board77

The Last Homely Site on the Web

Lost In Translation II

Post Reply   Page 1 of 2  [ 37 posts ]
Jump to page 1 2 »
Author Message
Lidless
Post subject: Lost In Translation II
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 9:10 pm
Als u het leven te ernstig neemt, mist u de betekenis.
Offline
 
Posts: 8261
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 8:21 pm
Location: London
 
In Taiwan, the translation of the Pepsi slogan Come alive with the Pepsi Generation came out in Chinese as Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the grave.

When Parker Pen marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to say It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you. However, the company mistakenly thought the Spanish word embarazar meant embarrass. Instead the ads said It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.

Frank Perdue's slogan It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken sounds much more interesting in Spanish. A photo of Perdue with one of his chickens appeared on billboards all over Mexico with a caption that explained: It takes a hard man to make a chicken aroused or It takes a sexually stimulated man to make a chicken affectionate.

Coors translated its slogan, Turn it loose, into Spanish, where it was read as Suffer from diarrhea.

Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.

When Braniff translated a slogan touting its upholstery, Fly in leather, it came out in Spanish as Fly naked.

The Microsoft ad slogan, as translated into Japanese: If you don't know where you want to go, we'll make sure you get taken.

Clairol introduced the Mist Stick, a curling iron, into German only to find out that Mist is slang for manure. Not too many people had use for the Manure Stick. This is the reason why Rolls Royce decided not to call one of its models the Silver Mist - for fear of lost sales in the German-speaking world.

When Chevrolet developed the Chevy Nova, they decided to market it heavily in Mexico, where the name translates as doesn't go. The car was later renamed Caribe.

Ford had a similar problem in Brazil when the Pinto flopped. The company found out that Pinto was Brazilian slang for tiny male genitals. Ford pried all the nameplates off and substituted Corcel, which means horse.

The name Coca-Cola in China was first rendered as something that when pronounced sounded like Coca-Cola: Ke-kou-ke-la. Unfortunately, the Coke company did not discover until after thousands of signs had been printed that the characters used meant bite the wax tadpole or female horse stuffed with wax, depending on the dialect. Coke then researched 40,000 Chinese characters and found a close phonetic equivalent, Ko-kou-ko-le, which can be loosely translated as happiness in the mouth.

The Kentucky Fried Chicken slogan finger-lickin' good came out in KFC’s first Chinese campaign as eat your fingers off.

An American tee-shirt maker in Miami printed shirts for the Spanish market, promoting the Pope's visit. Instead of the desired I saw the Pope! (el Papa) Thousands of shirts proudly proclaimed in Spanish I saw the Potato! (la Papa).

Hunt-Wesson introduced its Big John products in French Canada as Gros Jos before finding out that the phrase, in slang, means big breasts. But in this case, the name problem did not seem to have a negative effect on sales.

Colgate introduced a toothpaste in France called Cue, the name of a notorious porn magazine. Sex sells, but that might have been going a bit too far.

In Italy, a campaign for Schweppes Tonic Water translated the name into Schweppes Toilet Water.

When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the beautiful baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since many people can't read English.

_________________

[ img ]


Top
Profile Quote
yovargas
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 9:14 pm
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 14774
Joined: Thu 24 Feb , 2005 12:11 pm
 
Quote:
When Parker Pen marketed a ballpoint pen in Mexico, its ads were supposed to say It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you. However, the company mistakenly thought the Spanish word embarazar meant embarrass. Instead the ads said It won’t leak in your pocket and make you pregnant.
Stupid embarazar! I can't tell you how many times I've made that mistake!! :D


Top
Profile Quote
Lidless
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 9:16 pm
Als u het leven te ernstig neemt, mist u de betekenis.
Offline
 
Posts: 8261
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 8:21 pm
Location: London
 
I'm guessing that's one word you don't use often.

_________________

[ img ]


Top
Profile Quote
Sunsilver
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 9:37 pm
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 2666
Joined: Mon 24 Jan , 2005 12:43 pm
Location: Gone to the dogs!
 
Many moons ago, I used to do temporary secretarial work for Kelly Girl. Because I was fairly fluent in French, and knew how to type on a French keyboard, I and another employee were sent on an assignment to a toy company that was just about to launch its first branch in Canada.

