Translation Blog

Translation has been around for centuries. The technique of translation has evolved over time, and several types of translation have emerged. In the modern world, there are three types of translation: human translation, machine translation, and post-edited translation. These three examples of translation are all viable ways of rendering content into another language.

But which of these types of translation should you use for your project? Each way of translating content has its benefits, and the ‘best’ option depends on your budget, timeframe, and requirements. Let’s take a closer look at your options and help you decide the right choice for your needs.

1. Human Translation

Human translation is the process of translating text from one language to another performed by a human translator. This method produces the most accurate and reliable of all types of translation, resulting in natural-sounding, authentic content. Here are a few more examples of translation benefits you get when enlisting real people to work on your projects:

• Improved accuracy as the context and nuances of the source and target languages are considered when using this technique.
• Ensuring the finished content sounds natural and fluid in the target language, helping to connect and engage audiences more effectively.
• Human translators can pay attention to detail and recognise the many elements of a text, such as symbols and metaphors.
• Translators can take a more creative approach to translation when necessary, offering localisation and transcreation services.
• Increased types of multimedia formats that your translator can work on, including written content, audio files, websites and apps, and video.

Despite these many benefits, human translation services are more expensive and time-consuming than other types of translation. For this reason, this technique of translation is not always the best option for large-scale projects. As technology has advanced, machine translation has thus gained popularity in recent years.

2. Machine Translation

Machine translation is a computer-aided translation process in which a machine attempts to translate text from one language to another. It is often used for large-scale projects thanks to its price advantage. An automated process is also faster than human and other types of translation. Here is a look at some more examples of translation benefits when using computers:

• Machine translation can be much faster than human translation, making this technique of translation ideal for large-scale projects.
• Machine translation is often cheaper than human translation, making it a more affordable option for businesses and organisations.
• Large amounts of text can be translated quickly using this method, which is useful for urgent projects or anyone working to tight deadlines.
• Many machine translations are available for free on websites and mobile apps, often integrated into the software. They automatically translate into the language of the end user.

However, machine translation is less accurate or reliable than human translation and can often produce awkward or unintelligible translations. This leads us to our third translation method, which strikes a balance between the types of translation we’ve covered so far.

3. Post-Edited Translation

Post-edited translation – also known as post-editing machine translation (PEMT) – is a form of computer translation combined with a human element. Human linguists rework machine-translated text to improve the quality. The results are made more accurate, consistent, and authentic.

These types of translation strike a good balance between human and machine translations. Post-edited translation is thus a solution when human translation is not an option due to cost or time constraints, but when accuracy is of high importance. Below are some more examples of translation benefits using this method:

• By editing machine translations, human translators can improve the accuracy, fluency, and readability of translations in the PEMT process.
• Post-edited translation does require humans to translate text from one language to another but instead uses machines, making the process highly efficient.
• It is a good option for professional content when the quality of machine translations is not good enough for publication or use, but time and budget matter.

Although post edited translation is much faster than human translation, this technique of translation is still more time-consuming than machine translation alone. This is the main drawback of this translation method, but it is still a great alternative to human translations when accuracy is essential.

Which Type of Translation to Use

Budget and time are two essential factors to consider when deciding which of the three types of translation to use. However, you must also determine how important accuracy is in your translation. Weighing up these three factors can help you choose a suitable method. Let’s look at some examples of translation projects to explain things more clearly.

For more creative translations that do not have a short deadline, human translation is often the best option. This technique of translation is the most authentic and accurate and is a good option for companies looking to launch businesses overseas. Human translators can take a creative approach and make your brand name and marketing materials suitable for other cultures.

On the other hand, machine translation may be preferable when a translation needs to be done quickly. However, machines should only be relied on if accuracy isn’t important. Legal translations should never be left to a machine, for example. In many cases, legal paperwork has to be certified by a human linguist to ensure it is 100% accurate.

