Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese vs. Mandarin vs. Cantonese: What’s the Difference?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Is Simplified Chinese Mandarin and Traditional Chinese Cantonese?
3. The Origins
4. Geographical Usage
5. Visual Differences
6. When to Use Which in Translation
7. Language Pairs
8. Conclusion

When translating documents into Chinese, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to use Simplified or Traditional Chinese. This guide will help you understand the differences between the two, making your choice clearer and more informed.

Introduction

The Chinese language can be complex, with different written forms and spoken dialects. This guide will explain these variations in a simple manner.

Simplified vs. Traditional Chinese

• Simplified Chinese: This script has fewer strokes per character and is the result of an effort to increase literacy in Mainland China during the 1950s. It’s simpler and faster to write.
• Traditional Chinese: This script features more complex characters with more strokes and is used where Chinese culture has been preserved without reform-based simplification.

Mandarin vs. Cantonese

• Mandarin: The official language of China and Taiwan, spoken by the vast majority of Chinese speakers. It uses phonetic tones and is the standard for all official communications.
• Cantonese: A dialect of Chinese spoken primarily in Hong Kong and Macau. It has its own set of tones and vocabulary, which differ significantly from Mandarin.

Is Simplified Chinese Mandarin and Traditional Chinese Cantonese?

A common misconception is that Simplified Chinese is synonymous with Mandarin and Traditional Chinese with Cantonese. However, this is not accurate. Let’s clarify the relationship between these terms:

Understanding the Terms

• Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese refer to the forms of written characters, not spoken languages.
• Mandarin and Cantonese are spoken dialects of the Chinese language.

Written vs. Spoken Language

• Simplified Chinese: This script was introduced to make writing and learning Chinese characters easier and is predominantly used in Mainland China and Singapore. It is used for writing Mandarin but is not limited to just Mandarin.
• Traditional Chinese: This script is more complex and continues to be used in regions with deep cultural ties to Chinese heritage, like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. It is used for writing Mandarin in Taiwan and for writing Cantonese in Hong Kong and Macau.

The Origins

Traditional Chinese has been used for centuries in literature, official documents, and everyday writing. It features complex characters with many strokes.

Simplified Chinese was developed in Mainland China during the 1950s to increase literacy. It simplifies many of the traditional characters by reducing the number of strokes.

Geographical Usage

• Traditional Chinese is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
• Simplified Chinese is used in Mainland China and Singapore.

Choosing the correct form based on your target audience’s location is crucial for accurate and effective communication.

Visual Differences

Traditional characters are more intricate and detailed compared to their Simplified counterparts. Simplified characters use fewer strokes and are generally considered easier to learn and write.

For instance, the Traditional character for “love” is 愛, while the Simplified version is 爱.

When to Use Which in Translation

Choosing between Simplified and Traditional Chinese for your translation projects depends mainly on your audience’s location and the nature of the content:

• Use Simplified Chinese for materials intended for readers in Mainland China and Singapore. This is because Simplified Chinese is the standard writing system in these regions.
• Use Traditional Chinese for materials intended for readers in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, where Traditional Chinese is still in use.

Language Pairs

When you translate from English to Chinese, there are four main options depending on the Chinese script used:

English to Simplified Chinese (ENG-CN):

• Where it’s used: Mainland China and Singapore.
• Language spoken: Mainly Mandarin.

English to Taiwan (ENG-TW):

• Where it’s used: Taiwan.
• Language spoken: Mandarin.

English to Hong Kong (ENG-HK):

• Where it’s used: Hong Kong.
• Language spoken: Cantonese.
• Note: Understanding Cantonese grammar and expressions is crucial because they can be quite different from Mandarin. Make sure the translation fits Cantonese reading habits.

English to Macau (ENG-MO):

• Where it’s used: Macau.
• Language spoken: Cantonese.
• Note: Adapt the English text to not only Traditional Chinese characters but also the local Cantonese dialect, including idioms and local usage.

Conclusion

Whether you opt for Simplified or Traditional Chinese in your translation projects depends on your audience, the content’s nature, and the specific regional preferences. Understanding these factors will help ensure your translations are accurate and culturally appropriate.

This guide should help you navigate the choice between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, ensuring your translations are effective and resonate well with your intended audience.

Hi, I’m Rex Su, a certified Chinese translator of Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).

I hope you found this article useful. If you’re considering professional Chinese translation services, feel free to explore my profile and get in touch with my team. We’d be happy to help with your translation needs!