This is a skit by British comedian Catherine Tate that has become quite popular in the translation and interpretation world. Some see it as funny, and others view it as terribly offensive. I can see both points of view, and all I have to say is that bad interpretation and translation is offensive.
Companies that hire amateurs to translate or interpret will run the risk of being as offensive as the woman in this video. As it is in this skit, the only ones who look bad are the offenders. Unfortunately, in real life, the offense won't always be as readily obvious as it is in this skit. In this skit, the offensive "interpretation" was noticed before it had offended more than a handful of people. In the real world, amateur translation and interpretation can easily offend hundreds, thousands, or more before it is apparent to the purchaser. So hire a pro!
Friday, February 01, 2008
The Terribly Offensive Interpreter - Catherine Tate
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P.S. This reminds me of when I was living as a 'gringo' in Chile. With dark hair and good Spanish, I could sometimes pass for a Chilean, but the Chileans perceived English as having an excessive number of "W" and "SH" sounds.
Imitating the perceived sound of English, many Chileans would say "Wishy washy whasha woosha what'sho nahm-ay? wisha-whisha-whisha I love you wishy washy"
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