Post-edited translations are your best option if you have a tight deadline and a low budget but need accurate and authentic translations. They’re beneficial in cases where machine translations cannot provide enough context for understanding what is being said in the source text, and are far more accurate than machine-translated texts alone.

Professional Translation Services from Renaissance Translations

The technique of translation has evolved over time with the rise of technology. Today, the three types of translation are human, machine, and post-edited. Although each type of translation has its benefits, machine and post-edited translations are often used in tandem with human translation to complete large projects within an acceptable timeframe.

If you need a quick and affordable yet 100% accurate translation, we can help! Renaissance Translations has a growing network of qualified human linguists. We have pooled the talents of native translators and thousands of linguists internationally. Each uses our computer-assisted tools to help streamline projects, improve consistency, and keep our fees low.

Our outstanding services have made us the go-to translation agency for companies worldwide, and you can find examples of translation testimonials here. If you want to discuss your project, please contact our project managers or request a quote online on our website.

Language localisation is the process of creating a foreign-language version of a product that is adapted to the culture and region of a specific market. One of the most common language localisation services is adaptations of video games. This process is complex and involves the translation of text and localisation of content to account for cultural considerations.

Many video games could benefit from language localisation services, ranging from mobile games to PC and console games. Text based-games are the easiest to provide localisation for, as the audio does not need translation or localisation. On the other hand, video games with spoken language elements often represent larger projects. This is because native-speaking voice actors will record new audio for each language.

The scale of the project should be considered when planning for video game localisation services. Will new updates or additional DLC roll out new language versions of the video game? Or will the various localisations need to be ready and in place before product launch? This article helps answer these questions and looks into the benefits that language localisation provides.

Benefits of Video Game Localisation Services

One of the many benefits of video game localisation is a consistent user experience, regardless of whether people are playing the original or adapted game version. It allows for more consistency in the end product despite cultural differences.

Cultural differences between two countries mean that they have different behaviours. What may be polite in one location could be a social faux pas in another. As such, failing to consider cultural context could turn your video game’s hero into a villain. Language localisation can take these cultural considerations into account and adjust as necessary so that your video game makes sense.

Translation and localisation also ensure that you use the correct formality and politeness, which is essential when translating character scripts. Proper dialogue helps to ensure your video game is a success across the globe and can be enjoyed by people from all countries. This leads to one of the biggest benefits of language localisation: increasing video game sales internationally.

The Effects of Language Localisation on Game Sales

In 2021, the US gaming market had an estimated revenue of 30.4 billion dollars. Japanese video game revenue was about 18.2 billion US dollars, and game revenue in France was 2.7 billion. However, the country with the largest video games market was China, with estimated revenues of 49.3 billion US dollars.

Of the top ten countries in the world for video game revenues in 2021, only two were English-speaking countries. Therefore, each language localisation added to your video game opens up at least one new market. For the most significant impact on game sales, consider translation and localisation into Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, or French.

Of course, the above three languages are not your only option – you could list your video game on any international game store and see improvements in revenue. However, localising your video games in a rarely spoken language for the region will severely restrict your sales.

Game Localisation vs Translation

Language localisation goes much further than translation services. Translation looks solely at rendering the text into another language, such as from English to Japanese. On the other hand, a well-executed localisation can help to maximise sales and leave your new international customers happy by considering their cultural preferences.

When investing in game localisation, it is essential to use high-quality services. A bad localisation is just as harmful as no localisation and can leave customers frustrated and unhappy. There are even websites dedicated to discussing localisation failures, such as Legends of Localisation. If something in a video game is jarring or poorly made, it will be pounced on! Attracting this sort of negative attention, caused by poor translation or localisation, can severely limit sales of your video game.

Good language localisation avoids this negative media. However, it’s also crucial from a legal perspective. Some countries ban video games due to violent content. Australia, for example, requires altered content to remove violence, sexual content, nudity and drugs from video games. Germany has strict laws regarding video games referring to Nazi ideology and violence. It is possible to lose sales by failing to conform to censorship laws.

