Mistranslating: meaning, definitions and examples

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mistranslating

 

[ mɪstrænsleɪtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

translation error

Mistranslating refers to the act of incorrectly translating words or phrases from one language to another. This can happen due to misunderstanding the original text, failure to grasp cultural nuances, or inadequate knowledge of the target language. Mistranslations can lead to significant misunderstandings and may impact the meaning of the message being conveyed. It is especially critical in fields such as law, medicine, and literature where precise language is essential.

Synonyms

misinterpret, misrender, misreport

Examples of usage

  • I ended up mistranslating his words, causing confusion.
  • Mistranslating a legal document can have serious consequences.
  • She realized she was mistranslating the instructions halfway through.
  • The film suffered due to mistranslating pivotal dialogue.

Translations

Translations of the word "mistranslating" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mistranslating

🇮🇳 गलत अनुवाद करना

🇩🇪 falsch übersetzen

🇮🇩 salah menerjemahkan

🇺🇦 неправильний переклад

🇵🇱 błędne tłumaczenie

🇯🇵 誤訳する

🇫🇷 mauvaise traduction

🇪🇸 mala traducción

🇹🇷 yanlış çeviri

🇰🇷 잘못 번역하다

🇸🇦 ترجمة خاطئة

🇨🇿 chybný překlad

🇸🇰 nesprávny preklad

🇨🇳 错误翻译

🇸🇮 napačno prevajanje

🇮🇸 rangt þýða

🇰🇿 қате аударма

🇬🇪 მცდარი თარგმანი

🇦🇿 səhv tərcümə

🇲🇽 traducción incorrecta

Etymology

The term 'mistranslate' is derived from the prefix 'mis-', which denotes incorrectness or error, combined with the verb 'translate', which comes from the Latin word 'translatio', meaning 'to carry across' or 'to transfer'. 'Translate' entered the English language in the late 14th century and has since evolved to encompass various forms of interpretation between languages. 'Mistranslation' is a phenomenon that has been observed throughout the history of language interaction, especially in contexts where nuanced meanings and cultural references are crucial. With the rise of globalization and cross-cultural communication, the consequences of mistranslating messages have become increasingly significant, leading to a growing awareness of the importance of qualified translators and interpreters.