Ted Hickman

What to Know When Choosing a Chinese Language Translation Service



Over the past several decades, technology has greatly improved the way we communicate with each other. These advancements in technology give us access to information right at our fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which has changed the way employees and companies do business. Whether it’s sending an email, making a telephone call, checking finances, or conducting virtual business meetings, business is now being conducted on a global scale using companies such as san francisco translation which often means that employees and companies are working together and communicating globally. One of the biggest powerhouses in the global business marketplace is China and companies looking to work with Chinese entrepreneurs will often find themselves requiring the assistance of Chinese language translation services when making business deals. Having a native Chinese speaker on your side will make your business appear professional, inclusive, and overall prepared to make a deal.

Relevance of Chinese Language in Business

A study conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute monitored a variety of different areas of growing commerce in China over the last 30 years and concluded that China is leading the global marketplace in terms of trade, capital, technology, people, and firms. Until recent years, other countries have not sought out business with China, but the dynamics of industry are changing and business leaders will need to adapt to a new relationship with China. Exposure to China for the rest of the world has increased, but China’s has fallen in contrast. If businesses are going to be successful on the global level, it’s imperative that businesses promote language inclusivity for Chinese investors and business partners.

Differences Between Chinese and English

The English language originally emerged from the roots of Germanic people and many similarities can be found between German, English, and many other languages. These similarities make it relatively easy to translate texts or messages using automatic translation services or applications fairly reliable. However, major differences between the Chinese language and English language make it nearly impossible to generate automated translations. The first and most obvious difference is the appearance of written words. The Chinese language uses symbols, while the English language uses letters. The English language also emphasizes sentence structure whereas the Chinese language puts more focus on the overall meaning of the sentence. The Chinese language also has a different focus on tone, emphasis, and the use of idioms than the English language does. All of these differences can create major communication breakdowns when using automated translators.

A Leg Up in the Business Industry

China has a very invested interest in technology related fields and many tech companies are moving forward to doing business with companies based in this area. It is especially important for startup companies to utilize the expertise of professional Chinese language translation services to ensure they are presenting their business in a professional manner. A professional Chinese translator will be able to assist with written information like website details that accurately promote the brand and provide good client service to their business associates. Breaking down this language barrier will broaden the scope of available information and ensure reach to the target audience.

Business Language Specialists


When making business deals, it is often necessary to understand certain complex words such as legal terminology, industry-specific terms, or other complex documents to avoid any mistakes when making a deal. These types of mistakes can have a detrimental impact on the company and could possibly lead to destruction of brand reputation, financial implications, or even legal consequences.One major difference between automated systems and professional Chinese translation services is that language services employ translators who have backgrounds in a variety of specialties. Utilizing the services of a professional will ensure your company is communicating using the most current and professional business terminology.

Confidential Information

Business meetings and conferences often involve sharing confidential information to protect the reputation of the brand, the privacy of employees, and privileged information relating to upcoming projects. When using online automated translation systems, there is no guarantee that this information won’t fall into the wrong hands. When selecting a professional translation agency, the client is entitled to request a signed non disclosure or confidentiality agreement. By signing one of these documents, the translation agent is agreeing that they will not sell, trade, or otherwise divulge private information related to personal finances, business transactions, or any other information that may put a business or employee at risk. In the event that the agent violates the agreement, they may be held accountable and subject to legal and/or financial repercussions which will usually dissuade this type of behavior and ensure your information is kept private.

Take another look