About Spain and Latin America
The Spanish spoken in Spain differs significantly from the Spanish spoken in Mexico or the language used by the Hispanics who reside in the USA. This means that translating your documents or online materials to “just” Spanish doesn’t always work to communicate effectively with your target audience.
In the translation industry, there are two broad categories when it comes to the Spanish language: Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Latin America). But you can also hear about “neutral” Spanish – a form of Spanish that aims to reach the entire Spanish community – and of course, the Spanish that is spoken in each country such as Mexican Spanish or Argentinian Spanish.
Our translation experts can advise you on the Spanish dialects and the differences between them. They will help you to choose the right variety for your target audience and make sure that your translation is tailored to your potential customers.
Spanish translation tips from our experts
Each country or territory where Spanish is spoken shares the same language, but their cultures aren’t the same. This means that the vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation they use to express themselves are different. This is why hiring a Spanish translator from Spain to translate the materials for your audience in Mexico is not the best way to approach your translation.
One of the most important differences between Spanish (Spain) and Mexican Spanish is related to the use of pronouns that denote different levels of formality. In Spain, it is common to use the informal word ‘vosotros’ (you) when talking to a group of people (using the formal ‘ustedes’ only in very formal settings). In contrast, in Mexico, the informal ‘vosotros’ is rarely used and the formal ‘ustedes’ is used most times, regardless of the level of familiarity involved.
You should pay particular attention to the use of formal and informal pronouns. Using the informal pronoun commonly used in Spanish (Spain) may be considered impolite by some Mexican Spanish speakers.
And when it comes to vocabulary, differences between dialects can be big. Mexico’s close proximity to the United States and the movement of people between the two countries over the years has resulted in a lot of English loan words. While in Mexico people work on their “computadora” (from computer), people in Spain work on their “ordenador”. Choosing the right word is key to sounding natural and connecting with your customers.
Our team of professional Spanish translators
- All our translators are native speakers and we always assign a Spanish translator of your specific Spanish variant to your project.
- Our language experts specialize in different sectors including e-commerce, e-learning and travel. We always find the best match for your topic and type of text.
- Our vetted and extensive pool of translators ensures the best results every time you need our service, whether it is a small or a large project.
- We support our clients with a wide range of services, including translation, machine translation and transcreation, advising on what is the best solution according to their needs.
Do you want to truly speak to your Spanish audience? Get in touch today and we’ll find the solution that best suits your needs.
