Translate Taiwanese To English

Taiwanese Dialects

Although it is essentially the same language, Mandarin from Mainland China is different than Mandarin from Taiwan. It can be compared to how American English can be different from British English. The differences are based mostly on specific regions. Another major difference between the two is their use of tones and how sounds are pronounced along with differences in writing, grammar, and word usage.

• Mainland Mandarin – The use of Standard (Mainland) Mandarin was highly promoted in the country of Taiwan from the 1940s to the 80’s, however, some still chose to speak Taiwanese. Standard Mandarin is still the language used in the educational system. Standard Mandarin speakers are known to have very heavy northern China accents and curve their tongues when certain sounds are pronounced.

• Taiwanese Mandarin – Taiwanese Mandarin is a variant of Standard Mandarin and is also the official language of Taiwan. It wasn’t until 1945 when the Taiwanese people started using Mandarin introduced to them by the Chinese who took over their country. In 1949, there was a major migration of Chinese people to Taiwan. In the 1990s, a fight was out up for the replacement of Standard Mandarin with Taiwanese Mandarin by the supporters of Taiwan independence in an effort to salvage the country’s identity. When speaking, Taiwanese Mandarin speakers have more of a flat tongue when pronouncing sounds. Their grammar points are also more specific to Taiwan.

What can we do?

Can CIT provide interpreters and translators who are fluent in both Mainland Mandarin and Taiwanese Mandarin? The short answer is yes! Because these two languages are so mutually intelligible, Mainland Mandarin and Taiwanese Mandarin speakers can fully understand each other. It is basically the same language. However, some words or phrases may not translate exactly the same but will still fall under the same context.