Traditionally Translated

Culture gives languages different contexts. The same words used from one culture to another can carry a similar meaning or mean the complete opposite. Meanings in both source and target languages are greatly affected by their cultural context, especially in business translations. A phrase that appears easy to translate may contain cultural subtleties that do not carry over well, or even exist in the target culture. This is where professionalism and years of translation services plays a key role.

Like text localisation, translations not just between languages, but across cultures can speak better or worse to your target audience, depending on the chosen words. To make sure that your message is effectively conveyed to your international audience, our native-speaker translators will ‘transcreate’ your content and adapt it to the linguistic and cultural norms of your target audience. The information should not only reflect your message, but aspects of your target need to be taken into account. Accordingly, the translation of basic or detailed texts requires more than just a knack for language, but the added experience of cultural knowledge.

Cultural translations are an important aspect of communication, especially in today's globalised world. With businesses and individuals interacting with people from different cultures, it has become necessary to ensure that messages and meanings are not lost in translation. Cultural translation involves the transfer of meaning from one culture to another, and it requires a deep understanding of the cultural nuances of both the source and target languages.

The need for cultural translations arises when a message needs to be conveyed to someone who does not speak the same language or who comes from a different cultural background. It could be in the form of a business communication, a legal document, a literary work, or even a social media post. In all these cases, the meaning needs to be transferred accurately to avoid any misunderstandings.

Intercultural Communication

Cultural translations involve more than just the literal translation of words from one language to another. It requires an understanding of the cultural context and the nuances of language use. For instance, certain words or phrases that are acceptable in one culture may be deemed offensive in another. Similarly, the tone and style of communication may differ from one culture to another. These cultural differences must be taken into account when translating a message.

In addition to language differences, cultural translations also involve differences in non-verbal communication. Gestures, body language, and facial expressions can convey different meanings in different cultures. For instance, a nod of the head may mean agreement in some cultures, while in others, it may indicate disagreement. Understanding these differences is crucial to ensure effective communication.

Cultural translations are not just important in the context of international communication but also in multicultural societies. In countries like the United Kingdom, where there is a significant population of immigrants and people from different cultural backgrounds, cultural translations are essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page. It is important to recognise that cultural translations are not just about language but also about understanding cultural norms and values.

One of the challenges of cultural translations is the difficulty of finding exact equivalents for words and phrases. Some languages have words that do not have an exact translation in other languages. This is where cultural knowledge and understanding come into play. A skilled translator will be able to use their cultural knowledge to find the best possible translation that conveys the intended meaning accurately.

Another challenge of cultural translations is the possibility of misinterpretation. Even with the best efforts, there is always a risk that a message may be misinterpreted due to cultural differences. This is why it is important to work with professional translators who have a deep understanding of both the source and target cultures.

Multicultural Team Benefits

Not only do our translators stem from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures, they are also supported by international project managers who are experienced in handling large-scale and sensitive multilingual projects. Together, our team will provide you with experts in the field of cultural translations for perfectly crafted text and an enjoyable experience.

Apart from cultural translations we happily offer a full stack of translation services when it comes to representing you, your brand or business online. As a translation agency for more than 30 years, we have translated numerous technical documents. Our team has experts in the fields of marketing, engineering, legal, and financial which we are happy to not only translate but extend your existing content.