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Off topic: Mis-translations and cross-cultural howlers Thread poster: Dan_Brennan
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Dan_Brennan 
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Russian to English
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TOPIC STARTER | boy, it's a jungle out there | Dec 19, 2002 |
- linguists should be issued with crash helmets
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| What a drink! | Dec 31, 2002 |
I remember there was a kind of soft drink in Poland called \"Fart\". You know what it means in English, in Polish it\'s just...good luck.
But my native British friends had a laugh.
[ This Message was edited by:on2003-01-02 16:48]
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Jeremy Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Member (2003)
French to English
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| Another drink | Jan 2, 2003 |
In France, there is a fizzy lemon drink, called \"Pschitt\".
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Among the things my family was offered during thier recent visit to Germany were \"Kassel-first-tires\", \"corroded salmon\", \"chicken meat in dressing gown\" and \"passed through egg\"...
One menu was so funny we asked for a copy. Without telling them why, of course-- wouldn\'t want to deny others the pleasure....
Karintha
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Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Russian to English
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In memoriam | The Electrolux that Sucks | Jan 7, 2003 |
I sent a selection from this topic to a friend who posted it in another forum where he got a number of comments on it, including this:
Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.
From an English woman in the Home Counties: There used to be a poster for this right next to the Torpoint Ferry - someone wrote on it : \'I do - ring Julie on **** \'
... See more I sent a selection from this topic to a friend who posted it in another forum where he got a number of comments on it, including this:
Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.
From an English woman in the Home Counties: There used to be a poster for this right next to the Torpoint Ferry - someone wrote on it : \'I do - ring Julie on **** \'
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Dan_Brennan
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Russian to English
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TOPIC STARTER
Ah yes, Julie, otherwise known as the Folkestone carpet muncher. The electrolux is definitely cheaper though.
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| freshly coiffed cowboys? | Jan 8, 2003 |
Then there\'s the \"Ladies Hairdressing Saloon\" in St. Petersburg...
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| Deadly toothpaste | Jan 16, 2003 |
I have always thought it is just as well that the Spanish verb \"Colgar\" is irregular, otherwise that famous brand of toothpaste \"Colgate\" would read \"Hang yourself\" Not the best advice on a Monday morning
Cheers,
Berni
[ This Message was edited by:on2003-01-16 20:26]
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Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Russian to English
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In memoriam | Jif becomes Cif | Jan 16, 2003 |
A kitchen & bathroom cleaning fluid was marketed for many year in the UK as Jif - from \"Jiffy\", meaning a very short space of time, e.g. \"I\'ll be done in a jiffy\". Nothng wrong with that, but for Europe-wide marketing they thought they\'d change it to something more readily pronounceable in other languages, and came up with \"Cif\" - which in English is pronounced \"syph\" and sounds like an abbreviation for syphilis.
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| German toilet paper (again!) | Jan 21, 2003 |
What is it about German toilet paper? A popular brand has its name proudly emblazoned on every sheet - \"Big Willy\".
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schwensen (X)
Local time: 11:20
Spanish to Danish
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| Danish lifts | Jan 22, 2003 |
I\'ve been told this story many times but I don\'t know if it\'s really true... (I\'m quite possitive it is):
Many years ago the queen of England visited Copenhagen and during the preparations of the visit they covered all the pushbuttons in the lifts/elevators that she was going to use. The problem is that, in Danish, we say \"I FART\" for \"in use\" (I don\'t know the exact expression in English...). It could have been a good laugh if they hadn\'t covered those buttons! ... See more I\'ve been told this story many times but I don\'t know if it\'s really true... (I\'m quite possitive it is):
Many years ago the queen of England visited Copenhagen and during the preparations of the visit they covered all the pushbuttons in the lifts/elevators that she was going to use. The problem is that, in Danish, we say \"I FART\" for \"in use\" (I don\'t know the exact expression in English...). It could have been a good laugh if they hadn\'t covered those buttons! 
Anna ▲ Collapse
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a hairdresser in Wales called Herr Kutz, which made me smile.
Yesterday, I came across the best translation blooper ever: Knoblauchzehen translated as \"garlic toes\"
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Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:20
Russian to English
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In memoriam | Lunatic labelling | Jan 30, 2003 |
This originated in the French forum as a posting by Anneken under the topic \"Erreurs de traduction\". I thought it was worth translating (rather freely, particularly the comments) to post it here.
Some actual instructions found on labels of products on sale in shops:
On a Sears hair-dryer:
Do not use while you are asleep.
(Damn! That’s the only time I have to do my hair!)
On a packet of crisps:
You ... See more This originated in the French forum as a posting by Anneken under the topic \"Erreurs de traduction\". I thought it was worth translating (rather freely, particularly the comments) to post it here.
Some actual instructions found on labels of products on sale in shops:
On a Sears hair-dryer:
Do not use while you are asleep.
(Damn! That’s the only time I have to do my hair!)
On a packet of crisps:
You can win! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(Special competition for shoplifters)
On a bar of Dial soap:
How to use: use as ordinary soap.
(And how do you do that?)
On frozen kebabs:
Suggestion for preparation: Defrost.
(Well, it’s only a suggestion)
On the box of a shower cap provided by a hotel:
To be worn on the head.
(Oh, I was thinking of doing something else with it…)
Printed on a Tesco pack of Tiramisu:
Don’t turn the pack inside out.
(Too late, I’ve done it already!)
On a Marks & Spencers bread pudding:
This product will be hot when it has been reheated.
(Are you sure?)
On a Rowenta iron:
Do not iron clothes directly on the body.
(But it saves so much time!)
On a Boots bottle of children’s cough mixture:
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery.
(It would reduce the accident rate a lot if five-year-olds weren’t allowed to
drive cars or fork-lift trucks)
On a bottle of Nytol (sold to help you sleep):
Beware, may cause drowsiness.
(Really?)
On a Korean kitchen knife:
Beware, keep away from children.
(and from animals, you might injure them!)
On a string of Christmas lights made in China:
For interior or exterior use only.
(So, not underground or in outer space)
On a Japanese mixer:
Do not use for another use
Hmm, that’s got me guessing)
On a packet of peanuts from Sainsburys:
Beware, contains peanuts.
(no comment)
On an American Airlines packet of peanuts:
Instructions: open the packet, eat the peanuts.
(Just as well they tell you, I’d never have worked that out)
On a Swiss chainsaw:
Do not try to stop the chain with your hands or other organs
(As if I’d ever try to stop anything with my other organs!)
On a child’s Superman costume:
Wearing this costume does not enable you to fly.
(Shame to destroy a child’s dreams!)
On a toothbrush supplied by a dentist:
Use the side with the bristles.
(Yes, really!)
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[quote]
When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the beautiful baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what\'s inside, since most people can\'t read English.
Apparently an urban legend. http://www.snopes.com/business/market/babyfood.htm
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| Was it akin to Red Bull? | Jan 30, 2003 |
Quote:
On 2002-12-31 08:28, kterelak wrote:
I remember there was a kind of soft drink in Poland called \"Fart\". You know what it means in English, in Polish it\'s just...good luck.
But my native British friends had a laugh.
[ This Message was edited by n2003-01-02 16:48]
\"fart\" in Norwegian means \"speed\" - could w... See more Quote:
On 2002-12-31 08:28, kterelak wrote:
I remember there was a kind of soft drink in Poland called \"Fart\". You know what it means in English, in Polish it\'s just...good luck.
But my native British friends had a laugh.
[ This Message was edited byn2003-01-02 16:48]
\"fart\" in Norwegian means \"speed\" - could work! ▲ Collapse
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