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Poll: What's the funniest or most embarrassing mistake you have made as a freelance language professional?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
Edith van der Have
Edith van der Have
Netherlands
Local time: 01:22
Member (2016)
English to Dutch
+ ...
Two toddlers Jul 26

Joanna Sobolewska-Kurpiel wrote:

I once confused two terms and used a VERY wrong one - it was years ago, I had two sick toddlers at home then and the deadline was very tight... After all those years I am not ready to share the details

Having two toddlers around would be sufficient to make dire translation mistakes; let alone two sick ones 🙃

P.L.F. Persio
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 01:22
French to English
. Jul 27

Joanna Sobolewska-Kurpiel wrote:

I once confused two terms and used a VERY wrong one - it was years ago, I had two sick toddlers at home then and the deadline was very tight... After all those years I am not ready to share the details


I don't have the excuse of either sick toddlers or tight deadlines, but I have *on more than one occasion* translated "ourson" (teddy bear) as "oursin" (sea urchin). Both times, in a context involving children and definitely not involving the sea. I believe we call it a brain fart, which did at least make my client laugh in the midst of my grovelling apologies.

Chris Says Bye
P.L.F. Persio
 
Chris Says Bye
Chris Says Bye
I’m sure we’ve all fallen for false friends at some point Jul 27

The Swedish word for breakfast is the same as the Danish word for lunch. Done that one when tired.

Christine Andersen
Daryo
 
Daryo
Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:22
Serbian to English
+ ...
Usually Aug 8

the most memorable mistakes are made when forgetting to press the MUTE button when making private comments about the speaker(s). Many still gossiped about years later ...

I did make few mistakes that could have been a very "entertaining" break from some serious talks, but luckily for me they all happened while in training.

[Edited at 2024-08-08 07:34 GMT]
 
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Poll: What's the funniest or most embarrassing mistake you have made as a freelance language professional?






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