When the best translation means something completely different

Dec 22, 2009 | Editing and Review, Language Curiosities

I was having difficulty translating German Ăśberwachungspotenzial for a detector system. “Monitoring potential” sounds so translationese, as does “potencial de vigilancia” in Spanish. Then I realised that in English we talk about “coverage”, a quite different solution to the meaning. And in Spanish it’s just “cobertura”. Now it sounds natural.

I find it very interesting how technology in “importing” countries can have several expressions based on the language of the exporter. Thus, “cuadro de detecciĂłn” from English “detection panel” but “central de señalizaciĂłn” from German “Meldezentrale”, which is exactly the same piece of equipment.

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