In the world of translation, where words are the currency and precision is the game, mistakes can lead to chuckles, confusion, or even catastrophic misunderstandings. While some translation errors have become the stuff of legend, serving as amusing anecdotes, others have had more serious implications.
Let’s take a whimsical yet educational journey through some of these memorable missteps—and learn how Bubbles’ meticulous quality control processes are designed to prevent such blunders.
Famous Faux Pas in Translation History
The “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back to Life” Dilemma: Pepsi’s slogan, “Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation”, was famously misinterpreted in China as “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back to Life”. An enticing offer, to be sure, but not quite the refreshing sentiment Pepsi intended.
Chevrolet’s “Nova” Misstep in Latin America: When Chevrolet introduced its “Nova” car in Latin America, it was unaware that “no va” in Spanish translates to “doesn’t go”. Not the best name for a car, one would argue.
Parker Pen’s Proposition: Parker Pen’s “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you” was translated into Spanish to suggest that their pen “won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant”. A clear example of how a small translation error can lead to significant misunderstandings.
Ford’s Corpus Callosum Conundrum: When Ford introduced its Pinto car in Brazil, they were perplexed by poor sales until they discovered “Pinto” was local slang for “tiny male genitals”. Needless to say, a quick rebrand was in order.
“Eat Your Fingers Off”: KFC’s iconic slogan, “Finger-lickin’ good” was mistakenly translated to “Eat your fingers off” in China, giving the fried chicken a rather more sinister allure.
Swedish Vacuum Disaster: When Electrolux, a Swedish company, entered the U.S. market with its vacuum cleaner, they used the tagline, “Nothing sucks like an Electrolux,” unaware of the negative connotations of “sucks” in English.
Jolly Green… What?: The Jolly Green Giant, a well-known mascot in the U.S., was introduced to the Arabic market without adequate localisation. It translated to “Intimidating Green Ogre,” which isn’t very appetising.
Gerber in Africa: When Gerber baby foods were first introduced in some African countries, they used the same packaging as in the U.S., with a baby’s face on it. However, because of low literacy rates in some areas, products often had pictures on the label showing what’s inside. Consumers were horrified.
Mistaken Identity: When Coca-Cola first went to China, it was named “Ke-kou-ke-la,” which, depending on the dialect, could be interpreted as “bite the wax tadpole” or “female horse stuffed with wax.”
Airline Appetite: When Braniff International Airways translated a slogan touting its plush seats, “Fly in leather,” for Spanish-speaking markets, it came out as “Fly naked.”
Chicken Car: Ford had another snafu with the “Pinto” in Brasil (besides the aforementioned male anatomy connotation). “Pinto” is also Brazilian slang for “tiny male genitals,” but additionally, it means “chick” (baby chicken) – neither connotation Ford wanted for its car.
Irish Mist Whiskey: When this whiskey brand tried to market itself in Germany, it faced an issue. In German, “mist” means “manure.” Drinking “Irish Manure” doesn’t sound too appealing.
Mazda‘s “Laputa”: Mazda named one of its cars “Laputa,” likely inspired by Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels.” However, in Spanish, “La puta” translates to “the prostitute.”
Got Milk?: The famous American “Got Milk?” campaign, when translated for the Mexican market, read as “Are you lactating?”
Schweppes Tonic Water: When Schweppes Tonic Water was introduced in Italy, it was mistakenly translated as “Schweppes Toilet Water”. Certainly not the refreshing image the brand intended to portray in the Italian market!
Navigating the Intricacies of Global Etiquette: More Than Just Words
In the vast arena of international interactions, it’s not only words that can lead to misunderstandings but also actions. Gestures, habits, and even simple daily customs can bear a multitude of meanings depending on one’s cultural background.
This emphasises the profound importance of cultural sensitivity, not just in linguistics but in behaviour and understanding. One action, seemingly benign in one culture, can have unintended consequences in another. The nuances of global etiquette go beyond language and dive deep into the rich tapestry of societal norms and values.
To highlight this, here are ten examples of faux pas from various cultures and scenarios:
- Using the Wrong Hand: In many Middle Eastern, African, and South Asian countries, it’s considered inappropriate to eat or pass objects with the left hand, as it’s traditionally associated with personal hygiene.
- Tipping in Japan: While tipping is customary in many Western countries, in Japan, it’s often seen as rude and can confuse or even offend the person you’re trying to reward.
- Touching Heads in Thailand: The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Thai culture. Touching someone’s head, even a child’s, can be perceived as highly disrespectful.
- Empty Plate in China: Finishing all the food on your plate in China might signal to your host that they didn’t provide enough food and could be seen as impolite.
- Thumbs-Up Gesture: In Western cultures, the thumbs-up sign means “good” or “yes”. However, in parts of West Africa, the Middle East, and South America, it’s an offensive gesture similar to “flipping someone off” in the U.S.
- The Sole of the Feet: In many cultures, especially in the Middle East, showing the sole of your feet is considered disrespectful because feet are seen as the lowest part of the body and thus “dirty”.
- Personal Space in Russia: Standing too far away from someone when speaking can be considered rude in Russia, as it’s seen as being standoffish or disinterested.
- Giving Clocks in China: Gifting a clock is taboo in Chinese culture because the phrase “giving a clock” (“送钟”) sounds like “attending a funeral” in Mandarin. It’s associated with death and is considered inauspicious.
- Calling Someone Over in the Philippines: Motioning someone to come over with the palm up and fingers moving in a “come here” gesture can be seen as calling over an animal and is considered rude. Instead, the hand should be face down, with fingers fluttering.
- Declining Food in the Middle East: If you’re a guest in many Middle Eastern households and decline food or refreshments, it can be seen as impolite. Hospitality is a cornerstone of the culture, and refusing an offer can be perceived as rejecting the host’s goodwill.
Ensuring Precision in Translation
These translation errors, though humorous in hindsight, underscore the vital importance of accuracy and cultural sensitivity in translation.
That’s where Bubbles Translation Services steps in:
- Expert Linguists: At Bubbles, translators aren’t just experts in languages; our native speakers are also immersed in the cultures of the languages we translate. This dual expertise ensures translations that are both linguistically accurate and culturally appropriate.
- Rigorous Quality Control: Every translation undergoes a stringent quality check, passing through multiple layers of review to eliminate any scope for errors.
- Localisation Services: Bubbles doesn’t just translate; we adapt and localise without transcreating. This means the content is adapted to fit the cultural, societal, and linguistic nuances of the target audience, preventing misinterpretations and potential faux pas.
- Continuous Learning: By analysing past translations, the team constantly refines its processes, ensuring that clients get the best possible translation.
While translation errors from the past provide a good chuckle, they also serve as a reminder of the crucial importance of precise and culturally sensitive translation.
Whether you’re launching a global ad campaign or drafting an international business contract, remember: precision in translation is priceless. And with Bubbles Translation Services, you’re guaranteed translations that hit the mark every time.
Don’t leave your translations to chance. Choose Bubbles and ensure your message remains clear, accurate, and culturally resonant, no matter where it’s heard.
