Lost in Translation

Sample Texts

Examples of poor communication

Word order can totally change the meaning:

Poor Translation: "You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday."

In English, this means that famous composers, artists and writers are buried here every day, except Thursdays..

This notice should read: "You are invited to visit the cemetery where famous Russian composers, artists and writers are buried. It is open daily, except Thursdays."

Poor Translation: "There will be a Moscow Exhibition of Arts by 15,000 Russian painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years. "

In English, this means that the 15,000 painters and sculptors have been killed over the past two years..

This notice should read: "The Moscow Exhibition of Arts will display works of art created by 15,000 Russian painters and sculptors over the past two years."

Instant Translation Websites?

These are rarely accurate – look at column 3 to see in Russian what the English website translation actually says:

Russian entered	Website Translation	Translated back in Russian	Correct English
.
он всегда шутит	it always jokes	оно всегда шутки	he is always joking
.
У вас большой штат?	You have a large state?	Вы имеете большое положение?	Do you have many staff?
.
Всю интересующую Вас дополнительную информацию Вы сможете узнать по телефонам	You will be able to learn entire interesting you additional information on the telephones	Вы будете выучить все интересное вы дополнительная информация на телефонах	Please do not hesitate to telephone us if you require further details
.
Потерявшиеся в переводе	Lost in the transfer	Потеряно в переходе	Lost in translation

Examples of our correction service

Communications received from large companies – they are understandable, but do not make a good impression:

We are doing a new catalogue for an effective cooperation and for an increase of clients, which will be spread among our clients. Could you send us by mail information about your products to be used in our new catalogue? Also, please, send us CD with qualitative photos of your products. We hope for the cooperation in the future.

Corrected English: We are producing a new catalogue, which will be distributed to our extensive updated database. We would like to include your products and would therefore kindly ask you to email us with current information (highlighting any special features) as well as details of where we can access hi-res images. If hi-res images are not readily available on your website, we would appreciate receiving them on CD. We hope that there will be many opportunities for us to work together in the future.

I will be glad to go on our cooperation and if you need any help, advise, questions I am always at your service.

Corrected English: I am very interested in developing our business relationship so please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

We are editors of the Catalogue that includes the information on the exclusive and the most expensive items and services of the world.
Our catalogue has more than a year long history of publication in Moscow and is much in demand among the most fortuned people.

Corrected English: We are the editors of a publication in Moscow, which showcases the most exclusive and extravagant products and services in the world. Even during our first year, the demand from “high net worth” individuals has greatly exceeded our expectations.

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T: +44 (0) 1628 672623

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