Translating your branding and marketing messages is not always possible. Some words and phrases are so culturally or regionally specific that they cannot be translated. A phrase that works in English may not have the same meaning, impact, or relevance in another language.
To ensure the effectiveness of your messages, it is crucial that translations are completed not only by translation experts in your target language, but also someone who understands your industry AND the target culture.
Tip: Avoid using colloquial expressions that may be untranslatable. For example, a seemingly common American English expression,”What’s up?” could elicit a response, “Up where?” if translated literally from English into other languages.
Download our “Communicating Across Cultures” tip sheet in the Global Language Solutions’ resources section for additional tips on intercultural communications.
