I sometimes get asked if I can do Traditional Chinese, especially with Hong Kong legal terminology. The answer is yes, but not just because I can speak Cantonese. I’ve worked extensively with Hong Kong’s bilingual legal texts, particularly company charters, financial reports, and compliance filings. Hong Kong’s legal terminology and phrasing often differ significantly from Mainland China’s.
To name a few:
| English | Simplified | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| Auditor | 审计师 | 核数师 |
| Consideration | 对价 | 代价 |
| Provided that | 但 | 惟 |
Tip: Tools like Word’s built-in conversion can switch between Simplified and Traditional Chinese, but it misses regional legal nuances, leading to major inconsistencies and sometimes altering the intended legal effect. A direct character conversion just won’t cut it.