Thursday, April 21

Google Translator, Dove 6?

I've always gotten a big kick out of playing, 'spot the translation goofs' on restaurant menus wherever I've traveled.  And while I'm always impressed with the ways in which the locals try to cater to their clients (unlike in the USA where you're simply left to fend for yourself - although people will speak louder & louder until you pretend to understand), it always amazes me that no one ever bothered to pick up a dictionary and just look things up.  So, you find yummy things like a 'sformato' - a sort of no-crust quichette made out of God's finest ingredients - called a 'malformed' of eggplant.  There are so many, it just tickles me pink.
In fact, the website Engrish.com , collecting these in Asia is a humongous success.
But, here we are, in the days of google and we still can't get a good translation out there?  Or, perhaps it's because of google...who's to say?  But, my favorite is still the lovely & dignified 'Buon Appetito' well wishes before each meal...On placemats across the country, you'll find written there, Good Appetite!  rather than what should most likely be, Enjoy your meal!  It's so prevalent, that visitors wouldn't be faulted for thinking that it's some sort of monition in case you were thinking of only ordering a primo of pasta and a side dish, rather than the 3-course full monty...
If you enlarge the above ad, you'll see that Pasqualino al Colosseo is a 'Typical Roman Trattoria with accurate service'.  This of course, signifies that your wine is poured into the glass without ending up on your lap. (translation: servizio accurato)


Feel free to post some of your favorite findings as well!


I might add that the afore-mentioned ristorante is one in which I was served the pigs truffles -vs- the real fine Umbrian variety...but the cost was as if it was the real McCoy...

2 comments:

Dave514 said...

In anticipation of Easter Sunday

Christ is Risen!

May the Lord's Peace and Love descend on you and your hound and may you have a very Happy Easter!

Davide

Irreverent Italy said...

Grazie, Davide! Buona Pasqua from all of us here in Monteleone...Thank you also for your Auguri for little Trevorello of course - who is resting in peace here under a group of olive trees...