Miss Vietnam’s answer mistranslated during Top 5 Q&A
MANILA, Philippines — Did the mistranslation of Miss Universe Vietnam H'Hen Nie's response during the pageant’s question and answer segment cost her the Top 3 spot?
Many online seem to think so after finding out about the boo-boo.
In the semifinal round, Miss Vietnam was asked: “The #MeToo movement has sparked a global conversation. In response, some have said the world has become too politically correct? Do you think the #MeToo movement has gone too far?”
The interpreter translated H’Hen’s answer as: “I don’t think that it has gone too far. Protecting women and women’s right are the right things to do. Women need protections and rights.”
FULL TEXT: Miss Universe 2018 Q&A with top 5, final 3
A Twitter user named Audrey, who described herself as a “Vietnamese native speaker,” was quick to point out the mistakes in translation.
She said Miss Vietnam’s answer should have been translated as: “Protecting women’s well-being/health and protecting women from sexual abuse is the right that every women need. Every one of us needs to be protected and we need freedom. Thank you.”
I’m a Vietnamese native speaker and this is Miss Vietnam’s fully translated and accurate answer: “Protecting women’s well-being/health and protecting women from sexual abuse is the right that every women need. Everyone of us needs to be protected and we need freedom. Thank you.” pic.twitter.com/6B40EqCCmv
— Audrey (@aintyourputa) December 17, 2018
Audrey said that the interpreter “completely missed out the part that includes ‘well-being/health,’ ‘sexual abuse’ and ‘freedom,’ which are the main three keywords of her answer and ultimately made it less in-depth than the original one.”
She added in the thread that as a member of the Rade ethnic group, H’Hen’s first language is not even Vietnamese but she managed to “deliver a strong, concise intro in English.” The Rade speak the Austronesian language linking them to the Malay and Indonesian people. The Vietnamese language, on the other hand, is Austroasiatic.
READ: Miss USA apologizes for 'racist' comments vs Vietnam, Cambodia
Thu Huong Nguyen, editor of Vietnam online news site VnExpress and a Vietnamese native speaker, told Philstar.com that the translator of H’Hen was “not good in this situation.”
“There were two problems. At first, she didn’t translate the phrase ‘In response, some have said that the world has become too politically correct.’ Second, the answer of Miss Vietnam was cut off. Even though many Vietnamese also H’Hen Niê do not blame the translator,” the editor said.
After finding out about the translation mishap, many online voiced their worry that it could’ve been a factor in her failing to advance to the Top 3 of the competition.
Vietnam was robbed!!! With the only one rocking a short cut...that alone should have put her right in the winner's circle! She is STUNNING!
— Margaret L (@llws88) December 17, 2018
My heart broke when she didnt make it to Top 3. She was my favorite apart from my country’s representative. Such a strong and inspirational woman ????
— ??’s Macy ???????? (@chittaprawn1) December 17, 2018
Damn. Im from philippines but with that answer she could’ve won
— Me, Myself & I ?????????????????? (@BlllllllllTCH) December 17, 2018
I'm a native speaker too and tbh Vietnamese can be quite a hard language to translate but as an international contest, this is so unprofessional... I'm glad she's getting the recognition she deserves :) #MissUniverse
— 4 in milions (????) (@here_unchanging) December 17, 2018
Damn. I’m from the Philippines and I’m extremely proud of our 4th Miss U crown, but this answer takes the ultimate cake. Should’ve been part of the top 3
— Julianna Btgli (@btgli) December 17, 2018
But many still praised H’Hen for her strong performance in the pageant. The Vietnamese beauty’s Cinderella story also captivated the hearts of Filipinos.
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