Success is all in the details, especially when it comes to important written document translation. It doesn’t matter if the residents of a country speak one language or four, it’s important for corporations to do their homework and gain a thorough understanding of the different regions within that country. Just like America has different societal norms, terminology and accents depending on if you’re on the east or west coast, or in the north or south, other countries have similar distinctions as well.
A clear example of this is the great country of Singapore. Its four official languages are English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. According to Mother Nature Network, most people speak English or a unique creole language known as Singlish. Besides learning English in school, Singaporeans learn the native language that’s unique to their area of the country. Therefore, citizens with an Indian background learn Tamil, those with a Malay background learn Malay and people with a Chinese background learn Mandarin. The Chinese dialect gets even more specific with separate areas that speak Hokkien or Hakka.
Although most Singaporeans speak English as their main language, companies should do their homework on how to best market to the audience they are trying to reach. With so many cultural backgrounds combining within the country of Singapore, it would be smart for any international business to learn about each culture and gear their marketing materials to speak to that area of the country. That may mean translating an English ad into Tamil, Malay and Mandarin versions. It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but in actuality, it will take your company to the next level. Not only will translating your written marketing materials into region-specific dialects open up an entirely new market, but it will also create customer loyalty within a whole new market.
According to Forbes, Singapore’s economy is mainly dependent on consumer electronics, technology and pharmaceutical exports, as well as a strong business and financial services presence. Looking to expand your financial company’s reach, or partner with a growing business in Singapore?