Italian translation

Frequently asked questions about Italian translation

Why translate into Italian?

With approximately 85 million Italian speakers worldwide, Italy and the Italians play an important role on the global stage. Italy’s flourishing economy makes it a prime export market, full of opportunities. Italian customers and business partners prefer to receive information in Italian. Despite Italians being proficient in English and often having a command of German, French or Spanish as a second language, the presence of text in their native language frequently becomes a crucial factor when making purchasing decisions or concluding contracts.

How should you submit a request for an Italian translation?

When ordering an Italian translation, add the source text when submitting your request, if at all possible. If the source text is not yet quite ready, please state the approximate number of words that will need to be translated. Additionally, include the purpose of the translation and some information about the intended reader of the text. Finally, specify the deadline, required format, and any special requests regarding the translation.

How is the price of an Italian translation determined?

The cost of an Italian translation is largely determined by the field of the text: translations of advertising texts on general topics are cheaper than translations of, for example, medical texts, because the latter will require the involvement of a specialist translator, editor, or expert to ensure terminological accuracy. We offer our regular customers an attractive discount system made possible by our translation software, which allows us to account for repeat segments. Thanks to this, our clients can save a significant amount of money on repeated sections of text.

What are the most common requests for Italian translations?

The most frequent enquiries regarding translation services include: assistance with translating Italian-language documents; preparation of brochures introducing a company in Italian for a trade fair in Italy; enquiries about the cost of translating product information into Italian; assistance with translating a user manual from Italian into other languages; translating a company website into Italian; assistance with translating tourist information into Italian for hotels catering to Italian guests.

What should one consider when ordering an Italian translation?

Achieving a high-quality Italian translation requires time and effort. Providing us with sufficient background information in addition to the materials to be translated will enhance the quality of the translation. For instance, clarifying the target audience and intended use of the translated materials aids us in grasping the context and meeting the expectations of the target audience more effectively. Transly Translation Agency offers translations of specialised texts, product information, user manuals, websites, fiction, IT texts and marketing texts. We also provide other services related to translation, such as Italian search engine optimisation (SEO).

What is the position of the Italian language in the world?

• Italian is one of the 20 most widely spoken languages in the world.
• In addition to Italy, Italian is also an official language in San Marino and Switzerland. Moreover, Italian has official minority status in certain regions of Croatia and Slovenia.
• Italian has nearly 65 million native speakers. An additional 3 million speak Italian as a second language and can also be considered Italian speakers. Italian serves as the official language of the Catholic world: the Pope primarily communicates with millions of Catholics in Italian.
• Italian is also one of the official languages of the European Union, standing as one of the largest languages in the Union alongside German, English and French.
• Although Italian is not a diplomatic language like English, French or Spanish, it is widely spoken in the Mediterranean and North Africa and stands as one of the most popular foreign languages studied worldwide.
• Across the globe, people are familiar with at least a few Italian words, such as pizza, pasta, espresso or mozzarella.

• Italian language skills are necessary for those whose field of interest or work is related to gastronomy. Italian cuisine is world-renowned, which is why many internationally used culinary terms and food names come from Italian.
• In the fields of art history and music, particularly classical music, specialists must be adept at handling Italian terminology.
• Proficiency in the Italian language is also essential for individuals engaged in design and fashion.

 What makes the Italian language interesting?

• The Italian language, particularly its sound, is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. It is often described as melodious.
• Italian spelling aligns closely with its pronunciation.
• Italy is linguistically diverse, with nearly 20 different dialects spoken, each associated with a specific region of the country.
• Standard Italian is based on the Tuscan dialect spoken near Florence.
• Linguists have extensively debated whether the dialects spoken in Italy should be classified as dialects or considered independent languages.

Why should I translate my website into Italian?

• Italians appreciate when foreigners and tourists make an effort to speak even a few words of Italian and use well-known expressions of politeness and greetings, such as sì (yes), no (no), per favore (please), grazie (thank you), ciao (hello), arrivederci (good bye), scusi (excuse me).
• While young Italians do learn foreign languages, particularly English, their levels of proficiency vary and many older Italians do not speak English at all. In the business community, however, English is commonly used.
• Italians favour and highly appreciate the opportunity to read and communicate in their native language.
• If your company has Italian partners or is considering expanding into the Italian market, it is important to provide information in Italian on your company’s website.
• People might not take the time to acquaint themselves with materials in foreign languages. Thus, it is wise to provide them with the information they need in their own language.
• Offering content in Italian signals to Italians that you are genuinely interested in them as customers.

What should one consider when entering the Italian market?

• The Italian tax system is very complex, often posing challenges even for Italians themselves. Different types of taxes are levied at a national, regional and local level.
• When expanding into the Italian market, it is advisable to hire a local assistant to mitigate the costs and time associated with a lack of familiarity with the language and procedures.
• There are many different forms of business in Italy and the law does not restrict the freedom to select a specific form of business.
• Additionally, the law does not impose any special conditions on foreign nationals when establishing a company.
• The Italian banking sector is not the most modern, with many small banks catering exclusively to local clientele.

What is a no-go in the Italian-speaking cultural sphere?

• Clothing plays an important role, along with shoes, hair and accessories. It is advisable not to wear shorts to a work meeting. Additionally, for instance, it is important to cover both knees and shoulders when visiting a church.
• Avoid addressing a business partner solely by their first name during the first meeting. When addressing someone, it is essential to use a professional title or honorific before their first and last name, such as signore (sir) or signora (madam).
• Italians are not always punctual when it comes to time. They can be 15 to 45 minutes late for a meeting. However, Italians are typically punctual for important business meetings, so it is essential not to be late under any circumstances.
• Business lunches are very important, as many key business decisions are often made during joint lunches or dinners.
• It is customary to shake hands as a greeting..
• During conversation, it is considered inappropriate to talk about religion, the Vatican, the mafia or personal matters.

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