A Less than Lay-Friendly Translation: A Textual Analysis of Information Leaflets and Labels for Drug and Cosmeceuticals in Thailand

Abstract Information on drug use should be easily comprehensible and provide clear instructions without relying on expert advice. Drawing upon the concept of lay-friendly translation (Askehave and Zethsen 2002, 2014; Jensen 2013), this study examines the translated information leaflets and labels of drug-related and cosmeceutical products in Thailand to understand characteristics of supposedly reachable language use. The findings reveal both lay-friendly and non-lay-friendly features in the English-to-Thai translations. Indicative of the former is the use of general terms, explanation, glossing, rewriting/summarising, syntactical shift, and stylistic shift. Instances of the latter include the direct transfer of field-specific terms and the use of Thai medical vocabulary. The Thai-to-English translation tends to adhere to the original version, including textual organisation and compliance with Thai legislation, yet the cultural-specific items are omitted. The presence of both lay-friendly and non-lay-friendly elements in a single translation contributes to a ‘less than lay-friendly’ translation.