8 Translation Errors That Ruin Your Content…And How to Fix Them
A single word can make or break your message, especially when translated. We’ve all seen those “lost in translation” moments—from awkward product names to campaigns that just don’t land. In the real world, mistranslations aren’t funny. They can damage trust, confuse customers, or even get your business in legal trouble.
If your brand expands across borders, you need more than just a good dictionary. You need strategy, accuracy, and a deep understanding of what not to do. Here are some common translation mistakes and how to fix them before they cost you.
Translation Quality Matters More Than Ever
Global content isn’t optional anymore. It’s expected. In 2025, brands are creating more content than ever across websites, social platforms, product manuals, and app interfaces for diverse, multilingual audiences. That means your message can easily go wrong if the translation is off.
This is where expert interpreting and translation services agencies step in, helping you stay accurate, consistent, and culturally spot-on in every language you speak.
Whether you’re in healthcare, eCommerce, or tech, poor translations risk more than embarrassment. They can lead to misunderstandings, lost customers, and serious compliance issues. And when you’re trying to build trust in a new market, clarity is everything.
EXPERT’S TIP: Are you looking for a new agency to help you with translating and creating your multilingual content? Here are some key aspects you should consider!
8 Translation Errors to Watch Out For
These mistakes pop up more often than you’d think. While some seem small, they can create big problems if left unchecked. Let’s break them down.
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Mistranslation
This is the big one. A mistranslation happens when a word or phrase is translated incorrectly — and suddenly, the message changes completely. It might seem minor, but the consequences can be severe in legal, medical, or technical contexts.
Take the classic case of the Parker Pen ad. It was supposed to say, “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” But it got mistranslated into Spanish as “It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
You need to save your business from such mishaps. The fix? Use professional translation services with subject-matter experts. They won’t just translate — they’ll understand the context, too.
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Omissions
Sometimes, the problem isn’t what’s said — it’s what’s missing. Omissions happen when vital details are left out of a translation. This can happen when rushing, working with automated tools, or skipping a proofreading step.
Is there a missing sentence in a safety guide? That’s not just a typo. It could lead to accidents or product misuse. To avoid omissions, always build in post-translation checks. Work with translators who follow a QA process and who take time to compare source and target texts, line by line. It’s worth the extra review.
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Word-for-Word Translation
Languages don’t always follow the same logic. A phrase that works in English might sound odd or meaningless in another language if translated literally. For instance, the English phrase “kick the bucket” makes no sense in most other languages if taken word for word.
In business, communication can result in confusion or even offence. That’s why transcreation (creative translation) matters, especially for marketing content. A professional knows when to stick to the original and when to adapt it for absolute clarity.
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Cultural Tone-Deafness
Language isn’t just words — it’s culture. A translation that ignores cultural context can backfire fast. Take the example of a fast-food chain that used a thumbs-up emoji in a Middle Eastern ad. The emoji is harmless in the West but considered offensive in some regions. The campaign failed—not because of bad copy but because it didn’t speak to the culture.
Professional translators with cultural insight catch these things. They localise, not just translate, helping your brand avoid embarrassment and connect meaningfully.
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Style Inconsistencies
Inconsistent tone or terminology makes your content feel unprofessional, and worse, it can confuse your audience. Imagine one paragraph using “client,” the next saying “customer,” and then “user” somewhere else. Same idea, different feel. It’s especially problematic for companies with a strong brand voice. If the tone shifts halfway through a product description or landing page, it erodes trust.
This is where a style guide and translation memory come in. Professional translation services rely on both to keep everything aligned. That way, your content stays consistent, no matter the language or platform.
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Formatting and Layout Errors
A great translation can still go wrong if the formatting doesn’t follow suit. Different languages take up different amounts of space. What fits neatly in English might overflow or break in German or Finnish.
Think of mobile apps. If a button label is too long in translation, it could be cut off or disappear altogether. Suddenly, your “Confirm Order” becomes “Conf…”
Design and translation should work together. Professional services account for layout and UX by adjusting text length, font rules, and line breaks to fit local versions without breaking your design.
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Ignoring Proofreading
Skipping proofreading is like submitting a report without reading it. Proofreading means having a native speaker review the final content for grammar, flow, clarity, and tone.
It’s especially crucial for the healthcare, finance, and tech industries, where minor missteps can lead to significant consequences. A confusing sentence in a patient info sheet is not only awkward but dangerous.
Human validation adds the final polish. It ensures that what you’ve translated doesn’t just sound right — it feels right in the target language.
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Over-Reliance on Machine Translation
Machine translation has its place. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it’s getting smarter. But it still isn’t human. Tools like Google Translate can misread context, butcher idioms, or miss emotional tone entirely.
For example, an e-commerce brand used AI to translate product reviews into Japanese. The result? Phrases that were grammatically fine but felt robotic and unnatural — hurting trust among local shoppers.
Machines are great assistants. Professional translation services combine tech with human oversight. You get accuracy without sounding like a chatbot.
EXPERT’S TIP: Do you want to learn more about certified translations? Make sure to visit our dedicated certified translation services page!
How Professional Translation Services Help Fix All This
Professional document translation services do more than swap words. They protect your message from falling flat. You get accuracy, brand-consistent tone, cultural nuance, proper layout, and final validation from native experts. That means fewer errors, more trust, and better ROI. In addition, certified translations legalise your documents, making them ready for any official application and use – both in the UK & abroad.
From healthcare and law to tech and retail, businesses in high-stakes or high-traffic sectors can’t afford to make mistakes.
When your words cross borders, quality control becomes everything. The right service ensures your content speaks clearly and confidently, no matter who’s reading it. Because in global communication, close enough just isn’t good enough!
Conclusion
Translation mistakes can quietly wreck your message, your brand, and your bottom line. But with the right support, they’re completely avoidable.
Professional translation services offer more than just language; they bring clarity, cultural understanding, and peace of mind. Whether you’re writing legal contracts, product manuals, or marketing copy, accuracy matters. In a world where words cross borders instantly, it pays to get them right the first time. Invest in quality, and your content will speak volumes — everywhere it lands.
About TS24 Translation Agency
Translation Services 24 (TS24) is the UK’s leading translation agency in London with professional translators working in over 200 languages. We provide services to clients in all corporate and public industries and specialise in sector-specific linguistic solutions. With over a decade of experience in the industry, 15+ million words converted every year and 100,000+ projects completed, TS24 is a leading provider of expert translations and interpretation services and an officially certified member of the ATC. Contact TS24 here. You can also read all of our recent articles here.
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