Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: Translation Tragedies

 Translation Tragedies
Funny stuff, Peltio, but sobering to think that if I saw a similar list of
mistranslations in Italian, I might not be able to detect some of the double
meanings. Do you have a similar list in Italian?
Ciao,
Ron
USA

 the dictionary.  Maybe it's a British term.
On Peltio's behalf, let me suggest that it's a typographical error and should be
read as "smoke."
Ciao,
Ron
USA

cheers,
Peltio
Translation Tragedies
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Some amusing incidents of bad translations from around the world
In a Nairobi restaurant
- Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager.
In a Westland's jewellery store
- Ears pierced while you wait.
In the window of an Indian store along River Road
- Why go elsewhere to be cheated when you can come here?
On the grounds of a private school
- No trespassing without permission.
On an Athi River highway
- Take notice - when this sign is under water, this road is impassable
On a poster at Kencom
- Are you an adult that cannot read? If so, we can help.
In a City restaurant
- Open seven days a week and weekends.
In one the Mathare buildings
- Mental health prevention centre.
A sign seen on an automatic hand dryer
- Do not activate with wet hands.
In a Pumwani maternity ward
- No children allowed.
In a cemetery
- Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own
graves.
Sign in Japanese public bath
- Foreign guests are requested not to pull cock in tub.
Sign in men's rest room in Japan
- To stop leak turn cock to the right.
Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations
- Guests are requested not to smike or do other disgusting behaviours in
bed.
And another...
- Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not person to do
such a thing is please not to read notice.
On the menu of a Swiss restaurant
- Our wines leave you nothing to hope for.
In a Tokyo bar
- Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.
In a Bankok temple
- It is forbidden to enter a woman even a foreigner if dressed as a man.
Hotel room notice, Chiang-Mai, Thailand
- Please do not bring solicitors into your room
Hotel lobby, Bucharest
- The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret
that you will be unbearable.
Hotel, Yugoslavia
- The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.
In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery
- Your are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet
composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday.
Hotel catering to skiers, Austria
- Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of
ascension.
Taken from a menu, Poland
- Roasted duck let loose; Beef rashers beaten up in the country people's
fashion.
From the "Soviet Weekly"
- There will be a Moscow exhibition of arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic
painters and sculptors executed over the past two years.
In an East African newspaper
- A new swimming pool is rapidly taking shape since the contractors have
thrown in the bulk of their workers.
Hotel, Vienna
- In case of fire, do your utmost to alarm the hotel porter.
Hotel, Zurich
- Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in
the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.
An advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist
- Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.
In the window on a Swedish furrier
- Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
Detour sign in Kyushu, Japan
- Stop. Drive sideways.
On the door of a Moscow hotel room
- If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.
Information booklet about using a hotel air conditioner, Japan
- Coolies and heates - If you want just condition of warm air in room
please control yourself.
Car rental brochure, Tokyo
- When passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him
melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage tootle him
with vigour.
Two signs from a Mallorcan shop entrance
- English well talking
- Here speechng American

 meanings. Do you have a similar list in Italian?
I'm afraid not.
Chiefly because Italian isn't as spread as English as an universal
language.
Perhaps some other Realmer...
ciao,
Peltio

bed.
peltio, what's "smike"?  Was it supposed to be smile?  I can't find smike in
the dictionary.  Maybe it's a British term.
ciao
Arianna
PS my favorite ones are the maternity ward and the ladies with nuts (I think we
have a few of those here)

 Some amusing incidents of bad translations from around the world
[....]
Dear Peltio,
Daily dose of humour having been received, we may now continue with our
mundane, chores.
With thanks for the comic relief,
--
I remain, as always,
Bambi
dtb

 an universal
Er... a universal


Since your English is superb, Peltio, I understand why you want to be so picky.
Chiefly because this oversight isn't as _widespread_ among native speakers as
among others.
Ciao,
Ron
USA



Certainly...
C'e ne sono molto pesche nelle fiume? I remember asking that one early
on. I still have trouble with furry fishes. ;-) Or confusing fumatori
with smoking.
I still remember a Japanese t-shirt that I should've bought just for the
English alone -
"She ran through forest frightened, happy, smiling."  I'm still trying
to work that one out... and I may have made it more sensible in my
memery as far as the grammar goes.
cheers,
Loki
-- 
lo...@REMOVE-ASGARDclear.net.nz

 have a few of those here)
Actually, I was trying to recover the ones you sent to this NG last year
[*].
I'm doing this in order to put them in the "Have fun, will learn' part of
The Realm Wenbsite (which BTW is still frozen - due to my laziness).
[*] Somehow I developed a rare form of allergy to Dejanew...
saluti,
Peltio

as _widespread_ among native speakers as
Thanks, Ron.
Corrections are _always_ welcome.
Hey! I'm talking to you all !!!
saluti,
Peltio

 memery as far as the grammar goes.
Let's ask Gennaro. Perhaps he has it among the others.
: )
Well, as for the Italian sentences I remember this onethat is allegedly
bawled by barkers at Fairs and Circuses
"Avanti, signore e signori, avanti...
Piů gente entra piů bestie si vedono..."
saluti,
Peltio

 Hey! I'm talking to you all !!!
Dear Peltio,
You talkin' to me? (cfr. Taxi Driver. Sal will correct me if I am wrong I
have no doubt)
Understood however.


 Piů gente entra piů bestie si vedono..."
:-)))
 
cheers,
Loki
-- 
lo...@REMOVE-ASGARDclear.net.nz