Translating restaurant menus is more complicated than you might think. In any country, you will always find dishes that cannot be translated literally. Therefore, it is necessary to use native experts who understand both cultures and know how to correctly reinterpret names and materials.
Not only is your restaurant's reputation at risk, but not using a native expert can lead to very embarrassing mistakes and even serious consequences in cases of allergies and the like.
Why do I need to translate my restaurant menu?
Imagine going to an Indian or Japanese restaurant and finding that the menu is not translated into your language. You may be confused about what to eat and want to move to another restaurant with a translated menu that you can understand.
The main reason for translating a restaurant menu is to make everyone who visits the establishment feel comfortable and understand what is on offer.
This is especially true for tourist destinations. There, restaurants need to identify the nationalities of their main customers and adapt their menu language accordingly. Or at least provide an international language version such as English.
Correct translation of menu cards is also very important to ensure that allergens are understood and clearly indicated. I have no intention of poisoning foreign tourists.
What skills do menu card translators need?
Gastronomy is closely related to the culture of a place, so menu translators must be familiar with the country's customs. For this reason, restaurant menu translations are usually carried out by native translators who live in the country and know both cultures thoroughly.
For example, if a Chinese restaurant in Denmark wants to translate its menu into Danish, it needs to hire a Chinese-born translator who lives in Denmark and is familiar with the gastronomy of both countries.
Some recipes, for example, vichyssoise, have become famous in many countries while retaining their original names. However, this is not always the case. There are many details that make a difference in menu translation that only a native person who knows the kitchen well and has experience in this field would know.
This is the only way to have a well-translated menu that your customers understand and trust. This is because errors can lead to serious problems, as explained below.
Translation errors and their consequences
Many people think that they can just use Google Translate to translate a restaurant menu and don't need a professional translator. It's also true that it's useful for some basic words like “bread,” “coffee,” and “beer.” However, for more complex dishes, the results from the tool may not be accurate.
for example:
Grilled fish (pescado a la plancha in Spanish) translated into Danish as iron fish Bonito pepper (a fish similar to the Spanish mackerel) is a beautiful Danish dish with pepper There are many other examples
Incorrectly translated menu cards can not only damage your restaurant's reputation, but also cause confusion and, as mentioned at the beginning, cause some people to even have allergic reactions to ingredients that should be avoided. .
Why is it important to translate and describe dishes on a restaurant menu?
Another recommendation when translating restaurant menu cards is to add a short description of how the dish is prepared next to the dish name. This way, even diners who are not familiar with local cuisine can easily understand what ingredients are in the dish and how it is prepared.
This is even more important in restaurants with extensive menus…burgers and hot dogs are the same everywhere in the world and need no further explanation.
How do I hire a professional translator for my restaurant menu?
You should look for a reliable and qualified professional who is a native speaker of the target language and has experience in gastronomy. Meeting these requirements is important for faithful and high-quality translation of your menu card.
You can start with the English version, which typically accommodates all international customers. If you need a wider selection of menus translated into other languages, you can use the services of another translator.
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Frequently asked questions about restaurant menu translation
Translating a restaurant menu depends on the quantity and complexity of the menu. It is best to send your document to the translator so that he or she can assess what you need and make a personal suggestion.
This depends on the nationality of the majority of your customers. Analyze your customer base and determine which languages are predominant. If you're not sure, you can always start with English.
As we saw above, literal translations of some dish names don't work. Professional translators know how to reinterpret the meaning of the target language so that the client fully understands it.
