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40 Times Translations Went Hilariously South
Interview With Expert
Learning another language is always useful. You can read books in their original language. It makes it easier to communicate with locals when you're traveling. You might also woo your long-time crush with some French (after all, it is the most romantic language in the world.)
But after seeing the entries in this list, you will probably think it's also useful to not get misleading directions. One might think that the language of signs is universal. Yet, it seems when there are different alphabets involved, all bets are off. Scroll through our selection of the goofiest translations from the Translation Gone Wrong Facebook page and let us know your favorites below!
And who could tell us more about the woes of translators if not one of their own? Thus, Bored Panda reached out to audiovisual translator Dot Roberts. She not only translates subtitles for movies, TV shows, marketing videos to and from German, Dutch and English, but she does subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing people as well.
Dot also hosts the podcast Meet The Translator, where she interviews experts in the field. Read her insights on the profession below and find out what her personal favorite ‘failed translation’ is!
More info: Translation Gone Wrong | Dot Roberts | LinkedIn | Meet The Translator Podcast | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Fortune Cookies: "You Will Gain Admiration From Your Pears."
RELATED:
#2
Sunday Mood
#3
Brilliant
#5
Rebellious Freezer!
#6
pineapple87 2 years ago
Today is always under construction, never finished. When today finishes, it becomes yesterday.
#7
!! Warning !!
#8
Whatever Blows Your Bubble
#9
Isn't This Your Definition Of Great Customer Service?
#10
How Not To Encourage Your Children To Clean Up After Themselves
pineapple87 2 years ago
Is there a smart child version so you can tell your kids which one is your favourite?
#11
What About A Carrot Phone?
#14
Or Else..!
#15
Behave Yourself!
#16
Here You Can Even Steal For Free
#17
A Quick Visit!
#18
Don't You Agree?
#20
Cash, Please. I Left My Octopus At Home
#21
Sunday Morning Coffee Anyone?
#23
This Supermarked Has It All
#24
A Revolutionary New Marketing Strategy
#25
Some Last Moment
#27
Carefully Slip And Fall Into The Weekend
#28
Not Feel Well - Get Drunk
#29
Happy Post-Super Bowel!
#30
Watch Out!
pineapple87 2 years ago
Not untrue. A false sense of safety can be dangerous. Vigilance is key.
#31
Literally Lost In Translation
Just-4-2day 2 years ago
From Google translate: Kyoto Bean Road, Specific raw materials, Peanuts, wheat, shrimp, soybeans, うたげ peanuts and hail. Please input sentences that translate into here. ¥260Mizubemasa
#32
Hide And Seek - Toilets, Your Turn!
#33
Do Not Diet, It's Friday!
#34
Ouch!
#35
Pls Wait Outside A Noodle. Say What?
#36
Hygiene Tip Of The Day
#37
-What's Up? -Sunshine!
#38
New Year - New Taste
#39
Who's Hungry?
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
Thank you so much to whomever censored out that rude word. I would have been scandalised and had to be revived with smelling salts had I but seen it.
#40
Happy Valentine's Day! I Love You, Ok? - Your Telephone
#41
Bon Appétit!
#42
Entrance Only - Do Not Enter
#44
Keep The Candy
#45
Stairway To Heaven
#46
Freedom For Apple Pie!
Jack Smith 2 years ago
personally, i think ice cream has it worse (can y'all start a fake discourse thread in the replies? it'd be funny)
#48
Don’t Worry, It’s Only Puke
#49
We're Just Saying
#50
It's Lonely Being At The Top
#51
Keep It Out Of The Closet
LauraDragonWench 2 years ago
Well, a toilet is known as a water closet in many places, so this translation isn't that bad.
#52
Special Price For You, My Friend!
LauraDragonWench 2 years ago
But- but what if I don't want a free child? My cats are trouble enough!
#53
What Did You Just Call Me?
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
I think I need a quick explanation of the accompanying art work on the package.
#54
Do Not Little. Big Time
#55
It's Friday! Let's Celebrate With An Ice Cold Bear
#56
Here Is Working!
#57
Shoe On The Loose!
#58
Where?
#59
What About The Nephew?
#60
All You Need Is A Proofreader
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What do you think ?
LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
As someone who works in the language services and linguistics industry, I cannot stress how important hiring a professional translator is unless you want to see c**p like this: HIGHER A DAM TRANSEEULATER YU MUST!
TMoxraaaar 2 years ago
Whenever I teach Interpreting 1 I show these and we figure out the form of the other language's grammar. It's like candy.
LokisLilButterknife 2 years ago
As someone who works in the language services and linguistics industry, I cannot stress how important hiring a professional translator is unless you want to see c**p like this: HIGHER A DAM TRANSEEULATER YU MUST!
TMoxraaaar 2 years ago
Whenever I teach Interpreting 1 I show these and we figure out the form of the other language's grammar. It's like candy.
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