so if the English text isn't well done, it screws up the final target language too. Same in this context, I suppose...

Yes. Viki has structures in place to minimize that, with extra editors for English, and making absolutely sure the English translation is fine before allowing the other language teams to start. It's still not always perfect, and the problem remains that English is too simple for a lot of the nuances, and the more steps you add the more potential for error.

Ah, well. I tell myself that nobody needs those other languages anyway - certainly not German - so I don't bother getting annoyed over it. ;)