Townsend Business Solutions

Our Business

We use automated translation programs to speed up the translation process, but then take the time to read the translation, correcting any errors the software program made.  We then read the original document and the translated document to ensure the meanings are correct.  We can provide the final translation in both soft copy and hard copy formats.  We will also be available for discussion if there are questions about the meaning of a particular part of the translation, as some expressions can be translated, but without an understanding of the background of the intended meaning, the message may literally be lost in translation.  We are also available for in person translation of the spoken word for your customers or vendors who may be visiting the area, but are not fluent in English.  We can also provide translation support for video or audio conferences with your Chinese speaking counterparts. 

Our Experience

Diane is a native speaker of Chinese (Mandarin) and is fluent in all written Chinese.  She also speaks some Cantonese and various Chinese dialects.  She can read some Japanese documents.   She has studied in both England and the United States and is fluent in English (both spoken and written).   Roger is a native speaker of English (US) and is fluent in written English.   Diane and Roger have both traveled extensively throughout the world.  Together, Diane and Roger can provide outstanding translation services for your Chinese or English documents.

We can translate documents from Chinese to English or English to Chinese with the intended meaning.  We can also provide verbal translation for your meetings with Chinese speakers.

 

Translation is a critical component of an international business.  Here is a short story to explain what can happen when words are translated correctly, but the meaning is missed.

 

An English speaking executive was meeting with a Chinese speaking executive.  Each person had their own translator for this face to face meeting.  The Chinese speaking executive paid his visitor a very high compliment by saying (and this was translated verbatim) "you have a big stomach and an even bigger mouth".  The English speaking executive was outraged at such an opening remark.  Quickly the second translator calmed the room, by correctly translating the intended meaning of the statement, which was "You have accomplished much, and you have even higher goals".  After this, the meeting was a great success as both parties were very happy to be working together.   Without the benefit of the second translator, the meeting could have ended quickly with hurt feelings.