Translation mistakes can lead to misunderstandings, financial losses, and even legal problems. Their scale depends on the type of document, the context, and the translator’s experience. In official and legal materials, even a minor inconsistency can completely change the meaning of the text. It is therefore worth knowing the most common translation errors and ways to avoid them.
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What Are Translation Mistakes?
Translation mistakes are any inconsistencies between the original text and the translation that may distort meaning, violate linguistic correctness, or reduce communication effectiveness. They can involve language errors, style or tone issues, cultural mismatches, formatting flaws, layout inconsistencies, or inappropriate use of content. Such errors often result from poor vocabulary choices, lack of terminological consistency, imprecise rendering of context, or failure to consider the specific needs of the audience.
Critical Errors in Translations
These are the most serious mistakes that disrupt the message and can lead to major financial, legal, or even health-related consequences.
Incorrect Translation of Proper Names and Identifying Data
This occurs when company names, institutions, places, personal names, or other identifiers are mistranslated. Such errors can compromise the authenticity of a document or cause misidentification of parties, which is especially dangerous in official documents, contracts, and notarial deeds.
Inaccurate Rendering of Culturally Specific Names or Terms
This relates to the translation of idioms, proverbs, geographical names, brands, or cultural references in a way that does not fit the target culture. It often leads to loss of meaning, humor, or symbolic value of the original.
Misuse of Medical Terminology
Applying the wrong medical terms or measurement units in patient documentation, prescriptions, or procedure descriptions may directly affect the recipient’s health and safety.
Errors in Numbers, Units, and Dates
Mistakes in writing numbers, formatting dates, or converting measurement units may result in incorrect calculations, deadlines, or dosages, which can have grave consequences.
Omission of Legally Binding Clauses or Sections
Leaving out key provisions that carry legal weight can render a document invalid or lead to disputes in court.
Errors in the Narrow Sense (Sensu Stricto)
These are primarily linguistic and technical mistakes that directly undermine the fidelity of the translation.
Literal Translations and Calques
Copying the source language structures word-for-word often results in unnatural or incomprehensible expressions in the target language. This distorts meaning and makes the text sound unprofessional.
Incorrect Industry Terminology
Using terms or concepts that do not match the target industry can mislead the reader and make interpretation more difficult.
Grammar and Inflection Errors
Mistakes in verb forms, cases, number, or gender reduce linguistic correctness and may affect the clarity of the text.
Syntax and Punctuation Errors
Wrong word order, incorrect use of punctuation marks, or missing commas and periods can change the meaning of sentences or make them harder to understand.
Inconsistency in Terminology
Using different terms for the same concept within one document causes confusion, breaks consistency, and weakens the professional quality of the translation.
Errors in the Broad Sense (Sensu Largo)
These mistakes concern adapting the translation to the context, audience, and market realities.
Inappropriate Style and Tone
When the tone, level of formality, or type of language does not match the audience’s expectations, the message may fail to resonate.
Lack of Localization of Realities and Units
This refers to failing to adapt content to the standards of the target country. In online projects, lack of proper website localization means omitting local formats. In gaming, localization also includes adjusting graphics and cultural references.
Ignoring Cultural Differences
When translations fail to account for norms, values, and cultural codes of the target community, the result may be misunderstanding or unintended offense.
Improper Formatting and Layout
A document with poor structure, design, or organization is harder to use and appears less professional, particularly if it does not meet industry standards.
Additions and Over-Interpretation by the Translator
This involves inserting comments, explanations, or suggestions that were not in the original text. Such additions may distort meaning and reduce the reliability of the translation.
Causes of Translation Errors
The most common causes include both organizational and technical issues that affect translation quality.
Tight Deadlines and Time Pressure
Working under strong time pressure increases the likelihood of errors, as there is less opportunity for research, careful editing, and proofreading.
Incomplete or Unclear Briefs
If a client provides insufficient or vague instructions, the translator may not fully understand the text’s purpose, audience, or desired style, which leads to misinterpretation.
Lack of Full Context
When translators receive only fragments of a document, they may not know where or how the text will appear. Without context, abbreviations, terms, or references are easy to misunderstand.
Skipping Peer Review or Second-Person Verification
Without review by another professional, inconsistencies or linguistic mistakes are more likely to remain.
Limited Knowledge of Specialist Terminology
Without sufficient subject-matter expertise, translators may misuse technical or professional terms, reducing accuracy and credibility.
Not Using Modern CAT Tools or Glossaries
Translation software and glossaries ensure consistency, especially in larger projects. Without them, the risk of inconsistent terminology and repeated mistakes increases significantly.
Poor Communication with the Client
If the translator and client do not discuss preferences regarding terminology, style, or document purpose, the final text may fail to meet expectations.
Consequences of Translation Mistakes
Legal consequences of translation errors may include damage to brand credibility, project delays, and additional costs for corrections. In formal documents, errors can lead to compensation claims, and in sworn translations, even disciplinary measures against the translator. Changing meaning in contracts, safety instructions, or medical documentation may trigger disputes and cause severe harm to people.
Summary – How to Avoid Translation Mistakes?
The most common mistakes fall into three categories:
- critical errors that change the meaning of the document
- strict linguistic mistakes that undermine language quality and accuracy
- broad errors resulting from poor adaptation to context and culture
To prevent them, it is essential to prepare a clear and complete brief, use glossaries and CAT tools, and always have translations reviewed by another person. Consulting subject-matter experts and working with professional translation agencies provide additional safeguards. In the case of sworn translations, strict adherence to formal requirements and full fidelity to the source text are necessary to guarantee legal validity and acceptance.