Spanish translation: many geographical versions and a return to purism

Although it is often said that Spanish is the most widely spoken language in the world, this is not entirely true or, at least, not yet. In reality, Spanish is currently second to English in this respect, but statistics suggest that it could soon, for example, overtake English in California, one of the most symbolically important areas of the English-speaking world.

Apart from migratory surges, the global expansion of the Spanish language has been facilitated by Spain’s growing economic role in the world and, above all, by the impressive growth rates of South American nations, which has often been in double figures.
Both written and oral communication in Spanish, has grown in line with the flourishing of market opportunities.

Similarly, translation into Spanish has greatly increased over recent decades. Yet the relatively small number of qualified professional translators combined with the growth of low-cost translation work carried out by translators in search of a quick income initially lowered the quality level of Spanish translation. In addition, the quality of language used by the mass-media was reduced with disproportionate use of Anglicisms and even grammatical errors in daily newspapers.

Today, Iberian and American universities are successfully upgrading their course programmes and there has been an overall increase in attempts to re-establish the purity of the Spanish language and this includes the translation sector: when economic and political interests grow, the need for effective communication, devoid of unhelpful ambiguities, also grows.

Our company has shown a particularly keen interest in the Spanish language. In 2009, we opened an office in Lima, Peru. This has increased our capabilities for dealing with the South American variants of Spanish and providing linguistic assistance to our clients in situ.

Oltre ai traduttori latinoamericani, disponiamo di validi professionisti iberici che, spesso, assolvono un periodo di sensibilizzazione e approfondimento professionale presso i nostri uffici italiani. Perché abbiamo rispettato queste distinzioni geografiche? La lingua spagnola varia fortemente da nazione a nazione. Ad esempio, uno spagnolo iberico si aspetterà di leggere un testo tradotto in un impeccabile spagnolo europeo e lo stesso varrà per l’America Latina, dove lo spagnolo argentino è molto differente dal cileno.

When a Spanish translation is required for more than a single country, it is possible to globalise the text. This involves using a language free from localisms or specific cultural references. Although the effect produced by a message localised to a single country is lost as a result of this globalisation, a greater number of people can be reached and communication costs are consequently reduced.

Specialist translation: from instruction booklets to patent applications

The translation experience of our native Spanish speakers covers the principle sectors of agriculture, industry, science and the economy.

We regularly translate technical texts in metalworking, electrical engineering, computer science, telephonics/telecommunications, motoring and industrial automation (e.g. technical guides, operating and maintenance manuals, instruction booklets, technical drawings and specifications); our Spanish translations of manuals and guides for presses and machine tools for the leading producers in the sector are extremely highly rated.

Linguistic assistance in legal and financial translation places us in a central position as authorised and certified translators of company and bank financial reports, due diligence, audits, distribution and agency agreements, defence briefs and notarial deeds in general, especially in corporate and hereditary areas.

In order to support medical and pharmaceutical communication in Spanish, we have acquired Iberian and Latin American experts in the creation and localisation of information leaflets, illustrative material scientific articles, clinical trials, pharmacological research and advertising material.

In 2008 we opened a South American office for the translation of advertising material into Spanish, and more generally, to assist clients who are entering the South American markets. This office is in ongoing contact with local linguistic and cultural developments. It functions as a strategic centre for the understanding of the socio-economic reality of Latin America allowing us to adapt our translations for you in a way that renders them truly effective communication tools.

Spanish language interpreters

Our consecutive, simultaneous and chuchotage (whispered) interpreters are specialised in official translation for occasions such as institutional meetings for the Public Administration (institutional interpretation for State visits, negotiations, foreign missions, conventions and union talks) and company meetings (technical interpretation for press conferences, shareholders’ meetings, board of directors meetings, company conventions, marketing presentations, company visits, medical, scientific and pharmaceutical conventions).

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