Translation from Swedish into Finnish by qualified professional translators
Did you know that…
Finnish is a minority language in Sweden with many cases, i.e. word inflections. The Finnish language is one of all the languages in the world that has the most cases, having ten cases or more.*
However, it is not just the inflections of the language itself that are numerous, but the country is also known for its 187,000 lakes, making it one of the most lake-rich countries in the world. You may have heard of ”the land of a thousand lakes” – if not, you now know the answer!*
Word order is quite flexible in Finnish, which means that people can have very individual opinions on how something should be phrased. If you have had material translated into Finnish, you should not be surprised if you receive comments on the translation from other Finnish speakers. This does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong; rather, it is often a matter of people wanting to express themselves in different ways. It is also worth remembering that Finnish is structured completely differently from the other Nordic languages and English, and these structural differences become apparent when texts are translated. From experience, we know that a close dialogue between the reviewer and the translator is required to find precisely the right feel and tone in the Finnish language right from the start.
In Finland, people believe in individual responsibility and quick, effective decisions. In Sweden, there is more shared responsibility, negotiation and a consensus culture. Both in Finland and Sweden, a very high value is placed on honesty and sticking to what has been agreed.
Finns are good at languages and, in addition to Finnish, often also speak English, Swedish and perhaps another language or two. However, despite studying Swedish in Finnish schools, most prefer English as a business language even with Swedish-speaking partners.
Many companies choose, in addition to translation into Swedish or English, to also translate into our Nordic languages, for example translation into Finnish.
We have a large network of specialist translators who carry out high-quality translations into their mother tongue. The translators have various areas of expertise and, before every translation, we carefully review the source material before consulting a suitable native-speaking translator who also assesses the material before we finally provide you with a quote. Finnish is one of the languages we translate into most, and we have many talented Finnish translator.
Naturally, we also help with other language combinations than just Swedish to Finnish. If you are interested in knowing whether we have a specific language combination, you are welcome to contact us. You can do this most easily by filling in our form here.
Our business areas
We operate within a number of different business areas such as medicine, technology, IT, law, economics and marketing. Below we explain what is generally good to consider when translating from Swedish into Finnish and more specifically within each industry area.
General tips for each business area when translating into Finnish
A good source text is the alpha and omega for the best possible translation. Make sure the manuscript text is clear to get as good a translation as possible. Who is the target audience for the text and what is the message? Please provide the translator with this information as it makes it easier for the translator to adapt the text.
A well-crafted text takes time to produce. It is often said that the preparatory work is the most time-consuming part, but it is also extremely important for a good final result. Therefore, make sure to clearly convey the purpose of the material; what you want to achieve with the text and how the material is to be used. If there is a specific deadline for the assignment, do not forget to let us know.
If you are clear about your content from the outset, this will also be reflected in the translation, as the translator will have a better foundation to work from. When translating into Finnish, it is helpful to provide as much information as possible alongside the script. For example, the desired tone and level of style. If you have a glossary or any other business-specific information that you think might be relevant to our translation, please feel free to share that with us as well. This is so that we can best help you achieve the high-quality translation you are aiming for.
We create translations according to your wishes and jointly review your tone and style before translation begins. We also ensure the text is adapted to your specific industry terminology.
Translating from Swedish to Finnish should be simple, smooth and time-saving, which is why we always deliver back in the same file format as we received the material.
We also offer what is known as referral reading, where we send our translation to a reviewer approved by you. This could, for example, be a reseller who gets to look at the text. We incorporate any adjustments in consultation with the translator and make the final delivery to you. This method of working is particularly good for a language like Finnish, where feedback may occur.
Tips for translating from Swedish to Finnish in medicine, healthcare and social care
A mistranslation in healthcare can have devastating consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to provide as much necessary information as possible to facilitate our translation into Finnish. Good information could, for example, be who the material is intended for. Is it for patients and their relatives, or is it for healthcare professionals? We are very pleased if we receive this information when ordering the translation.
Often the translation needs to be adapted to different conditions. In that case, it is helpful for our translators if they receive information about this when placing the order.
Tips for translating from Swedish to Finnish in technology and IT
Technical translations from Swedish to Finnish require high industry knowledge from the translator within the specific field that the text is about. Both in-depth technical knowledge and precision are required.
Whether you need to translate your user manuals, website translations or other documentation, it is always helpful for us to know how the material is to be used. Is the material for internal use or is it aimed at consumers, retailers or subcontractors? If the translation material contains specific elements that do not work in every country, it is especially important that this is adapted in the translation according to the target audience and/or the market where the translation is to be used.
If there is any reference material that may be relevant for our translators, or any specific industry-standard terminology that should be included in the translation from Swedish into Finnish, please let us know when submitting the translation request.
Tips for translating from Swedish to Finnish in law, economics and finance
Regardless of the industry and operations conducted, a company always has a wealth of legal documents and financial documents. Sometimes you need help with translating these documents into Finnish. Here, Språkbolaget gives you some tips on what to keep in mind when translating financial reports and legal documents from Swedish to Finnish.
When translating an annual report or a quarterly report, you need to plan your translation in advance, as it is usually complex and involves many stakeholders.
Furthermore, many choose the same translator they have worked with before, who has come to know their business well. Therefore, make sure to book your translator well in advance so they are not booked up with other work at the time your company is in need of translation help. Together with you, we will go through the schedule. Things that can be good to prepare ahead of a translation include the following:
- What deadlines do we have to work to?
- Would you prefer deliveries of the texts as you go or a single, combined delivery?
- Does the translator need to be on standby for any corrections after the translation delivery?
At our company, your safety is important to us. Therefore, everyone works under confidentiality so that you can feel secure about what you entrust to us during the translation. We can also draw up separate non-disclosure agreements for assignments that require it. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
When translating legal documents, it is important to include information about what type of translation you require. If your document requires a certified translation with a stamp, Språkbolaget can assist with the translation. In that case, the document needs to be into Swedish or from Swedish. Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with other languages and instead refer you to the relevant country's equivalent of certified translators.
Tips for translation from Swedish to Finnish for communication agencies, advertising agencies, or internal marketing departments
It is not uncommon for companies to hire external agencies to help with their communication and marketing. We at Språkbolaget are then often asked to translate, for example, a website, social media posts or marketing texts.
However, what we rarely find out (unless it is obvious from the translation material) is who the end customer is and what their preferences are. For example, what level of style and tone should the translation maintain? Therefore, when translating from Swedish to Finnish, it is important to let us get to know your end customer with a brief introduction. This can range from preferences regarding tone and style, to words that should be included in the translation for better search engine optimisation. Other information that is good for us to know is: who is the target audience for the text to be translated into Finnish? It is better to provide too much information than too little for us, and all information helps us deliver a high-quality translation into Finnish for you and the end customer.