Any company that carries out work in other countries should never underestimate the importance of great translation. Thankfully, Nutcache offers professional translation into several languages so you're never in any danger of confusing your multilingual clients. Unfortunately, not all companies are as careful when it comes to working in other languages. Here are nine firms who should have used a much better translation service.
1. KFC Want To Eat Your Fingers.
via Flickr.com
Well known fried chicken chain KFC were left red faced when someone pointed out that their famous catchphrase 'Finger Lickin' Good' had been translated as 'We'll Eat Your Fingers Off' on signs for their new franchises in China. Despite the zombie-like implications, customers forgave them and KFC are now one of the most popular fast food chains in the country.
2. 404 - Translation Not Found.
Via Twitter.com
This Chinese company clearly used Google Translate (or similar) to find out the English version of their company name. Unfortunately for them the servers were down that day.
3. "Please send work for translation."
Via BBC News.
All road signs in Wales have to be bilingual, so there is a dedicated government department that handles all translation requests. Unfortunately, this method backfired on this occasion. The 'Welsh translation' reads: "I am not in the office at the moment. Please send all work to be translated."
4. "Insert Spanish Here."
Via BuzzFeed
Somehow, these table manufacturers - and their packaging designers - didn't notice that the box for this folding table said 'Spanish Here' in place of the Spanish translation for their product. You had one job, guys.
5. Mmm, this tea sounds delicious.
Via Imgur.com
Another important thing to bear in mind when working internationally is what meaning your product might have overseas. As well as this unfortunate example (urinal tea, anyone?) there are plenty of times very famous businesses got it wrong. For example, 'Coca Cola' actually means 'bite the wax tadpole' in Chinese.
6. Englishenglishenglishenglishenglishenglishenglish.
Via Engrish.com
Typing the word 'English' repeatedly isn't a good substitute for effective translation, as we can see here. Surely someone should have noticed the translation mistake before this zoo sign went to print?
7. Intimidating Green Monster.
Via Flickr.com
Green Giant are a leading provider of frozen vegetables, but that didn't stop them from mistranslating their company name as 'Intimidating Green Monster' on Spanish versions of their products. All together now: 'Ho Ho Ho, Intimidating Green Monster'.
8. Beware!
Via Kaleveradaily.com
This translation error at a French botanical garden is actually quite sweet, as if the plant has chosen to wear prickles. They're the latest fashion accessory, don't you know?
9. "Go back towards your behind."
Via laudemgloriae.co.uk
Last but not least, we have this train station sign from Japan. It's not made clear how passengers are supposed to go 'back towards their behinds', presumably the phrase 'the toilets are behind you' wasn't included in the signmaker's Japanese- English phrasebook.
So there we have it. These nine translation fails clearly show why you should always double- and even triple- check business documents, signs and packaging before they go to print. Working in multiple languages isn't easy...unless you use Nutcache, of course. As well as offering fantastic invoicing and time management solutions, Nutcache prevents businesses from making any unfortunate translation mistakes by providing a seamless multilingual service in ten different languages.
By Hilary Wardle.
1. KFC Want To Eat Your Fingers.
via Flickr.com
Well known fried chicken chain KFC were left red faced when someone pointed out that their famous catchphrase 'Finger Lickin' Good' had been translated as 'We'll Eat Your Fingers Off' on signs for their new franchises in China. Despite the zombie-like implications, customers forgave them and KFC are now one of the most popular fast food chains in the country.
2. 404 - Translation Not Found.
Via Twitter.com
This Chinese company clearly used Google Translate (or similar) to find out the English version of their company name. Unfortunately for them the servers were down that day.
3. "Please send work for translation."
Via BBC News.
All road signs in Wales have to be bilingual, so there is a dedicated government department that handles all translation requests. Unfortunately, this method backfired on this occasion. The 'Welsh translation' reads: "I am not in the office at the moment. Please send all work to be translated."
4. "Insert Spanish Here."
Via BuzzFeed
Somehow, these table manufacturers - and their packaging designers - didn't notice that the box for this folding table said 'Spanish Here' in place of the Spanish translation for their product. You had one job, guys.
5. Mmm, this tea sounds delicious.
Via Imgur.com
Another important thing to bear in mind when working internationally is what meaning your product might have overseas. As well as this unfortunate example (urinal tea, anyone?) there are plenty of times very famous businesses got it wrong. For example, 'Coca Cola' actually means 'bite the wax tadpole' in Chinese.
6. Englishenglishenglishenglishenglishenglishenglish.
Via Engrish.com
Typing the word 'English' repeatedly isn't a good substitute for effective translation, as we can see here. Surely someone should have noticed the translation mistake before this zoo sign went to print?
7. Intimidating Green Monster.
Via Flickr.com
Green Giant are a leading provider of frozen vegetables, but that didn't stop them from mistranslating their company name as 'Intimidating Green Monster' on Spanish versions of their products. All together now: 'Ho Ho Ho, Intimidating Green Monster'.
8. Beware!
Via Kaleveradaily.com
This translation error at a French botanical garden is actually quite sweet, as if the plant has chosen to wear prickles. They're the latest fashion accessory, don't you know?
9. "Go back towards your behind."
Via laudemgloriae.co.uk
Last but not least, we have this train station sign from Japan. It's not made clear how passengers are supposed to go 'back towards their behinds', presumably the phrase 'the toilets are behind you' wasn't included in the signmaker's Japanese- English phrasebook.
So there we have it. These nine translation fails clearly show why you should always double- and even triple- check business documents, signs and packaging before they go to print. Working in multiple languages isn't easy...unless you use Nutcache, of course. As well as offering fantastic invoicing and time management solutions, Nutcache prevents businesses from making any unfortunate translation mistakes by providing a seamless multilingual service in ten different languages.
By Hilary Wardle.
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