Where translation has no limits
This is our favorite spot to discuss all things translation and language. A place where we can share our insights as translators, as well as the lessons we’ve learned along the way in this fascinating world.
Halloween edition: Terrifying Tales of Translation
Halloween is coming up, so we decided to do something a bit different. Who said translation was safe from things that go bump in the night? Here are 3 Halloween horror stories inspired by translation.
All Night Long, All Night Long
All night long, all night long. Coffee. Redbull. All night long.
Working on this translation project all night long. It was difficult, much more than I thought it would be. But now as the first rays of light creep through my bedroom window I hit send, it’s done. We did it! The Client is going to be very happy.
Or that’s what I think.
I turn off the lights, pull down the shades, and pull up my bedsheets. I wish I could turn off my phone, but my strong sense of responsibility (my friends call it an obsession) doesn’t let me. What if the client calls while I’m sleeping? I’ll be there to pick it up before the second ring. That’s right, I’ll be there. If they call, I’ll be there.
I’m awake. Late afternoon. I check my phone, but no word from the Client. What if they didn’t receive it? With a terrible suspicion I check the sent folder. The project is there, shinny and beautiful. All night long, all night long. But the client hasn’t confirmed whether they received it. And the Spam folder? Nothing, the usual. Well, the Client must be having a really busy day. I’m going to grab something to eat and watch Friends.
But the uncertainty is incessantly buzzing around my brain. Why haven’t they replied? I can’t relax like this. I’ll just send them another email to be sure. Did you receive it?
No reply.
The next day, still no reply. The next day, still no reply. The next day, still no reply.
And I haven’t gotten paid. Will they pay me? These things happen to other people, but not to me. I don’t want to believe it, but…
What a beautiful project. I did such a good job. All night long, all night long. But the Client … all night long, all night long.
A week later … the Client replies.
But now it’s too late.
Because of One Little Error
It was a day like any other. Michelson was in his office, coffee in one hand and his mind on the translation that just came in. Did it need editing? They had recommended that he send it to a professional for editing or to get ahold of a company that would take care of it. But … that wasn’t really necessary, was it? He trusted the translator. They had already worked together a few times and she always did quality work.
Hiring an editor or a translation company would cost money. Money that he could save and make his boss happy. The project manager said that this translation is very important, and that it can’t have a single error, but, aren’t they all important? Michelson smiled. I mean, the project manager wasn’t going to find out. Michelson sealed the translation and sent it off to the technical team.
But translators are human. Michelson didn’t know it, but in the document he had just sent ... there was one little error.
Months later, in a different part of the world, the engineer had an extra piece. How was that possible? Had he made a mistake? He was sure he had built the plant’s exhaust pipe closely following the instructions they had sent him. He shrugged and decided it wasn’t a big deal. The instructions couldn’t be wrong.
Two weeks later, the nuclear power plant exploded and leveled the city.
Because of one little error.
Silence of the Brothers-in-Law
You’re finished. You’re not going to have time to find someone to take care of the translation by Friday. Well, you could, but not for your price of 0.00 dollars/word. Those translators are so stingy!
Who do you know that speaks Spanish well? It doesn’t have to be a translator. I mean, there can’t be that big of a difference between the work of a professional and a language nerd, right? No, of course not!
Ohhh! You know who could take care of it? Chad, your brother-in-law. You know, the one that spent the summer beach-hopping Southern Spain (he says “Anda-lou-theeeee-ya”). He’s kind of annoying, but he always bragging about his language skills. He says he’ll teach you one of these days. Now’s the time to see what he’s made of.
He says he’ll do it, he’d be happy to give you a hand. Theses things are a breeze for him, he says. Typical Chad saying, but hey, he’s doing you a favor. He’s saving your skin. He says he’ll have it by this afternoon. So soon? You thought it would take longer than that. He says he knows of a cool page that can translate everything by itself. Well, it must be true.
Ding! You’ve got mail. Oh, it’s Chad’s magical translation! Let’s take a look at what we’ve got here.
Oh … oh no. Tell me it’s not true. No, no, no … please don’t let it be true. No! NO! NOOOO!
(The following scenes have graphic content and have been omitted out of respect for the reader)
We hope you enjoyed these spooky Halloween tales and that you’ll be able to sleep tonight. If you want to avoid a true scare, remember that you can always count on Exero Soluciones for all of your translation needs. Quality, flexibility, and professionalism: no tricks, all treats.
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