Beware of Internet Translators By Luke Simmons

When I worked for a publisher in London, part of my job involved sending promotional material to a distributor of ours in Dubai. So one day I carefully made up a package of fliers and decided to go the extra yard by using a web-based translator to write the message; "Delicate, Do Not Bend" in Arabic on the front of the envelope - and off the package went in the mail.

So I called them up the next week to ensure it had arrived safely and they confirmed its' receipt - with a chuckle...

"Why are you laughing", I asked.

To which my contact replied:

"Hahahaha. Because when the package arrived, it had "NO TRANSLATION FOUND" in big letters on the front. Thanks for giving the office a laugh."

Whoops.


in Bermondsey, London, United Kingdom

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I believe that life is a (relatively) short ride and that it's crucial to squeeze as many good times out of it as possible. I love travelling, music, reading, writing, all kinds o' sport, & my wife!

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