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Canadian French Translation ServicesOn the global stage, Canada is generally regarded as a polite and developed country that by and large has its act together. Intermixed with the good-natured stereotype of well-mannered hockey fans who love their beer and their Tim Hortons, there are however some misconceptions. No, it is not cold all the time. No, not all Canadians love maple syrup. And the biggest one of all – No, not all Canadians speak French.
On the global stage, Canada is generally regarded as a polite and developed country that by and large has its act together. Intermixed with the good-natured stereotype of well-mannered hockey fans who love their beer and their Tim Hortons, there are however some misconceptions. No, it is not cold all the time. No, not all Canadians love maple syrup. And the biggest one of all – No, not all Canadians speak French.
This distinction is important if you are in the market for a Canadian translation agency, and the misconception is largely due to confusion amongst Canada’s neighbors to the south. The United States has no official language. It has many different languages (more than 350), with English being the most common, but no official language or languages. So when people from the US learn that the two official languages of Canada are English and French, many assume that means that everyone there is bilingual.
Where in Canada Do People Speak French?Many people in Canada do speak French, and they do so from the easternmost province of Newfoundland all the way to the western shores of British Columbia, but total French speakers make up only about 21% of the population. When people assume that all Canadians speak French, what they are actually thinking of are parts of Canada, namely the province of Quebec. Other areas like New Brunswick also have a solid number of native French speakers in Canada, but the only place in Canada where the majority language is French is Quebec.
QuebecIn the province of Quebec and in its largest city Montreal, approximately 95% of people speak French. What’s more, French is the sole official language of Quebec, and there are more people who speak only French than people who speak both French and English. It is for this province that your agence de traduction may need to employ its French translators.
The French Language PoliceIn Quebec, there is an organization known as the OQLF (Office québécois de la langue française) that works to preserve the local French language and prevent the encroachment of anglicisms into the language. In France, for example, it is common to refer to an email as “un mail,” borrowing from the English term. In Canadian French, however, government correspondence and public signs must call an email “un courriel.” The OQLF is also making efforts to prevent the use of the word “selfie,” suggesting instead “égoportraits,” and want “ghosting” someone to be called “fantomisation.” These efforts are made to preserve the integrity of Canadian French, and though the organization is sometimes criticized for being too extreme and finicky in its efforts, it has gotten good results.
Should I Translate into French for a Canadian Audience?An APlus Translations representative can help you decide what is best for your particular project, but normally if you are targeting the Quebec market, then yes. And you’ll want to make sure you use Canadian French translation services to give your document that local Quebec flavor. C’est le fun!
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Vancouver Translation ServicesChinese families in Vancouver have a long and storied history that stretches from the original workers on the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s to today’s immigrants and families of substantial wealth who come to Vancouver for business and educational opportunities for their children. The cosmopolitan city itself is renowned for being the most multicultural in Canada, and out of the city’s total population, a whopping 20% speak Chinese. Of those who speak another language at home and thus give the city its multicultural crown, almost half speak Chinese.
Like Vancouver itself, the topic of Chinese translation is nuanced. Two essential questions must be asked – “Which Chinese language?” and “How is it written?”
Mandarin vs CantoneseThere are many forms of Chinese, and the two most popular, Mandarin and Cantonese, can be classified as different dialects of the same language (like US English and UK English). Unlike US and UK English, however, they are not mutually comprehensible. So while someone from the US and someone from the UK could generally communicate with one another with limited difficulty and only slight variations in vocabulary and accent, speakers of Mandarin and speakers of Chinese would find it much, much more difficult to converse with one another.
Across the world, there are significantly more Mandarin than Cantonese speakers (1.1 billion versus less than 100 million), and that is largely because Mandarin is spoken in massive mainland China and is the country’s official language. Cantonese is more commonly found in Macau, the Guangdong province, and especially Hong Kong, where it is spoken by about 96% of the population.
Mandarin vs Cantonese in VancouverWith over ten times more Mandarin than Cantonese speakers in the world, it may come as a bit of a surprise that Vancouver has roughly the same number of speakers of each. This is the same case, however, in other North American cities with a large Chinese influence like San Francisco and Seattle, and it is basically due to the fact that traditionally the largest number of immigrants have come from China’s Guangdong region where Cantonese is spoken. In fact, there used to be much more Cantonese than Mandarin spoken in Vancouver, and only recently have numbers started to balance out.
Traditional versus Simplified Chinese in VancouverNow things get a bit more complicated, or less, depending on your perspective. Both Mandarin and Cantonese use the same system for writing characters. So while the different speakers would not be able to converse, they could both read and understand the same text. There is of course a caveat – Chinese has two forms of writing, Traditional and Simplified. These cannot typically be read and understood by someone who only knows one of the two forms of writing.
Traditional versus Simplified Chinese in VancouverNow things get a bit more complicated, or less, depending on your perspective. Both Mandarin and Cantonese use the same system for writing characters. So while the different speakers would not be able to converse, they could both read and understand the same text. There is of course a caveat – Chinese has two forms of writing, Traditional and Simplified. These cannot typically be read and understood by someone who only knows one of the two forms of writing.
