrases from another language is the best way to express the true essence of a feeling or act. In doing so, the language becomes an even richer mélange.

Professional English Translation Services

Our company has a network of over 5,000 professional translators across the globe. Whether a translation into English or vice versa, we can provide the needed help in multiple language pairs. We have provided many global clients with round-the-clock service and translations in many different industries.

Your partnership with Renaissance Translations comes with professional memberships such as ATC and a guarantee to meet any tight deadline placed on us. If you would like to discuss your translation project, feel free to contact us to speak with one of our professional project managers. You’ll be glad you did!

Why does a translation to Spanish matter if you want to boost your website ranking? Is it a must for your business? Or are English to Spanish translators a waste of an investment when money can be spent elsewhere? English indeed remains the most commonly spoken and preferred business language worldwide. However, Spanish ranks fourth in terms of the number of speakers, and a website translation to Spanish might be more beneficial than you think.

It cannot be denied that Spanish is the second most common language spoken by Americans today. In 2019, more than 41.7 million American residents spoke Spanish or Spanish-based Creole at home. That translates to 12.7% of the entire country’s population. Even across the globe, Spanish is considered a significant language, with 534 million speakers worldwide. The numbers don’t lie!

Website owners will always want to reach the largest audience possible, and a translation to Spanish can tap into this vast market. As such, it may be worth considering amping up your online marketing presence, which can be done by hiring professional English to Spanish translators to work on your site. Here’s a closer look at all the benefits a website translation to Spanish can bring.

Reaching New Markets Through a Translation to Spanish

We’ve already discussed the vastness of the Spanish-speaking population in the US and globally. Many of these people might be able to speak English and understand your original business website. After all, English is understood by many Spanish speakers! So what real benefit will a translation to Spanish bring to your business?

Well, studies have shown that consumers become more engaged if they can browse a website in their native language. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Harvard Business Review found that:

• More than 72% of study participants spent most of their time browsing sites written in their native language
• Over 72% of participants also claimed that they are more likely to purchase a product marketed in their own language
• More than 56% stated that getting information in their native language matters more than the pricing of their product or service

With these statistics in mind, imagine how many more consumers you’d get by investing in a website translation to Spanish. English to Spanish translators can help you reach a wider audience—up to 534 million Spanish speakers more than you’re currently reaching—and entice them to buy.

Accuracy is Critical to the Success of Translation

There is more to English to Spanish translation than just word-for-word conversion. A direct and literal translation to Spanish—the kind you get when using apps like Google Translate—may let you give Spanish readers a general idea about products or services. But would the result be as engaging?

The answer here is simple: no! You cannot truly connect with your target audience without relating to them. To bond with your audience, you must incorporate culturally appropriate content into the Spanish version of your site. This goes beyond words; you must consider images, graphics, colors, and themes as part of your translation to Spanish. You should not limit the translation to your website either, exerting the same effort for your social media posts.

But how do you ensure you are not putting culturally inappropriate content on your Spanish website? There are a few options for translation: machine translation, translations from locals, and professional English to Spanish translators. Using a professional service is always your best option.

Leveraging Local Talent for Effective Translation

Hiring local talents to help with your translation to Spanish cannot hurt. In fact, the move could very well be one of the most strategic decisions you will ever make. Local talents have “lived” the language, putting them in the best position to know if the translation and cultural relevance is on point. Native speakers are indeed some of the best English to Spanish translators you can find.

When working with a native Spanish-speaking person, there are several options depending on your budget. Finding a Spanish-speaking digital marketing professional is your best and most reliable option. These individuals have the benefit of knowing the language and business marketing tactics inside out. If you want to avoid hiring extra staff for your website translation to Spanish, you can source from your own ranks.

However, bear in mind that Spanish speakers are not necessarily the best English to Spanish translators. They might know their local dialect, but do they know when to use South American or European Spanish? Do they know what makes a good website and how to optimise SEO? At what level is their English? These factors can all impact the accuracy of your translation to Spanish.

What About Using Machine Translation Software?

Now, don’t get us wrong—Google Translate is a pretty cool tool, and so are other machine translation software like Microsoft Translate and Yandex Translate. Overall, they are helpful if you need a quick and simple translation to Spanish! However, you should not rely solely on them to translate the copy of your business website.

