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Confirming meaning

'Do not cancel' is not 'cancel': checking negatives and conditions in translation

Make the intended action and its conditions explicit, especially when changing an existing booking or correcting a detail.

01

Check that the negative survived recognition

'Do not cancel the booking' and 'Cancel the booking' request opposite actions. Before changing an arrangement, check that the recognized source text includes words such as 'not,' 'don't' or 'not yet.' Then check the translation. Do not act on a transcript that contains only the second half of the sentence.

If it is wrong, repeat a complete short sentence, such as 'Please keep the original booking.' A positive formulation can clarify that request, but it cannot replace every negative: 'I do not agree' should not be softened into a vague positive statement.

02

Connect the condition to the action

'If the time cannot be changed for free, do not change it' contains both a price condition and an instruction to keep the original arrangement. Split it into 'Please check whether changing the time is free' and 'If there is a charge, keep the original time. Do not change it.'

Do not omit the condition and leave only 'Change the time.' When an alternative is offered, explicitly say whether you accept it. Asking about price or availability is not final authorization.

03

Withdraw the wrong detail before giving the correction

If you say the wrong time, avoid giving two times followed only by 'No.' Try 'The two o'clock time I just mentioned is wrong. The correct time is three in the afternoon. Everything else stays the same.'

If the other person has already heard the translated audio, explain that the previous sentence needs correcting, then give the complete replacement. Adding only one isolated word can leave them assembling the wrong meaning.

04

Confirm the result rather than asking only 'Understood?'

Ask 'So the original booking is still in place and has not been cancelled, correct?' or 'You now have three in the afternoon recorded, correct?' Questions about a concrete state are more useful than a general 'Do you understand?'

Get written confirmation for important arrangements. Both translation and back-translation can be wrong. If a condition remains unclear, pause the change until it is understood; fluent audio does not establish agreement.

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