Spanish Translation Services

English to Spanish Translation Services

Spanish is one of the world’s most popular languages, spoken by over half a billion people and growing. Just in the last decade, the number of Spanish speakers worldwide has increased by 30%. In the U.S., Spanish is the most spoken language outside of English and its use is on the rise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. will have an estimated 138 million Spanish speakers by 2050, making it the largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world.

Due to the growing prominence of the Spanish language and the corresponding increase in demand for Spanish-language content, Spanish is one of the most important languages for any organization seeking to expand its reach globally or domestically.

We can help you:

• translate e-learning materials to support Spanish-speaking workforces
• localize websites, audio, and apps by adapting your digital content to the preferences of Spanish speakers in Spain, Latin America, or the U.S.
• translate marketing collateral and global communication materials to enhance visibility and support growth in new markets
• establish a coherent Spanish-language brand to resonate with your intended audience

Spanish Variants—Understanding Which Form of Spanish Is Best for Your Audience

In any language, a translation should sound natural to the target audience. Because the Spanish language has multiple variants, it’s important to understand the difference.

Only about 12% of Spanish speakers live in Spain—the rest are spread across the Americas, with smaller pockets elsewhere in Europe, and in Africa and Asia. Because Latin American Spanish developed independently from the Spanish spoken in Spain, there are significant variations in the way Spanish is spoken around the world today. From one country to the next, there are distinct differences in vocabulary and pronoun usage. Words that are common to one version of Spanish may have a completely different meaning in another locale.

When translating for residents of mainland Spain, Peninsular (or European) Spanish should be used, as this is the only variant that will fully resonate with people in this country. However, this version is significantly different from what is spoken in the U.S. and throughout Latin America.

Spanish Translation for Latin America and the U.S.

When translating for Spanish-speaking audiences in the U.S., we typically recommend translating into either U.S. Spanish or Latin American Spanish (LATAM). The universal form of LATAM uses neutral versions of Spanish words that are not specific to any one country. Universal LATAM is spoken with a neutral accent similar to what one might hear in movies, TV shows, or commercials.

U.S. Spanish is similar to neutral LATAM Spanish, but uses U.S. units of measurement and punctuation conventions. For example, U.S. Spanish would typically separate groups of thousands with commas rather than decimal points because this is more familiar to U.S.-based audiences. U.S. Spanish is the form used by channels like CNN en Español and Univisión, where weather reporters might use Fahrenheit rather than Celsius.

While both LATAM and U.S. Spanish may not sound completely local to people from all Spanish-speaking countries, they will be understood by all Spanish speakers. This makes either an appropriate choice for many U.S. communities.

If you have upcoming translation work, get in touch. We will work closely with you to identify the correct form of Spanish for your target audience.

Spanish-Language Typesetting

It typically takes more words to express an idea in Spanish than it does in English. Text expansion occurs when the language you translate into (the target language) requires more characters, taking up more space than the source language. When translating from English into Spanish, you can expect the text to expand by approximately 20-25%. When translating from Spanish into English, the opposite is true.

Knowing how text expansion works helps you understand the changes you might see when a layout designed in English is translated into Spanish. Eriksen’s typesetting team has expertise in the Spanish language, so they will know what can be reworded, moved around, or otherwise adjusted to fit the space permitted. Our typesetters will set your Spanish text for optimal readability, making sure it adheres to all typographical rules for punctuation, spacing, and page setup.

Native-Speaking Spanish Translators

In Spanish, as with other languages, each translator should have demonstrated competency in the subject matter they are translating. Words can be ambiguous and do not always map word-for-word into another language. A linguist with subject-matter expertise is able to understand the context needed to properly express complex concepts in another language.

A translator should also be a native speaker of the target language. An individual who grew up speaking a language typically has a stronger grasp on nuance and stylistic differences than someone who learned it later in life. A native Spanish speaker, especially one still living in the area they are translating for, can best identify and handle any cultural adaptation that may be needed. This strong basis helps a linguist produce Spanish translations that flow naturally in the target language.

At Eriksen, we have a strong network of Spanish translators who are experts in the language, with demonstrated competency in their areas of specialization. They understand the regional differences and the linguistic nuance required to produce authentic language that flows naturally and maintains the intent of the source.

Certified Spanish Language Translation

There are times when business or personal documents require certified Spanish translation, attesting to the accuracy of the translation and its inclusion of all the content in the source document. Certification is often required for legal, immigration, academic, or government purposes. When a certified Spanish translation is needed, Eriksen will provide a notarized statement on company letterhead attesting that, to the best of our knowledge, your document is a true, accurate, and complete translation from the source into the target language.

Get a Quote for Your Spanish Translation Project

At Eriksen, Spanish is one of our most popular languages. As such, we have an extensive network of Spanish linguists experienced in translating for Spanish-speaking communities throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Please get in touch to discuss your Spanish translation needs with a member of our client services team. Or visit our request-a-quote page, and we will provide you with a free estimate.