Arabic translation agency

About Arabic: What matters in any translation

If you want to have a document translated to or from Arabic, please consider the following elements. It is important to have insight into which country your Arabic translation is intended for. There are 22 countries that belong to the Arab League, where together more than 300 million people live. Numerous dialects exist in the 22 Arab countries. The written language often differs greatly from the spoken versions. The differences exist in vocabulary, pronunciation, sentence structure and verb conjugations. A person from Egypt, whose mother tongue is Arabic, may have studied at the highest level, but this does not guarantee that they can make themselves understood in Morocco or Kuwait. It depends on the purpose of your translation which dialect is used.

What do you want to achieve with your translation? Are you traveling to an Arabic-speaking country, do you want to reach an Arabic-speaking target group with your text, in short, what is your goal? It is important to have insight into which country your Arabic translation is intended for. There are 22 countries that belong to the Arab League, where together more than 300 million people live. Numerous dialects exist in the 22 Arab countries. The written language often differs greatly from the spoken versions. The differences exist in vocabulary, pronunciation, sentence structure and verb conjugations.

Each of the 22 countries has its own culture, history, customs and habits. Research what is important for the country for which you are having a text or document translated or ask advice from the native speaker translator you will find at Urgent Vertalen. According to the Arab League founded in 1946, the definition of the term “Arab” is someone whose mother tongue is Arabic, who lives in an Arab country and has sympathy for Arab ambitions. The Arab League is also referred to as the Middle East, although it also includes countries such as Turkey, Israel and Iran that are not officially part of it.

22 countries belong to the Arab League. You understand that within such a large area different cultural habits exist. However, some customs are intertwined throughout the Arab world. Parents play an important role in Arab culture. The father is expected to provide for his family, although in parts with Western influences this is considered less important and is also worked by women.

One trait that has been alive in Arab culture for centuries is hospitality. If you refuse an invitation, it can be taken as an insult. If a house is large enough, visitors are welcomed in a separate room. Privacy is an important topic anyway. People are less likely to talk about feelings and private matters are not discussed outside the home. When eating together, never refuse a drink. This is perceived as rude. Don’t attack immediately when the food is on the table, wait for it to be offered. Hands are washed before eating and the right hand is used to eat, drink or pass something at the table. Links are intended for toilet visits and are therefore considered ‘unclean’. This is just a sampling of the common Arabic customs. Consult multiple sources of information when going to an Arab country for business or private purposes. Remember that the customs are often centuries old and are often prescribed from the Qur’an. Good preparation can make the difference between success or failure and a pleasant stay or not.

Select a translator who knows both the language and the country. By having a native speaker translator translate your document, we guarantee you a translation that always serves its purpose. Whether it concerns an official document or reaching a specific target group, you benefit from the guarantee that it is done properly.