Translation Difficulties

[Paolo]

The French phrase "Se taper le cul par terre" means "to laugh uproariously".

According to Google Translate, though, it means "Banging ass on the floor".

There is literally no end to the disasters that could arise from this misunderstanding.

[Dave (imported)]

My hovercraft is full of eels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao

Monty Python's Dirty Phrasebook Sketch

[C&TL2745 (imported)]

The French phrase "Se taper le cul par terre" means "to laugh uproariously".

According to Google Translate, though, it means "Banging ass on the floor".

There is literally no end to the disasters that could arise from this misunderstanding.

Actually, that's not all that far from "laughing my ass off." It seems that every language has colorful idioms that don't translate well, and you don't even have to switch languages to get in trouble. In some Spanish cultures, "chiches" can mean trinkets, small toys, or knickknacks. In other places it means tits. Beware how you use Google translations.

Sandi

[Losethem (imported)]

The French phrase "Se taper le cul par terre" means "to laugh uproariously".

According to Google Translate, though, it means "Banging ass on the floor".

There is literally no end to the disasters that could arise from this misunderstanding.

Do you remember a few decades back when President Carter visited Poland and he said he was happy to be in Poland, but the translator misunderstood him and gave the translation that he wanted to touch Poland's private parts?

Are you running into that sort of thing?

--LT

[Dave (imported)]

"My nipples explode in pleasure"

refer to my post above

[Arab Nights (imported)]

It is not just words, but guestures also. You know when you touch thumb and index finger together to sign that everything is OK. In Venezuela that means you are a body oriface. And not just any old body oriface.

[devi (imported)]

Actually, that's not all that far from "laughing my ass off." It seems that every language has colorful idioms that don't translate well, and you don't even have to switch languages to get in trouble. In some Spanish cultures, "chiches" can mean trinkets, small toys, or knickknacks. In other places it means tits. Beware how you use Google translations.

Sandi

Wow. I had only ever heard "chinches" as tits. Btw "le cul" = "la cula" & "terre" = "la tierra".