French Translation Service
The Blue South French translation service covers both English into French and French into English. Most importantly, for the two main market areas where French is spoken, we distinguish between European French and French spoken Canada.
All Blue South translators are native speakers who Translate in Location™ which means they live and are immersed in the culture of the language that they translate into. As business translations typically involve a specific subject area, we use Topic Targeted Translators™ who specialise in the subject matter of your business.
France
There is some debate in today's France about the preservation of the French language and the influence of English especially with regard to international business, the sciences and popular culture.
The Toubon Law (full name: law 94-665 of 4 August 1994 relating to usage of the French language), is a law of the French government mandating the use of the French language in official government publications, advertisements, and some other contexts. The law does not concern non-commercial communications, web pages or publications from individuals or private bodies.
The most significant effect of the law is that it makes it mandatory for commercial advertisements and public announcements to be given in French. This does not rule out advertisements made in a foreign language: it is sufficient to provide a translation in a footnote, a very widespread practice. This was justified as a measure for the protection of the consumer.
In addition, the law specifies obligations for public legal persons (government administrations etc.), mandating the use of French in publications, or at least in summaries of publications. In France, it is a constitutional requirement that the public should be informed of the action of the government (Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, article 15: "Society has the right of requesting [an] account[ing] from any public agent of its [i.e., society's] administration."); since the official language of France is French, it follows that the French public should be able to get official information in French.
French is an official/main language in the following
Canada
Charter of the French Language (also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101) is a framework law in the province of Quebec, Canada, defining the linguistic rights of all Quebecers and making French, the language of the majority, the sole official language of Quebec.
The Charter makes French the sole official language of communication of the State. This means that the government of Quebec and all its branches communicate primarily in French with its citizens. To this day, French is the de facto language of government and civil administration; however, the same cannot be said of the private sector. The francization programs for businesses were largely successful in the 1980s; however, the 1990s saw the return of bilingualism and the exclusive usage of English in a number of new economic sectors that did not exist in Quebec before, for example the hi-tech industry.
The Charter makes French the official language in the workplace. In particular, current and prospective employees cannot be subject to discrimination if they are unable to or do not wish to use a language other than French. A regulation states that internal written communications for all corporations in Quebec must be in French, but a translation in any other language can be included if the employer deems it necessary.
How do I get started?
To discuss your French translation project call us on 0508 443 613 or Email Us