Many clients who are new to communicating in the Chinese language are surprised to find that there are two types of written Chinese. What is the difference and which will you need when you need Chinese translation?

In Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, Traditional Chinese is used, and this form of the language uses a more complex character set.

Simplified Chinese is used in the People’s Republic of China, having been introduced in the 1950s to stimulate greater levels of literacy. As the name suggests, the written form of the languages uses more simple versions of the characters with fewer strokes.

Simplified Chinese is also used in Singapore and Malaysia where it is taught in schools. In these countries there may be some local differences due to early immigrants from China primarily speaking in Hakka, Hokkien & Min (Teochew) dialects. Many Malay-Chinese also read some Traditional Chinese, being familiar with the language from the Hong Kong Television Broadcast Channel.

SanTranslate will always make sure that we translate into the correct form of Chinese, checking your needs thoroughly, before we start work. Contact us to find out more.