Quote Originally Posted by alboy View Post
Unfortunately, the Chinese seem totally against employing a fluent or native language speak to proof read and check their sites, I think they just do not want to pay for it. Even some of the larger Chinese companies don't mind using 'Chinglish'. I have a friend who works for a Chinese company and I offered to proof read and correct for them. Offer was never taken up. They can be a strange nation indeed. They seem to think that if they have an employee that says they can speak English they would rather have them do the translating (or google translate) as opposed to paying for a proper translator proof reader. It would seem they think that a professionally translated site would put us off. Or perhaps if things were translated properly they wouldn't be able to use the 'language' excuse for when you try a warranty claim..... :-)
I think they are just sensible when it comes to business. The main selling point at the bottom end of the market (where we shop) is price. Regardless of language barriers, most people would take a punt and buy the item they want if it is at the right price or make a concerted effort to understand what is poorly translated. Why spend money on translation and have to bump up prices to still make a reasonable profit margin for a market doesn't really look beyond purchase costs?