The Impact of Translation Errors on International Relations: An Analysis of Historical Diplomatic Events

Abstract

International relations rely on a communication mode that surpasses geographical and cultural barriers. Translation works as a fundamental means in international diplomacy as it bridges the gap between actors in international relations. Translating political communications has been a challenging process for the translator, as varied linguistic, cultural, and ideological norms may lead to distortions in the original intent. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a period known for lasting global political tensions due to world wars, colonization and decolonization, and the Cold War, diplomatic communications were understood and interpreted in ways that shaped the entire international relations system. Hence, the study is aimed at examining the role of translation errors in shaping international relations with regard to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The study follows a qualitative content analysis and case study approach to investigate the phenomenon and examines three selected historical events in the said time period, namely, the Potsdam Declaration, which is known as the “Mokusatsu” incident, United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, and the Treaty of Waitangi. The findings of the study elaborate that translation errors result not only from the incompetence of the translator but also from the ambiguity of lexical units, differences in cultural connotations, diverse language conventions in different linguistic communities, and political context. Thus, the study suggests several measures to be taken by future translators to mitigate such translation errors, including paraphrasing, borrowing, explanations, and imitation, as history witnesses severe incidents in global politics due to mistrust and misguidance caused by meaning distortions.