These apps often rely on a basic word-for-word translation to Spanish. They do not take proper context into account and cannot produce compelling copy that will convert your website visitors into paying customers. The last thing you need is to turn target readers off because your content sounds robotic. We recommend partnering with professional English to Spanish translators if you want the best results, and the next section will tell you why.

Using an Agency for a Translation to Spanish

The only way to ensure a 100% accurate and compelling website copy is to use a professional Spanish translation agency. Unlike machines, English-to-Spanish translators produce culturally-appropriate content that connects and engages. And unlike Spanish locals, these linguists are qualified to offer a translation to Spanish. They know the best methods and processes and have access to the latest software.

Another great thing about hiring an agency for your translation to Spanish is that they typically have an army of translators with various specializations at their disposal. For instance, some English to Spanish translators may be experts in translating legal or law-related content. Others may have healthcare-related backgrounds that make them perfect for medical website content.

Benefits of Professional Translations

We’ve already discussed how a translation to Spanish can increase your reach and, ultimately, sales. However, a website translation brings plenty of other advantages, as detailed below. Only by working with skilled and qualified English to Spanish translators can you ensure you reap all the rewards of website translation.

• Builds Your Brand’s Credibility: Hiring a professional translation agency tells your audience you are serious about delivering your message right. That tells them you value credibility over convenience, and they’re more likely to like your brand.
• Facilitates Genuine Connections: A professional translation service provider can help you make genuine connections. Connecting with customers is the first step in building relationships. Over time, those relationships could evolve into loyalty and are well worth the initial investment of a translation to Spanish.
• Boosts Your SEO Ranking and Conversions: An English to Spanish translation strategy can also enormously benefit your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts. Multilingual options can improve your website’s visibility in Spanish and UK search engines.
• Reduced Bounce Rate: As mentioned earlier, Spanish audiences will likely spend more time browsing your website if you’ve paid for a translation to Spanish. The increased engagement that results should work wonders in lowering your bounce rate. And the lower your bounce rate is, the higher your conversion rate will be.

Renaissance Translations’ Spanish Translation Services

The bottom line is that it always pays to be more inclusive in life and business. If you are considering enhancing your website to penetrate the Spanish market, you can start with one simple step: investing in a translation to Spanish.

When translating your website, you must ensure the best quality possible by hiring a translation agency with a network of qualified and skilled English to Spanish translators. Do not leave the translation quality and reliability to chance. Start growing your business’s user base today by creating a Spanish version of your website.

If you’re looking for a reliable language partner, Renaissance Translations is here for you. Our company has a network of Spanish translators who translate to Spanish from many languages. They are carefully chosen based on their areas of expertise, taking into account the different forms of the Spanish language. Your partnership with Renaissance Translations comes with professional memberships such as ATC and SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact us today to discuss website translation to Spanish!

Social media translations are in more demand than ever. Platforms such as Instagram and Twitter provide an avenue for the whole world to see your business and brand! Many of these platforms translate captions to the user’s language automatically to improve accessibility to a global audience. But with their unique form and purpose, these automatic social media translations are rarely professional or high-quality.

To truly leverage your social media marketing, build trust with global clients, and create content that engages worldwide, you need to use professional social media translations. However, even skilled linguists with backgrounds in media run into issues. Here we discuss these unique challenges so you can avoid them and send out successful multi-lingual marketing campaigns.

Challenges of Social Media Content Translation 

All forms of translation run into some challenges. At the very least, there are instances when no direct translation is possible. Certain words in one language might not have a direct correlation in another language. This limit could mean using an approximation that’s close enough or stringing together several words to convey the same meaning as one.

You also have to consider things like slang, cultural context, and conveying meaning to specific groups of people. Whether you’re creating web content, blog posts, or social media posts, these considerations are essential. However, because of the precise nature of social media content across platforms, you’ll face additional difficulties with social media translations.

Here are four challenges to be aware of when you translate your social content into another language:

1. Limits on the Length of Content

When it comes to social media translations, one practical issue many companies come up against is length restrictions. Take the English word sale. This translates to rebaja in Spanish, verkauf in German, xiāoshòu in Chinese, and takhfid alsier in Arabic. The four characters you started with turn into 6, 7, 8, and 14 characters, respectively, and that’s just one word!

