AuthentiKan

A typical technical or literal translation can be done by a native Chinese language speaker with adequate understanding of both written Chinese and written English. Translating a certificate, however, requires a much higher level of language skill plus greater understanding of both cultures. The reason is that most serious certificates are written in Classical Chinese, also known as Literary Chinese, which a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of ancient China. This type of Chinese is different from any modern spoken form of Chinese.

Here is an example of a martial arts certificate translation we recently completed.

The original text:

“Be it known that the named individual has appeared before the governing council of Feng Quan Si Wu Shu.  After examination in the science of Zhen Shou Dao, the named person has satisfactorily passed examination and has attained the rank of _______ (rank attained)”

The Chinese translation:

Note that:

1. The Chinese translation retains the essence of the original English text but is written in the proper Chinese order that reads the most authentically. In English the name of the governing council appears first and then the style (Zhen Shou Dao), but in Chinese translation, in this particular case, it is more proper to mention the governing council at the end.
    
2. Each word and each name can be translated many ways. Often the literal translation is not the best translation. The words we used were carefully chosen to retain the meaning and yet demonstrate authenticity with a high language level.
    
3. The sentences were formed so they have exactly the same number of characters, a form of symmetry that is valued by the Chinese because it demonstrates mastery of the language.