The negative effects can be many. The essence of certain presentations is not understood due to ambiguity or outright confusion, while potential clients wonder at the standards of the company if its presentation on the international scene is deemed substandard. Perhaps the most significant effect is that such presentations lead to the adoption of these poorly translated descriptions as legitimate terminology by others who are less proficient in English, thus further perpetuating ambiguity and confusion.

What happens then? The incorrect translations and terminology become widely accepted by a circle of individuals who become convinced that these things must be correct because they are in print. They are subsequently passed to colleagues who begin to use the material and the cycle goes on, until it is either rejected or criticised by an official international organisation, or ridiculed by a less diplomatic individual. The result is normally disbelief, injured pride and more confusion.