Medical Translations: Why you need to get it right the first time
British and American senior medical executives admit to image and reputation being at risk because of misinterpreted cultural references or linguistic errors.
Read the full report here. This study of US and UK based senior executives with an international role in medical research, clinical trials or pharmaceuticals shows that almost all understand the difference between translation and localisation, and are acutely aware that the misuse of cultural references or linguistic errors could lead to crisis communications or damage to their companies’ brand reputation.
Almost half of our respondents localise rather than translate more than 40% of their medical content and 39% have noticed an increase in consumer engagement and sales due to properly localised content.
Revision is paramount when it comes to content within the life sciences sector. Most cultural references and linguistic interpretations are defined and refined during the revision stage. 83% of all those who participated in the survey have in-country linguists reviewing the localised content for market appropriateness and 78% run user testing on localised content prior to release.
While 76% admit to having experienced a cultural faux pas due to a mistreated/wrong cultural reference, most of our respondents (85%) are confident that the content they are producing is suitable for the intended target audience or culture.72% of all our respondents agreed that interactions with their target markets have been adversely impacted by inappropriately localised content.
The main repercussions of misinterpreted or mistranslated content appear to be:
inaccuracy and inconsistency in global communications
a global crisis communication
damage to global partnerships
damage to company image and reputation
delays in delivering the campaign/project
profit loss
The findings of this report show, when dealing with medical content, just how important it is to keep in mind not only that the message needs to be accurately translated, but also that it needs to be put into local context and in tune with the respective cultural nuances.
These results are not only of importance to the medical industry, but those working in translation and localisation will also find them valuable given that 73% of all respondents agreed that they have a need, within their company, for support from a Language Service Provider.
British and American senior medical executives admit to image and reputation being at risk because of misinterpreted cultural references or linguistic errors. Conversis
Accuracy and high-quality should be the most important decision factors when choosing your medical translations partner as there is no room for mistakes or ambiguities. Conversis
A podcast featuring our Director, Russell Goldsmith, talking with two judges of the Lions Health Awards, Zuleika Burnett, Executive Director for Creative and Innovation at Havas Life Medicom and Martin Hafley, Creative Director at DDB Remedy London, together with a past Bronze winner, Khalid Latiff, Associate Creative Director at Publicis Life Brands Resolute (PLBR), whose company also picked up a Silver and Bronze this year too. Conversis