Getting your translations right is important, and not only in terms of the words you use but also the context.
Professional translation services are still crucial in business. Only experts can make sure you get everything just right and that your international expansion will succeed.
Ongoing globalization has turned the business world upside down. Nowadays, it’s challenging to find a company that hasn’t got any international connections. Expanding your operations to other countries isn’t an easy task, though.
There are many things that can go wrong during an expansion. The whole internationalization process can also be costly. With that in mind, many managers are afraid to take the risk and turn their attention to foreign markets.
One of the things that companies struggle with most is correct translation. Whether it’s translating business documents, the negotiation process or marketing campaigns, even the tiniest misunderstanding can lead to disastrous consequences.
That’s why it’s crucial always to seek help from professional translators. Companies like Architekst who offer reliable translation services are still in demand, and as many examples prove, they cannot be replaced with machine translation. At least, not just yet.
Sure, apps like Context Reverso or Google Translate are good for people who need a quick translation, e.g. tourists. However, when it comes to conducting business, their reliability is still far from satisfactory.
Why? Because it’s not always about the choice of words. When it comes to that, machine translation can be a fantastic tool. It’s getting the context right that AI is still struggling with.
Finger-eating Mistake
History has seen many hilarious yet disastrous translation mistakes made by companies. Interestingly, the most significant blunders were made by respected and renowned brands.
You must have heard about some of them, as many entrepreneurs quote them as warnings against bad translations. For instance, when KFC decided to enter the Chinese market in the 80s, they introduced their food using the famous slogan: “Finger-lickin’ good.”
There’s nothing wrong with it, you may think. Well, KFC’s translation was slightly off, as in Chinese their slogan meant: “Eat your fingers off!”
Fortunately, the blunder didn’t hurt the American fast-food chain too much. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most hilarious examples of mistranslation in a marketing campaign.
Final Note
KFC’s example is one of many. However, it perfectly demonstrates the importance of getting the translation right. Not only in terms of the words you use but also the context.
That’s why professional translation services are still crucial in business. Only experts can make sure you get everything just right and that your international expansion will succeed.
Also interesting: How Accurate is Google Translate?
