Tips for Translating English to Spanish
Everything related to our social life is complex. In order to understand the multi-layered concepts of culture and language, one must dig deep. Otherwise, we will end up with assumptions that don’t really mean anything. If you work in a field, then it is your job to research about it and educate yourself about every aspect as much as you can. A surgeon cannot believe the claims about medical science that they come across on Facebook; that’s what makes them different from the rest. A translator is the same when it comes to languages. They cannot act like an online language tool and give inaccurate translations.
The Spanish Language and Its Translation:
Everyone knows that Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world. But due to the heavy presence of its speakers on the internet, it has also become important for online businesses. It is often required for mobile app localization. Latin America has a huge gaming population, which means Spanish is also valuable to the studios and manufacturers of games and consoles. However, since English is the world’s lingua franca, most of the content is created in it. From websites to apps, everything on the web has English as its primary language.
This doesn’t mean that companies cannot connect with their non-English speaking audiences. Even if an audience can understand English, a business must try to reach out to them in their native tongue. Respecting the native tongue is the best way to build a connection with the target audience. This is why there is such a high demand for English to Spanish translations. However, not every linguistic expert can handle the combination. Only a native speaker of Spanish can translate it properly. But even they will need some tips to be better at their job.
Tips for Translating English to Spanish:
Every language is unique, but none more so than the ones spoken by a huge number of speakers, which is why you will need guidance to accurately translate them. Here are the tips that can help you with translating English to Spanish:
- Know the Audience:
Spanish is spoken in more than twenty countries, which means all of its speakers don’t have the same culture or beliefs. Before you begin working on a document or website, it is important to learn who your audience is. Your client will inform you about the target audience, but it will be up to you to get to know them in detail. You can only create quality content for an audience if you know their beliefs and values.
- Dialect:
Since it is spoken in different regions of the world, Spanish has so many dialects and versions. If you use the version spoken in Spain for the people of Mexico, they will feel angry towards the brand for not knowing them well. This will endanger your client’s attempts to build a connection with their audience. Make sure you know which dialect the target audience speaks and then translate into that.
- Space Issues:
Every language has its writing system. In some of them, a simple message can be conveyed in one sentence, but in others, it must be written by using a paragraph. Before you begin translating, keep in mind that Spanish is a longer language. If your client has provided you instructions about the specific length, then you must make sure that the text fits within that space. Such restrictions come into play when a website or app has to be translated.
- Cultural Aspects:
Culture affects every aspect of human life, including language. It is important to remember how a certain culture affects a language. For instance, the word ‘you’ is used to refer to everyone in English. But in some vernaculars, there is a formal pronoun, and then an elevated title used to show respect to people. The latter is the case with Spanish. There is also a difference in frankness during conversations between English and Spanish. Keep these factors in mind when working on your translations.
- Idioms and Slang Words:
If you speak American English, you may have trouble understanding British or Australian slang words despite the fact that the same language is spoken in all three countries. But with time, people develop new words that fit their cultural needs. Such slang words cannot be explained to outsiders but make complete sense to the natives. If you come across an English idiom, do not try to translate it. Instead, try to find an idiom with a similar meaning in Spanish. If you do the former, you will end up confusing your readers. Idioms and slang words might not even make sense to outsiders.
The only way to connect with your audience is by speaking a language they would understand. But this goes beyond the language itself and the many factors that affect it. Cultural values of people end up affecting the most ordinary aspects of their lives. Understanding the way languages change and the factors that affect them is how translators can get better at their work and pick up more projects easily. Spanish is everywhere from the internet to the entertainment industry, which is why it is essential for businesses to use it to communicate with a huge portion of their audience. With the above-mentioned tips, the translation can get a lot better for websites and businesses. A mobile app will also look good if all the languages in it are placed properly.