First, of course, they had to comply with Canada's bilingual packaging regulations. We were given the job of translating the labels into French.

I had one year of university-level French, as well as the standard Ontario French curriculum under my belt. She was a bit more fluent, having lived in Quebec. We both made more than our share of blunders, but the one I will always remember was when she labelled a toy G.I. commando belt (complete with canteen, plasitic grenade and plastic bayonette) 'un enciente de geurre.' 'Enciente' means 'pregnant'. What she MEANT to say was 'ceinture de geurre' (war belt).

Yeah, I'll bet there are some French Canadians somewhere that are STILL laughing at our mistranslations!! :damnfunny:

Oh, here's one from a list of French mistranslations that I saw published in the Canadian issue of Reader's Digest. "Gentle cycle" on a wash machine was translated as "Gentil bicyclette" (nice bicycle) !

_________________

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose[/size]


Top
Profile Quote
yovargas
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:03 pm
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 14774
Joined: Thu 24 Feb , 2005 12:11 pm
 
Lidless wrote:
I'm guessing that's one word you don't use often.
Oh, no, it's plenty common. The two words sound so damn much alike! Even my mother who speaks Spanish exclusively when she can and speaks rough English makes the mistake all the time.


"You shouldn't do that, Marvin. It empregnates me."

Uhhh. :uhoh:


:D


Top
Profile Quote
gimli_axe_wielder
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:08 pm
The easily amuse-OH SHINY!
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 3120
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 6:09 pm
Location: So Cal er... Cave systems..
 
Your name is Marvin? Why didn't I know that?

_________________

Things and stuff.


Top
Profile Quote
Lidless
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:28 pm
Als u het leven te ernstig neemt, mist u de betekenis.
Offline
 
Posts: 8261
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 8:21 pm
Location: London
 
I bet you're feeling a bit pregnant now, Gimli.

_________________

[ img ]


Top
Profile Quote
gimli_axe_wielder
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:35 pm
The easily amuse-OH SHINY!
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 3120
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 6:09 pm
Location: So Cal er... Cave systems..
 
I walked riiiiiight into that didn't I .... :damnfunny:

_________________

Things and stuff.


Top
Profile Quote
Lidless
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:37 pm
Als u het leven te ernstig neemt, mist u de betekenis.
Offline
 
Posts: 8261
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 8:21 pm
Location: London
 
Si.

You didn't just open the door for me. You kinda kicked it down.

_________________

[ img ]


Top
Profile Quote
gimli_axe_wielder
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:52 pm
The easily amuse-OH SHINY!
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 3120
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 6:09 pm
Location: So Cal er... Cave systems..
 
As long as it wasn't the closet door.. Hobbit would be PISSED!

_________________

Things and stuff.


Top
Profile Quote
TheMary
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 10:54 pm
I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map, And knew that somehow I could find my way back; Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too - So I stayed in the darkness with you
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 7067
Joined: Mon 27 Jun , 2005 3:44 pm
Location: On my tush!
 
yovargas wrote:
Lidless wrote:
I'm guessing that's one word you don't use often.
Oh, no, it's plenty common. The two words sound so damn much alike! Even my mother who speaks Spanish exclusively when she can and speaks rough English makes the mistake all the time.


"You shouldn't do that, Marvin. It empregnates me."

Uhhh. :uhoh:


:D
:damnfunny: I had no idea Yov!!!

_________________

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping


Top
Profile Quote
yovargas
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 11:03 pm
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 14774
Joined: Thu 24 Feb , 2005 12:11 pm
 
PS - The real Spanish word for 'embarass' is 'berguenza', which neither looks nor sounds anything like the English word.


pps - it's keeps catching me off guard seeing those guys kissing in your sig. But in a good way! :D


Top
Profile Quote
Berhael
Post subject:
Posted: Tue 18 Jul , 2006 11:16 pm
Milk and kisses
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 4417
Joined: Wed 27 Oct , 2004 11:03 am
Location: lost in translation
 
A classic one is the Mitsubishi Pajero. Pajero means "wanker" in Spanish. I still giggle when I see one. :D

_________________


"The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born [...] Your life, as you know it... is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk... and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life."


