{"id":21037,"date":"2025-06-27T15:26:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T15:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/?p=21037"},"modified":"2025-06-28T15:29:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T15:29:46","slug":"miscommunication-wrong-result-what-matters-and-funny-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/miscommunication-wrong-result-what-matters-and-funny-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Miscommunication = Wrong Result. What matters. And funny mistakes."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>TRANSLATING (converting anything written)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Client Challenge<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong>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\u00a0and the other Cantonese. But that was totally incorrect.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Our Response:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Written Chinese<\/strong>\u00a0comes in two main forms:<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Simplified characters (<\/strong><strong>\u7b80<\/strong><strong>\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 used in\u00a0<strong>Mainland China and Singapore<\/strong><br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39\u00a0<strong>Traditional characters (<\/strong><strong>\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 used in\u00a0<strong>Hong Kong and Taiwan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Spoken dialects<\/strong>, such as\u00a0<strong>Mandarin<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Cantonese<\/strong>, refer to how the non-phonetic characters are pronounced.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd38\u00a0People in\u00a0<strong>Beijing<\/strong>, for example, speak Mandarin and write in Simplified Chinese.<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd38\u00a0People in\u00a0<strong>Hong Kong<\/strong>\u00a0speak Cantonese and write in Traditional Chinese.<\/p>\n<p>We confirmed that our delivered translation was in\u00a0<strong>Simplified Chinese<\/strong>, as specified in the client\u2019s request. This version is readable by speakers of both Mandarin and Cantonese, since\u00a0<strong>written Chinese is standardized across all spoken dialects<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Client Takeaway<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>For digital content and language labeling, it&#8217;s important to reference the\u00a0<strong>written script<\/strong>\u00a0rather than the spoken dialect. We advised the client to label their website options clearly as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u7b80<\/strong><strong>\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587<\/strong>\u00a0= Simplified Chinese<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u7e41\u9ad4\u4e2d\u6587<\/strong>\u00a0= Traditional Chinese<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Why It Matters<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>Accurate language labeling improves user experience and ensures your content reaches the right audience without confusion. Our team helps clients navigate these nuances so you can focus on your impact \u2014 not translation technicalities.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u00a0<strong>INTERPRETING (converting anything spoken)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Client challenge<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>In a recent government event, our interpreting team encountered a common yet critical issue &#8212; a disconnect between the event requestor and the actual organizers.<\/p>\n<p>The requestor had arranged for one Spanish interpreter to provide consecutive interpretation over Zoom.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Problem<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>However, once the meeting began, it became clear that the client had configured Zoom for simultaneous interpreting, which the interpreter was not prepared to do alone.<\/p>\n<p>Our linguist interpreted simultaneously for two hours \u2026 which can quickly result in mental fatigue and mistakes. Standard labor practice for long sessions requires two interpreters as tag team, each working 20 to 30 minutes while the other mentally rests.<\/p>\n<p>Compounding the confusion, public comment was expected to be done consecutively, but the simultaneous Zoom setting made that impossible.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>Why it matters<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>Interpreting modes function differently in virtual vs. in-person settings. Event details must be shared with event organizers (such as us) \u2014 not just requestors &#8212; to implement assignments correctly.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>OPI [Over the Phone Interpreting]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>How can you communicate if your supplier, distributor, prospect or client does not speak good English? Easily! With OPI. This method works 24\/7 in over 100 languages and dialects through a professional, confidential telephone interpreter in a three-way conversation. Clients are charged at a low rate per minute, ONLY if OPI is used. No usage = No payment and No subscription.<\/p>\n<p>Please contact us today to set up your OPI account \u2026\u00a0\u00a0so that you can talk even if you can\u2019t speak!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>WHAT?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Sign in Mexico: \u201cIt is forbidden to trow NOTHING down the toilet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sign in Brazil: \u201cP\u00e3o com frios\u201d which means \u201cBread with cold cuts.\u201d But the English sign simply said \u201cBread with Cold.