French Translations
The Blue South French translation service covers both English into French and French into English. Most importantly, for the two main market areas where French is spoken, we distinguish between European French and French spoken Canada.
All Blue South translators are native speakers who Translate in Location™ which means they live and are immersed in the culture of the language that they translate into. As business translations typically involve a specific subject area, we use Topic Targeted Translators™ who specialise in the subject matter of your business.
France
There is some debate in today's France about the preservation of the French language and the influence of English especially with regard to international business, the sciences and popular culture.
The Toubon Law (full name: law 94-665 of 4 August 1994 relating to usage of the French language), is a law of the French government mandating the use of the French language in official government publications, advertisements, and some other contexts. The law does not concern non-commercial communications, web pages or publications from individuals or private bodies.
The most significant effect of the law is that it makes it mandatory for commercial advertisements and public announcements to be given in French. This does not rule out advertisements made in a foreign language: it is sufficient to provide a translation in a footnote, a very widespread practice. This was justified as a measure for the protection of the consumer.
In addition, the law specifies obligations for public legal persons (government administrations etc.), mandating the use of French in publications, or at least in summaries of publications. In France, it is a constitutional requirement that the public should be informed of the action of the government (Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, article 15: "Society has the right of requesting [an] account[ing] from any public agent of its [i.e., society's] administration."); since the official language of France is French, it follows that the French public should be able to get official information in French.
French is an official/main language in the following countries/regions »
Canada
Charter of the French Language (also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101) is a framework law in the province of Quebec, Canada, defining the linguistic rights of all Quebecers and making French, the language of the majority, the sole official language of Quebec.
Examples of translations into European languages »
Examples of translations into languages of the Americas>>
