There is a consensus that translating from Romance/Latin and Anglo-Saxon languages into Asian languages like Korean, Japanese, and Chinese should be much more challenging than translating around Romance/Latin and Anglo-Saxon languages, for example, from English to Spanish or from Portuguese to French.
Besides the different alphabet and characters, the radically different sentence structure, conceptual framework, and cultural assumptions of the Asian languages require highly qualified linguists and updated technologies to provide correct translation. For instance, a simple exclamation in English or Japanese could require a paragraph to explain in the other language, and minor ambiguities in interpretation can yield completely irrelevant translations.
English-into-Asian translators usually face numerous linguistic and cultural challenges; for example, the Japanese and Korean languages don’t have as many rules governing word order as English, which would make a literal translation not only awkward but also incomprehensible.
The Japanese language also offers a large number of set phrases, usually to show respect and politeness, but when used in a wrong context would not make any sense.
Moreover, good dictionaries that are regularly updated to keep up with the latest changes in language and vocabulary as well as essential tools and software for typing, spell-checking, and grammar checking are not usually available for Asian languages, and many of them are below the standard.
At AsiaLocalize, our expertise and full awareness of the common pitfalls allow us to radically approach the challenges. We have a wide network of highly qualified in-country linguists who go beyond mastering the Asian languages and skillfully adapt content to the target culture norms. Our linguists are experts in the subject-matter involved in your industry. Applying translation best practices and using groundbreaking technology tools, we redefine and raise the standards of English-into- Asian translation. We deliver efficient high-quality localized documents to help you grow in the Asian markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it challenging to translate Arabic?
The Arabic language has letters that are not found in other languages. Besides, it is a poetic language that tends to use a lot of figurative speech, and in which one word can indicate many meanings. That is why Arabic translation needs expert native linguists who are well-aware of the language.
How many words are in the Arabic language?
There are around 12.3 million words in the Arabic language.
What sorts of files do you work on in your Arabic translation services?
AsiaLocalize works with all file formats and translates from many languages into Arabic or from Arabic to many languages based on your business needs.