Auto-Translate Fails

Google is the default translator in the world. It provides free translation to any language but some times auto-translate fails. Google Translate app does a perfect job, it sometimes fails though. It fails because it doesn’t understand the emotions and intentions in words. It relies only on the technical translation of words.

What happens when Google Translator fails?

Failure of Google Translator results in miscommunication, confusion, and translation humor. Sometimes it could lead to embarrassment. Translation requires a good understanding of the world languages or at least the language you want to translate. If you don’t understand a language, it’s better to ask a human to help instead of relying on Google Translate. 

Here’re some epic auto-translate fails that will make you laugh and think twice before relying on machine translation

1. Slip And Fall Message

A Chinese message to all who often meet slip-and-fall accidents was translated as “slip and fall carefully” in English. Also, the signboard was placed on a cliff. But this translation humor has a serious message for the visitors.

2. Facebook Celebrated Earthquake

In 2018, Indonesia suffered a severe earthquake that many people posted on their Facebook statuses with the caption “Selamat”. Facebook translated the Indonesian word into “to survive”, “be safe” or “congratulations” and added balloons and confetti to posts related to the earthquake. Later it regretted the translation failure.

3. Rejuvenating Skin Serum For Business

Funny errors like this can happen anywhere and anytime. Everyone knows that hyaluronic acid serum boosts skin complexion but some French beauty influencers translated “hydrate, lift, and firm” to “lift, hydrate, and business”. So, for French gurus beauty is business as usual as they even didn’t notice the error.

4. Swedish Medical Translation

Always use a medically verified for translating medical queries. For example, someone translated “Do you gag easily” into Swedish as “Do you bend easily”. Google Translate indeed helps doctors communicate with their patients but sometimes it results in epic translation humor just like in this case.

5. Israeli Signboard About Potholes

In Jerusalem, visitors notice a signboard warning drivers and pedestrians about potholes on the road. Also, the Israeli message was translated into English as “ignorance on the road” for non-Israeli people. I will … Read More