September 30, 2013

Happy Translation Day


Happy Translation Day

In honor of International Translation Day (September 30), we demonstrate rather graphically the value of having a good, human translator.

First, an aside. Let it be know that the reason ITD is celebrated on this day is because it is the day, in 420 AD, when St. Jerome of Stridonium – the Patron Saint of Translators – passed on. You can read his story here. Now, back to our main item...

Below is a collection of hilarious mis-translations on signage, all of them having to do with Russian. Of course, it helps to have some Russian to understand what is wrong here, but not in call cases.  (Of course, if you don't understand the joke, just ask a translator!)

If you would like to view the original RuNet post where we saw these signs, just hop on over here.

Enjoy!

 

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Some of Our Books

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Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
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Some of Chekhov's most beloved stories, with English and accented Russian on facing pages throughout. 
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The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

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