Professional Language Localisation Services

Renaissance Translations is qualified to offer effective language localisation services. We work with trained and skilled video game localisation professionals and we offer our services in over 120 languages. Our top priority is to provide the best game localisation and translation, working closely with our clients through every stage of the process.

Our company is member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL Trados LSP Partner Programme. Get in touch today to discuss your language localisation needs or request a quote online on our website.

With French Language Day approaching on March 20th, we decided to provide you with some interesting facts about the French language. Did you know, in the English vocabulary, French is 30% of the root language spoken worldwide today? Do you enjoy speaking French?

Interestingly, it is one of the oldest world languages holding a reputation as one of the most attractive languages. No wonder everyone calls it the “language of love”. Now, let us give some love to our French patriots with eight fun interesting facts about the French language.

1. A lot of People Speak French

Over 274 million people speak the French language in the world. While it is not as common as Chinese, Spanish, or English, it remains popular. Moreover, out of the 274 million people, 212 million use the vocabulary daily as their first language. Additionally, one to five million people are speaking French as a second language.

2. The Majority of People Speaking French Do Not Live in France

Most people speaking French live in Africa and not France. The African continent is home to approximately 120 million people who speak the French language. In 29 African countries, the official language is French. These include Burundi, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast. The language is spoken alongside the inhabitant’s indigenous languages.

3. The French Language is the Sixth Most Common Language on Internet

Are you running an online business? Then make sure to note this fun fact in the French language. In 2016, researchers found that 102,171,481 internet users are speaking French. At the time, as more users that are African came online, the number grew. Still, only 2.5% of the content on the web is in French. Therefore, if you want your business to reach wider audiences, make sure you include French content on your website. You may be surprised at your new customer base and how grows.

4. One-Third of the English Vocabulary in French

Interestingly, English is not unique as it takes a lot from other countries’ languages. Look at the famous quote of James Nicolle, “We do not borrow words. But on occasion, the English language pursued other languages down the alleyways to beat them unconscious of rifling their pockets for building a new vocabulary.”

One of the languages that English borrowed from is the French language. In fact, many sources claim that up to 45% of the words in the English language come from speaking French. Here are some examples:

• Abattoir
• Abandon
• Café
• Cabinet
• Infidel
• Infertile
• Similar and so the list goes on

5. For English Speakers, French is an Easy Language to Learn

After Spanish, with more straightforward grammar, the French language is easy to understand. As French and English have a lot of similarities in words, it is not as hard to understand them if you have an English-speaking background and start speaking French.

6. In the World, There Are around 100 million Native French Speakers

While there are more than 60 million people speaking the French language in France, you can find many different French communities around the globe ranging from Africa, Canada, Monaco, and Switzerland.

7. There Are Five Continents Where People Speak French

You can find English speakers worldwide, but the French language is also vocal on the five continents. In other words, there are people speaking French in North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

8. French is Growing Fast and Becoming Popular

While the French language is not commonly spoken by all people, more people want to learn and speak this language. The statistics show that over 500 million people will be speaking French by 2025. You can find more people speaking French every year, and the number keeps growing. Even the French Diplomatie website feels that French will become a spoken language by all, especially with the high birth rate in France alone. You may even find that the language will become widely spoken in Europe, taking over the German language by 2025.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many more interesting facts in the French language we could mention, like the Academie Francaise. It has preserved the language since its creation by Cardinal Richelieu in 1634. The Academy comprises 40 members overseeing French for France and adding new words while changing others with modern terms for people who are speaking French.

Another fun fact is counting in the French language, as it is unclear how to pronounce the numbers between 80 to 99. In the English vocabulary, you say “eighty-three” while when speaking French, you say quatre-vingt-trois which means ‘four twenties’. Instead of saying ninety-nine, the French say four twenties, nineteen, or quatre-vingt-dix-neuf.

Renaissance Translations’ French Translation Services 

Our company offers high-quality and accurate French translation services across multiple industries including healthcare, business, manufacturing, information technology, and many more. With a network of over 5,000 professional translators, we can help you with your translation needs.

