Simplified vs Traditional Chinese: Which One is Right for Your Translation Project?

When working on translations for Chinese-speaking markets, it becomes very important to understand the difference between Traditional and Simplified Chinese. Simplified Chinese was brought into existence in the 1940s by the Chinese government. It was designed to increase literacy by reducing the number of strokes in characters. On the other hand, Traditional Chinese has been in use for over 2,000 years and is still used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Let us read the article to learn about the need for Chinese Simplified Translation.

Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese Characters

The main difference between the two systems is the number of strokes in each character. Simplified Chinese has fewer strokes, and it is easier to learn and write. For example, the character for "leaf" in Simplified Chinese is 叶, while in Traditional Chinese, it is 葉. Though these characters look different, they usually have the same pronunciation.

Where is Each Used?

Simplified Chinese is used in Mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia, while Traditional Chinese is common in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. If you are a business wanting to reach these audiences, you must use the correct writing system for effective communication. If your target audience resides in Mainland China, go for a Chinese simplified translation. For Taiwan or Hong Kong, use Traditional Chinese.

Why Does It Matter?

Using the wrong writing system in your translation can confuse your audience. In Mainland China, most of the population can only read Simplified Chinese, while people in Taiwan and Hong Kong are used to Traditional Chinese.

Professional vs. Machine Translation

While tools like Google Translate can handle some translations between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, they may not always provide accurate results. Nuances, regional expressions, and grammar rules may get lost in translation.

Businesses must look for professional and high-quality translations. Therefore, they will need to work with a certified NAATI translation provider. This will make sure that the content is accurate and easy for the audience to read.

Choosing the Right Translation

When translating your content, always ask these key questions: "Who is my audience?" and "Where are they located?" Understanding these things will help you choose the right writing system, whether you need a Chinese simplified translation or a Traditional Chinese translation.

Conclusion:

You need to work with an experienced translator to make sure your content communicates well to Chinese-speaking markets. Beyond Translation is a certified NAATI Translation agency. They provide language translation in over 140+ languages and countless industries like IT, education, finance, and beyond. Explore their website now!