In the world of business, strong communication skills mean the difference between great victories and missed opportunities. As global commerce levels continue to rise, speaking a language other than English (LOTE) is becoming increasingly necessary to remain competitive. With more than 559 speakers around the world and many of these individuals residing in the United States, Spanish proves to be a top priority for businesses that are in the process of targeting new markets. Investing in English to Spanish translations for marketing campaigns, product descriptions or other business materials is a relatively simple and affordable process with a high ROI (return-on-investment) potential. Despite this, many still fail to embrace both the domestic and international Spanish-speaking markets.
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The Importance of English to Spanish Translations in Business
Inclusivity and diversity are core values that many businesses embrace on the surface. While a brand may boast that they are inclusive, they often ignore the diverse linguistic needs of existing and potential customers. Studies conducted by CSA Analytics have shown that 51% of LOTE-speaking consumers prefer to buy products when information is presented in their own language. Another 55% have expressed the sentiment that if they can’t read the information, they simply won’t buy. With millions of Spanish-speaking individuals in the U.S. alone, failing to invest in English to Spanish translations for important business documents or marketing materials eliminates a huge portion of the domestic market. The same is true with internal HR documents, legal documents, or even employment applications. This places limitations on the talent that is recruited and may hinder LOTE-speaking employees’ ability to flourish in the workplace.
In addition to reaching a wider audience and improving workplace inclusivity, translating and localizing content for the Spanish-speaking crowd also aids in building customer loyalty, and trustworthiness and leads to an overall better user experience. This means that these consumers are likely to become loyal patrons.
Key Differences Between Hispanic American Spanish and European Spanish
One of the biggest mistakes that businesses make when looking to expand their target audience through language services is turning to free tools like Google Translate. This often leads to errors, omissions, cultural insensitivities, or nonsensical translations. Instead of helping a business thrive, this leads to a PR nightmare that is tough to recover from. In addition to simply getting translated materials wrong, it is crucial to understand that not all Spanish is the same. The language varies significantly between Hispanic American Spanish and the Spanish spoken in Spain or other parts of the world. Notable differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar will not be noticed by those using the free tool; however, these oversights will be prominent to the audience reading the translated materials.
Some of the most notable differences between the two include:
- Pronouns: Some Spanish dialects vary the use of pronouns. For example, the pronoun “you” varies widely based on the country and the type of relationship that exists between the two speakers. In many Spanish-speaking countries, “tu” is used as an informal variation, but in areas like Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, “vos” is the preferred version of the informal pronoun. Using the “tu” variety among speakers of this region would instantly alert them that the speaker was not familiar with their specific dialect.
- Grammar: In many cases, the grammar used between one Spanish dialect to the next, does not vary greatly. However, there are subtle differences when it comes to matters like articles, prepositions, and verb conjugations. Getting it right every time makes a big difference in the level of trust that Spanish-speaking consumers have in a company.
- Vocabulary: While English to Spanish translations may seem fairly straightforward, certain Spanish dialects also lean on different sets of vocabulary. So a Spanish-speaking individual from Mexico may refer to “glasses” as “lentes” whereas a person from Spain would use the term “gafas”.
Working with Professional Language Services Providers
When selecting a language translation service, it is crucial to choose a provider with expertise in English to Spanish translations. Here are some factors to consider:
- Cultural knowledge: When English to Spanish translations are curated by A.I. or free tools, there is no cultural consideration. The same is true of companies that do not rely on native speakers. This can result in cultural faux pas or material that may be offensive or otherwise culturally insensitive. Ensure that the language services provider is familiar with the local culture as well as the Spanish language.
- Legal expertise: When translating legal documents, it is imperative to use a translator who has legal knowledge. This is because the jargon, also known as legalese, is often a critical component of any legal correspondence. Using the wrong words can result in loopholes in the document which can ultimately render them inadmissible in court. Protect the tedious, intentional legal language chosen by the original drafter with a qualified English to Spanish translation provider.
- Localization: Knowing the language in one region of Spain simply isn’t enough for a thorough translation from English to Spanish. The language services provider must be able to localize the content for your specific target audience, whether that is teenagers in Mexico or business owners in Spain.
- Quality assurance and confidentiality: A world-class language translation service will prioritize both quality assurance and confidentiality. At ASTA-USA Translation Services, Inc., for instance, each translation undergoes a strict and rigorous quality assurance process before it is sent to clients for use. Likewise, all documents are transmitted through dedicated, secure, web servers and every member of the team follows the ABA’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct to ensure confidentiality at every stage of translation.
Connect with an English to Spanish Translation Expert Today
Utilizing a professional with experience in English to Spanish translations is a simple and effective way for businesses to expand their reach in both domestic and international markets. Because they have a thorough understanding of the varying complexities involved with the Spanish language and culture, businesses are able to successfully forge and foster trust, loyalty, and long-term success.
Want to learn more about Spanish translation services or have questions about the process? Reach out to expert translation specialists today at 1.866.446.1860 or inquire online now.