English Translations

Those who have travelled to the non-English speaking countries might have encountered some amusing English translations. There are some English translations Roger Axtell  has encountered while traveling round the world.

 In a Japanese hotelYou are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

In a Swiss hotelBecause of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

 In a Turkish hotelBecause of fallibility in our phone system, for room services step outside your door and shoot “ROOM SERVICE”.

In a Bucharest hotel lobby – The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

In a Bucharest hotel elevatorTo move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If cabin should enter more persons, each one should a number of wishing floor. Driving is then going alphabetically by national order.

 In a Japanese hotel (instruction for using the room air conditioner) – Coolers and Heaters : If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.

From the Soviet WeeklyThere will be a Moscow Exhibition of Arts by 15,000 Soviet painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.

 On the menu of a Polish hotelSalad a firm’s own make; limpid red beet soup with cheesy dumplings in the form of a finger; roasted duck let loose, beef rashers beaten up in the country people’s fashion.

 From a brochure of a car rental firm in TokyoWhen passenger of foot have in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage then tootle him with vigor.

According to a professor at the University of Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico, a 1993 Spanish version of the Arizona driver’s license manual contained these statements :

  • Drivers must attend the funeral wakes of children.
  • Drivers who have donated their eyes, hearts and other organs may ask to have their organs returned to them at any time.
  • Drivers must ensure that infants are constructed to certain specifications.

 Source :  “Do’s and Taboos of Using English Around the World” by Roger E. Axtell. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 

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