As Christmas approaches, I'd like you all to spare a thought for Jo, Tanabe's long-suffering Co-ordinator of International Relations. One of Jo's main tasks at work is to try and decipher the various texts that the tourist information board want translated into English. Most of these texts are presented to her in Babelfish-translated "English" that is actually harder to translate than the original Japanese. Her translation will then be submitted back to the tourist board, who will then mis-spell the first print-run of leaflets/booklets, until Jo explains to them how bad their mistakes are. For Christmas, Jo gets to explain what's wrong with this guide book:
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Quote of the Week:
Krazy Kaori: Steve! Steve! Steve! How are you?
Me: I'm good today, thanks. How are you?
KK: I ..... am ..... PRETTY! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
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My next post will be a festively-themed entry on how Japanese schools like to celebrate Christmas. Here is a taster image:
That is all.
You ought to explain to Jo that the only reason people pick up such guides is for the amusingly poor English. Besides, I think the main problem with that brochure is the picture: they should have shown off part of the "countryside" that wasn't flooded.
Kaori clearly one that confrontation. You'll have to sharpen your wits if you intend to defeat her.
I keep telling people that festive celebrations ought to involve hitting people with sticks. Around here, no one listens.
Posted by: Colin | December 23, 2005 at 02:02 PM