Translation Bloopers: The “Reset Button”

In early March 2009, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton gave a gift-wrapped plastic “reset button” (“let’s reset our relationship”) to her Russian counterpart,  Sergey Lavrov. Problem: her team chose the wrong word for the Russian term, writing “overcharged” instead (peregruzka). Advice: always have a qualified translator check work first, especially if you invite the media to your event.

Courtesy of the ATA Public Relations Committee