When it comes to translation, “close enough” isn’t good enough.
For global companies, a single word mistranslation can cost millions—or worse, someone’s health. It’s not just about language; it’s about brand trust, legal liability, and the safety of your customers. That’s why using a professional translation company—with rigorous linguistic QA and native-market copy review—isn't a luxury. It’s essential.
Here are five infamous examples that prove the true cost of cutting corners on quality translation:
In one of the most chilling examples in U.S. healthcare history, a Spanish-speaking patient was rushed to a Florida hospital. He was described as “intoxicado,” a term that in many Latin American dialects means “ill from something ingested.” But the hospital staff interpreted it as “intoxicated” or drunk.
The result? A life-threatening brain bleed went untreated. The young man became quadriplegic, and the hospital ultimately settled for $71 million in malpractice damages.
This case is the ultimate wake-up call: healthcare providers must never rely on unqualified interpreters or ad hoc language support. Professional linguistic accuracy can literally save lives.
Mead Johnson Nutrition faced a massive crisis when Spanish-language instructions on their baby formula cans were mistranslated. The incorrect dilution guidance caused parents to improperly mix formula, risking infant malnutrition and dehydration.
The error triggered a recall of 4.6 million cans and cost the company over $10 million, not to mention an irreversible blow to parental trust.
Translation in regulated industries- especially food, medical, and consumer products- requires more than fluency. It demands industry expertise and multi-level quality assurance.
Yes, that really happened.
Pepsi’s iconic U.S. slogan “Come Alive with the Pepsi Generation” was poorly translated for Chinese markets. The result? A haunting message:
“Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.”
The translation gaffe became a PR nightmare, leading to widespread ridicule and an expensive course correction.
Your brand voice matters. But it doesn’t translate literally. Without native-language copy review and cultural adaptation, even the biggest brands can become international punchlines.
Parker Pens launched its product in Latin America with the slogan “It won’t leak in your pocket and embarrass you.” Unfortunately, someone confused “embarazar” (to impregnate) with “embarrass,” and the slogan was translated as:
“It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.”
The blunder not only cost the company in reputation and revised advertising but also made them the butt of international jokes.
This wasn’t just a translation problem- it was a lack of linguistic QA and cultural vetting. A professional translation company would have flagged the nuance long before printing and distribution.
Coors thought its “Turn It Loose” campaign would resonate in Spanish-speaking markets. What it actually conveyed was:
“Suffer from diarrhea.”
The backlash was immediate. Coors had to scramble to mitigate the damage, wasting campaign dollars, not to mention their consumer trust went down the toilet. Pun intended.
Translation is never one-size-fits-all. Slang, idioms, and colloquialisms must be handled by native-speaking professionals with a deep understanding of the culture- not just the language.
What do these stories have in common? They could have been avoided with:
Native-language copy review
Industry-specific translators
Cultural and linguistic quality assurance
Collaboration with a professional translation company
When the stakes are this high- health, liability, multi-million dollar recalls-cutting corners is not just a risk. It’s a mistake you can’t afford.
Ready to protect your reputation, your customers, and your bottom line?
TLG is ISO certified and takes accuracy, context, and culture seriously. Because words matter.