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Bad English
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As more and more of the world translates their own language into English to accommodate international guests, travelers routinely come across bad grammar and butchered English that is often quite amusing.
I, for one, certainly appreciate the attempt at English, but will always chuckle inside when something is glaringly wrong.
Naturally, someone else has been as entertained as I, and has collected humorous examples from around the world and placed them in a book.
Lost in Translation: Misadventures in English Abroad by Charlie Croker looks to be one of those books you pick up when you're bored for a five-minute read and a quick laugh.
The Telegraph highlights some of the more amusing examples from the book -- although after reading the first few, it began to feel more like a forwarded email than an actual book. Nonetheless, here are a few to give you an idea of what to expect:
"The manager has personally passed all the water served here."
"Customers who find our waitresses rude ought to see the manager."
"You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursdays."
Get the idea? Funny, I suppose, in brief amounts, or when brain dead from jet lag.
Filed under: Books
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
blackcoffeenosugar Nov 1st 2006 7:54PM
"someone else has been as entertained as I"? It's obvious that the second "I" should be replaced with a "me". Another example of "bad English". :)
David Toryer Nov 1st 2006 7:06PM
If you're looking for another funny, linguistic read check out Adam Jacot de Boinod's "The Meaning of Tingo". Oh, and it is only $2.70 at amazon right now... I just bought 3 more for gifts...
http://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Tingo-Other-Extraordinary-Around/dp/1594200866/sr=8-2/qid=1162425869/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-1993782-2569648?ie=UTF8&s=books
echo Nov 1st 2006 9:07PM
hi, i am from China, we call this kind of English: chinglish, you will find Chinglish everywhere, especially on the menu of the restaurants. for example: Burned Chicken, eheh, can u undersatnd that? it is actually Barbeque Chicken.
well, sometimes, it is really hard to translate them into the right English.
Jane Nov 2nd 2006 5:18PM
Heh, quite funny! I think I'm gonna like this book. Where can I find it?
Neil Nov 2nd 2006 5:20PM
Amazon.co.uk should have a copy for sale
Melissa Nov 3rd 2006 12:19PM
Want to buy this book right now!:) So, where's the chapter from expats/English teachers living in South Korea? If there's not one, there should be - Konglish is HUGE here, and about as successful as Chinglish from Echo's post:) LOL
nen Nov 3rd 2006 11:41AM
"someone else has been as entertained as I"? It's obvious that the second "I" should be replaced with a "me". Another example of "bad English". :)
Um, no. It's correct the first way.
LG Nov 8th 2006 2:09PM
"I am doing good", now thats incorrect English, as well as plain old bad! (for those of you that don't know, it should be "I am doing well.")
Katy Nov 8th 2006 2:21PM
blackcoffeenosugar - nope! The grammar is correct, and your correction is wrong. The "I" at the end of the original sentence "someone else has been as entertained as I" is fine as is, because the implication is "someone else has been as entertained as I have." Replace it with a "me", and it makes no sense at all!
phyllis Nov 8th 2006 2:36PM
It is " has been entertained as I" because some of the statement is missing but understood ( an ellipsis) and when that is said then only "I " can make sense.... the waya to check for correctness then is to say " has been entertained as I...have been entertained" then one can hear and see that "me" would not be correct.
Julie Nov 8th 2006 2:25PM
the test :"someone else has been as entertained as I" (have been)
Grammar is SUPPOSED to be making a comeback - none too soon.
CuriousBystander Nov 8th 2006 2:37PM
blackcoffeenosugar: " 'someone else has been as entertained as I'? It's obvious that the second 'I' should be replaced with a "me". Another example of 'bad English'. :)
Actually, the "I" is correct as opposed to "me," though it is not generally used much anymore. (Kinda like the word "whom" LOL.)
Juan Nov 8th 2006 2:41PM
you don't have to go very far for some bad english; just read your boss' email on a daily basis for a quick laugh! Actually, anybody's email for that matter! Apparently grammar has no place in the electronic environment.
Wale Motajo Nov 8th 2006 3:02PM
Roadside sign by a florist in Lagos, Nigeria: "Order your wreath here"
Chas Nov 8th 2006 3:16PM
My favorite... a sign in an old hotel in Belmar NJ that said "In case of fire do not panic and use the fire escape". LOL
Tim Nov 8th 2006 3:36PM
"someone else has been as entertained as I"? It's obvious that the second "I" should be replaced with a "me". - blackcoffeenosuga
Uh no, blackcoffeenosuga, "I" is correct and the test of inserting (have been) after the pronoun "I" is also correct. Another example of the correct use of I and me would be:
"I opened my mouth and inserted me foot."
piratelover10 Nov 8th 2006 3:39PM
blackcoffeenosugar, it's obvious to see that you yourself exhibited an example of bad english during your little comment; LOL.
Pat Nov 8th 2006 3:44PM
Sorry #2, it's correct "someone else Has been as entertained as I". "I" is correct!!! If you finished the phrase, it would read "someone else has been as entertained as I was". Not "as me was".
You may need another course of "English/Grammar 101
Chris Nov 8th 2006 3:46PM
My personal favorite, from the breakfast menu at a restaurant in Costa Rica: "Eggs with Beacons"
Ted Nov 8th 2006 3:46PM
I was looking at a pirated Pink Floyd CD in a Hong Kong music store which had a song titled "Come Fartably Numb".