It goes without saying that there are words which sometimes do not translate into English, I know I found this when I first lived in Spain. Naively, at the beginning I thought that all words can be translated but that isn't always the case. The classic example of this in the McCann case is the Portuguese word arguido. There is no equivalent word in English for this entity since such a designation does not exist in the United Kingdom.
The question raised in this thread simply is, can a mistranslated word make such a difference? My own experience is that it certainy can.
I dont know if a single word can make that much difference to any meaning in translation unless its ablatant and dramatic error stuck in somewhere. The arguido status isnt a very good example as to all intents and purposes it does mean suspect, way i understand it anyway
The problem here is that some have said a whole sentence with definitive and indisputable words and syntax / context have been tried to be passed off as "mistranslations"....when it is so obvious it was taking he mickey in tryng to do so
One example is from Gerrys first statement here he says he entered via the front door on his 9pm or so check (as it was locked) with his key (as opposed to his second statement when he said he entered via the back door)
Some have tried to say this was a mistranslation,when its impossible it could have been
One excuse being well, they may have got the front and back and or side as its been called door, mixed up, when, no, there is only ONE door you enter with a key and thats the front door
