Mistranslate

To translate something incorrectly, resulting in a distortion of the original meaning or intent. This can occur due to a lack of understanding of the source language, cultural nuances, technical jargon, or simply through careless errors. Mistranslation can range from minor inaccuracies that alter the tone to major misinterpretations that completely change the message. It can have serious consequences in legal, medical, and diplomatic contexts, as well as less severe but still frustrating repercussions in everyday communication and literature.

Mistranslate meaning with examples

• The contract's crucial clause was mistranslated, leading to a costly legal dispute. The translator, unfamiliar with legal terminology, rendered 'force majeure' as 'superior force,' changing the terms of the agreement entirely, this simple error could lead to years in the courts. Now the company is bankrupt, and the lawyers are very rich. This demonstrates the need for skilled and experienced translators in critical scenarios.
• During the conference, the interpreter mistranslated the speaker's comment about sanctions. Instead of implying a willingness to negotiate, the mistranslation portrayed the speaker as refusing any discussion. This miscommunication severely damaged international relations, highlighting the importance of linguistic accuracy in diplomacy and global politics.
• The medical pamphlet regarding medication instructions was mistranslated into several languages. Several patients nearly overdosed as the translations incorrectly specified dosage and frequency. This catastrophic oversight underscores the potentially deadly consequences of inaccurate medical translation, the medical field requires precise translation.
• The popular novel's emotional core was significantly diluted. The key phrase that expressed the main character's deep longing was mistranslated, losing its impact and shifting the entire tone of the story. This damaged the reception and commercial success of the book. The novel's core message was lost due to mistranslation.
• In an attempt to modernize an old classic, some archaic terms were mistranslated, making the text appear confused. The translator didn't consider the historical context and used modern slang. This mistranslation completely misconstrued the authors original intent and ruined a beloved story.
• The marketing team was dismayed to learn that their website's promotional slogan was mistranslated for their target market. In their home market it meant, 'go big or go home' but it was mistranslated in their intended market and meant 'grow at any cost'.