This difference might not make much difference on a web page or blog post. You may have to adjust your layout to accommodate longer or shorter content, but you can use the correct vocabulary to convey your meaning regardless. However, the challenge of social media translations becomes much more complex when you have a hard limit on characters, as with Twitter.

You want to utilise available space wisely, but you may exceed limits when you translate language word for word. To counteract this expansion, you must display an incredible economy with word choice. This is where professional translation services can help. Creative translation or transcreation services ensure your posts convey the same meaning while adhering to stringent space restrictions.

2. Translating Language-Specific Terminology

Every culture has slang that makes content translation difficult. The word cool might have correlating terms in other languages, but their meaning is likely related to temperature rather than social status. Further adding to complications for commercial translation is industry jargon – essentially technical slang – which becomes an issue for content in specialised industries like engineering and finance.

One possible solution is loan words. A term popular in one language but unavailable in others can be borrowed, entering the lexicons of many different languages. The English language uses many loan words. Everyone knows the meaning of the French word café or the German word kindergarten. They enjoy such widespread usage that we don’t consider them foreign words.

The same is true of words that originated in English but have been adopted by other languages. One example associated with social media is Facebook. Sure, it’s the name of a company, but words for face and book certainly exist in other languages. However, the word Facebook has broadly been accepted as is rather than translated.

On the other hand, the Like button on Facebook has been translated into other languages. So, if your content includes Like us on Facebook, you must translate everything into your target language but the loan word, Facebook.

Why is this important? The more loan words you use, the more you can ensure understanding across languages without translation. You’ll also keep the character count the same for those specific words, reducing the chances of exceeding set character limits. This instantly makes social media translations easier and is good to remember when drafting your original content in English.

3. Creating Consistently Effective Content Across Languages

Maintaining conceptual continuity across languages is never an easy task. Distilling your core message into simple, precise vernacular is difficult enough in your native language. Writing with content translation in mind is even more challenging.

You need to remove abbreviations and consider the literal translation of words. Additionally, your translation often needs to extend beyond the caption. Social media translations come in all shapes and sizes, including a simple Tweet to a Facebook video, Instagram image, or TikTok reel. You want to ensure professionalism and consistency across all media formats.

There is then the challenge of hashtags, which can significantly impact the reach of your content. A literal translation of hashtags is rarely enough. A professional translator must investigate the foreign market and find the most relevant hashtags. Depending on your chosen language and market, it might be better not to translate some hashtags at all.

Maintaining creative consistency is essential to produce compelling messaging that spans multiple languages and cultures. Professional social media translations can interpret content, intent, and focus, making them relevant and appealing to foreign audiences.

4. Successfully Conveying Brand Identity & Tone

Any content a company creates has its purpose –to sell a product, increase authority within your sector, or gain new followers – but it also has to support the brand identity. It must match up with organisational values and align with the brand narrative. This tonality can be an incredibly difficult aspect of social media translations.

Core values and attractive traits of brands are often tied to culture. A good translation agency will take the emotional appeal associated with the content and translate it with culturally appropriate meaning into your target language. This approach helps provide your audience with the right impression of your company across a range of audiences.

Trusted Social Media Translations 

If you need a trusted language partner to help with your social media translations, we can help! Renaissance Translations proudly serves a wide range of industries, providing social media translations for all digital platforms. Our expert team can translate your creative media content into more than 120 languages and meet your tight deadlines.

Within our extensive network, we also have translators specialising in other areas of marketing translations such as advertising translations and SEO translations. Your partnership with Renaissance Translations comes with professional memberships such as ATC and SDL LSP Partner Prgramme. Contact our project managers today to discuss your translation project!

Whether a business owner looking to expand your operations into Brazil, or a student planning to study in Rio de Janeiro, many people need Brazilian Portuguese translations at some point. Similarly, if you are a tech company with users in Brazil, you will have to translate idiomatic expressions and localise your website or app from English to Brazilian Portuguese.

The Brazilian dialect is unique, and it’s often difficult for non-native speakers to understand. To complicate things further, Brazilian Portuguese has many regional variations. Therefore, translating into this South American language is notoriously difficult! This article is here to guide you, offering tips and tricks for improving your translations.

Of course, your best option is to acquire the services of Brazilian Portuguese translation agencies. This ensures that your Portuguese translation is accurate, idiomatic, and culturally sensitive. However, there are many factors to consider when choosing a Brazilian Portuguese translation service provider, which this article also helps you navigate.

