• protist@mander.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    32
    ·
    edit-2
    10 months ago

    When meeting with each other, heads of state who speak different languages always have their own translators present

    While most of these leaders speak more than one language, many of them would not feel comfortable engaging in diplomacy or negotiations outside their native language

    • Chariotwheel@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      24
      ·
      10 months ago

      Yeah, e.g. Merkel and Putin. Both can speak German and Russian very well, but they still used translators for offical talks. Too much of a risk to use a phrase or word that means something in one language, but translated it can mean something else or have bad implications.

      On that level you don’t want an accidental misunderstanding.

      Not even talking about insults, world leaders cpuld identify that, but imagine accidentally promising or indicating something you didn’t want to.

    • Ethalis@jlai.lu
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      10 months ago

      Which makes sense, the other guy’s translator could bullshit you and you wouldn’t notice