July is French American Heritage Month, celebrating francophone people and how they shaped the United States. Talking about French translation Services is fitting, since French is a common tongue north of the US border, and although it is less common in the States, the historical use of this language has left lasting impressions and new dialects that are still used today.
And while focusing on French translation, localizing it to the appropriate region is key to reaching French-speaking markets worldwide.
French in the World Today
French is a romance language from the Indo-European branch of linguistics. It’s closely related to Spanish and Italian and is spoken by nearly 80 million native speakers, but a further 235 million people daily worldwide. It’s the official language of 29 countries, including France, Canada, Belgium, and several African countries.
France is the birthplace of the language and the most well-known French-speaking region, while the Canadian Province of Quebec is a close second.
European French is also widely spoken throughout Europe, commonly as a second language. But the fastest growing region that uses the French language, or a dialect of it, is within Africa, particularly Gabon, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast. Each region speaks a specific dialect of French; some are closely related to modern French, while others share historical roots. Even within France itself, there are dialects of the language, including Parisian French and Marseillais.
The Need for Canadian French Translation Services in North America
While French is not as common in the United States today, it was once a dominant linguistic force. This is evident by the number of French-based languages that still exist today. Most of these languages are a variant of European French, particularly what was spoken in the 17th and 18th centuries. These languages include:
- Louisiana French, a French-based dialect
- Louisiana Creole, a French-based Creole language
- Haitian Creole, a French-based Creole language
- French Creole, a French-based Creole languages
Of course, any discussion of the French language in North America is incomplete without discussing Quebec, a Canadian province with the highest concentration of Canadian French speakers in North America and the second-highest concentration of native speakers in the world.
Québecois French is one of the two official languages of Canada. Canadian and European French can be compared to American and British English; they are similar enough to be understood by speakers of both but different enough to require specific specialized linguists for each regional professional French translation service.
The vast spread of the French language and numerous dialects highlights the importance of localization in your translation.
The Need for French Business Translations
As evidenced in this translation blog post, French is widely spoken throughout the world – but the language is not the same everywhere you go. In each French-spoken country, the language mixed with the existing languages and cultures of the people who were already there. The result is a myriad of French dialects, each similar but unique.
Canadian French, also called Québecois French, is more similar to historical versions of French, not modern ones. This is important because a European French translation that is made for Paris will not work in Quebec, or any of the other French-speaking provinces of Canada because of the linguistic differences. There are noticeable differences in both terms (such as “beverage”) and the pronunciation of shared words. And a Canadian French translation would not be appropriate for Haiti, where Haitian Creole is common.
Understanding the differences in distinguishable dialects of French is essential for a business targeting Francophones – but you don’t have to burden your company by understanding the linguistic differences yourself. Working with a professional translation company to translate English to French documents means you can focus your team on what they do best while taking advantage of new audiences with existing content.
Localizing French Translations Services
Localization is the differentiator for international companies seeking to attract French-speaking audiences. A French speaker can always tell the difference between dialects; a general French translation can feel distant to your consumer. You want clients and consumers to feel that your content was written for them and resonates in their lives.
Audiences seek out businesses and brands they feel connected to – and a large part of that connection is speaking the right language. Localization is key to your global reach, whether you’re working on a French business translation for an architectural firm or want to translate your product descriptions for an e-commerce shop.
To localize properly, you have to know your audience. If you want to target French speakers, are you thinking of Paris residents, or do you need Canadian French translation to be used for Canadian customers? If your target audience lives in France, do they reside in the north or south region? Where is your content going to be used? How is it going to be used? The more specific you can get about your audience and their geography, the more tailored your localized French translation can be, and the better it will resonate with your audience.
French is not a homogenous language throughout the world. While the soaring skyline of Paris may be the first image that comes to mind, the truth is that French is a language spoken worldwide by many people from many walks of life. Each region has its own form of French language, with different punctuation rules and different vocabulary, and some dialects are more different than others. European French is different from Canadian French and separate from Haitian Creole.
Localizing your French translation services is the differentiator for businesses connecting with a French-speaking audience. While an English speaker may not notice a difference in English to Quebecois French translation and French translation services for Africa, the French readers will notice.
If you’re ready to take the next step in French translation services, you need a partner in language services. Whether you need an English translation of French dictionaries, an English-to-French translation, or a new website in Canadian French, the professionalism and experience of a language service provider can illuminate the path that leads you to global growth.
At JR Language Translation Services, we work with companies worldwide to provide excellent quality French translation services that exceed expectations at affordable prices. Contact us for a translation or interpretation services quote today— we’d love to hear from you.