Traditional versus Simplified Chinese in VancouverNow things get a bit more complicated, or less, depending on your perspective. Both Mandarin and Cantonese use the same system for writing characters. So while the different speakers would not be able to converse, they could both read and understand the same text. There is of course a caveat – Chinese has two forms of writing, Traditional and Simplified. These cannot typically be read and understood by someone who only knows one of the two forms of writing.
First things first, Traditional does not equal Cantonese and Simplified does not equal Mandarin, or vice-versa. Both Traditional and Simplified Chinese are seen in Vancouver, typically depending on where the audience is historically from and whether or not the audience speaks Mandarin or Cantonese.
Is the Best Translation into Mandarin or Cantonese? Simplified or Traditional?There is no one-size-fits-all solution for English to Chinese document translation. You need to know your audience, where they’re from, what dialect they speak, and what form of writing they most commonly use. Generally speaking, if the audience is from mainland China, you should lean towards Simplified Mandarin. If the audience is from Hong Kong or Macau, Traditional Cantonese may be your best bet. If you need further guidance on Vancouver translation services, APlus Translations representatives are happy to help.
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A gorgeous locale nestled between the rugged North Shore Mountains and striking Pacific coastline is bound to attract its fair share of people, and that is exactly what the city of Vancouver has been doing for over a century. Its unique landscape has drawn in people from across the globe, all bringing their own customs, traditions and ways of life to create an incomparable melting pot that is consistently voted one of the world’s most livable cities.
The city’s culture remains marked by its earliest inhabitants, the First Nations people, as evidenced by Vancouver’s architecture, art scene and numerous festivals that pay tribute to its original population. Totems and sculptures influenced by the Haida and other groups can be seen throughout the city, and local universities have become prominent research centers for First Nations people throughout Canada.
The city also has a notable Chinese influence, as many Chinese railway workers arrived in the late 19th century following completion of the transcontinental railway. As the last stop on the line, workers in Vancouver faced a choice – either make the long and expensive trip back to China or make a new home in Vancouver. Many stayed, later bringing their relatives to join them in their new life.
Later settlers included large groups of Japanese, who relocated and worked in small fishing villages along the coast or on local farms. During that same period, Canada’s flourishing lumber industry brought a new wave of immigrants from India and Pakistan. The end of World War II brought with it the arrival of many Italian, Greek and Arab families, and the ease of modern air travel has brought even more immigrants from every part of the world.
Vancouver’s geographic location between the Pacific Ocean and various mountain ranges means that space is limited and neighbors from all over have had to share relatively close quarters. This has led to the blending of cultures that has made the city the amazing metropolis that it is, but there is one element that does not change very quickly, and that is language.
Vancouver Translation CompanyWith over 49% of its residents being non-native English speakers, Vancouver is one of the most multilingual cities in the world. Cantonese, Mandarin, French, Tagalog, Japanese and Punjabi are just a few of the many languages you’ll hear residents speaking. This adds to the city’s inimitable charm, but can also lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Fortunately, APlus Translations has a local Vancouver translation service that is ready to handle all your multilingual needs. APlus is the foremost Vancouver translation company and has the experience and expertise to help you and your business.
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A love for food has long helped unite different cultures from around the world, as people from markedly different ways of life can come together to appreciate and enjoy one another’s cooking and mealtime traditions. It is difficult to find a more multicultural metropolitan area than Vancouver, and when you add in the fact that the freshest seafood ingredients are available right next door in the Pacific Ocean, you have the recipe for phenomenal multicultural cuisine.
You don’t have to be a foodie blogger or genteel gourmet to appreciate the difference between authentic and imitation regional foods, and when you venture into Vancouver’s Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown or Punjabi Market, you can rest assured that you are in for a genuine treat. Chinatown is known for adding traditional Oriental flavors to local salmon, oyster and sea urchin. If you are in the mood for sushi, Japan town has nigiri and sashimi combinations that are consistently voted the best in Canada.
The relative proximity of Vancouver’s different ethnic neighborhoods has produced an impossibly creative and appetizing level of fusion cuisine that is difficult to match anywhere on the planet. Nearly any combination of cultures and countries is possible in Vancouver, and the culinary results are captivating. Want to try Indian-Italian? Have a slice or two of butter chicken pizza. In the mood for Japanese-Mexican fusion? A fish taco with wakame and ginger is like having a sushi roll in a tortilla. Another intriguing combination is local icon Japadog, which offers Japanese-style hot dogs with ingredients like wagyu beef, seaweed, teriyaki sauce, Japanese mayo and fried onions.
All of these amazing multicultural delights are of course imbued with the rich culinary traditions of Canada itself. Smoked meats, local fruits and berries, and of course plenty of seafood figure prominently in Vancouver food, and local hallmarks like poutine and maple syrup can be found in all types of dishes. One notable mention is candied salmon, which is smoked salmon filets cured with sugar and salt, then brushed with maple syrup. Vancouver chefs even experiment with one-of-a-kind fusion dishes like Pad Thai Poutine.
