Some interesting facts about the French language
- About 45% of modern English words are of French origin.
- French is a Romance language which is derived from Latin and has been influenced over the centuries by the Celts, Romans and Vikings.
- The French language has a large number of homophones – words with the same pronunciation but different spellings and meanings. That is why there are so many tongue twisters in French! Give this one a go – Si mon tonton tond ton tonton, ton tonton sera tondu (If my uncle shaves your uncle, your uncle will be shaved).
- French is the official language of 29 countries.
- Before French became the official language of France, they spoke Latin.
Native French translators and high-quality translations you can trust
Surrey Translation Bureau is an award-winning and ISO-certified translation agency that has many English to French translators on its books, specialising in an extensive range of translation areas and subjects.
We have a vast amount of experience with French translation; during 2022, we translated 552,532 words from English into French.
We assess each project on an individual basis, so that we can provide a translator who is an expert within this language combination and specialises in your text type and subject area.
A few things to watch out for when translating into French
- Like English, the French language has multiple variants based on the geographical area where it is spoken, such as France, Belgium, the Middle East and the French-speaking Caribbean. These differences can be seen in grammar, formalities and different word choices.
- There are many differences between French and English grammar, such as gender, syntax and adjectives. The French language has two genders (male and female), so nouns in French are gendered whereas English nouns are gender neutral.
- French and English have many ‘false friends’, or ‘faux amis’. The two languages both share Latin roots and therefore many common words. However, words of the same derivation can have completely different meanings, which can cause some confusion. For example, ‘joli’ in French, which means pretty, and ‘jolly’ in English.
Identifying these critical differences in language requires an expert approach. Ensuring your project or proposal can be understood down to the very last detail allows any communication barriers to be broken down, building up your organisation’s presence, prospects and potential on both a local and global scale, in the short and long term.
Why use Surrey Translation Bureau for English to French translation?
Here at Surrey Translation Bureau (STB), we think beyond simply translating the text. We also offer a variety of language services to increase the functionality and outreach of your text, including localisation, proofreading, editing, notarisation and legalisation.
No matter your individual or business requirements, the format or purpose of your text, STB’s dedicated and highly skilled team of English to French translators can deliver the perfect text to fit your brief, enabling you to address your target audience effectively and successfully.
