Ridiculous History
History's Famous Mistranslations, Part Two: Life on Mars, the Cold War, and FARTFULL
Dec 5, 2024
Discover how mistranslations have sparked fascinating theories about life on Mars and shaped Cold War narratives. Laugh at marketing blunders like IKEA's 'Fartful' toy and missteps in car names that went hilariously wrong across cultures. Delve into the political repercussions of Khrushchev's words and the human tendency to see patterns, even in translation errors. From Pepsi's faux pas to the cultural impacts of linguistic miscommunication, this exploration shows just how vital context and accuracy can be.
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Quick takeaways
- Misinterpretations of the term 'canali' by an Italian astronomer led to widespread but unfounded theories of intelligent life on Mars.
- Translation inaccuracies during the Cold War, particularly in Khrushchev's speech, reflect how language can distort political intentions and meanings.
Deep dives
The Origin of a Famous Mistranslation
An Italian astronomer's misinterpretation sparked significant misconceptions about Mars. In 1877, Giovanni Virginio Sciaparelli noted light and dark areas on the planet's surface and used the term 'canali,' which means 'channels' in Italian. However, his peers translated this as 'canals,' implying artificial waterways and thus suggesting the existence of intelligent life on Mars. This mistranslation ignited a wave of speculation, inspiring notable figures like Percival Lowell to create maps and literature portraying Martians as advanced engineers.
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