Looking for expert French translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been offering professional translation services between English and French to clients around the globe. We serve a wide range of industries, from legal and technical to marketing and business. Our team ensures accurate, high-quality translations for all your French language needs. Get a fast, free French translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive France Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of French translators includes subject matter experts for industry-specific needs. We provide translations tailored to all major French dialects, including:
- European French (France)
- Canadian French (Québec and other regions)
- African French (spoken across many West and Central African nations)
- Caribbean French (Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique)
- Swiss French
- Belgian French
We specialize in both English to French and French to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/French language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single French translator without the involvement of an editor or proofreader, and therefore should not be considered final or polished work for most professional or formal use cases. While they are typically of high quality, simple translations are essentially "rough drafts" that do not go through additional editing, proofreading, or other quality control processes. These translations are ideal for personal letters, informal communications, initial drafts that will later be revised, or for situations where you need to quickly understand the general meaning or "gist" of a French text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard French Translation service is designed to provide high-quality translations for everyday use, including business correspondence, websites, reports, presentations, and similar content. This service includes translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) to ensure the highest level of accuracy and clarity in your French communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical French Translation service is designed for situations where perfection is essential. This option is recommended for texts intended for large-scale printing, technical documents, legal contracts and patents, medical documents, or any case where an error could be critical or costly. Each translated line is reviewed by a minimum of three linguists, with multiple rounds of proofreading. Subject matter experts (SMEs) may be involved as needed throughout the French translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for French Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/French language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of French, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in French. This step occurs after the initial translation in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard Translation services. We also offer this service as a standalone option for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Proofreading
With each additional round of editing and proofreading, the error rate of a document approaches the perfection horizon. Our proofreading service for English to French and French to English translations involves reviewing a single-language text to identify and correct surface-level errors, such as spelling mistakes, grammar issues, punctuation errors, and formatting inconsistencies. This step is the final phase in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard translation services. We also offer proofreading as a standalone service for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Legal Translation
Green Crescent's elite team of linguists, each with subject matter expertise in specialized legal fields, is ready to assist you with the translation of a wide range of judicial, administrative, and private legal documents between French and English. Nearly all countries recognize that submitting documents for translation does not compromise attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, we can implement enhanced security measures to ensure strict confidentiality upon request.
Technical Translation
Technical translations involve any text that features specialized vocabulary or language registers, necessitating additional research and terminology verification. Common technical subject matter includes legal, medical, scientific, engineering, and IT topics, but any text that utilizes industry-specific terminology or neologisms may be considered technical in nature. These translations cannot be executed by generalists alone; they require the expertise of linguists with in-depth knowledge of the relevant technical field in both French and English.
Medical Translation
Green Crescent has established protocols to ensure compliance with HIPAA and HITECH regulations, which you can learn more about here. Our French medical translations are treated as "organization critical," unless otherwise specified, and we are committed to implementing the necessary digital security measures and legal safeguards for every project subject to HIPAA and HITECH requirements. Our team of skilled linguists, specialized in medical terminology, ensures that your translations are both accurate and secure.
Localization
Our translation services are tailored for specific target markets that require non-standard varieties or dialects of the French language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized French translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. For example, we offer translations in regional dialects such as "Quebec French," "Parisian French," "African French," and more. Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of these dialects, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of each French dialect, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for French
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized French localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for French-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for French, our services encompass translating text, adjusting images, and modifying layouts. We also adapt and program code for both mobile and desktop applications, ensuring that your app functions seamlessly across French-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your French-speaking users.
Back-translation
Back-translation is often a crucial component of the quality control process, particularly when translating highly technical documents or for critical translations in the French/English language pair where an error could have significant consequences. This process involves an independent linguist translating a previously translated text back into its original source language—either French or English—without reference to the original document. The resulting text is then compared to the original translation to verify its intelligibility, accuracy, and suitability for its intended use. Back-translation is also relevant in situations such as the translation of legal documents, medical texts, and marketing materials, where precise wording is essential. It can be particularly beneficial when adapting content for different cultural contexts, ensuring that the intended message is preserved and resonates appropriately with the target audience in both French and English.