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When the male American backpacker registered at his Scottish B&amp;B, the proprietress asked him, \u201cSo at what time shall I knock you up in the morning, dearie?\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>CONCLUSION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Dialects matter. Correct instructions matter. Your desired outcome matters. And of course, words matter. Do not rely on amateurs or AI to render your communications correctly\u00a0<strong>IF<\/strong>\u00a0you value precision and accuracy. Human interaction (you with us) is essential.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/xfjfh8qh.r.us-west-1.awstrack.me\/L0\/https:%2F%2Flt.apptivo.com%2Fapptivo-message%2Felr%2F%2FMjI1NTQwXzQ4MDE5MjY5XzE3NTA5NTAwNDM1NDY_1ltr=aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWVyYmFjaC1pbnRsLmNvbS9nZXQtcXVvdGUv\/1\/01110197acc16348-d1102e5a-3557-4ccb-9265-22822adab078-000000\/NUW46hVlmvPXaj-a_28WKFRkBvA=217\" data-mce-attribute-id=\"attribute_link\" data-mce-is-message-template=\"Y\" data-mce-is-message-template-attribute=\"Y\" data-mce-attribute=\"{&quot;attributeId&quot;:&quot;attribute_link_1750883508116_548_729121750883508116_267&quot;,&quot;isMandatory&quot;:false,&quot;isEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;canBeRemoved&quot;:true,&quot;attributeTag&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;attributeGroup&quot;:&quot;commonAttributes&quot;,&quot;layoutType&quot;:&quot;Message Template&quot;,&quot;labelName&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:{&quot;originalLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;modifiedLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;},&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;Contact the experts&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/get-quote\/&quot;}}\">Contact the experts<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with 35 years\u2019 experience to make you shine, so you don\u2019t end up on our Bloopers list!<\/p>\n<p>Best wishes,<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20796\" src=\"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2-300x131.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2-300x131.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/image-2.jpeg 543w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Philip Auerbach<br \/>\nFounder, President &amp; CEO<br \/>\nAuerbach International<br \/>\nHeadquarters &#8211; 415-592-0042<br \/>\n<u><a href=\"https:\/\/xfjfh8qh.r.us-west-1.awstrack.me\/L0\/https:%2F%2Flt.apptivo.com%2Fapptivo-message%2Felr%2F%2FMjI1NTQwXzQ4MDE5MjY5XzE3NTA5NTAwNDM1NDY_2ltr=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hdWVyYmFjaC1pbnRsLmNvbS8=\/1\/01110197acc16348-d1102e5a-3557-4ccb-9265-22822adab078-000000\/sF4XPqiHtTaZ5l8kZwgYz8enDgs=217\" data-mce-attribute=\"{&quot;attributeId&quot;:&quot;attribute_link_1733789381768_169_1114971733789381768_885&quot;,&quot;isMandatory&quot;:false,&quot;isEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;canBeRemoved&quot;:true,&quot;attributeTag&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;attributeGroup&quot;:&quot;commonAttributes&quot;,&quot;layoutType&quot;:&quot;Message Template&quot;,&quot;labelName&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:{&quot;originalLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;modifiedLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;},&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;www.auerbach-intl.com&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/&quot;},&quot;anchorTagStyle&quot;:&quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 255);&quot;}\" data-mce-is-message-template-attribute=\"Y\" data-mce-is-message-template=\"Y\" data-mce-attribute-id=\"attribute_link\">https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging<\/a><br \/>\n<\/u><u><a href=\"mailto:translations@auerbach-intl.com\" data-mce-attribute-id=\"attribute_link\" data-mce-is-message-template=\"Y\" data-mce-is-message-template-attribute=\"Y\" data-mce-attribute=\"{&quot;attributeId&quot;:&quot;attribute_link_1652908905960_198_804621652908905960_387&quot;,&quot;isMandatory&quot;:false,&quot;isEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;canBeRemoved&quot;:true,&quot;attributeTag&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;attributeGroup&quot;:&quot;commonAttributes&quot;,&quot;layoutType&quot;:&quot;Message Template&quot;,&quot;labelName&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;label&quot;:{&quot;originalLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;,&quot;modifiedLabel&quot;:&quot;Link&quot;},&quot;link&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;translations@auerbach-intl.com&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;mailto:translations@auerbach-intl.com&quot;}}\">translations@auerbach-intl.com<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201c3 Decades. 2 Billion Words. A+ Accuracy. Superior Translation Services.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u00a0and the other Cantonese. But that was totally incorrect. Our Response: Written Chinese\u00a0comes in two main forms: \ud83d\udd39\u00a0Simplified characters (\u7b80\u4f53\u4e2d\u6587)\u00a0\u2013 used&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/miscommunication-wrong-result-what-matters-and-funny-mistakes\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Miscommunication = Wrong Result. What matters. And funny mistakes.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"brizy-blank-template.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bloopers-branding-and-mis-translations","category-newsletter","entry"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21037"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21040,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21037\/revisions\/21040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/auerbach-intl.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}