When you request for a German, Chinese and English translation
or proofreading/editing, we will ask you a very important question:
WHERE
ARE YOUR TARGET READERS?
| Chinese: |
The Chinese language comes in slight variations when used
in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China and Singapore, the four
main Chinese-speaking countries. One of the variations is in
the terminology. For example, “computer” in Mainland
China is known as “calculator” in Singapore; and
“peanut” in Taiwan is known as “potato”
in Mainland China. In addition, Traditional Chinese characters
are being used in Taiwan and Hong Kong whereas Simplified Chinese
characters are being used in Singapore and Mainland China. We
do not want to confuse you with too many details here, but if
you can tell us more about your target readers, we will advise
you accordingly, as to which Chinese should be used. We work
with native Chinese linguists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland
China and Singapore, so one of them will definitely be the right
person for your text. |
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| English: |
In the translation industry, English comes in two main
camps: British English and American English. They are not
only divided in terms of their spelling (this is our least
concern because it can be easily fixed with a spell check)
but in their forms of expression as well. A “ladybird”
in UK English is a “ladybug” in US English; “post
code” in UK English is “zip code” in US
English; and you can either be “pleasant” or “ugly”
depending on whether you are described as “homely”
in British or American English respectively.
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| German: |
Some of our clients give us specific requests to work with
“Swiss-German”, “German-German” or “Austrian-German”.
You might ask, “Is there a difference?” and our
answer will be a clear “YES”. German is the official
language in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
and has official status in Belgium and Luxembourg. Naturally
people in each country have their own preferences in terms of
spelling, terminology and sentence construction. If your target
readers are in Switzerland, our Swiss translator will know the
most native, accurate and effective way to bring your message
across to his or her fellow countrymen. |
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Language is an art, not a science. Beneath the text, there are many
social, cultural, psychological and linguistic aspects to consider.
We do not pretend that we know all of them, but we are most willing
to share with you what we know. Tell us about your language needs
and we will work side by side with you in finding the right solution.
3lingo
specializes in German, Chinese and English translation and proofreading/editing
services. We are your specialists in the following language combinations:
German from/into
English
