Comments on: Dear BAKERY: Lost in Translation

By: mlle a.

mlle a. — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:59:24 +0000

It is important to consider the purpose of the blog as well. If the blog serves as a marketing tool to promote one’s business, and if the business itself is catering an international audience, then providing a tool like Google translation can be a shot in the knee (actually, in the foot – only the German metaphor shoots in the knee!)

For once, because artificial intelligence renders a lot of misunderstandings on a regular base; but there should never be misunderstandings between you and your potential customers.
For another, providing an English translation of each non-English blog post also shows that you’re willing and able to communicate with your readers in more than your native tongue, which ultimately signals them that you’re also able to communicate with your customers when the talk is about orders and money.

Being based in a German-speaking environment, and probably being a business owner there as well, many of your customers and readers will be German speakers; however, especially people in the German-speaking regions of Europe are a bit shy when it comes to communicate in foreign languages. It would be a pity to alienate them.

Greetings from Germany!

By: Aneta

Aneta — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:38:27 +0000

I already read blogs in different languages and I don’t think that is a problem. I think the content is much more important! If I love the blog, I make an effort to translate it!
Not to mention it’s good to learn and practice a word or two of foreign language!

By: Christine Aischa Ebner

Christine Aischa Ebner — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:16:12 +0000

THANK YOU for picking up my question!!! Your advice is soooo appreciated!!!! The blog post title “lost in translation” is sooooo excellent….maybe I should start my 1st blog post with this title and find some creative ways around that problem…All the best, Christine Aischa

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By: cindy : quaint

cindy : quaint — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:07:08 +0000

this is great advice! i read a few blogs that are in two languages and look at others for visual inspiration even if i don’t understand a word. i’m an arm chair traveler in nyc and love to learn about other places. if i’m really curious, i’ll use a translator. the important thing, in my opinion, is compelling content. have fun!

By: alice

alice — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:38:29 +0000

Offer the translation in italics, definitely.
Even if you decide to shorten the translated text or even write something that just states the content in your native language, I think it makes your reader feel welcomed. And, at the same time, you can give your native language the importance it deserves, by being placed first in your blog.

I read some nordic blogs and I enjoy the fact that I can read them in english and even learn new words by relating with the original text.