Whats the difference between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Mandarin and Cantonese?
Simplified Chinese is the written script used in Mainland China; Traditional Chinese is the script used in Taiwan, Singapore, and in many other places around the world. Mandarin refers to the spoken dialect that is most common in Mainland China and Taiwan, while Cantonese is a spoken dialect from around the Hong Kong area. Things to consider when translating to/from Simplified Chinese Compression/ExpansionThis can vary widely in both Simplified and Traditional scripts, depending on content type. Expect around a 25% contraction when translating from English to Simplified Chinese of general marketing copy, and a similar expansion when working in the opposite direction. Websites need special design attention (e.g. the term “FAQ” as a navigation link on a website will take up twice the space in Simplified Chinese). Product labeling and graphically intense marketing materials, where space can be at a premium, may require some design edits. When translating a business card to Simplified Chin
