When French English Translation Becomes a Blunder

by Armando Riquier
(Clearwater, FL 33756, United States)

Considering there are around 128 million people on Earth who speak French, it's no wonder many website owners are getting their sites translated into this useful language. In addition to France and Canada, French speakers also originate from Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, in Europe. They are from Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, in Africa. They live in Cambodia and Vietnam, in Asia, and the list could continue. Considering there are around 128 million people on Earth who speak French, it's no wonder many website owners are getting their sites translated into this useful language.

The Price Factor

Most web pages were published to be displayed to as many people as possible. However, price is definitely an obstacle for owners who simply can't bear the expense that French English translation and interpretation can incur. How can these webmasters take part in the exchange of information with French speaking visitors?

The Available Opportunities

A website that does not engage in electronic commerce or isn't a not-for-profit organization, may only need translation for some parts. These may be pages that the site owners label as very important and useful. This is one method of saving a little money on French English translation jobs. Also, there are a few services that are free of charge that are available for non-commercial sites. There are students of translation that need experience to complete a practicum. Freelang.net is one such site where free help is available for brief, non-commercial translations. If the site has built up heavy traffic, a webmaster shouldn't take chances with free or budget French English translation services. They have higher a probability of being stained with blunders.

Some Blunders

French English translation, like any language translation, can be a time consuming and complex work because there are words and phrases that simply can't be translated directly. In French, for instance, there's an unfamiliar and familiar way of addressing someone involving the word 'you', which has two 'forms': 'vous' and 'tu'. As a consequence, the verbs 'tutoyer' and 'vouvoyer' have no exact translation in English. Dictionaries often define the one as being the unfamiliar address and the other as the familiar. However, this isn't always easily comprehended by English speakers who are learning French, especially beginners. Experience teaches the skilled French English translator to simply explain instead of define. 'Tutoyer' could plainly indicate being on a first name basis and 'vouvoyer' as not calling someone by their first name. Some French English translation blunders can even be spotted in names. The famous soccer player, Michel Platini's first name has been pronounced like the American female name of 'Michelle'. Mishaps don't only occur when English speakers try to translate into French, but also when French speakers translate to English. In a Bed and Breakfast somewhere in France, an American visitor observed a sign stating: the genuine antics in your room come from our family castle. Long life to it. Once the decision has been made to use French English translation services, an evaluation of the positive and negative side of things has to be made.

About the Author:
Armando Riquier is a freelance author and translator, part of the Tectrad's quality control team. Tectrad is a professional translation company offering since 1990 a wide range of services in the field, particularly French English translations