WordGarden.iomistranslation
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mɪstrænslˈeɪʃən/
US
Meanings
Noun
an incorrect translation of a word, phrase, or text
Beyond the definition
Ever played the game "Telephone"? That's a good way to imagine how this kind of error can happen. It is not just a slightly awkward phrase; it happens when translating from one language to another leads to a clear mistake that changes the original meaning. It can be as simple as choosing the wrong word or as complex as missing an important part of the culture behind the message.
Think of ancient texts: scholars spend years debating translation mistakes that may have shaped our understanding for centuries. Or imagine ordering food on vacation and getting something completely different from what you expected; that is a small example in everyday life. Sometimes the result is funny, but sometimes it causes real confusion.
A mistranslation occurs when the meaning of a text or speech is inaccurately conveyed during translation from one language to another. It's more than just a minor wording issue; it represents a failure to capture the original intent, nuance, or context. This can happen for many reasons: ambiguity in the source language, a lack of cultural understanding by the translator, choosing words with similar but not identical meanings, or simply making a human error.
Mistranslations aren't always harmless. In historical contexts, they've led to misunderstandings that fueled conflict and shaped entire civilizations. Think about religious texts where a single mistranslated word could alter centuries of doctrine. In modern times, mistranslations in legal documents or medical instructions can have serious, real-world consequences.
The impact of a mistranslation depends heavily on the context. A humorous error in advertising might be memorable, but a mistranslation in a scientific paper could mislead readers and damage later work. In everyday life, a bad translation on a sign, website, or product label may simply sound strange. In more serious settings, the same kind of mistake can change decisions and outcomes.
The field of translation studies emphasizes the importance of not just linguistic accuracy, but also cultural sensitivity to avoid such pitfalls. It's a reminder that language isn't simply about words; it's about meaning, context, and connection. So next time you encounter a translated text, remember there's a whole world of potential for things to get… lost in translation!
Examples
- 1
Subtitles
The subtitle changed the joke completely because of a mistranslation.
- 2
Original text
Scholars still argue over whether that line is a mistranslation of the original Greek.
- 3
Local press
The embassy said the confusion started with a mistranslation in the local press.
- 4
Manual editing
We corrected several mistranslations before the manual went to print.
See also
Similar
- translation error
- incorrect translation
- faulty translation
Shades of meaning
- bad translation
- rendering error
- garbling
Contrast
- accurate translation
- faithful translation
Used with (collocations)
- a mistranslation of a phrase
- caused by mistranslation
- correct a mistranslation
Word family
- mistranslate
- mistranslated
Explore
- translation
- source text
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- mistranslationnoun