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Translation Difficulties
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:15 am
by 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.
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:48 am
by Dave (imported)
My hovercraft is full of eels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao
Monty Python's Dirty Phrasebook Sketch
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:36 pm
by C&TL2745 (imported)
Paolo wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:15 am
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
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 6:56 pm
by Losethem (imported)
Paolo wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2016 9:15 am
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
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:37 pm
by Dave (imported)
"My nipples explode in pleasure"
refer to my post above
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2016 5:15 am
by 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.
Re: Translation Difficulties
Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 9:06 am
by devi (imported)
C&TL2745 (imported) wrote: Mon Sep 19, 2016 5:36 pm
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".