Google Translate caught in Croatian-Serbian SNAFU

Google’s Translate service recently expanded to include languages such as Croatian or Serbian. However, it looks like the translating service either adopted a malicious translating contribution or something seriously went haywire…

When the subject of Serbia and Croatia arises, two countries have a long history – especially with nationalistic tendencies from both sides. Both countries were also caught in war in early 1990s, when Serbia attacked Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, all ending up with dissolution of Serbia-Montenegro alliance and ultimately, the independence of Kosovo – which used to be an integral part of Serbia.

Thus, we were unpleasantly surprised when one of our sources informed us that using Google Translate with words “ZAGREB” and “CROATIA” translate into “Beograd” and “Serbia” in both cyrilic and Latin alphabet. We checked ourselves and indeed, Google Translate is delivering the wrong results.

If you don’t use capitalized letters, you will receive normal results. However, turning the Caps Lock on will change the results, with Zagreb becoming Belgrade and Croatia becoming Serbia.

All in all, a sad way to spark a nationalism debate on the day when both countries celebrate Easter Monday.

Original Author: Theo Valich

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