| The term "dialect" is generally defined as a language | | | | countries within Latin America. The mingling of |
| variety spoken in a specific geographic region. The | | | | languages, both local and that spoken by explorers, |
| Spanish language has many variations, or dialects, | | | | along with spontaneous or unexplained changes, drove |
| which can be quite different from one another. This is | | | | the evolution of numerous Latin American dialects. |
| an important consideration when dealing with live or | | | | Much study is required to develop an understanding of |
| document translation situations involving the Spanish | | | | the proper way to speak for specific Spanish |
| language. | | | | language countries. |
| Possibly the widest gap in Spanish dialects exist | | | | All formal Spanish dialects use the same written |
| between European Spanish and Latin American | | | | standard for grammar. However, informally, and in |
| Spanish. The Spanish language originated in the Castile | | | | speech, differences can be pronounced. In addition to |
| region of Spain. During the reign of King Alfonso X in | | | | grammatical differences such as pronouns, there are |
| the 1200's, Spanish became the official language of the | | | | also regional word differences that relate to food |
| region and it became mandatory for all government | | | | products, clothing, and other everyday items. Latin |
| documents to be written in Spanish. From the 1400's to | | | | American Spanish also tends to display influence from |
| the 1800's, the Spanish language was passed through | | | | Native American languages. |
| the Canary Islands to places like Cuba and Santa | | | | The term "dialect" does not apply to other regional |
| Domingo via sailors. | | | | languages spoken in Spain such as Catalan and |
| Through the years, the Spanish spoken in the Latin | | | | Basque. Those are distinctive languages requiring an |
| American countries diverged from that spoken by the | | | | entirely different language skill set. |
| European countries. One of the main areas of | | | | When hiring a translator, be very specific about the |
| difference is in the use of pronouns. For example, in | | | | country and language with which you will be dealing. It |
| Spain the word "tu" is used for "you", whereas in some | | | | is too vague to just look for a "Spanish" translator. And |
| Latin American countries, at least in some instances, | | | | at all costs, avoid any kind of automated or mechanical |
| the word for "you" is "vos". This can lead to some | | | | translator. You absolutely will not receive as high quality |
| interesting differences in second person expressions. | | | | a translation as you will if you employ a live human |
| A translator interpreting a document or conversation | | | | being who is comfortable speaking and writing in the |
| should be careful to use language elements | | | | language and dialect of your prospective customer. |
| appropriate to the specific region. For example, "vos," | | | | In business, you need to speak the language of your |
| which is used often in Latin America, may be | | | | customers - literally. When dealing with prospects who |
| considered an uneducated way of speaking in some | | | | speak Spanish or any other language other than your |
| other countries - certainly not the kind of impression | | | | own, hire a professional language translator. Do not risk |
| you want to make for your business. | | | | insulting your potential clients by mangling their language. |
| The Spanish language also diverged between | | | | |