Is Tamil just Tamil? Maybe not!
Maybe for an average speaker, it might seem like one language spoken in two lands, but not for professional Tamil translation services. The unique differences between Sri Lankan Tamil (TA-LK) and Tamil Nadu Tamil (TA-IN) are deeply rooted and culturally influenced. Hence, they require extra attention during translations.
In this blog, we will unravel the linguistic puzzle of the Tamil language. We will also discuss some challenges faced by professional services while handling both the variants in Tamil language translations.
Why Are Accurate Tamil Translations So Important?
From a government document and business contract to mobile apps and film scripts, everything Tamil translation requires a different approach.
Why?
Although they share similar roots, both languages have grown distant due to centuries of cultural and political evolution.
Think of it as American English and Indian English, but with even deeper cultural and political influence. Want to know more about the differences in English spoken in India and America? Check out our related post: Understanding the Differences in the English Language between India and the U.S.
Who Speaks What?
Tamil is actually not limited to India and is also spoken in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE, and Singapore. However, major Tamil speakers are based in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, India.
- Indian Tamil: The language is spoken by over 75 million people in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is formally used for education, administration, media, and everyday conversations.
- Sri Lankan Tamil: Spoken by around 3 to 4 million people, mostly in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. The speakers carry a strong language identity that influences their culture and everyday life.
They Are More Than Just Dialects
- Phonetics and Pronunciations: Sri Lankan Tamil uses older phonological sounds, while Indian Tamil uses a more modern phonetic feature.
- Vocabulary: Indian Tamil is heavily influenced by Sanskrit and Modern English. Sri Lankan Tamil uses older words; however, it is also influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and Sinhala.
- Grammar and Syntax: Sri Lankan Tamil is more conservative in its grammatical approach, while Indian Tamil tends towards simplified conjugations in speech.
Detailed Syntax and Spellings
Both the variants use the regular Tamil writing script, but with some differences:
- Sri Lankan Tamil uses distinct symbols and spellings, especially in formal and literary writing.
- Spelling of common words in both variants can differ subtly, which matters in official documents or academic content.
These region-specific differences make it vital for Tamil translation companies to assign native speakers with complete cultural knowledge.
Delicate Cultural and Contextual Sensitivities
- In Sri Lanka, especially in Jaffna city, Tamil speakers are closely tied to ethnic identity and have deep political views due to historic civil conflicts.
- In Tamil Nadu, the language was at the center of a sociolinguistic pride movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
To unravel such delicate cultural sensitivities, translators must navigate:
- Religious preferences
- Caste-specific terminologies
- Identity-related vocabulary
Best Practices in Tamil Language Translation
To ensure these details are followed, professional Tamil translation services must ensure strict quality and localization protocols.
- Audience Profiling: It is essential to identify whether the target language is Sri Lankan Tamil or Indian Tamil.
- Terminology Control: Always remember to maintain and use a region-specific glossary.
- Quality Reviews: Utilize native translators to check the quality and validate the translations.
- Context-Aware Tone Adjustments: Adjust tone, politeness level, and word choice based on the cultural expectations of the region.
How to Handle Bilingual Tamil and Sinhala Document Translations?
In Sri Lanka, Tamil and Sinhala often appear side-by-side, especially in official communication.
To tackle this challenge, professional translators must:
- Understand how the languages interact in layout and formatting.
- Be aware of the legal terminologies used in both languages.
- Match the tone and formality consistently across translations.
However, beyond Tamil language translations, a more region-specific approach for conversion would be Tamil localization services.
Somya Translators Helps You Get Context and Culturally Accurate Tamil Translations!
Contact us today and get impeccable Tamil Translations!
Tamil Localization for Apps, Websites, and Videos
Did you know that Pushpa, the blockbuster Telugu film, was subbed and dubbed in both Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil so that both audiences can enjoy it without restrictions?
To make this happen, the filmmakers used:
- Tamil audio translators to adapt accents and pronunciations.
- Tamil voice translator to match the regional dialects of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
- Tamil subtitling services to localize idioms and timings for emotional impact.
It’s true that modern businesses require Tamil localization for:
- Mobile Apps
- Websites
- Streaming Content
With professional Tamil localization services, it becomes easy to adapt the content for the above-mentioned platforms. Let’s consider the following example.
Case Study: Food Delivered to Madurai, Colombo, and Batticaloa
A global food-delivery company wants to expand its operations in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The company wanted to take all the right steps when it comes to expanding operations, increasing profits, and improving audience engagement. By contacting a professional Tamil translation company, the brand localized its mobile apps, websites, and advertisement streaming content.
How did the translation company help?
To maximize audience engagement, the translation company used an efficient localization approach in Indian Tamil, Sri Lankan Tamil, and Sinhala.
- Accurate and Culture-Specific Translations: Native Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil translators converted words, idioms, phrases, and marketing taglines according to regional preferences.
- UI/UX Localization: The app and website interfaces were restructured to support both Tamil (Indian and Sri Lankan) and Sinhala scripts. This enhanced the look and readability of the platform, improved usability, and increased customer satisfaction.
- Voiceover and Subtitling for Ads: Streaming advertisements were dubbed and subbed using expert Tamil subtitling services to build emotional connection and relatability with natives.
- Local SEO and Keyword: The Tamil translation company also implemented region-specific SEO to increase website traffic. Local keywords for Indian Tamil, Sri Lankan Tamil, and Sinhala regions were also used for optimized metadata, which increased visibility on local search engines.
- Customer Support Localization: Chatbots, FAQs, and other customer support scripts were translated into Sinhala, Indian Tamil, and Sri Lankan Tamil, allowing users to interact efficiently in their native language.
The Result?
The company experienced:
- A smooth entry into both markets.
- A significant increase in website and app visitors.
- Positive reviews from native customers of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
- Higher order volume.
- A great customer retention rate in Tamil-speaking and Sinhala-speaking markets.
This case highlights the necessity of Tamil translation services for clear communication and engagement with both diasporas.
Finding the Right Tamil Translation Services
When a word carries emotional weight, history, identity, and cultural significance, it becomes necessary to choose the right Tamil translation company.
Always look for:
- Native Linguistic Experts: A team of native translators (both Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil) with in-depth experience in different industries.
- Proper Certifications: An ISO 17100:2015-certified company ensures the highest translation standards and quality deliverables.
- Customized Glossaries: A company that creates specialized glossaries for both Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil is adept at providing accurate and culturally relevant results.
- Diverse Specialization: Don’t stop at translation. Ensure that the company also provides other language solutions like Tamil localization services, Tamil subtitling services, and Tamil dubbing and voiceover services.
With Somya Translators, you don’t just get translated words but also get culturally respectful meaning that helps you engage with your target audience.
Be it Jaffna or Chennai, our region-specific Tamil translation services ensure results that help you meet your language expectations!
Connect with us today for regionally accurate, culturally aligned, and expertly managed Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Tamil translations.
Call us at +91-11-43061918 or email us at info@somyatrans.com for a free quote!