At the border between Spain and France, it’s not just roads that cross each other – three languages, each with a strong identity, co-exist in that area: Catalan, Spanish and French. This cross-border area, especially in areas such as Alt Empordà or Northern Catalonia (Perpiñán and its vicinity), is a unique setting where multilingual communication is much more than an advantage – it’s a necessity. For companies that operate in this geographical region, using a Spanish-Catalan translator or a French to Spanish translator can make all the difference between a smooth business relationship and a cultural conflict.
A space where languages cross… and opportunities too
Catalonia is officially bilingual, and in areas near the French border, Catalan can be heard on both the street and in institutional settings. On the other side, in the Eastern Pyrenees, Catalan —albeit with no official status— is part of the cultural legacy. In this context, international companies seeking to set up or collaborate with local partners need to tackle this trilingual reality. It’s not enough to master English here – it is vital to understand thenuances of Catalan, Spanish and French.
For these companies, having a Spanish-Catalan translator is essential when it comes to adapting contracts, advertising campaigns or legal content. Similarly, a good French to Spanish translator ensures communication between suppliers, institutions and clients is accurate and respectful of each community’s linguistic features.
Accurately translate French to Spanish: avoid common pitfalls
The similarities between French, Catalan and Spanish —three languages with Latin roots— can lead to interpretation errors which, in a business setting, are more common than they may seem. One misunderstood word can change the tone of the conversation or even affect a business negotiation.
For example, in French “demander” means “to ask”, but to a Spanish-speaker it may sound like “demandar” (to sue), which has legal implications. Another delicate example is “assister”, which in French refers to “attending an event”, whereas in Spanish it can also be understood as “offering help”. In a business meeting, this difference can lead to misunderstandings about a person’s role in a particular project.
There is also confusion over “actuellement”, which in French means “at this time”, and not “actualmente” (currently), as it would be translated literally into Spanish. That’s why, aside from the vocabulary, accurately translating French into Spanish involves interpreting judiciously, taking the context and intent behind the message into consideration. In these cases, relying on automatic translators is not always enough: cultural knowledge and experience of the language are needed to ensure effective communication.
Translation as a strategic value
In a setting as dynamic as that of the Catalan-French border, investing in quality language services is a strategic decision. It not only avoids mistakes; it also enables businesses to position themselves as brands that respect cultural diversity, that speak the customer’s language and that understand the subtleties of the area in which they operate.
At Blarlo, we have professional translators with specialized combinations, including Spanish-Catalan translators and French-Spanish translators, with experience in business, legal and commercial projects. If you need to translate with accuracy and cultural adaption, we help ensure your message is clear and free of any nuances that could hinder a relationship with your customers or international partners. Write to us!
