TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Canadian French Translation From:DHICKEY -at- ALIS -dot- COM Date:Tue, 20 Jul 1999 10:45:19 -0400
Greetings Robert!
> My company wants to translate some docs for our customers in
> Quebec. Would > having them translated into European French be OK
> or would localization into Canadian French be more appropriate?
According to my tech writing partner here, who is also qualified as a
translator, you should mention to the translation house that you intend to
send copies to France and Quebec. That way, the translator can translate it
once for France and then modify it slightly for Quebec (certain terms need
to be localized).
For an example of the slight diffrerence between France French and Quebec
French, let's say you have the word "representative" as in sales
representative.
In America, you could say "representative" or "rep".
In France, you would say "commercial"
In Quebec, you would have to say "representatif". If you used the France
term "commercial" in Quebec, you would be referring to a prostitute.
--
Be seeing you,
Dave
---------------------------------------------
John David Hickey
Montreal, Quebec, Canada eh?
No trees were harmed in the writing of this email.
My emails are made from elephant tusks and dolphin meat.
---------------------------------------------
Don't confuse my opinion with my employer's.
Each exists in blissful ignorance of the other.