English to French Translation

What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages? Trilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages? Bilingual

What do you call someone who speaks 1 language? French

French is the national language of France. The hackneyed world view was that the people of France so highly regarded their language (and themselves) that they refused to speak in anything else! This may or may not have been true, but it is certainly not the reality today with France being an integral part of the multilingual European Union.

The marriage of convenience

France is the ninth-largest economy in the world and ranks fourth in the Fortune Global 500 ahead of Germany AND the UK.

France is the largest country in the European Union and its second largest economy on the strength of purchasing power. It is at the heart of the EU excellently connected by its communications network. France is in easy reach of UK’s industrial centres as well as the vast industrial belts along Germany’s border. This enviously situated country is also a part of the Mediterranean arc running to Italy.

The French coastline is not just known for its rich and famous revellers: it provides access by sea to Northern Europe, Africa, and America.

The fascination with France

The world has always been fascinated with all things French which are regarded as the height of elegance and sophistication. French fashion, cuisine, and art have always been trendsetters.

This is not just a one-way street with the world being interested. French leaders are increasingly aware that the future of France is tied not just to the development of the EU but of trade and cultural relations with the rest of the world.

Venturing into France

The Economist notes that there has been a marked shift in the French start-up scene in particular and the economic scene in general. This is a country that is looking towards ‘fresh growth’ with a ‘new vibe’ and a more global attitude. This has resulted in new ventures and the capital for it is beginning to flow with increasing speeds and volumes. Last year France raised capital of 2.7 billion Euros.

Earlier investments in infrastructure for industries and start-ups are also delivering huge pay-offs. Existing big businesses had also invested in training facilities and incubator firms in previous years; these are now producing French entrepreneurs who look at the business scene with vista vision goggles. They dream big and multinational.

French is not just the language of France

French is spoken in 29 countries as an official language: la francophonie, the sorority of French-speaking countries. Parts of Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland, Monaco and the erstwhile French playgrounds of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East all belong to this French speaking club.

So when we speak of the desirability or the need to learn or operate in French, we must consider this extended populace too, not just the more than 65 million of France.

English to French translation

Want to do business with the French? Of course!

Then one has to understand that the French way of doing business is very closely connected to French culture and French culture starts with respect for the French language.

Noting the need for translations into French, research conducted by Cardiff University pointed out that English could be used ONLY for initial feelers and forays into the highly desirable French market. Entrenching businesses and related activities need French of the highest quality. Point to be noted: the French-speaking market includes all those countries where the language is spoken, officially or otherwise, like Africa and the Middle East.

It’s a small world

Cultural exchanges go hand in hand with economic ties. France has always been famous for its highly cultured society. French interest in literature, drama, theatre and the arts is no surprise to anybody.

Maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries is the reality of today’s way of life when finding common grounds is preferred to confrontation.

It is not just business and common economic interests that drive the need for translation. French interest in ‘elevating’ life and in being an integral part of, not just the EU, but also the world community also requires translation services. Since English is considered the lingua franca, and so much of the scientific, cultural and literary is in the language, English to French translation becomes necessary.

Perfection needed

La perfection is the paramount need for English to French translation. The script and the spelling are the same, but phonetically there is a world of difference.

French is a melodious language with sounds gently flowing into each other. The main reason for this is that consonants at the ends of words do not check this flow as they are rarely pronounced. This can make it difficult to match sound with text. Only an expert translator with a grip on the language can do it.

Unlike in English, every French word has a gender. Ah, French verbs! They are the dominion of the Francophone alone; not easy to master unless you speak French like, well, the French!

English to French translation services

Automated translation tools cannot do justice to this most beautiful and euphonious of languages. Such translations can only produce word-for-word texts but fail when language needs to be idiomatic and descriptive. Poor translations mean poor business reputations.

With the increasing need for top class English to French translation, it is advisable to use the services of a top class translation service who will deliver the goods discreetly and honour commitments of time.

As the 29 Francophone countries see a boom in popularity and population as well as commonality in coming times, French as a language will gain more prominence. Translation into French naturally follows.

Safe to say English to French translation has come of age and only the best translators and translation agencies need to be considered.

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