Newsletter

Keep your Key, a Room with a View, an Alarming Bellhop and Keep your Coat on – it’s Friday Funnies

The summer heat is fading, and cool evenings signal the arrival of autumn. Leaves are beginning to turn shades of crimson and rust, soon to scatter across yards and sidewalks. September ushers in many delightful seasonal celebrations, including some you may recognize each year: National Overthinkers Day Talk Like a Pirate Day National Sit with… Continue reading

Taboos and Talking: How NOT to Communicate

Communication is often more than words. It can also involve gestures, silence or cultural taboos—especially important when interacting with ethnic groups or people abroad. For example: In Thailand and Muslim countries, pointing the soles of your shoes or feet at another person is extremely offensive. That means not to sit cross-legged. Since you don’t know who… Continue reading

Major Mistakes that AI Makes

Many people assume that AI apps can translate. They can. The issue becomes how ACCURATELY you want your translation done. Some subjects in some languages can be done excellently. Other subjects in other languages contain variations on gibberish. Is “good enough” good enough? Or do you need precision? If you are using Google Translate, it… Continue reading

Room Service, Diseases, Casual Dining and a Room with a View – Here’s Friday Funnies

Sweltering heat and hurricane season in full bloom - August never fails to deliver! Weather challenges aside, August is full of wonderful days to celebrate. So, whether you're escaping the heat or steering clear of stormy skies, we can revel in observances like: Grab Some Nuts DayWiggle Your Toes DayNational Toilet Paper DayTomatoes Galore Day.… Continue reading

Global Business. More than just translated words. Or Bloopers.

According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, US goods and services exports totaled $1.24 trillion in Q1 2025. In spite of tariff threats, world business continues to boom. The critical issue is that business methods here usually differ from business methods there. And those methods involve more than just translating words. Americans often assume… Continue reading

A MOO-stake, a Holy Spud, Unwelcome Visitors and Beer-errors – It’s Friday Funnies

Ah, July! The middle of summer is here and already we're seeing ads for back to school - to the delight of a few parents. Many of you are in the midst of vacations here or abroad, enjoying new sites, sounds and flavors. Maybe you're enjoying a staycation and observing some of the delightful celebrations… Continue reading

Miscommunication = Wrong Result. What matters. And funny mistakes.

TRANSLATING (converting anything written) Client Challenge A client reached out with questions about a Chinese translation we delivered, to ensure that the translations aligned with audience preferences. The client wanted to label one version Mandarin and the other Cantonese. But that was totally incorrect. Our Response: Written Chinese comes in two main forms: 🔹 Simplified characters (简体中文) – used… Continue reading

A Confusing Dryer, Mystery and non-Mystery Liquids, and Ignore it and Steal – it’s Friday Funnies

Welcome to June! The middle month of 2025 has arrived, bringing with it warm summer breezes, the scent of sunscreen at the beach, and the sound of children’s laughter—echoing in many languages—at picnics. June is a month rich with celebrations. For example, consider the following: Hug Your Cat Day International Yarnbombing Day National Onion Ring… Continue reading

Wrong Dialects and English Bloopers: What Not to Do

Correct communication involves more than simply rendering words into another language. It also involves converting cultural concepts … which AI alone and ChatGPT do not do. Another key is to ensure using the correct dialect since countries speak and write the same language differently. For example … For an advertising firm serving the Brazil National Tourism agency,… Continue reading