Peer Review
Green Crescent offers professional focus group services that include a comprehensive "read-through" conducted by one or more linguists who were not involved in the original translation process. This approach allows for an unbiased assessment of the translation's quality, style, and overall fitness for its intended purpose. The focus group can evaluate various aspects of the text, including linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance, and the effectiveness of the messaging in reaching the target audience. Feedback is provided on how well the translation conveys the original intent and nuances of the source material, ensuring that it resonates with readers in both French and English contexts.
SME Review
Subject Matter Expert (SME) review is a specialized form of peer review conducted by non-linguist professionals with deep expertise in specific fields. This process is particularly important for French to English or English to French translations of highly technical texts, ensuring that the content is both linguistically accurate and technically precise. In fields such as legal, medical, scientific, and engineering, SMEs help verify the correct use of industry-specific terminology, adherence to regulatory or technical standards, and the contextual relevance of the translated material. By incorporating SME review into the translation process, we ensure that your final product is not only fluent and culturally appropriate but also technically sound and ready for professional use in both French- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our French Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with French-speaking audiences. At Green Crescent, we ensure that your brand’s messages, campaigns, and communications maintain their original intent, emotional impact, and tone, while aligning with the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target market. Whether it’s marketing, branding, or advertising, we reimagine your content to feel authentic and compelling in French, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with French-speaking audiences.
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full)
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full) refers to the comprehensive post-editing of a machine-translated text between French and English, ensuring the final product meets the highest standards of linguistic quality. In this process, once the machine generates the translation, a skilled human editor thoroughly reviews the entire content, ensuring that it is not only accurate in meaning but also flows naturally and fluently in the target language. This detailed editing process includes correcting grammar, syntax, and terminology, adapting the text for the intended audience, and ensuring it adheres to any stylistic preferences or regulatory requirements. MTPE-Full is suitable for business-critical texts where precision and quality are paramount.
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light)
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light) is a more streamlined version of post-editing, designed for situations where speed and cost-efficiency are prioritized over linguistic perfection. In this process, the human editor focuses primarily on fixing major errors and ensuring that the overall meaning of the machine-translated text is clear and understandable in the target language (French or English). While MTPE-Light may not deliver a translation that is fully polished or ready for publication, it provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for internal documents, reports, and communications where basic comprehension is sufficient.
Additional Language Services and Options for French
Certified Translation
Green Crescent provides certified translations of a wide range of legal documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, diplomas, school transcripts, passports, and much more, in both French and English. Our certified translations are recognized for their accuracy and compliance with legal standards, making them suitable for official use. You can receive hard copies of our standard certificate of translation mailed directly to your home or business.
Rush Service
If you require expedited service, Green Crescent can usually accommodate such requests. However, please note that rushing translations often comes with trade-offs, which may affect both price and consistency. Please consult with a project manager for more details.
Discounts
Volume discounts are available for large projects, long-term clients, and for non-profits, charities, NGOs, and government organizations.
Minimum Fee
There is a minimum project fee of $75.00 USD per language, which can be reduced or waived for regular clients.
Additional Language Services
In addition to translation, Green Crescent offers a range of other French language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the French Language
French is spoken by approximately 300 million people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages across Europe, Africa, and parts of North America. French is an official language in 29 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, and numerous countries in Africa. It is also one of the official languages of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Olympic Committee.
Where is French Spoken?
French is an official language in 29 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg, Monaco, and many nations in Africa such as Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Togo, and the Central African Republic. Additionally, there are significant French-speaking populations in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, as well as in regions such as the Caribbean and the South Pacific. French is also an important language in diplomacy and international organizations.
France: The Standard Dialect and its Cultural Legacy
French as spoken in France is often considered the "standard" or reference dialect, largely due to France's historical and cultural influence over centuries. French became the language of diplomacy, law, and high culture during the 17th and 18th centuries, especially under the reign of King Louis XIV. The Académie Française, established in 1635, continues to preserve and regulate the French language, ensuring its consistency and purity.
