Lost in translation: today, we will speak about cases where translations have failed to communicate original meaning or intent accurately.

Language is a complex and nuanced system, with words and phrases often having multiple meanings and cultural contexts. As such, translation is a challenging task that requires both linguistic proficiency and an understanding of cultural nuances and references. Despite the best efforts of translators, there have been numerous instances where translations have failed to accurately convey the original meaning or intention, leading to confusion or misinterpretation. This post will examine some of the most notable examples of lost-in-translation moments.

One of the most famous examples of translation gone awry occurred during the Cold War era when the US government mistranslated a Russian phrase as „we will bury you,” leading to widespread panic and outrage. The original phrase was closer to „we will outlast you” and was meant as a statement of Soviet resilience rather than a threat of aggression.

In another instance, a Japanese video game with poorly translated dialogue was released in the US, resulting in unintentionally hilarious and confusing lines. For example, a character meant to say „I am an error” was translated as „I am a mistake.” In contrast, another character’s line, „all your base belong to us,” became a popular internet meme due to its nonsensical phrasing.

Misinterpretation due to translation can also have serious consequences. For instance, in 2003, a mistranslation of an Iraqi official’s statement by the US government was used to justify the invasion of Iraq. The official’s words, translated as „we will welcome them with flowers,” were closer to „we will receive them as invaders,” leading to a misrepresentation of the Iraqi perspective and a flawed justification for the war.

Another example of translation gone wrong is the case of the Nike Air Bakin’ basketball shoes, which were pulled from shelves in Muslim countries due to their name being a homophone of the Arabic word for „insulting”. Similarly, a popular Chinese snack food called „Pocky” had to be renamed in Taiwan, as the name sounded too similar to a Taiwanese slang word for „penis”.

These examples highlight the importance of accurate and culturally sensitive translation. Translators must be fluent in multiple languages and have a deep understanding of the cultures and contexts of the languages they are working with. To avoid lost translation moments, working with skilled and experienced translators and reviewing and verifying translations before publication or distribution is crucial.