French Translation

Megan

Atlassian Confluence

English to French and French to English translations by native, multilingual French-speaking experts to Paris standard for websites, SEO, articles and more. Find French Translation WFH freelancers on January 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less

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What to Know

How can you tell a good French translator?

Translating from French to another language, particularly English, requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond direct word-for-word translation. Here are the best practices, along with examples:

1. Understand Context and Culture
Cultural Nuances: French expressions often carry cultural weight. For instance, "Bon appétit" isn't just "enjoy your meal" but a cultural custom of wishing good eating.
Contextual Meaning: Words can have different meanings based on context. "Chapeau" can mean "hat" but is also used colloquially to express admiration, similar to "hats off to you."

2. Use Reliable Translation Tools
Machine Translation: Use tools like DeepL, Google Translate, or Microsoft Translator for a quick draft, but:
Always review for accuracy, especially with idiomatic expressions or specialized terminology.
Dictionaries: Employ bilingual dictionaries (e.g., Larousse, Collins French-English) for precise translations.

3. Master French Grammar
Verb Conjugation: French verbs are conjugated differently based on tense, mood, and subject. English doesn't have this complexity, so you need to interpret the tense correctly.
Example: "J'ai mangé" translates to "I have eaten" (not just "I ate") to preserve the past perfect tense.

4. Handle Idioms and Expressions
Direct vs. Figurative: Many French expressions have no direct English equivalent:
French: "Il pleut des cordes."
English: "It's raining cats and dogs." (Literal translation "It's raining ropes" wouldn't make sense.)

5. Consider the Audience
Formal or Informal: French uses different pronouns and verb forms depending on formality ("tu" vs. "vous"). Decide whether to maintain this distinction or adapt to the target language's conventions.

6. Translate Concepts, Not Just Words
False Friends: Words that look similar in both languages but mean different things:
French: "Actuellement" means "currently," not "actually" (which would be "en fait").

7. Use Natural Language
Natural Flow: Translate in a way that sounds natural in the target language:
French: "Il fait beau aujourd’hui, n'est-ce pas?"
English: "Nice weather today, isn't it?" (Not "It makes beautiful today, isn't it?")

8. Adapt Cultural References
Localize: Sometimes, cultural specifics need adaptation:
French: "Le bac" (referring to the French baccalauréat exam) might need explanation or adaptation depending on the audience: "The French high school leaving exam."

9. Review and Edit
Multiple Passes:
First Pass: Focus on content accuracy.
Second Pass: Adjust for style, tone, and flow.
Third Pass: Proofread for grammar and punctuation.
Native Review: Have a native English speaker review your translation, especially if it's for publication or formal use.

10. Specialize if Possible
Domain Knowledge: For technical, legal, or scientific texts, use terminology specific to the field:
French: "Le système juridique français"
English: "The French legal system" requires understanding of both legal terms and contexts.

11. Use Translation Memory
Consistency: For ongoing projects or series, use CAT tools like SDL Trados or MemoQ to maintain consistency in terminology and phrases.

Examples:
Sentence Translation:
French: "Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît."
English: "I would like a coffee, please."
Cultural Idiomatic Expression:
French: "Quand les poules auront des dents." (When chickens have teeth.)
English: "When pigs fly." (Both mean something will never happen.)

By combining these practices, you can produce translations that are not only accurate but also culturally and linguistically appropriate for an English-speaking audience. Remember, the goal is to convey meaning and intent in a way that feels natural to the reader or listener.

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