Top
Profile Quote
Lord_Morningstar
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 1:52 am
Offline
 
Posts: 2420
Joined: Thu 03 Mar , 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Queensland, Australia
 
Quote:
When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the beautiful baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since many people can't read English.
I believe that this one is an urban legend. I'll have to look it up.

The others are hilarious, though.

_________________

[Space for Rent]


Top
Profile Quote
TheMary
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 1:56 am
I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map, And knew that somehow I could find my way back; Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too - So I stayed in the darkness with you
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 7067
Joined: Mon 27 Jun , 2005 3:44 pm
Location: On my tush!
 
Yov wrote:
pps - it's keeps catching me off guard seeing those guys kissing in your sig. But in a good way!
I was worried it would offend but since you keep bringing it up in a positive context it prompts me to leave it up for your viewing pleasure :D

_________________

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping


Top
Profile Quote
BrianIsSmilingAtYou
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 2:03 am
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 1225
Joined: Wed 21 Sep , 2005 2:38 am
Location: Philadelphia
 
Studio Ghibli in Japan made a film where the title was inspired by Gulliver's Travels' Laputians, called "Laputa: Castle in the Sky".

When the movie was being prepared for international distribution, they learned that "La Puta" meant "the whore" in Spanish, and that part of the name was dropped.

I wonder if Swift had chosen the name deliberately when writing Gulliver?

BrianIs :) AtYou

PS

Of course, the Japanese romanji version of the name avoided the issue, since L's are replaced by R's:

Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta

_________________

[ img ]

My niece, Humera, under a pumpkin leaf!


Top
Profile Quote
yovargas
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 2:07 am
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 14774
Joined: Thu 24 Feb , 2005 12:11 pm
 
TheMary wrote:
Yov wrote:
pps - it's keeps catching me off guard seeing those guys kissing in your sig. But in a good way!
I was worried it would offend but since you keep bringing it up in a positive context it prompts me to leave it up for your viewing pleasure :D
Well, I wasn't gonna say anything but, though I love the picture, the text on the poster does leave me rather :neutral:. If I were truly offended, I woulda said something but still...


Top
Profile Quote
TheMary
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 2:14 am
I took the stars from my eyes, and then I made a map, And knew that somehow I could find my way back; Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too - So I stayed in the darkness with you
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 7067
Joined: Mon 27 Jun , 2005 3:44 pm
Location: On my tush!
 
Doh, I had you in mind when I hesitated. It was all in good fun :( I hope you know I'm probably the least homophobic person you'll ever meet, I guess I just have a sick sense of humor.

_________________

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping


Top
Profile Quote
Lord_Morningstar
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 2:14 am
Offline
 
Posts: 2420
Joined: Thu 03 Mar , 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Queensland, Australia
 
Lord_Morningstar wrote:
Quote:
When Gerber started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as in the US, with the beautiful baby on the label. Later they learned that in Africa, companies routinely put pictures on the label of what's inside, since many people can't read English.
I believe that this one is an urban legend. I'll have to look it up.
http://www.snopes.com/business/market/babyfood.asp

And my own contribution -

May I take your order?

_________________

[Space for Rent]


Top
Profile Quote
Nienor SharkAttack
Post subject:
Posted: Wed 19 Jul , 2006 8:22 pm
User avatar
Offline
 
Posts: 1858
Joined: Thu 28 Oct , 2004 2:34 pm
Location: Norway
 
Soon after the car model Honda Fitta was launched in Scandinavia with the slogan

Honda Fitta is small on the outside - but big when you come in.

it was renamed to Honda Jazz.

Fitta is slang for 'the vagina'.

:D

A somewhat similiar mistake was made by a jeans company. The model 'Fit Slick' sounds strangely like 'Fitte Slikk' to many Norwegian ears (especially to those belonging to journalists in tabloid newspapers...) - meaning 'Vagina Lick'.

ToE, anyone? :blackeye:

_________________

[ img ]


Top
Profile Quote
Display: Sort by: Direction:
Post Reply   Page 1 of 2  [ 37 posts ]
Return to “The Turf” | Jump to page 1 2 »
Jump to: