Wobbly translations into English

[Ecker]

Following Bonney1990's load of old tripe. I thought I'd start a "My Favourite Bad Translations" thread.

I offer: "For that fashionable glimpse" instead of "look". I'm going to have to get meself a "fashionable glimpse"

 

[Gramaisc]

I once had to use a Sony half-inch reel-to-reel video recorder, in the early '70s, the warnings on the tape boxes included the immortal "Do not give to dust and do not wrinkle on it".

 

[Ecker]

I once had to use a Sony half-inch reel-to-reel video recorder, in the early '70s, the warnings on the tape boxes included he immortal "Do not give to dust and do not wrinkle on it".

http://retrothing.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/sonyvtr.jpg

Like it Gram!! Could have been better, could have been: "Do not edible small mollusc on it", to wrinkle - to cockle...lol

 

[That-Crazy-Rat-Lady]

I had a sewing machine from Dunelm and the instructions in that were hilarious and yet useless, I still havent figured out how to use it....

 

[Kickstart]

Hi

An Aprilia bike I owned had a section in the owners handbook telling you that on the version with a catalytic converter you must only use unloaded petrol

All the best

Keith

 

[The Stafford Beast]

These are all from my Network-Attached-Storage box control panel...

...but how close?

...what's occurin'?

...not even breathe?!

 

[Ecker]

Not exactly a wobbly translation but, a friend of mine worked for a company which made missiles for the Australian government. They were understandably more than a little concerned to read: "this missile will detonate 30 seconds after lunch".

 

[speak65]

On a trip to a butchers in Greece many years ago, I asked to purchase some chicken portions.
In my best Greek I asked for Kotopolou (chicken) vizi (breasts).
The butcher asked me to repeat and I did.
Then in the usually surly manner that is only endearing to Greeks, he turned his back and disapeared over to his mate.
A bit of discussion later and the pair of them returned to me.
Xana! - he says (Again!)
I repeated my request and was met with howls of laughter from the pair of them.
In perfect English he asked me where I had learned Greek. I told him it was initially a boyfriend, and then classroom lessons.
He nodded understandingly.
I had apparently been asking for chicken tits!
Hint for Greek holiday makers - ask for chicken chests !!!!

 

[Ecker]

This could run and run....love it!!

 

[Withnail]

I had apparently been asking for chicken tits!

Mmmm.... chicken tits...

 

[Gramaisc]

I had apparently been asking for chicken tits!

Mmmm.... chicken tits...
http://sarestaurantreview.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/homer.jpg

The strange thing is that a girl at one of my many schools was known as Chicken Tits for reasons that I just can't remember..

 

[Withnail]

I did not get a gift card at work and I adhere to when all the shops are open. I would like to surreptitiously extended lunchbreak in Eccleshall tomorrow's a good thing ... in this sort of thing dog feces. Nice Valentine's Day.

I have suggested to Admin that he leaves that one. I think it's fantastic.

Alternatively...

 

[Gramaisc]

I did not get a gift card at work and I adhere to when all the shops are open. I would like to surreptitiously extended lunchbreak in Eccleshall tomorrow's a good thing ... in this sort of thing dog feces. Nice Valentine's Day.

I have suggested to Admin that he leaves that one. I think it's fantastic.

Alternatively...

Yeah, but the bizarre thing is that it was English before he translated it into 'English', I just don't understand what that's all about..

 

[Withnail]

a)Well I haven't even got a card of(sic) a gift yet and I'm stuck at work when all the shops are open.
a2)I did not get a gift card at work and I adhere to when all the shops are open.

b)I think a sneaky extended lunchbreak in Eccleshall tomorrow to get something nice... I'm shit at this kinda thing though
b2)I would like to surreptitiously extended lunchbreak in Eccleshall tomorrow's a good thing ... in this sort of thing dog feces.

c)Stupid valentines day
c2)Nice Valentine's Day.

the bizarre thing is that it was English before he translated it into 'English', I just don't understand what that's all about..

'feces'(sic) in, 'feces'(sic) out.

 

[Withnail]

the bizarre thing is that it was English before he translated it into 'English', I just don't understand what that's all about..

'feces'(sic) in, 'feces'(sic) out.

As you allude to elsewhere, there must be an intermediate stage missing here (ie a translation of a translation)
vis. a) in -> a(t)) out
a(t)) back in -> a2) out

aka norm in, crap out - crap back in again, even crapper out.

 

[Gramaisc]

I've considered PMing him to ask him how he did it.