Translation - art & business » Translation Theory and Practice »
Guidance with Arabic translation of a date-time span
Thread poster: zoodal
zoodal
zoodal
Australia
Local time: 18:06
Mar 21, 2016

Hello,

I am a computer programmer with no real translation skills or background.

I am preparing a computer file for translation and we (in our office) have had a question about how the translated following date time span will be displayed in the Arabic text:

(3 years, 2 months)

(1 year)

(10 months)

This may seem like a simple request, but we have several suggestions in our office (dates before numbers or numbers befor... See more
Hello,

I am a computer programmer with no real translation skills or background.

I am preparing a computer file for translation and we (in our office) have had a question about how the translated following date time span will be displayed in the Arabic text:

(3 years, 2 months)

(1 year)

(10 months)

This may seem like a simple request, but we have several suggestions in our office (dates before numbers or numbers before dates and do we include the comma separating the years and months) and I would like to have a definitive answer before I commit the computer code to the required format.

Many Thanks. ▲ Collapse
 
Morano El-Kholy
Morano El-Kholy  Identity Verified
Egypt
Local time: 10:06
Member (2011)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Here what you can do.... Mar 22, 2016

Dear 6233114

You can put the numbers before the dates and the Arabic letter "و" instead of the English Comma.
******************
(3 years, 2 months) = ثلاث سنوات وشهرين or ثلاثة أعوام وشهرين

(1 year) = سنة واحدة or عام واحد


(10 months) = عشرة أشهر or عشرة شهور


Kind regards.
 
zoodal
zoodal
Australia
Local time: 18:06
TOPIC STARTER
What about using European numerals in Arabic text? Mar 22, 2016

Thanks for your reply.

In the Arabic written language is it normal / usual to use European numerals with Arabic text, such as the following translation:

3 years 2 month = 3 سنوات 2 شهور

I have seen this in use and would like to know if it is a wide-spread practice?
 
Morano El-Kholy
Morano El-Kholy  Identity Verified
Egypt
Local time: 10:06
Member (2011)
English to Arabic
+ ...
Keep the Arabic numerals. Mar 23, 2016

Yes, this is really in use: I mean inserting the European numbers but the order in which you wrote them is definitely not Arabic.

If you can write the European numbers preceding the dates (years/months) and linked by "و" then this will be fine.

*It is much better to keep and insert the Arabic numerals instead of the European ones.

Kind regards.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Maria Castro[Call to this topic]
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Guidance with Arabic translation of a date-time span







Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »