What is the Greatest Problem of Translation?

While many things go into making a good translation, some things are often the main culprits of funny translation fails. One of them is words that sound similar in two languages but mean different things. They are called the translator’s false friends.

Another thing responsible for many hilariously bad translated signs is taking things too literally instead of translating the meaning. And the shorter the text, the more difficult it is to translate it because you don’t have enough context to help you.

Funny Translation Fails by Humans

Often, bad translation is entirely on the person who made it because they either didn’t have enough knowledge or didn’t bother to double-check if the result actually made sense. 

However, beyond dealing with false friends and ambiguous words, translating also involves understanding cultural nuances, references, and context. What makes sense in one culture might not in another, making accurate translation complex. Hence, linguistic challenges are just the tip of the iceberg.

Either way, ridiculously bad translated signs are funny to read, so keep scrolling for more translation fails in advertising. Vote for the ones that make you laugh the most, and share them with your friends!

What is a Common Translation Mistake?

Apart from taking things too literally during translation, another common mistake is using the very first option the dictionary offers you for the word you’re looking for. Sometimes, it may really be the meaning you need, but there’s a good chance that the one that actually suits your context is a little down the entry. Keep that in mind when translating to avoid more translation fails and improve accuracy.