Vancouver Translation ServicesAll of these multicultural delicacies require a multicultural approach for any business or start-up, and one of the first crucial steps is making sure that you have the right Vancouver translation company. APlus Translations is the premier Vancouver translation service and is ready to help you and your business with all your translation needs.
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If you like the idea of using your language skills to help unite people from around the globe, then becoming a translator could be the career for you. Many translators work from home (or some gorgeous destination) and enjoy the mentally-stimulating challenge of converting a text from one language to another. Interested in this path […]
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“Fastest turnaround times in the industry at a fraction of the price!” How To Choose a Translation Agency A quick internet search will present potential translation clients with an almost overwhelming number of options to choose from. Do you go with the company with the flashy website showing what appears to be a fashion model […]
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I learned from the Japanese the concept of taking company trips. I mean LEISURE trips. It’s when your boss takes you and your co-workers to a fancy ryokan hotel, where you spend one and a half days strolling in a yukata (casual cotton version of the kimono), taking a dip in a natural hot spring […]
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Finance’s Biggest Names Give their Takes Despite the many real-world benefits touted by Bitcoin proponents, most speculators and everyday retail investors are really interested in just one thing: How much money can I make from Bitcoin? And if you listen to the the thousands of cryptocurrency experts, ranging from MBA analysts at JP Morgan to […]
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Neuralink is an electronic device that will link humans directly to computers via a brain implant. The implantation procedure will be performed by robot doctors, and the Neuralink company itself was co-founded by Elon Musk( who else?). Ultimately, the brain chip will allow individuals to use their thoughts to access the internet, communicate with anyone […]
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If you grew up imagining that by 2022 you’d be flying your electric car back home to your solar-powered house, you were probably quite disappointed to instead find yourself shelling outheaps of cash to fill your tank at the local gas station. Did futurists from the past envision thismodern day problem or did they think […]
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i.e. “It’s only a loss if you sell.” On September 7, 2022, the country of El Salvador and spectators around the world took amoment to reflect on the tiny country’s big bet on Bitcoin. El Salvador made history bybecoming the first country in the world not only to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, but also […]
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Software Translation Services Imagine that you’re a software developer in Madrid and you’ve just put the finishing touches on your killer new gaming app, El Juego Casi Imposible. The navigation, Ui, and graphics are all good to go… For Spain. That’s great, but you’ve got your sights set on the rest of Europe, the North […]
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What these generations love and don’t love about gambling Online Gambling Translations To younger crowds, the traditional idea of going to a casino and feeding coins into a slot machine seems, well, pretty terrible. That’s not to say that these two demographics – which extend from roughly legal gambling age to their id-‘30s – don’t […]
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In professional translator circles, machine translation is often seen as a 4-letter word. We laugh at how it bungles grammar, produces outright gibberish or somehow manages to turn a basic statement into some kind of vague Zen koan. “It sounds clunky and awkward,” we say. “It lacks nuance.” “It’s pathetic.” And then of course we […]
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Despacito. Gangnam Style. Macarena. Have you ever sung/mumbled the chorus of these songs, despite the fact that you aren’t really fluent in Spanish and Korean? Don’t be shy. We all have, and lucky for us (or at least the French), there is a word for a foreign song we sing just by imitating the sounds […]
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With over 4.5 billion people using social media around the world, companies, celebrities and influencers have discovered the rising importance of translating their social media accounts into other languages. Like anything involving multiple languages, however, there are some major pitfalls to avoid. Below are four of the biggest mistakes one can make when trying to […]
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AKA – Why did my French girlfriend ghost me? Paris, 1938. William, a young man from New York, has traveled to France to care for his ailing mother. Knowing her days are ending, she makes it a point to introduce him to Marie, her young French bed nurse. In Marie’s broken English and William’s clumsy, […]
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If someone knows both of the languages well, it should be pretty simple, right? You feed one language into the translator’s eyes or ears, then the translation comes out of their mouth or through their fingers on the keyboard. Clients would certainly like that kind of lightning-fast turnaround. Language translators would like it too because […]
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Unless you are two years old (and if you are, tell your mom to get you off the internet), then learning a foreign language is phenomenally difficult. While kids who grow up with significant exposure to multiple languages have a relatively easier time, the rest of us are stuck studying, practicing and floundering about with […]
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If you want to know something, you Google it. That’s what we do now, right? In my previous life as a high school teacher, I once had a student who was typing out an essay in class ask me, “Mister, how many countries are there in the EU?” This should be a normal sort of […]
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If you can read these words, then congratulations! You can use your English skills to communicate with about 1.35 billion people around the world. English is the world’s most popular language, with more speakers than Spanish, French and even Chinese. Want more proof of English’s ubiquity? Just go online, where there are more websites in […]
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In a classroom somewhere in Central America, a young boy is celebrating his birthday at school – a huge chocolate cake, plastic cups of soda, little gift bags for all the students, the works. His teacher asks him, “How old are you today, Diego?” He smiles brightly and says, “I have six years.” The teacher […]
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Freelace Translation Service: 3 Common Scams The life of a freelance translator can be a joy, and many are drawn to it for the freedom to work from home (anywhere in the world) and the satisfaction they get from working with words. Trouble can arise though when that “working” part inadvertently turns into pro bono. […]
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