Translation Services Specifically in Swiss French

Switzerland is considered one of the wealthiest countries on the planet with one of the highest standards of living. With the second-highest per-capita GDP in the world as of 2021 according to the International Monetary Fund, Switzerland boasts a powerful economy, drawing in workers from neighboring France and Germany who take home a higher Swiss salary. Switzerland’s status as an economic powerhouse is compounded by its reputation as a tax haven, attracting companies worldwide to take advantage of favorable tax rates.

Switzerland is a highly multilingual country with four official or national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Approximately 23% of Switzerland’s 8 million people speak French—specifically, Swiss French. Switzerland has its own variety of this major Romance language, and if you’re planning to communicate with Switzerland’s French-speaking population, using their local dialect is recommended. It’s also a good idea to specifically hire Swiss French translators to translate out of Swiss French, since differences in vocabulary could otherwise result in misunderstandings.

We’d be happy to offer a quote for our Swiss French translation services—just ask our team!

The Differences Between Swiss French and French French

You may think all French varieties are essentially the same—but that’s certainly not true. While they are largely mutually intelligible, certain differences in conventions and vocabulary can easily result in inaccurate or unnatural translations. One key difference between Swiss French and France French is numbers—Swiss French uses specialized words for 70, 80, and 90, whereas France infamously uses a more complicated base-20 system from 70 up.

Vocabulary differences also crop up in food. Each meal has a different name in Swiss French and French French, and it can get confusing: le dîner means “supper” in France but “lunch” in Switzerland. More modern vocabulary can differ as well: “cell phone” is portable or téléphone in France but natel in Switzerland. Even “you’re welcome” is different, with people in France saying je vous en prie (or je t’en prie in informal situations) and Swiss French speakers saying service. Some of the lexical differences come by way of German, such as the Swiss French word for “father,” vatr. French, conversely, sticks to its Latinate roots with père. So, evidently, hiring Swiss French experts when you’re working with Swiss French is paramount. Our Swiss French translators are well versed in the differences of the vernaculars and can guarantee accuracy in their translations.

What Do We Translate to and from Swiss French?

• Business content. Switzerland is inarguably one of the economic capitals of Europe, enjoying a massive influx of foreign companies setting up within its Alp-lined borders. Doing business in Switzerland entails translating content into multiple languages, since different regions speak different languages. And if you want to truly cater to French speakers in Switzerland, you’ll need specific Swiss French translation services for your press releases, advertisements, product descriptions, and more. If, conversely, you’re a Swiss business going abroad, be sure to hire Swiss French-to-English translators to avoid misunderstandings and ensure the utmost accuracy.
• Creative writing. Swiss French speakers love a good book—especially if it’s in their native language. Cater to Swiss French speakers by hiring our translation team to translate specifically into Swiss French and cultivate a following of Swiss French fans. Swiss French creatives can similarly trust our team to translate their art reliably from Swiss French without falling into any of the traps translators from France might.
• Digital material. There may be a lot of French-language content online, but little of it is catered specifically to Swiss French speakers. If your Francophone audience is from Switzerland, show you care by translating your website, blog, program, app, or game into Swiss French. Our translators can also handle translations from Swiss French into English for any type of digital content.

Whether you’re in Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, or elsewhere in Romandy, our Swiss French translators are here to help. In fact, it doesn’t matter whether you’re somewhere else in Switzerland or even the world. If you need Swiss French translation services, come to us.

Message us today for a quote or more information about our Swiss French translations.