SRF Global Translations, specialists in nuanced, localized, multilanguage translation of compliance and marketing materials for multinational companies.

What's Your Asian Tattoo Really Say?

chinese_tattoo.jpgShe thought it said "blood and guts." but it really said "blood and intestines." He thought it said "General Tso's Chicken special" but it really said "gullible white boy." (The tattoo in the photo says "God" and "Beauty".)

James Morel, CEO of Dr. TATTOFF in Beverly Hills, Calif., says he is seeing a flood of people asking for their Asian tattoos to be removed because of mistranslations.

"We got a Chinese guy at a convention in Canada who sold us a bunch of sheets," said Mike Bakaty, owner of Fineline Tattoo, the oldest continuously running tattoo parlor in Manhattan. "But even the slightest change in tone or of the stilts in the characters can change the meaning. I always say, 'I know I look Chinese, but I can'twrite Chinese and I can't speak Chinese - and I don't actually look Chinese, either' I think they like it more for the look, anyway."
Just to be on the safe side, says SRF Global Translations president Sloan Friedman, "you might want to cover your Chinese character tattoo if you are trying to open the Chinese market for your company."

11-May-2006 By BL Ochman permalink Permalink Email this
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