Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site qubix.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!decwrl!qubix!lab From: lab@qubix.UUCP Newsgroups: net.jokes Subject: Direct Translations Message-ID: <336@qubix.UUCP> Date: Tue, 21-Jun-83 14:56:52 EDT Article-I.D.: qubix.336 Posted: Tue Jun 21 14:56:52 1983 Date-Received: Wed, 22-Jun-83 07:36:54 EDT Organization: Qubix Graphic Systems, Saratoga, CA Lines: 26 I'm sure you have heard of the computer translating "Mary suspended for youthful prank" from English to Russian and back to English, getting "Mary hung for juvenile deliquency." (If you haven't, you have now.) (Yes, I know correct English would use "hanged.") But perhaps more amusing are the more-or-less direct translations of foreign phrases into English. Foreign hotels are the best places to find them, but occasionally they are delivered to your doorstep, as these were with a foreign-made laser printer: "It becomes the cause of trouble that form is an unacceptable take-out." (i.e., problems if the paper doesn't eject smoothly from the machine) "Do not pull out as the drum is hurt" (attached to the drum itself, which will be damaged if you pull it out) "If do not use this equipment of long time or in maintaining, turn this switch off." (Obvious but awkward) "Shake lightly the casette back and forth." (And throw some hay to the cow over the fence.) There's gotta be some better ones out there.