- The dangers of literal translation
- Tone matters – more than you think
- Watch out for awkward brand names
- Non-verbal faux pas – when gestures say too much
- An email that can cause a lot of trouble
- Intuition is not enough – ask an expert to proofread
A meeting with a foreign client, negotiations on an important contract, a quick email to a partner on the other side of the world, or perhaps a Zoom presentation for a team from five different countries? In such situations, language is not only a means of communication – it is a minefield and a tool that can either help or seriously harm. How can you avoid a linguistic faux pas that may damage a relationship, create confusion or simply embarrass the other party? Here are some common pitfalls and proven ways to steer clear of them.
The dangers of literal translation
Word-for-word translation is the classic linguistic blunder – and unfortunately, still very common. Idioms, sayings and set phrases rarely work when translated literally. If you do not know the meaning of an expression, you risk being misunderstood or even ridiculed. When in doubt, opt for a simpler message – translation is not about transferring words one by one, but about conveying meaning in the right context. For example, translating the Polish trzymam kciuki as keep the thumbs would be incomprehensible to English speakers, who say fingers crossed.
Tone matters – more than you think
In international communication, it is not only what you say that counts, but also how you say it. Tone, form and the way you address the other person can completely change how your message is received. What may seem professional and to the point in Poland can appear cold in Japan, or even impolite in the UK. In Germany, a business email without a polite opening is quickly seen as disrespectful – a textbook linguistic faux pas. That is why it pays to know local conventions and adjust accordingly.
Watch out for awkward brand names
Are you launching a product in a new market? Make sure its name doesn’t mean something in the local slang that you’d rather not advertise. In international communication, the meaning of words can be surprising – and unfortunately not always in a good way. What sounds neutral in one language can have an undesirable, funny or even offensive meaning in another. Sometimes, a slight similarity in sound is enough to tarnish a brand’s image. This is why a linguistic and cultural analysis should be carried out before a campaign starts. In the perspective of such a wide-ranging international operation, this is a small cost, and it can protect you from a truly big mistake.
Non-verbal faux pas – when gestures say too much
You do not have to say a word to make a mistake – sometimes one unfortunate gesture is enough. A thumbs up, which in Poland means “ok”, can be very offensive in countries such as Iran or Greece. Similarly, pointing a finger is considered impolite in China, Japan or the Philippines, and in some African countries even aggressive. In business communication, what we show matters just as much as what we say. A non-verbal faux pas can ruin the atmosphere faster than a bad joke – so it is worth checking in advance how body language is read and controlled abroad.
An email that can cause a lot of trouble
An email in a foreign language may seem like a simple form of contact, but it is an area full of potential pitfalls. An unfortunate greeting, an overly formal tone or, on the contrary, one that is too casual, can make you seem unprofessional. Spelling or stylistic errors can be just as embarrassing. Sometimes one word can change the entire meaning of a message. If you are unsure about correctness, ask a native speaker to review it, or at least use a reliable proofreading tool.
Intuition is not enough – ask an expert to proofread
In everyday communication you can rely on intuition, but for important materials – a business proposal, a major presentation, a report – that is not enough. Even if your language skills are solid, you may miss nuances or subtle mistakes. That is why it is always worth asking someone with expertise – ideally a native speaker with experience in the relevant field – to proofread. Such cooperation is an investment in credibility, and in business every detail matters.