Lexlogos Insights — Translations, Localization & Transcreation

When something goes wrong in multilingual communication, the default explanation is often the same: “It was a translation error.”
That explanation may sound convenient — but it is rarely accurate.

In most professional environments, especially legal, technical and scientific ones, errors do not originate from language alone. They originate from misinterpretation.

Language is the surface. Interpretation is the risk.

Words do not exist in isolation. They carry intent, assumptions, constraints and context. When communication crosses borders, those layers must travel intact — not merely the vocabulary.

A sentence can be linguistically correct and still be functionally wrong if:

• its intent shifts across jurisdictions
• its terminology conflicts with industry usage
• its tone alters legal or technical implications
• its structure invites alternative readings

In such cases, the problem is not grammar.
It is interpretation.

Why organizations misdiagnose the problem

Translation is often treated as a downstream task: something to “finalize” once decisions are made. That mindset leads to a common misdiagnosis.

When issues arise, teams look for:

• spelling mistakes
• incorrect terminology
• missing words

But the real issue usually sits upstream:

• unclear source intent
• assumptions embedded in the original text
• lack of alignment between stakeholders
• insufficient consideration of how the message will be read elsewhere

By the time this becomes visible, the impact has already moved beyond language.

The consequences go beyond wording

When interpretation fails, the consequences are rarely cosmetic. They may include:

• contractual ambiguity
• regulatory misalignment
• technical misunderstandings
• delays, rework and escalation
• reputational exposure

None of these outcomes stem from a lack of fluency.
They stem from a lack of interpretative control.

Interpretation requires judgment, not just proficiency

High-stakes documentation requires more than bilingual competence. It requires:

• subject-matter understanding
• awareness of regulatory environments
• sensitivity to how meaning shifts across systems
• accountability for how information will be understood and used

This is why translation errors are rarely “just linguistic”.
They are decision errors disguised as language issues.

Reframing translation as a risk-sensitive decision

Organizations that operate internationally are increasingly reframing how they approach multilingual communication.

Instead of asking “Is this translated correctly?”, they ask:

• Does this convey the same intent everywhere it will be read?
• Could this be interpreted differently in another context?
• What is the cost if it is?

These are not language questions.
They are strategic ones.

A final thought

Language is the medium.
Interpretation is the message.

When interpretation is left unmanaged, errors appear where they are hardest to fix — after decisions have already been made.

Let’s talk — if interpretation matters

If your documentation or communication cannot afford interpretative ambiguity, we invite you to contact us for a confidential, consultative discussion.