The Telephone Translation Game: An Illustration of Translation Challenges
January 2008
TLDR Translation can lead to misunderstandings in clinical research.
The article illustrated the challenges of translation in clinical research by simulating a "telephone" game with a hypothetical informed consent form related to an alopecia study. The text was translated through multiple languages and back to English, highlighting potential mistranslations. The study involved an experimental capsaicin patch, with concentrations 10 to 20 times higher than over-the-counter versions, to assess its safety and effectiveness in reversing alopecia. The original English text emphasized the uncertainty regarding the patch's efficacy and the permanence of any hair regrowth.