Posts by Dominique Thomas, C. Tr.
Adapting your Brand to the Francophone Market: How to Avoid the Loblaws Disaster
If you’re considering to open new stores on Quebec’s soil, you should think about how your brand will be received by the francophone market. There is no unique recipe, but one thing is sure: you have to put some thought into it before you make the big move. Let’s take a look at success stories……
Read moreEnglish to French Translator: 5 Questions to Help You Select the Perfect One
When comes the time to select an English to French translator, there is more to consider than just the price. Here are 5 questions to ask to potential translators to help you choose the best professional according to your needs. 1. What is your mother tongue? Translators are always best at translating into their first…
Read moreCapitals in French vs English: a Capital Matter!
Capitalization is different in English and in French on several aspects. One of my English university professors used to repeat ׅ“English is poor in commas but rich in capitals.” Absolutely true! Here are a few cases where we need to be cautious when translating English into French. 1. Title of art or creative pieces In…
Read moreWhen should you use “Tu” or “Vous” in French?
I love how English is usually simpler than French. In English, anybody is a “you”, but in French, you might be in front of a “tu” or a “vous” situation. A dilemma that many people who learn French are struggling with, particularly anglophones, who are not used to make a difference between a formal pronoun…
Read moreCertified Translation: All you Need to Know
Your daughter was born in Quebec, Canada, and her birth certificate is drafted in French. Small problem: you now live in the United States and she needs to submit a birth certificate in English to register to school — you need a certified translation. No problem at all, in fact! Let’s see what a certified…
Read more6 Celebrities Who Speak French (and Rock at it)
They are popular. They are rich. They speak French. Here are a few celebrities who can confidently add ‘‘Spoken Languages: French’’ to their résumés along with their long list of accomplishments. Sandra Oh God I miss Christina in Grey’s Anatomy! And I have one more reason now that I know that Sandra Oh studied in…
Read moreIntroducing New “Fun with French” Category
Who said learning about French was boring? In addition to helping businesses succeed in their French journey, I’d like to share in this blog a bunch of fun facts about French that will make you smile, laugh or seem intelligent in your next family reunion. As a tribute to Sheldon Cooper’s Fun with Flags (shout…
Read moreTips for Saving on Translation Costs
Did you know that you have some kind of power over your translation costs? There are a few things you can do or implement in your business to reduce them. Some tips might sound like a little bit more work at the beginning, but you will thank me later for the great savings! 1. Provide…
Read moreHow Fast Can a Translation Be Delivered?
Human translation is generally a factor of quality — but quality requires time. This principle is not always understood, but I would like to shed light on it to improve satisfaction for both parties, clients and translators. For example, here is the kind of email I can receive on a usual morning. Dear Dominique, Please…
Read moreWhere Can I Find Reliable English-French Translators?
The best way to ensure that the professional you choose will deliver quality work is to check if he or she is certified with an association or a professional corporation. We saw in a previous article that there are a lot of reasons to choose a certified translator. Here is a list of different organizations…
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