A linguistic tree is a complex element in communication. Languages may share trunks of origin while branching out to other sides, or they may share the same branch entirely. And yet, just because the same language is spoken in two places does not mean that it is, in fact, the same language.
Take, for example, the difference between American English and Australian English or Canadian French and European French. Other examples are Portuguese for Brazil and Portuguese for Portugal, as well as the different variants of the Spanish language around the world. These differences in variants are fundamental considerations when it comes to translation services.
The Importance of Canadian French Translation
French is the official language of 29 countries and one of the world’s top five most spoken languages. The number of French speakers grows yearly, increasing the need for French translations.
European French is spoken mainly in France, as well as areas of Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Seychelles (another dialect of French is widely spoken throughout Africa, which has the fastest-growing French-speaking population in the world.)
The largest hub of French speakers in North America is Canada, where Quebec French is spoken. Canadian French is spoken mainly in Quebec, the official language, but also in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and other provinces.
How Does Canadian French and European French Vary
Canadian French is based on an older version of European French. French settlers brought their traditions, customs, and language to the New World. Because of the geographic separation, Canadian French preserved some old French terms while European French continued to evolve, leading to Canadian French sounding different than European French.
Today, Canadian French, often called Quebec French, bears similarities and several key differences from its European counterpart.
First, the similarities. Modern European French is derived from the same version of Canadian French, but the languages continued to develop separately. They share the same core vocabulary, grammatical rules, and written form. But from there, the two dialects branch off and exhibit pronunciation, vocabulary, and word usage differences.
When creating content in French, the translation agency must know the audience and where and how the French translations will be used.
Differences Between European and Quebec French Translation
Phrases in Speech
Although both Canadian and European French are versions of the same original French, one of the major differences between them is pronunciation. In the same general vocabulary list, their respective speakers pronounce the words differently.
The pronunciation of words throughout France may vary based on regional accents, but Parisian French is the standard, while speakers in French Canada are apt to change sounds entirely. One common example is using the word “chu” to replace “Je suis.” The pronunciation gap can become so wide that each dialect is not necessarily intelligible to speakers of the other.
French Canadians often use informal addresses whereas French would use formal, a key difference to know in addressing your audience.
Grammatic Translation Differences
Canadian French and European French have also evolved grammatical differences. The two dialects require different spacing before punctuation marks. This small detail could be easily overlooked in a multi-national campaign if you don’t work with an expert French translation company that knows the difference and has different teams of professional translators according to the content destination and usage.
Cultural Differences Between Europe and Canada
There are also cultural differences to consider between Canadian and European French audiences. France’s rich cultural history spans decades, including famed wine regions, holidays like Bastille Day, and iconic French dishes. Canada’s history is very recent and has been influenced by First Nations people, the traditions of settlers from multiple European countries, and its proximity to the United States. Many celebrations highlight the diversity of backgrounds and blend together traditions from multiple countries. Maple syrup, meat pie, and poutine are all uniquely Canadian.
These differences highlight the importance of knowing where your French-speaking audience lives so you can translate appropriately, using examples that resonate with them and the French content being appropriate while respecting differences.
Nuances of French Translation Services
There are also vocabulary differences between the dialects. Canada is a bilingual country where English and French are national languages, while France is monolingual, influencing language evolution. Speakers in French Canada have been influenced by English speakers both within the country and from the neighboring United States, as well as by the languages of the First Nations people.
Canadian French speakers use the word “job” while residents of France refer to it as “emploi.” Similarly, the word “computer” is common among French-speaking Canadians, while French people usually call it an “ordinateur.” These slight differences add to a significant language gap that proper translation services ( link to https://jrlanguage.ca/– Translation Services )must bridge.
Slang terms and idioms also differ between French spoken around Canada and French spoken in different locations of Europe; these terms tend to be regional and cultural and do not typically transcend country boundaries. Someone who stubs their toe in Quebec may exclaim, “Tabarnak!” while someone in Paris may use “Tabernacle” instead. A common slang term for money in Canada is “le bacon” from the English idiom “bringing home the bacon” while the French call it “L’argent” or “tunes.”
There are many differences between Quebec French and European French that a professional translator must keep in mind when translating English to French documents and other types of content like websites, videos, and eLearning modules. These differences can make a translation project feel foreign or unclear to your audience. It would be best to work with a language services partner who understands the importance of selecting the right team and has the resources for French translation services. Knowing where your French-speaking audience is located is critical to the success of your translation services efforts.
Selecting your French Interpreters
The disparity between spoken French worldwide also highlights the need to select the appropriate French translators for your French Interpretation services based on the origin of your audience. If your audience is Quebec French, you must choose a team of Quebec French interpreters for optimal communication.
Importance of Selecting a French Translation Agency to Support Your Needs
If you need Quebec French translation to English or English-to-Canadian French translation services, you’ve found a partner with JR Language Translation Agency. Our professional translators have years of experience with French translations for Canada, Europe, and Africa. We have a selected team that is vetted and ready to support your communication needs. At JR Language Translation Services, we always go the extra mile for you with high-quality translated content at affordable prices while providing suitable turnaround times. Contact us for a free quote today. We’d love to support your communication in French, regardless of the location of your audience.
