Frequently Asked Questions

What are Simplified Chinese characters and Traditional characters? What's the difference?

They are the two main versions of Chinese. Simplified Chinese, or Simplified Chinese Characters, also referred to as "Mandarin" is the official script in Mainland China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Xi'an, Guangzhou), Singapore, Malaysia.

The Traditional Chinese, or Traditional Chinese Characters, also referred to as "Cantonese" is mainly used in Taiwan, Hongkong, Macau and most overseas Chinese community including US and Canadian Chinese communities. Even though it starts to switch as more and more new immigrants are coming from fast developing mainland China.

If you don't don't if you should use Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese, please contact us and we will be glad to assist you to decide which one to use or to use both. We can provide both Simplified Chinese translation (also referred to as Mandarin translation) and Traditional Chinese translation services.

How old is the Chinese language?

While legend suggests that Chinese writings and language date back 6000 years ago, archeological remnants from the Shang Dynasty consisting of characters and symbols were found on fossils and artifacts of tortoise shells approximately 3500 years ago. In fact, the Chinese writing system is the oldest active system of its kind.

Does the Chinese Language have an alphabet system?

No, instead it uses characters, which are used to convey meaning much the way letters do in Roman languages. And unlike the alphabet, Chinese characters have prettier designs.

How do I know if we need to translate the document into Simplified Characters or Traditional characters?

Simplified Chinese characters are used in mainland China and Singapore while Traditional Chinese characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas Chinese communities. That said, Simplified Chinese is experiencing a surge in popularity in Hong Kong as the economy and business expands globally. Distinguishing the geographical differences between Simplified and Traditional Chinese is essential with respect to corporate travel.

I often see Chinese people reading from right to left. Which direction is Chinese written in?

That is correct, vertical lines are read from right to left. In terms of writing, traditionally Chinese is written in columns from top to bottom. On the other hand Simplified Chinese writings, when used in publications, are primarily printed from left to right. Similarly, books and periodicals published in Traditional Chinese are printed from left to right.

How many Chinese characters exist?

If only there was a simple answer! Depending on which dictionary you use, the range varies from 9,000 to well over 56,000. Thankfully, one only needs to learn 2,000 to 5,000 to communicate effectively. Obviously the more characters you know, the better grasp you will have of the character system, which is where Chinese Translations Pro comes in.

How many dialects are there in Chinese?

Generally, there are eight dialects in the Chinese language: Mandarin, Wu, Cantonese, Xiang, Southern Min, Northern Min, Hakka and Gan. Mandarin is the most widely spoken.

My company needs to have a very large document translated. Should we assign different sections of the document to different translation agencies to ensure faster results?

No. Taking into account the complexity of the language other agencies may provide translations that do not read well off the page resulting in an inconsistent and unprofessional finished product.

How can I be sure the Chinese translation delivered to us is up to standard?

Our industry knowledge, is second to none. We could list his years of experience but in business results are what matters. Feel free to peruse the testimonials provided by our valued, satisfied clients to get a sense of how we consistently exceed standard translation expectations.

When choosing a translation agency, is bigger better?

Large translation agencies are a wise option when your needs involve a variety of languages but with Chinese Translation Pro you gain the advantage of having skilled and specialized translators at your disposal dedicated to one language. Given the unique intricacies of the language, we believe trusting us with your translation needs will give you a decided business advantage. In fact, many large agencies rely on us to provide Chinese translation services.

How much does a translation cost?

Great question. You can easily find out what your translation will cost by utilizing our free quote calculator on the website. You are under no obligation to choose us but if you do, your quote will be the cost. There are never any hidden fees or surcharges.

Why should I pay for translations when I can get them on the Internet for free?

Automatic translation is good for getting a general idea of what a basic foreign phrase means. It never produces a professional quality text. Translations handled by specialized, skilled professionals ensure that the resulting text is perfectly intelligible, elegant and correct in style and content.

What kinds of documents can you translate?

We can work with most word processing, graphics and text formats including MS-Word, PowerPoint (PPT), Excel, PDF and InDesign. Please be advised that a PDF is can not be edited. If you do submit a PDF file, we can not match the original formatting. In addition, we can translate audio and visual files as well as the source code of HTML, PHP, C++, Visual Basic etc.

How can I send you the document to be translated?

It's easier and more convenient for all parties concerned if you provide us with the document in electronic form. We can also work with documents received by courier.

How will you send back the document?

Again, the easiest way is to send it by email, but we can also return documentation by courier.

How long does a translation take?

That is entirely dependent on the length and urgency of the translation. For example, our normal turn around time is between 3 and 5 days for a 10-page document. We will happily provide expedited or same day delivery for an additional cost. The document will still go through our proofing process to ensure quality regardless of the requested delivery time.

I have confidentiality concerns. Is my document safe?

Chinese Translations Pro vows to protect the safety, security and confidentiality of your documents. We will never share information with any undisclosed third party.