Tips for Translating from English to Brazilian Portuguese

Here are some tips that will help you translate to Portuguese:

1. Use a Dictionary: A Brazilian Portuguese dictionary will help you understand the meaning of words and phrases in the language. It can also be helpful to look up translations of English words to understand their usage better.
2. Be Aware of False Cognates: False cognates are words that look similar in English and Portuguese but have different meanings. When translating to Portuguese, be mindful of false cognates to avoid using the wrong word and confusing your audience.
3. Use Translation Tools: Translation tools can help you translate English to Brazilian Portuguese. These tools are less accurate than professional translators, but they can provide a basic understanding of how words and phrases are used in the language.
4. Consult a Brazilian Speaker: If unsure how to translate a word or phrase into Portuguese, it’s always best to consult a native speaker. They will be able to help you understand the correct usage of words and phrases to ensure your translation is accurate.
5. Use a Professional Brazilian Translator: There are over 210 million people in Brazil, making Portuguese the most spoken language. But this doesn’t mean everyone is good at translating. You must use an experienced and qualified Brazilian Portuguese translator if you want accurate and authentic translations.

What is a Professional Translation Agency?

As mentioned, hiring a professional Brazilian Portuguese translator is crucial for precise and effective translations. Translation agencies are the best source of top talent. But what is a translation agency, and why is using one advisable over machines or enlisting the help of native Brazilian speakers?

A typical translation agency will have a team of experienced Brazilian Portuguese translators who are experts in various industries and subject areas. Whether you need to translate financial documents, legal documents, marketing materials, or website content, the agency will help you translate to Portuguese. Agencies will cater to businesses, individuals, and organisations, working flexibly to fulfil your needs.

You might use an online translation service, but if you require accurate and reliable translations, you will need the services of a professional agency. Professional translators understand the local culture, the Brazilian business environment, and Portuguese grammar well. They’ll ensure that your translation is accurate and tailored for the audience that speaks the Brazilian language. They ensure you receive the best English to Brazilian Portuguese translation possible!

Choosing an Agency for Brazilian Portuguese Translation

Qualified Brazilian Portuguese translators offer the best translations as these people understand the language and its nuances. Therefore, professional English to Brazilian Portuguese translations are imperative for any business looking to expand its reach across Brazil. However, not all translation agencies deliver the same quality of work.

Here are a few factors to consider to help you find a reliable language services provider:

1. Translation Expertise

You can search for translation agencies based on the expertise and experience of the translators in their network. Also, evaluate the feedback they’ve received from customers before choosing one company over another. If working with an extensive network, ensure you check the reviews from clients ordering Brazilian Portuguese translations and not another language.

The agency’s expertise is crucial for all businesses needing to translate from English to Brazilian Portuguese. You can’t afford to take the risk when choosing a translator. You need someone whose work you know and trust, with years of experience providing quality services for clients.

2. Fees & Budget

The price you are quoted for your translation needs to be within your budget. You should always check the value of services included in this amount and see if there is enough value for money. Remember that translating from English to Brazilian Portuguese is an investment, but don’t spend more than you can afford.

When comparing quotes, verify whether the agency has editors and proofreaders who can check the translations before submitting them. This could affect pricing, but services that include these additional checks are worth the extra money as you receive consistently high-quality deliverables.

3. Services Provided

Businesses need various documents and multimedia formats to be translated from English to Brazilian Portuguese. You might need video subtitling of an online training course, technical translations of scientific or engineering materials, or a website translation.

When translating to Brazilian Portuguese, check that the agency offers your required services. Some only offer general translations in minimal language pairs, whereas others provide full-service offerings and translations in many languages.

Renaissance Translations’ Portuguese Translation Services

Brazilian Portuguese is an important language that is spoken in most of Brazil. International companies doing business there or interacting with native speakers often need translation services. Acquiring services from a translation agency is recommended because of their expertise, understanding of local dialects, and professional translators.

Renaissance Translations has a network of skilled translators who can help translate from English to Brazilian Portuguese or any other language. Our translators work only in their areas of expertise, taking into account the different forms of the Portuguese language, your unique target audience, and your business plan. We are an associate member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact us today to discuss your project.