While much of 2023 was spent talking about the future of artificial intelligence, we saw the year end with a remarkably human controversy. The publication of Endgame, Omid Scobie’s gossipy book about the British royal family, turned into a veritable whodunit over a simple “translation error.”
Wait, What Happened?
The Dutch translation of the book mistakenly named two members of the British royal family who allegedly had concerns about Archie’s skin color. Archie is the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The unintended disclosure caused a significant uproar, resurfacing allegations of racism within the royal institution. As you may recall, the Sussexes had dropped the bombshell during their televised interview with Oprah in 2021, but without naming names.
When the names were revealed, the Dutch translation’s publisher, Xander Uitgevers, withdrew the book from sale and blamed the issue on a translation error.
The English version of the book does not name the two people. The text says that their identities are known to the author, but he is not allowed to disclose them for legal reasons.
After the news of the Dutch translation broke, the author Omid Scobie claimed that, unbeknownst to him, the Dutch publisher had used an earlier draft to produce their translation.
Why Version Control Matters
We’ve talked a lot about translation errors here on the blog over the years, along with the importance of implementing rigorous translation processes to keep people safe and to avoid heaps of internet shame; yet, I think this is the first time I’ve seen a brouhaha over a translation error that isn’t even a translation error. The problem here was version control. And it’s a very preventable problem.
In the world of translation, where accuracy and consistency are paramount, version control plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of translated texts. It serves as a robust system for tracking source documents, tracking changes, documenting revisions and ensuring that the intended meaning remains intact throughout the translation process.
Translation projects, often involving multiple stakeholders and iterations, can become complex and susceptible to inconsistencies. Version control eliminates this risk by providing a clear record of all changes made to the translations. This allows for seamless collaboration among translators, reviewers and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is working from the most up-to-date version.
Trouble-Free Translation
We know that not all press is good press. Responsive Translation has been providing high-stakes translation for more than 30 years. Our streamlined and compliant processes take the risk out of translation, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
For more information about how we can help you, please get in touch at 646-847-3309 or [email protected].