auxadrets Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Over the years I've seen several amusing translations on English-version menus in foreign countries. Yesterday I had lunch in Avignon. The restaurant was offering a salad featuring 'Believed Ham'. Yes, that's right, 'Jambon Cru'!Anybody else seen any amusing mis-translations on menus?Angela (the 83 one) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Always thought crois was believe and cru was raw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Ah, ça m'a plu que t'as cru ça, Val! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo53 Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 Perhaps the proprietors used a translation agency that I've recently done some editing for. In one piece I worked on, which was a tourist brochure, 'le marche (as in market, please imagine acute accent - how DO you do them on this forum board?) sur l'eau' was translated as 'walking on the water':!! I kid you not. The scary thing is that many clients opt not to pay the extra to have the translation checked by a native speaker. I suppose that quite reasonably, they expect the translator to be competent.Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 And don't you just love online translators! Just when you think you've seen it all, they come up with another little surprise for you.A friend was looking for information on diving at the Cassis Calanques near Marseille, or, as the online translator said, "Plunge in the Blackcurrant Creeks"."Only one diving is organized the morning. It is about an exit reserved for the tested plungers."And my friend is a tested plunger, isn't that lucky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 One of my favourites is still 'posh egg on toast'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alane Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Our local Hotel used to offer an English translation of its menu. One of the offerings was "Grilled Sausage with a mustard sauce". In fact it wa Andouillette in a Mustard Sauce. I dread to think what the passing English tourist, expecting the equivalent of a breakfast sausage thought as he bit into the steaming delicacy......Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 That is a good one, I can just imagine as they cut into it and the smell as if it has been marinating in a septic tank floats out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Taylor Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Talking of septic tanks (don't we always?!)...Playing with a translator one day, put in "Do not put panty liners etc. in the lavatory, please place in the waste bin provided"... translated it to French then back into English (best way to test if it's OK - or not - but it's fun!) - came back as "Do not make passenger boats in the washbasin, square in the bread bin".Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Taylor Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 And I wonder if any Brits ever order the offering at a local restaurant: "Pigs feet in his own grease"... there were other gems too, will try to find the menu.Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayennaise Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Seen in the Maldives - Leeches in syrup - I think they meant Lychese (sp)and here in France - toasted egg ??? I'd like to see them try !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRT17 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 seen last month in France, on a campsite menu, Crudenesses of vegetables and Chicken's stomach!I tactfully offered to put their translations right for them and although they were a little embarrassed I think they were pleased.Gill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard-R Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 I've i long list of translation boo boos from our wanderings. A good one was 'Live Chicken in boiling water' at a restaurant in Toamasina/Tamatave in Madagascar. It was meant to be chicken stew, made with fresh chicken ( opp, the tin stuff which is 'FOUL').The best are always the clas'sic' Britist dishes.English Breakfast. Ground up bits of meat with chips and egg. MalawiFish and Chips. Frieid poatos and fish in soggy flower...Galle, Sri Lanka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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