“We Are All Trying Here”: Why Netflix's Translations May Fall Short
Psychology Today | 11.05.2026 23:16
I teach students that literal linguistic translations can sometimes be unsatisfactory. A popular example of this in psychology is how the English word “blue” is used to describe low mood (“I feel blue”). A dictionary translation of “blue” into other languages to convey sadness will likely result in confusion. Instead, linguistic translations that prioritize conceptual or functional equivalence are warranted.
