What’s the Difference Between Chinese Translation and Transcreation?

Compelling content evokes emotions to the reader. For promotional campaigns, the goal is to make sure the buyer clicks that “Pay Now” button.

Readers and buyers buy online because the seller fulfills their desires or needs. That’s why you need the skills, creativity, and talent of translators to make this happen.

For content that needs Chinese translation, you can either opt for translation or transcreation. In this post, you’ll know the difference between these two. It will also help you communicate the proper project requirements for your materials.

What process is involved in Chinese translation?

Translation and transcreation are quite different from each other. Translation involves rendering the texts from a primary language (e.g., English) into another language like Chinese or Japanese. The documents should be translated with accuracy, almost the same as from the source language.

Translation involves accurate and almost precise rendering from one language to another. Compromising the texts in specific industries such as legal, finance, engineering, medical, and healthcare can result, in most extreme cases, lawsuits, accidents, and even death.

Such a case may sound too extreme. But imagine a mistranslated manual for a manufacturing company. The document is the ultimate source of operations in the assembly line. If not appropriately followed, especially on how to use delicate equipment and tools, it may cause accidents or disruptions along the way.

In a nutshell, translation is all about line by line, precept by precept. The process involves translating facts or procedure. There should never be alteration or compromise of the texts.

How does Chinese transcreation work?

Transcreation involves translation and emotions where the texts can be recreated to evoke certain feelings to the target audience. From the word itself, transcreation includes two processes: you translate, and you create.

Transcreation applies to a wide range of marketing materials. It could be a marketing campaign’s slogan, advertisements that pop on social media channels, or copywriting of the website. It involves a little bit of change of message so that the texts or content will be much relevant and relatable to the target audience.

You need to understand that each target audience has their way of expressing themselves and how they want to be communicated. Each generation (baby boomers to millennials to Generation Z) is familiar with specific words, phrases, and vocabulary. So, using transcreation can help in sending the message across in a powerful way to a particular audience.

The China internet is full of interesting catchphrases, in-jokes, and memes. It’s how people connect and express themselves and understand others. Moreover, this is where transcreation can crack un-translateable words. Transcreation work touches both the hearts and minds of the audience.

In a nutshell, transcreation involves modification of the texts from the primary language to be more relatable and more engaging.

Which one should you avail?

Translation projects touch all types of industries and sectors – from medical to financial and law. When it comes to translating Chinese documents and materials that involve facts, go for translation itself.

Most professional Chinese translators are specializing in their industries, which makes a doctor, lawyer, engineers, or accountant eligible to be a translator. They know the terminologies and phrases in the field, which give you an accurate translation of the documents.

On the other hand, if you’re working on creative projects such as landing pages, marketing campaigns, social media captions, and slogans, go for transcreation. Anything that needs a creative touch and ideas for engagement and growth, this will be the most useful service for you.

Transcreation specialists are customer-focused and in touch with punchy copies and messages. They’re more imaginative and expressive when transcreating your texts. So, make sure you work with writers that are skilled in both translations and copywriting – someone who knows the market and culture.