PR discussions: Re: [prpoint] Do not translate the press releases in other regional languages; re-write them

I fully agree. Sometimes translation becomes funny. Please check out below illustration.

Function: A reputed global publication was launching its local operation at Pune.

Function was chaired by VC of Pune University. Official representative wanted to say something in Marathi and had some tranlated script. He wanted to say- My father studied from Pune but i couldn't study from Pune.

He said - My father read from FC college Pune. In Marathi he said My father vachalo from Pune. Vachalo is perfect tranlation of word read. But Vachlo also means survived..

The audience took the message lightly. But VC promptly corrected in his speech. As he couldn't read from Pune Uni, perhaps he want to say he has survived (vachlo). And it was laughter everyone. But everyone respected the feelings and appreciated Sense of Humour of our VC.

This is just one witty example. While translations, dictionary alone can be disastrous. Better we can take help of professional translators having read and written local releases.

Regards,

Avinash

--- On Fri, 7/11/08, Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Prime Point Srinivasan <prpoint@gmail.com>
Subject: [prpoint] Do not translate the press releases in other regional languages; re-write them
To: "Prpoint Group" <prpoint@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "Gokul Krish" <goks18@gmail.com>
Date: Friday, 7 November, 2008, 1:04 PM

dear friends

I saw an interesting article in HBL in the following link
http://www.thehindu businessline. com/catalyst/ 2008/11/06/ stories/20081106 52620300. htm

The article deals with various commercials in the TV and how they are translated very badly in other language regions. Language sensitivity is ignored by the advertising agencies. This has reminded me of the various language press releases issued by the National and MNC PR Agencies.

Many PR executives used to tell me that their the language press releases are not carried by the regional media. I made some study of such phenomenon. I also picked up some of the press releases issued by such agencies and also interacted with the language media editors.

I observed that many of the press releases of agencies are 'translated' into local languages at their Head Quarters in Mumbai and sent to the branches for release. The quality of such translation is very poor and they are only literal translation. The translators in other centres do not keep themselves updated with the language sensitivity. Such bad translated version of press releases cause irrtation to the language media and they prefer to ignore such press releases.

Instead, I have been suggesting such agencies to get it 're-written' such press releases, to suit the local needs. Instead of using the translators in other centres, engage local media persons for such 're-writing' works, to suit the language media needs.

I welcome views from the membrs based on their experience

srinivasan
moderator

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Friday, November 7, 2008

Re: [prpoint] Do not translate the press releases in other regional languages; re-write them

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