If a dictionary was all that you needed
MOUSES nuts available today as spare parts
In Italian, to talk about the computer mouse, we use the English term “mouse” and not the Italian “topo” that only refers to the animal. On the other hand French, German and Spanish have translated the word into their language, and call it “souris”, “maus” and “raton” respectively. The personnel of the American IBM, in the translation of a handbook for its Italian branch, didn’t take into consideration the fact that in Italy we talk about “mouse” and not “topo”, and translated it too literally! Definitely!
The Italian text sounded like that :
“ the mouse’s nuts are available from today as spare parts. If your mouse doesn’t work properly or works jerkily, maybe it needs a spare nut. As the substitution of the nuts is a delicate operation, it is advisable to assign it to skilled personnel…”
This text is used here as a warning, since it effectively shows how the cost of getting it wrong can far outweigh the cost of getting it right!
Translating with CAT tools or the Dictionary as the only aids, without relying on the skills and experience of professional translators isn’t very wise: the translation could be a true disaster!