Have you ever tried a foreign-style restaurant? Oftentimes, these cuisines are very different from what we are used to. If you are keen to try foreign foods, it can be difficult to figure out certain ingredients. As a result, many restaurants use translation services for English translations of their foods and ingredients, especially in countries with racial and ethnic diversity such as the United States, Canada, and some European countries.
It is common for restaurant owners to use Google Translate to get the target languages. However, sometimes, machine translation programs are not that reliable. The names of dishes are often culturally specific and can even be shortened versions of multiple words. Because many translation softwares only translate directly word-by-word, many funny mistranslations can happen.
Below are some funny examples of machine translation fails in restaurant menus that demonstrate the importance of hiring human translation services:
Menu Translation Services Fail #1: “You And Your Family”
It’s actually a beef dish.
Menu Translation Services Fail #2: “Cat Ear and Rotten Child”
It’s a plate of Chinese pasta. No cats or kids were harmed.
Menu Translation Services Fail #3: “Jew’s Ear”
Another ear dish…it is a type of mushroom.
Menu Translation Services Fail #4: “Roasted Husband”
Why is the husband treated like this? (It’s a type of vegan food.)
Menu Translation Services Fail #5: “Lung Slice”
Someone should contact the authorities (or hire a better business translation services provider).
Menu Translation Fail #6: “Deep Fried Baby”
Is it a kid’s menu or an “eat kids menu”?
Menu Translation Fail #7: “Bottle Of Bears”
Typos happen to the best of us.
Menu Translation Fail #8: “Needle Disposal”
My recommendation is choosing a safer one.
Menu Translation Fail #9: “Spicy Crap”
This mistranslation is particularly unfortunate.
When exploring exotic cuisines, we are always curious and expectant. However, some mistranslations sometimes make the menu creepy and thus scaring off those who come to try it. For restaurant owners, accurate translations can attract more customers.
While machine translation is sometimes helpful, it needs to be properly reviewed by skilled linguists. To avoid these mistakes, choose a professional translation service! We provide Chinese translation, Turkish translation, Japanese translation, and more!
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation, legal translation, government translation, international development translation, education translation, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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