Enlisting the expertise of a proven, experienced translation service is key to ensuring only the most accurate, high quality results are achieved.
Companies that choose to cut corners do so at their peril, with communications being recognised as one of the most important secrets of virtually any successful business.
Compromising on the quality of your translation can have lasting consequences, an outcome that is clearly illustrated by stories we often hear of people who have become subject to the age-old tattoo translation mistake.
Many people have hit the headlines over the years after becoming the latest recipient of a poor and inaccurate tattoo translation, with the rich and famous being no exception.
Global superstar, Rihanna, fell victim to a tattoo translation error after being photographed with her new ink. However, moments after images of her Rebelle Fleur tattoo had gone viral, eagle-eyed fans quickly pointed out that it should have read Fleur Rebelle, meaning ‘rebellious flower’, rather than ‘rebel flower.’
The majority of mistranslated inks tend to be linked to Asian languages. One misplaced character, word or accent can make all the difference in the world of tattoos, resulting in permanent, and often disastrous, effects.
Pop queen, Britney Spears, is another high-profile person to have fallen foul of this common mistake in recent years. The singer had asked for a tattoo of the character that represents ‘mysterious’ in Chinese however, what she walked away with, when interpreted, actually meant ‘strange.’ And this is not her only incorrect ink. Britney has a Hebrew tattoo on the back of her neck, which represents her brief devotion to Kabbalah, however, it is totally meaningless.
However, the room for error doesn’t just stop here. Mistakes can often occur as a result of a lack of understanding of how words and phrases can have different meanings from culture-to-culture.
For instance, when Clairol unveiled its new curling iron in Germany, it soon realised the need for more research beforehand. Despite having been a hit in the US, the product wasn’t providing as popular in Germany. After translating the word ‘mist’, Clairol soon realised it means ‘manure’ in Germany, therefore unveiling the true reason behind the unpopularity of their product.
These stories clearly demonstrate the importance of making sure translations are carried out to the highest standard and with the greatest attention to detail.
For professional translation services you can rely on call us on 0870 777 7750 or email info@bubblestrans.com.
