Be careful what you order
Having made more than my fair share of mistakes whilst speaking Spanish, I would also like to point out a few of the many mistakes I have seen in menus translated from Spanish to English, eg. Rape a al marinera translated as "Rape in the sailor's style", rape being Spanish for "monkfish". I've also seen un batido de fresas, a strawberry milkshake translated as "a beating of strawberries". It's so entertaining!
Sent by: Laura
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Your translation errors remind me of a sign I read in a hospital where I live in the US. I believe that someone had used internet translation or something, because the sign assuring that women in labor are guaranteed medical services regardless of ability to pay said: mujeres que están en partido laboral, women in the labor party. Apparently political party matters for medical treatment!
But a "beating of strawberries" is not only a literal translation, it is also such a poetic name for a milkshake !
When I was teaching English in Ecuador one of my students, who worked for an oil company, explained how after they have finished drilling for oil in a particular spot, they have to plug the hole with very thin lawyers (rather than layers). I had the giggles for the rest of the lesson and still chuckle when I think bout it now...
I think one of our main problem as English speakers is gender and how a simple change can mean a totally different meaning. Whilst in a restaurant in Spain I asked the waiter for 'polla ' (part of a male's anatomy instead of 'pollo ' chicken. I don't know who was most embarrassed!
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