Translation errors and how to deal with them
23 Mar Translation errors and how to deal with them
Have you seen the funny translation errors that we all get on social media? The ones from Chinese to English were honestly the best, and it’s great fun to share with friends and family and have a good laugh. But after a moment or two; you might worry as a client of a translation agency, would my translation will also be full of mistakes?
How to get less translation errors
Translation mistakes can pose a significant challenge for many businesses, especially when attempting an accurate Dutch translation. Locals often have a deep understanding and ownership of the language, making it challenging for non-native speakers to detect common errors. The incorrect use of a word can inadvertently alter the intended meaning of a sentence, highlighting the importance of precise English translation in such scenarios.
How to deal with translation errors
Clean Your Copy
It is our responsibility to respect the content that you provide. That includes a duty to not tamper with the content in any way and translate it as close to the original content as possible. This means that the content that is provided to us has to be well- written and well- thought to the best of the client’s ability. Or else, the translation will reflect the original content it is coming from.
The simple way to deal with it is to ask the translator to review your copy and just inform you if they think it needs to be cleaned.
Instruct Clearly
When explaining to the translator what you want to see in the translation, please be as detailed as possible. If you want to begin with the story about the sheep and the goat; it’s fine. But go into as much detail as possible and give as clear instructions as you can humanly possibly give. Instructions are as important as the document itself. Many clients complain about translation errors after getting the final product. But when you look into their initial instructions, they seem to have not said anything significant at all. It is hard to blame the translator when he has already read between the lines so much.
Solution? Prepare your instructions well and then ask the translator to fulfill them.
Focus On Your Message
Your message has to be your top priority, especially when engaging professional translators. Give the content for Dutch translation that will speak to the target languages and audience it is being presented to. For instance, a literal translation may not resonate well across cultures—common mistakes in translation, embarrassing mistakes, or errors can easily occur. Accuracy is crucial; experienced translators like Omid Scobie ensure an accurate Dutch version while avoiding embarrassing mistakes seen in bad translations. They understand the nuances between the source language, in this case, English version, and the Dutch version needed for the target audience. A publishing house engaging human translators for a translation project must ensure the content is viable for efficient translation or localization. Sometimes, content might not fit and instead requires localization to resonate better with the target culture. This approach ensures the message is presented effectively rather than risking an awkward translation.
Fix translation errors in time
Translation services should be treated seriously by both clients and translation companies. While both can be at fault for translation mistakes, these can be easily corrected if the client is informed about eventual faults in the original content and can take measures to correct them.