To guarantee a professional translator is always available when needed, we have pooled the talents of native translators internationally. Your partnership with Renaissance Translations comes with professional memberships such as ATC and SDL LSP Partner Programme. Get in touch today to discuss your French translation project, or a request a quote online on our website.

If you want to boost your career in 2022, you need to improve your language skills. Language development is essential for communication in global or culturally diverse workplaces. Whether you’re working with clients or colleagues with a different primary language, or simply trying to write proposals and reports to suppliers and business partners overseas, strong language skills will give you an edge over the competition.

As language specialists, we know all the tips and tricks you can implement to improve your language level and thus career success. And we will share them all with you in this article. Keep reading to discover more about what language skills are and our top tips for becoming a pro.

What are Language Skills?

Language skills are abilities that allow people to communicate with others in a precise and proficient way that makes their message simple to understand. Speaking is the language skill that most people think of initially. However, other communication skills play a vital role in language development. Therefore, language skills are an umbrella term encompassing speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

Language skills are important in many walks of life, but they are crucial in a professional setting. For example, if you are a doctor, you need to be able to read medical journals and understand medical terminology at a certain language level. If you are a teacher, you need to be able to speak in front of a class and explain complex concepts. And if you are working in a multicultural or global work environment, you need to be able to communicate with members of the team in your secondary language.

Introduction to the Four Language Skills

Reading, listening, speaking, and writing are the essential language skills. Below we delve deeper into each of the four language skills and how you can improve your abilities within each.

1. Reading

Reading is the ability to understand written text. This is an important language skill in all areas of business, from reading simple emails to understanding complex technical documents and reports. To improve your language level, you can read text out loud and have discussions with co-workers about the written document can help improve understanding and language development. Additionally, you can read books or articles to broaden your knowledge.

2. Listening

Listening is the ability to understand a spoken language. It is an important language skill in work and social settings. With stronger listening skills, you will be able to understand what is being said around you and react accordingly. You may even find that your language level increases when you listen more! Paying close attention to non-verbal cues and linking these with words and phrases can help improve understanding. It also helps to maintain eye contact with the speaker where possible, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need more clarification to improve language development.

3. Speaking

Speaking fluently and confidently is a very important language skill when it comes to social interactions and business meetings. By sharing your ideas verbally, you will be able to improve your language level. The best way to improve speaking is through practice. Additionally, phone calls are particularly challenging for most but often occur in a professional setting. Have mock phone conversations with friends and family to improve language development.

4. Writing

Writing is the ability to produce a written language using a computer or pen and paper. One of the reasons you may want to improve your writing skills is to help you convey more complicated ideas. Additionally, writing is a useful language skill when creating reports and other texts that can help you in your career. A diary of useful sentences or words you commonly use but struggle to remember can help improve your language level.

Other Ways to Improve Your Language Level

If you want to improve your language level, it’s important to practice them regularly. You can find plenty of resources online or in your local library to help with language development. You can also join a language class or practice with a friend or colleague. The more you practice, the better you will become at using the language skills you have learned.

Another way to improve your language development is to use them regularly in authentic contexts. If you can find a job where you can use your language skills all the time, this will help to improve your language level. Ultimately, any practice you can fit in is beneficial. Additionally, don’t be scared of making mistakes – learning from your errors is the best way to ensure you don’t keep falling into the same pitfalls. Furthermore, you can effectively improve your language skills during your holidays. Your holidays will increase your chances of communicating with more people who speak the language.

Closing Thoughts

As we’ve discussed, language development is important for your career success. But what should you work on first? The four key language skills to improve in terms of importance are reading, listening, writing, and speaking fluently. If this sounds daunting or too complicated – don’t worry! You can take baby steps by focusing on just one skill at a time and gradually adding more as you become more comfortable with each area to slowly improve your language level.

In summary, if you want to improve your language skills for your career in 2022, there are two important things that you should do: practice regularly in authentic contexts. After all, practice makes perfect!

Best wishes for 2022!