Common translation mistakes

1. Common
Mistakes in
Translation

2. Mistake # 1
The translator leaves out some of
the text that appeared in the
source document, such as a
paragraph, a sentence, a phrase,
or an item in a list that does not
require translation, such as a
telephone number. All content in
the source document should
appear in the translated
document, either as translated
text or (as in the case of title,
numbers, and illustrations)
duplicated exactly from the
original.

3. Mistake #1
There is also loss in a more
obscure way when some
aspect of style (voice, tone,
language level) is lost during
the transference process.
It is more obscure because
loss does not relate to
denotative inaccuracy, but
rather a shift in style

4. Mistake # 2
• The translator misinterprets
the meaning of the text, and
the final translation gives
the wrong message.
Example:
“No, benefits will be provided
anyway” is translated as “No
benefits will be provided
anyway.”

5. Mistake # 3
The translator incorrectly
identifies abbreviations or
misinterprets specific
terminology.
For example, the translator
writes that CIS, which in your
organization
might mean “Customer
Information Site”, means
“Citizenship and
Immigration Services.”

6. Mistake # 4
• The translator
(or the client)
includes text or
examples that
are culturally
inappropriate
for the intended
audiences.

7. Mistake #5
• The translator is inconsistent
in using or defining key words
or phrases throughout the
document or across different
documents that are part of
the same body of work.
Inconsistency can be
confusing to readers,
especially when the
information being presented
is new to them.

8. Mistake # 6
The client accepts changes to the
translation offered by unqualified,
ad hoc reviewers. Do not put your
faith in a reviewer unless you know
that person is qualified – that he or
she is a well-educated native speaker
and a good writer who is
knowledgeable about grammar,
spelling, punctuation, and the other
elements of acceptable writing

9. Mistake # 7
• The translator makes
grammar, spelling, or
punctuation errors in the
translated document or
website. A professional
translator may
occasionally make errors,
but they should be
caught in the
proofreading process.

10. Mistake #8
Ignoring “untranslatable”
words or native colloquial
sayings
This is a common problem
when using slang, common
sayings, or catchy taglines.
They might work in one
language, but fall flat in
another.

11. Some other mistakes are…
• Use of False Friends
• Misuse of Word Order
• Thinking languages never
change or evolve
• Assuming understanding of the
language automatically matches
skilled translation
• Not being aware that languages
have different syntax, sentence
structure, and subject-object
agreement. T

12. Mistakes and Problems
• Mistakes can cause big problems.
Example 1:
• A 10 million dollar Translation
Mistake
From “Assume Nothing” to “Do
Nothing” HSBC campaign
Example 2:
The 71 million Dollar Mistranslation
Willie was at the hospital very ill. His
problem was translated as
intoxicated for “intoxicado”. Because
of this, he became paraplegic.

13. References
• Carey Woodhouse. (2018) Ten common translation mistakes to
avoid. Business-2-community.
https://www.business2community.com/brandviews/upwork/10
-common-translation-mistakes-avoid-02046277
• HQLS Banking and Finance. (2019). 9 little translation mistakes
that cost big problems.
https://www.financialtranslationservices.com/company-
news/little-translation-mistakes/
• Translation a Must Have Guide. 2010. Center for Health
Litearacy. Maximus Inc.