Categories: words, translation
Date: 07 April 2008 22:08:56
I have just finished translating a company newsletter which discussed how to do business with people from different countries. It was written from a German point of view, unsurprisingly. When dealing with the Brits, the staff members were warned about our sense of humour, drinking habits (alcohol is consumed very quickly, apparently) and not being over-familiar with the boss - even though you use his first name (and not call him Mr. as would be the norm in Germany). They didn't mention how the boss might be a woman - but do not allow me to digress. [Oh, go on, let me. Thanks.] The thing that bugged me in this translation was that they kept referring to the UK as England. It is a bit of a German trait, I've noticed. If it is clear they really mean the UK, I change it so that this mistake is not perpetuated any further.
The cross-cultural pep talk also mentioned non-European cultures - and the various faux pas one could commit around the world.
In another of its articles, they welcomed new staff in their offices in India and Singapore. Then there was a report by a member of staff about a fun-run various people had participated in. There was a glorious sentence about how easy it was to find excuses to avoid getting up off your backside and going to train. Gentle readers, I confess I did not use the word "backside" - not because it offends my sensibilities - but because I thought that perhaps their staff in their Asia offices might be mildly offended. My understanding is that some cultures do not refer to certain parts of the body in polite society. An office newsletter might be deemed as such.
I could be wrong. I'll retranslate the sentence if they want bum, bottom or backside as per the original but for now it talks about finding excuses not to go training when it is cold and dark outside. Terribly decent, what?