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Linguistics Phonetics Linguistic Economics Culture

Lost in the Supermarket: Brand Name Linguistics

Estimated read time 6 min read

Why did the Chevy Nova supposedly fail in Spanish-speaking markets? This cautionary tale, though likely a myth, highlights the high-stakes world of global branding where linguistic blunders can be costly. We explore how phonetics, cultural connotations, and morphology can make or break a product’s name, turning it into either an international success or a cross-cultural joke.