Looking for expert Twi translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been delivering professional translation services between English and Twi to clients worldwide. We specialize in areas such as legal, cultural, business, and academic sectors. Our team guarantees precise, high-quality translations tailored to your unique needs. Get a fast, free Twi translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive Twi Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of Twi translators includes subject matter experts for industry-specific needs. We provide translations based on Akan Twi, the standard dialect commonly used in education, media, and government communications in Ghana. Our services also accommodate regional variations of Twi for enhanced cultural relevance.
We specialize in both English to Twi and Twi to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/Twi language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single Twi 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 Twi text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard Twi 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 Twi communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical Twi 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 Twi translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for Twi Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/Twi language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of Twi, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in Twi. 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 Twi and Twi 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 Twi 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 Twi 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 Twi 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 Twi language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized Twi translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of Twi, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of Twi, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for Twi
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized Twi localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for Twi-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for Twi, 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 Twi-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your Twi-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 Twi/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 Twi 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 Twi 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 Twi 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 Twi to English or English to Twi 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 Twi- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our Twi Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with Twi-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 Twi, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with Twi-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 Twi 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 (Twi 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 Twi
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 Twi 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 Twi language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the Twi Language
Twi, also known as "Akan Twi," is a widely spoken language in Ghana, primarily used by the Akan people. Twi is part of the larger Akan language group, which includes other dialects such as Fante and Akuapem. With over 10 million speakers, Twi is one of the most prominent languages in Ghana, serving as a lingua franca in southern and central parts of the country. It is also used in education, media, and government communication, making it a vital language for daily life and cultural expression in Ghana.
The Cultural Context, History, and Linguistic Features of Twi
Twi is deeply embedded in the cultural and historical identity of the Akan people, one of the largest ethnic groups in Ghana. The language plays a central role in the oral traditions of the Akan, including storytelling, proverbs, songs, and ceremonies. Twi is also used in religious contexts, particularly in traditional Akan religion and Christianity, where it serves as the medium for sermons and religious texts.
Twi is a tonal language, which means that the pitch or tone used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. Like many other West African languages, Twi has a noun class system and a system of verbal extensions that modify the meaning of verbs. The language is also notable for its rich collection of proverbs, which are an essential part of Akan culture, reflecting the wisdom and philosophy of the people.
The Writing System: Latin Script
Twi is written using the Latin alphabet, introduced by European missionaries in the 19th century. The orthography is fairly phonetic, meaning that words are generally written as they are pronounced. Diacritical marks are used to indicate tones, which are crucial for distinguishing meaning in the language.
Vowels and Consonants: Twi has seven vowel sounds and a number of consonants, many of which are similar to those found in other West African languages. The use of nasalized vowels and tone marks is critical for correct pronunciation and meaning.
Twi Alphabet
The Twi alphabet, based on the Latin script, includes both capital and lowercase letters:
- Vowels: A, a, E, e, Ɛ, ɛ, I, i, O, o, Ɔ, ɔ, U, u
- Consonants: B, b, D, d, F, f, G, g, H, h, K, k, L, l, M, m, N, n, P, p, R, r, S, s, T, t, W, w, Y, y
Key Linguistic Differences Between Twi and English for Translation
When translating between Twi and English, several important linguistic differences must be taken into account to ensure accuracy and cultural sensitivity:
Tonal Language: Twi is a tonal language, with high, mid, and low tones that can change the meaning of a word. Since English is not a tonal language, translators must rely on context to ensure the correct meaning is conveyed. Tone in Twi is not marked in writing, so understanding the context is critical for accurate translation.
Noun Class System: Twi has a noun class system where nouns are categorized based on their inherent characteristics. This system affects verb conjugation and agreement, which does not have a direct equivalent in English. Translators must carefully interpret the role of nouns and their corresponding verb forms in translation.
Pronouns and Politeness: Twi has a rich system of pronouns that reflects respect and formality. The use of different pronouns can convey levels of politeness or familiarity, which must be carefully translated into English to maintain the appropriate tone and social context.
Loanwords: Due to historical contact with European languages, Twi has borrowed many words from English and Portuguese, particularly in areas like education, technology, and religion. These loanwords are often adapted to fit Twi phonology, and translators need to be aware of how these terms are used in modern Twi.
Verb Structure and Aspect: Twi verbs do not conjugate for tense in the same way as English verbs. Instead, aspect and mood are indicated through prefixes, suffixes, and tonal changes. Translators must ensure that these aspects are correctly interpreted and conveyed in English to reflect the intended meaning.
By understanding and addressing these linguistic and cultural nuances, Green Crescent ensures that translations between Twi and English are accurate, contextually appropriate, and sensitive to the cultural significance of the Twi language.
An Insight into Twi Expression
This passage is from The Son of Umuofia by Kwame Appiah, which explores themes of leadership, tradition, and the challenges of modernity.
- Twi: "Nti sɛ ɔkɔtɔ no wɔ nsuo mu a, ɛnkɔsuo mu yi na ɛyɛ no kɔkɔɔ, na ɛyɛ no aduro."
- English Translation: "When the crab enters the water, it doesn’t lose its shell, but it strengthens its resolve."