I think I could start each and every one of my posts the same way. It’s been a hectic week!
Unspeakable loads of work and in order to keep my reading updated I set CPE’s blog page as the first site to enter once I hit internet Explorer. Good idea, huh?
This is why I’ve been reading the posts, I haven’t posted any comments because I’m very shy … and saw Denis’s about funny Spanish accent and I was inspired to write about translation.
I’ve been working with translations for quite a while and to me it’s a fascinating topic! I have learned huge amounts of words because I had to read about topics ranging from accounting to pineapple cultivation. Probably the vocabulary related to the textile sector or machinery won’t be very useful for the CPE but I had fun uncovering these areas.
Translation is also a very interesting topic specially to prove to students that English is actually a different language and you cannot translate word by word without taking into consideration the context, the structure of the language and, of course, the whole meaning!
I don’t really know who told me or sent me something about ChinEnglish, maybe it was one of those emails we usually receive with “It’s really funny” in the subject. The fact is: ChinEnglish is the best example for bad translation and incredibly good to definitely reassure my confidence, there are people with a far far far worse English than me! And they translate official signs!
I took some examples for our amusement!
This is exactly what is on our mind while we are slipping, isn’t it?
Ok, the “no smoking” is perfect, even though I can’t imagine why there are so many symbols only to state that smoking is not allowed.
I think speaking cell phones are creepy and should be absolutely forbidden not only when there’s a heavy rain!
Question: is it all right to litter in another direction?
Very difficult! How am I supposed to put a filthy tower into a basket?
If you wish to LOL big time check also
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oberst_family/2866549357/in/set-72157607355806445/
http://www.micktravels.com/china/signs.html
http://www.actagena.org/pictures/China/Chinenglish/index.html
See you on Friday!
Elisangela Manzano
CPE evenings
Eli,
ReplyDeleteThat was a great post and sorry it took me this long to put it up here.
I have to admit I'm a bit afraid of my cell phone now. I kind of think it's going to stand up and talk to me now all the time, and I don't want to be alone with it in a room! :)
xxx
H.