 Convention, Translation & Conference Interpretation Humor |
| A selection of translation jokes compiled from various websites; sent in by translators, interpreters, and clients; and heard at conventions, airports, and other places where overworked, jetlagged people gather: |
| A true story: |
| When my oldest daughter was small, I would often take her with me to the hotels where we were setting up for a convention. I would let her sit in the interpreter's booth, and show her what I would be doing the next day to earn money for her. When she started kindergarten and the teacher asked the class what their parents did for a living, my daughter raised her hand and said: "My mom goes to hotels, talks to men, and they give her money." Submitted by Sonia Barinas |
A Dutch tourist driving through northern Spain loses his way and approaches two policemen for directions:
"Do you speak English?"
¿Qué?
"Parlez-vous français?"
¿Qué?
"Sprechen Sie Deutsch?"
¿Qué?
Finally, the tourist gives up and drives away. One of the policemen turns to the other and says: "Those Dutch are really something, look at all the languages they speak. It makes me feel like learning a foreign language."
"What for?" his partner answers. "That guy speaks all those languages and what good does it do him? |
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| Translators know that the briefer the phrase, the harder it is to translate. Others think that anyone can translate a simple sign. Here are some signs reportedly seen around the world: |
| Cocktail lounge, Norway: |
| LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR. |
| Instructions for using a hotel air conditioner, Japan: |
| IF YOU WANT TO BE COOL IN YOUR ROOM, PLEASE CONTROL YOURSELF. |
| Men's rest room in Japan: |
| TO STOP LEAK TURN COCK TO THE RIGHT |
| Hotel room notice, Thailand: |
| WE WILL EXECUTE YOUR SOLICITORS WITH PLEASURE |
| Hotel lobby, Bucharest: |
| THE LIFT IS BEING REPAIRED FOR THE NEXT DAY. DURING THAT TIME WE REGRET THAT YOU WILL BE UNBEARABLE. |
| Hotel, Japan: |
| YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAIDS. THEY ARE HERE TO SERVICE YOU. |
| Hotel catering to skiers, Austria: |
| NOT TO PERAMBULATE THE CORRIDORS IN THE HOURS OF REPOSE IN THE BOOTS OF ASCENSION. |
| Air courier office, Copenhagen: |
| WE TAKE YOUR PACKAGES AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS. |
| On the front desk of a hotel, Colombia: |
| WE TAKE YOUR PACKAGES AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS. |
| On the front desk of a hotel, Colombia: |
| WE TAKE YOUR PACKAGES AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS. |
| On the front desk of a hotel, Colombia: |
| IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST VISIT TO OUR COUNTRY, YOU ARE WELCOME TO IT. |
| Please send us your favorite joke or story to humor@barinas.com and we will add it to our list. |
