Tom Jenkins
Lifetime Supporting Member
I've worked all ends of this spectrum. I have been amused and disgusted by Jenglish manuals. I have also had to convert (note I didn't say "translate" - I just had to figure out how to get something to work!) drawings and documents from French and German into English. I have also had to try to assist in converting some of my documents into a foreign language. This is indeed a humbling experience. One can only hope that the translator, as in my case, is endowed with both patience and a sense of humor.
I'm still amused, but I've gotten over being mad at crummy translations (well, most of the time anyway) for a one/off or limited usage document, like a set of project specific drawings. For these I'm willing to cut a lot of slack in translation. However, I have no patience for a major manufacturer trying to break into the American market and being unwilling to spend the money to get a decent translator and proof reader! It makes me wonder about the quality of the products, not just the manual!
I'm still amused, but I've gotten over being mad at crummy translations (well, most of the time anyway) for a one/off or limited usage document, like a set of project specific drawings. For these I'm willing to cut a lot of slack in translation. However, I have no patience for a major manufacturer trying to break into the American market and being unwilling to spend the money to get a decent translator and proof reader! It makes me wonder about the quality of the products, not just the manual!