Lost in translation

[menthe]

Anyone up for a laugh?

Had problems with phone line (la fixe) and went on the Orange site to test the line.  Internet and phone line apparently in order.  Unplugged  the Livebox a couple of times, no joy.  Was ages contacting someone who tried her best to fix the problems.

Eventually, she offered me a RdV on the phone tomorrow with one of their specialist advisers.  She asked would I be available "sur la plage" between 11 and 12 midday tomorrow.

The first bit was fine, but what is this about being on the beach?  Nevertheless, I said yes of course that will be perfect.  All sorts of thoughts went through my head.  Was she having me on, was she a scammer, did she not know I didn't live near the sea?

Thanks to wordreference, I now know that "sur la plage" simply means within the time period", so in this case, I can expect a phone call on my mobile between 11 and 12😄

Come on, someone, anyone, tell us your most recent misunderstanding and whether there were unespected consequences as a result?

[alittlebitfrench]

Years ago I once said at the family in laws breakfast table that I was ‘on my period’.

I got quickly corrected by OH. Lol.

I can’t remember what I said or what I was trying to say. But what I did say in perfect French (apparently) was that I was on my period. 

Edited December 12, 2023 by alittlebitfrench

[Lehaut]

Some years ago we looked after a friend's twin boys.  We had them play outside with our two children.  They kept us on our toes as they ran hither and thither, usually in opposite directions. After an exhausting couple of hours their mother came back and asked how we got on.

We thought we were complementing them when we said they were "spécial".  She was horrified by our remark as, unbeknownst to us, the French meaning to her meant they were not normal. 

I was already on a sticky wicket with her after I mentioned the back of her T-shirt bore the inscription CVN-69, the insignia of a US Navy aircraft carrier.  She took this as as a reference to her having a similar beam :).

[ssomon]

We usually listen to the traffic news when travelling on the Autoroutes.

A few years ago I often wondered why so many old soldiers were involved in accidents.

Eventually I realised the newsreader was referring to HGV's.

[betise]

4 hours ago, alittlebitfrench said:

Years ago I once said at the family in laws breakfast table that I was ‘on my period’.

I got quickly corrected by OH. Lol.

I can’t remember what I said or what I was trying to say. But what I did say in perfect French (apparently) was that I was on my period. 

J'ai mes règles?  Perhaps you were trying to say that you had your rules?

[menthe]

4 hours ago, alittlebitfrench said:

Years ago I once said at the family in laws breakfast table that I was ‘on my period’.

I got quickly corrected by OH. Lol.

I can’t remember what I said or what I was trying to say. But what I did say in perfect French (apparently) was that I was on my period. 

ALBF, I didn't take you for one of those trans or whatever the correct term is.  Nowadays I am nervous about addressing anybody with any reference whatsoever to their gender so Madame and Monsieur are out, just a bonjour or a tentative nod of the head.

I DON'T like this craziness and poor old OH is forever asking me questions like why do they call actresses actors these days and so on.  I am weary of answering these questions and I have to keep reminding myself he is not trying to be deliberately obtuse and that he was after all born in 1931!

[menthe]

4 hours ago, Lehaut said:

Some years ago we looked after a friend's twin boys.  We had them play outside with our two children.  They kept us on our toes as they ran hither and thither, usually in opposite directions. After an exhausting couple of hours their mother came back and asked how we got on.

We thought we were complementing them when we said they were "spécial".  She was horrified by our remark as, unbeknownst to us, the French meaning to her meant they were not normal. 

I was already on a sticky wicket with her after I mentioned the back of her T-shirt bore the inscription CVN-69, the insignia of a US Navy aircraft carrier.  She took this as as a reference to her having a similar beam :).

Lehaut, I learned about spécial very early on.  In those innocent days (er..I was the innocent ignoramus), I suspected that a neighbour, a burly retired farmer type, was knocking his wife about.

On my next visit to the doctor (same doctor as the neighbour's), I mentioned that I was worried about madame la voisine and that she was showing bruises and a broken wrist and was unable to provide a coherent reason for these injuries.  The doctor, obviously on her best professional manner, just said oh that family is very "speciale".  I was puzzled by the word but the context was unmistakable.  It is a noncommital and nice way of saying someone is odd even subnormal.

I have used the word myself a lot.  I was reporting a neighbour in our present village to the maire about his out of control dog, a boxer who attacked my husband.  Now I am very protective of my husband so I was a bit on my high horse.  I explained about the dog and then  I said en plus the man is très très special.  The maire agreed with that assessment and said he would speak to the dog owner.  Then I got worried about what other action he might take so I had to emphasise that I didn't want anything to happen to the dog just to get the owner to secure the dog well, especially when out walking with it.

Fortunately, the man who has caused other sorts of problems in the community has been rehoused, voluntarily or otherwise I don't know.

[alittlebitfrench]

5 hours ago, Lehaut said:

Some years ago we looked after a friend's twin boys.  We had them play outside with our two children.  They kept us on our toes as they ran hither and thither, usually in opposite directions. After an exhausting couple of hours their mother came back and asked how we got on.

We thought we were complementing them when we said they were "spécial".  She was horrified by our remark as, unbeknownst to us, the French meaning to her meant they were not normal. 

I was already on a sticky wicket with her after I mentioned the back of her T-shirt bore the inscription CVN-69, the insignia of a US Navy aircraft carrier.  She took this as as a reference to her having a similar beam :).

Hmmm…yes…

Saying some ones kids are ‘special’ is basically saying they are a ‘pain the arsé. Lol