Newsletter

Untranslatable words and Humorous signs: A Thanksgiving gift

Our newsletter last month illustrated how simple words such as “reuse” or “recycle” cannot be translated directly in some languages because translations depend on how the words are used in context. This month we wanted to illustrate words in other languages that simply have no direct translations in English, regardless of context. If you try AI or… Continue reading

Drinking, Pigs, Water and the No-Fun Zone – It’s Friday Funnies

November is here; the month of thanks and friendship and family gatherings. In many parts of the country, we rise to frosty mornings and sometimes a dusting of fresh snow. The days have gotten shorter and the evening darkness arrives sooner. The longer evenings provide the perfect setting to celebrate: King Tut Day Clean Your… Continue reading

Bloopers, and why easy translations are not so easy

In general, simple words are simple to translate. Except when they aren’t. And AI programs usually make no distinctions and cause errors. For example, consider the sentence, “I felt welcomed by the warmth of the happy people.” Is the “I” speaker a male or female? The word “welcomed” changes endings in many languages, depending on… Continue reading

Ghosts and Goblins and Confusing Signs – it’s Friday Funnies

The days are getting shorter and the fall breeze is cool. Hillsides are ablaze with colorful leaves. October is here and the delightful spookiness of Halloween is fast approaching. October is dominated by All Hallow's Eve but it's also a month filled with many celebratory days such as:National Cheese Curd DayInternational Day for FailureBe Bald… Continue reading

AI and Blooper Double Meanings: See what can go wrong

Every language has expressions. And AI captures most, but not all of them. For example: “J’ai la pêche” in French literally means “I have the peach.” But it can also mean “I feel good” which AI versions don’t provide. In English, “I feel like a spring chicken” means that I’m feeling young and vibrant. But put… Continue reading

Satanic Bike Handling and Head Banging – Friday Funnies have Arrived!

September is here and children have returned to school inspiring many parents to hum to the tune of the song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". September is a contradictory month; warm summer days followed by cool fall nights. It's the month when both Be Late for Something Day and Fight Procrastination Day… Continue reading

Lounge, You Weak, Rice-Flour Noodle; Don’t Potato Romp or You’ll Vomit – It’s Friday Funnies!

August is named for Augustus Caesar, the first Emperor of Rome and the grandnephew of Julius Caesar - the Roman statesman. August is one of only two months named after leaders of the ancient Roman world. July (named for Julius Caesar) is the other. Like the Eternal City of Rome, the month of August is… Continue reading

Global Tips and Airport Bloopers

As was presented last month, our August newsletter explores some new concepts to help your global expansion. International Marketing According to our recent Global Gurus podcast with Ricardo Franco, in Mexico, marketing should be oriented to the well-being of the family, not just the individual. An example is large employers that provide grocery store discount… Continue reading

“Deciding” OPI, Brazil and Cars: Translation issues you never thought of.

“I’m on the fence about coming to your party.” A very simple sentence to translate, right? Not exactly. To be “on the fence” is an English expression meaning “to be undecided” about something. And if you put the sentence into Google Translate and then put those translations back into English to see whether they are… Continue reading