Challenges in Chinese Translation: What Makes Chinese Language More Difficult?

Chinese language has over 50,000 Chinese characters and 20,000 words in use. If you know about 500 Chinese characters, then you’ll know 80% of the Chinese.

Chinese is one of the world’s oldest and most complicated languages and therefore several challenges come up in Chinese translation.

While focusing on the cultural sensitivity of a language, expert language translators work carefully on optimizing translation quality to a great extent. If they replicated word-for-word instead of following the cultural context, the message may sound offensive and opposite to the original intent.

Let’s read and know more about what makes Chinese translation tough.

What Makes the Chinese Language More Difficult?

Chinese language is generally considered to be one of the most difficult to learn. While translating, the translators have to focus on several things.

Look at the same challenges that occur during Chinese translation:

1- Working On Word Order

While doing Chinese translation, word order is the first challenge for every translation company. This is because, in Chinese where the topic is prominent, the object of the sentence is often gets placed first.

So, in Chinese, the normal sentence of “ I eat the Pie” will be translated as “ Pie I ate” in the Chinese language.

While focusing on the word order, the Chinese language doesn’t have singular or plural forms. This makes it really difficult for translators to work on it.

2- Lack of Verb Conjugation

If you think there is great complexity in understanding the tenses in English, you may be amazed to know there are no tenses in Chinese.

This can make it really challenging for translators to describe moments in the past, present, and future while working on major document translations in the Chinese language.

In the Chinese language, there are four main tones of the language that determine the sentence’s meaning. The translator has to work on it carefully to get an idea of the wider context to determine the period in time.

3- Characters Are Logograms

Generally, the language includes the alphabet but the Chinese language has characters as logograms. This is another challenge when it comes to making words clear.

Every single character has a different meaning and it is highly dependent on the given context figuring out the right character is challenging.

The characters in the Chinese language combined together to form an entirely new one. This is the reason why is translation important for professionals that understand the context and use the right characters.

4- Different Dialects

It is surprising that as China’s vast size, different populations spread across are prone to speak different dialects and sub-language groups. These all languages are part of the Chinese language.

So, there is a simplified and traditional Chinese language and this makes translating Chinese much more difficult.

If you are working on creating an app for China market, there is a need of getting accurate mobile game app localization where the translator is aware of which region and much familiar with their style and language.

5- Using Idioms and Metaphors

When you read some translated Chinese literature, you’ll get to understand how they include metaphors while speaking.

Chinese are simply interested in the culture and you’ll see that the Chinese are highly prone to using metaphors, and sayings to ensure the right meaning across.

So, if you have any project that needs to be translated into Chinese language, there are great benefits of translation by native translators that understand the meaning and do not get lost in translation.

6- Different Tones

Chinese is a language made of four main tones it may sound simple but it is extremely challenging when translated.

So, if you are saying a short word, then it can be interpreted in four different variations depending on the way it is pronounced.

Also, poor characterization of words in a sentence is highly difficult to analyze and there is a high need to get along dictionary to find your chosen words.

Conclusion

Chinese language includes its cultures and translating language specifics is best done by a professional Chinese translator.

When you get reliable Chinese translation solutions in Delhi, they have experienced native translators who are more able to deliver amazing results while working on various challenges.

A good translator keeps in mind the best way to carry our Chinese translation. If you want to get a professional translator, contact us at +91-8527599523 or quickly send us a instant quote.