Don’t make the customer the test team.

I had occasion to discuss the issue of the sensitive issue of quick and cheap translations with my editorial board colleagues recently. So, I thought the following story was a good illustration of the importance of quality proofing your translations before they hit the street:

Canada to remove mistake-ridden WWI exhibit

Canada will remove the French-language exhibit at a major military memorial after a reporter discovered it was riddled with grammatical errors, Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson said on Thursday.

It’s important to consider the end-user of translations; to avoid social and cultural offense. In Ireland, it seems to never end…

A referendum to decide whether a remote fishing port formerly known as Dingle can readopt its anglicised name has become a battleground for the future of the Irish language.

I’m sure we’ll hear more about this one!