France's influence in literature, philosophy, art, and politics is unmatched. From the works of Molière, Voltaire, and Victor Hugo to Proust, Sartre, and Camus, French literature has shaped Western thought for centuries. French art and philosophy—exemplified by Impressionism, Cubism, and Existentialism—has had a profound impact globally, influencing not just artists but entire cultural movements.
Even today, France remains a global center for the arts, with institutions like the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and countless others showcasing French cultural achievements to the world. French is also the language of many landmark treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles, and was the dominant language of diplomacy until the rise of English in the 20th century.
France is home to several regional dialects, including Provençal, Breton, Alsatian, and Occitan, each with its own historical significance and cultural richness. While these dialects contribute to the diversity of the French language, they are mostly spoken in specific regions and communities. The Parisian dialect, also known as Standard French, has emerged as the dominant form due to its association with the political, cultural, and economic center of France.
As the standard for business, government, and media communication, Parisian French is widely understood across the country and is the preferred choice for formal and international interactions. Green Crescent ensures your European French translations are tailored to this standard, providing clarity and consistency for a broader French-speaking audience.
Canadian French and Its Unique Characteristics
Canadian French, particularly the variety spoken in Quebec, differs significantly from European French in both pronunciation and vocabulary. These differences stem from the historical isolation of Quebec and the influence of English, which has resulted in distinct neologisms and expressions unique to the region. For example, common phrases in Quebecois French often include "anglicismes," words borrowed from English, such as “week-end" or “parking," whereas in France, these would be “fin de semaine” or “stationnement.”
Despite these differences, Canadian French and European French remain mutually intelligible, though adapting content to suit a Canadian audience often requires special localization efforts. Green Crescent's professional translators can ensure your content resonates with both Canadian and European French-speaking audiences, taking into account regional dialects and cultural context.
Key Linguistic Differences Between French and English for Translation
When translating between English and French, several linguistic factors must be considered to ensure accurate and effective communication. Below are some of the most important differences:
Verb Conjugation and Tenses:
French verbs have more complex conjugations compared to English. For example, the verb "parler" (to speak) conjugates differently for each subject: "je parle" (I speak), "tu parles" (you speak), "il/elle parle" (he/she speaks), etc. French also uses a wider variety of tenses, such as the passé simple, which has no direct equivalent in English but is common in formal and literary writing.
Gendered Nouns:
Like Spanish, French nouns are gendered, meaning each noun is either masculine or feminine. This affects articles, adjectives, and sometimes the meaning of the word itself. For instance, "un livre" (a book) is masculine, but "une livre" (a pound, as in weight) is feminine.
Formality:
French, like Spanish, distinguishes between formal and informal address with "tu" (informal) and "vous" (formal). This impacts not only the choice of pronoun but also verb conjugations and the tone of the translation.
False Cognates:
Many English and French words appear similar but have different meanings. For instance, “actuellement” in French means "currently" rather than "actually." These false cognates can lead to miscommunication if not handled carefully in translation.
Pronoun Use and Dropping:
Unlike in English, where pronouns are necessary, French often allows subject pronouns to be implied, especially in informal speech or writing. Translators must decide when to include or omit these pronouns based on the context and formality.
By understanding and adapting to these differences, Green Crescent ensures that our French translation services meet the highest standards of accuracy and cultural relevance, whether for Canadian, European, or African French. Whether you need a general translation or more localized content, our team of professional translators is here to assist you in reaching your audience with clarity and precision.
An Insight into French Philosophy and Expression
This passage is from Le Mythe de Sisyphe by Albert Camus, first published in 1942. This philosophical essay is a significant work in 20th-century French literature, reflecting on the human spirit and its defiance in the face of absurdity.
- French: "La lutte elle-même vers les sommets suffit à remplir un cœur d’homme. Il faut imaginer Sisyphe heureux."
- English Translation: "The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."