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Off topic: Why do labels often have such hilariously bad translations?
Thread poster: Claudia Vale
Gerry Vickers
Gerry Vickers  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:39
Member (2007)
Czech to English
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Czech/Slovak howlers Jul 31, 2007

The Czech and Slovak Republics are possibly two of the worst offenders in this respect in my experience.

The 'English' sections of city websites (even the larger cities, who should know better) are invariably awful and usually 'translated' by one of the banks of ex-aupairs believing themselves to be armed with all the necessary skills.

Just two examples spring to mind instantly - when you arrive in the Tatra mountains in Slovakia you are greeted by huge billboards every
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The Czech and Slovak Republics are possibly two of the worst offenders in this respect in my experience.

The 'English' sections of city websites (even the larger cities, who should know better) are invariably awful and usually 'translated' by one of the banks of ex-aupairs believing themselves to be armed with all the necessary skills.

Just two examples spring to mind instantly - when you arrive in the Tatra mountains in Slovakia you are greeted by huge billboards everywhere stating 'Welcome in the High Tatras!', which must have cost a considerable amount of money (and equally a considerable amount to put right).

Another one, which relates to the original topic, was on a bottle of liqueur that I found in a small provincial Czech supermarket which was part of a range - raspberry, orange, pear, blackcurrant - all well and good, until I reached 'Tonsils'.

Obviously intrigued at the thought of tonsil-flavoured liqueur I took a closer look and noticed that it was in fact, supposed to almond-flavoured, judging from the image that went with it.

In case anyone was wondering, the word for 'Tonsils' and 'Almonds' is the same in Czech (as in German, I believe).

I haven't seen this range since (it was about 15 years ago). I wonder why? I should have bought it just for curiosity value.
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Claudia Vale
Claudia Vale  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
French to English
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TOPIC STARTER
Mmm, tonsil-flavoured liqueur - yummy! Jul 31, 2007

Gerry Vickers wrote:


Another one, which relates to the original topic, was on a bottle of liqueur that I found in a small provincial Czech supermarket which was part of a range - raspberry, orange, pear, blackcurrant - all well and good, until I reached 'Tonsils'.

Obviously intrigued at the thought of tonsil-flavoured liqueur I took a closer look and noticed that it was in fact, supposed to almond-flavoured, judging from the image that went with it.

In case anyone was wondering, the word for 'Tonsils' and 'Almonds' is the same in Czech (as in German, I believe).

I haven't seen this range since (it was about 15 years ago). I wonder why? I should have bought it just for curiosity value.


It reminds me of the Belgian coffee brand "Minges", talking of things anatomical... ;o)


 
juvera
juvera  Identity Verified
Local time: 12:39
English to Hungarian
+ ...
Not so surprising Aug 7, 2007

[quote]Claudia Vale wrote:

Thomas Pfann wrote:
The text on those tags said "Remove this attachement". The German translation underneath statet "Dieses Zusatzgerät entfernen" ("Remove this add-on device").

Yes, you can just imagine it all going horribly wrong and people ending up with dismantled machine parts all over the place.


The reason why this kind of misunderstanding occurs, that the text is often given to the translator without any guidance or additional information. It is totally useless to ask, the answers are:
1. we don't have any information
2. other translators did not ask any questions
3. the product is not available yet, we haven't seen it either and don't know more about it
4. just get on with it, the deadline was yesterday etc.
5. you are asking for a picture of the autumn-coloured jewelled floral frosted dancing whistling tapering left handed three-spouted ceramic coffeepot made of stainless steel? The User Manual you are translating has the description, the assembly and operating instructions and the safety instructions in it! What do you want the picture for?


 
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Why do labels often have such hilariously bad translations?






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