Almost 10.4 million Canadians can carry out a conversation in French. In the province of Quebec, over 85.4% of the population speaks the Canadian French dialect.
Important to note, Canadian French is different from European French. This means that any translation for Canada’s French-speaking market must be specific to the country for businesses to effectively communicate, trade, and sell.
In this blog, we are going to guide you through Canadian French translation and how to do business in Quebec.
The Economy in Quebec
Firstly, let’s investigate Quebec.
Located in Central-Eastern Canada, Quebec is the largest province and is home to the populous cities of Montreal and Quebec City. It also hosts the second-largest economy in Canada.
In fact, If Quebec was a county, its economy would be ranked as the 33rd largest in the world, just behind Norway. Latest figures also put the GDP at CAD$ 365.6 billion.
Some of the most important industries include manufacturing, energy, and mining. The manufacturing sector produces a variety of goods, including primary metals, paper, transport equipment and pharmaceutical products.
Bill 101
French is the first language in Canada’s second most-populous province. To ensure the Language is maintained, Bill 101 was passed.
Bill 101 protects the language and ensures communications are made accessible in French. This Bill applies to all businesses, courts, administrations, and workplaces, as well as educational institutions.
The core aspects of Bill 101 are:
- Social services, health services, administration, public enterprises, corporations, and associations have the right to communicate in French.
- The right to speak French in deliberative assemblies.
- Workers and employees have the right to conduct their daily tasks in French.
- Customers and consumers have the right to be served and communicate in the French language.
- The right for people to give directions and instructions in Quebec in the French language.
All in all, following language regulations in Quebec is essential to trade and business.
Language Solutions for Business
When doing business in Quebec, there are several language solutions you can implement.
Translation is one of the most important language services you can use in. This solution allows for a direct translation of packaging, websites, software, and more – allowing consumers to comprehend your products or services.
Another popular language service is a localization. Localization is a form of translation that allows organizations to tailor their services to a specific country or region. This solution facilitates using the right dialect of French to communicate with your audience in Quebec.
Localization is one of the language solutions used by Apple, as their products let you select a language during the set-up of your phone. You can pick from a variety of languages and dialects, including Canadian French.
When looking at entering new global markets. There are many aspects to consider including compliance with the law. One of the best ways you can access this market is to partner with a translation agency.
Wolfestone Group is a professional translation agency. Since 2006, we have had years of experience working with a variety of industries to provide language solutions.
Interested in finding an expert voiceover or translating your next marketing campaign? Then contact us today.
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