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Wednesday 5 October 2011

Translators' gaffes No. 1: Come to Cannobio - where the wildlife is

Sixteen degrees at 8am. They tell me these beautiful, sunny, dry Indian summer days are just about over, and autumn is waiting at the turn of the week. 

I idly picked up a Cannobio accommodation brochure the other day, and my editor's eyes alighted on this particular description: 

“...The flats are all endowed with equipped kitchen, autonomous heating, ample private balcony or terrace, sat-TV, parking, pier and boas...”

Perhaps visitors might be more than a little wary of this residenza, what with the heating with a mind of its own and something squirmy waiting at the pier...



6 comments:

Michelle said...

Squirmies at the pier are definitely something to see! But the heating might be complicated to negociate with. ^^

Karin said...

That's funny! Are those perhaps feather boas? Such difference a little 't' makes! Maybe we have autonomous heating too; it didn't turn on last night, even though it dipped to below 40. We were snug and warm under the winter covers nevertheless! Time to haul out the fleece wear!

Louise | Italy said...

Looking at the other languages in the leaflet, I think they actually mean buoys...!

V. said...

Yikes!

Ilse said...

You have the makings of a new career there! And while you're at it, correct the English of the very funny public notices on the Italian Riviera side as well.

Anonymous said...

LOL - that is hilarious!

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Translators' gaffes No. 1: Come to Cannobio - where the wildlife is

Sixteen degrees at 8am. They tell me these beautiful, sunny, dry Indian summer days are just about over, and autumn is waiting at the turn of the week. 

I idly picked up a Cannobio accommodation brochure the other day, and my editor's eyes alighted on this particular description: 

“...The flats are all endowed with equipped kitchen, autonomous heating, ample private balcony or terrace, sat-TV, parking, pier and boas...”

Perhaps visitors might be more than a little wary of this residenza, what with the heating with a mind of its own and something squirmy waiting at the pier...



6 comments:

Michelle said...

Squirmies at the pier are definitely something to see! But the heating might be complicated to negociate with. ^^

Karin said...

That's funny! Are those perhaps feather boas? Such difference a little 't' makes! Maybe we have autonomous heating too; it didn't turn on last night, even though it dipped to below 40. We were snug and warm under the winter covers nevertheless! Time to haul out the fleece wear!

Louise | Italy said...

Looking at the other languages in the leaflet, I think they actually mean buoys...!

V. said...

Yikes!

Ilse said...

You have the makings of a new career there! And while you're at it, correct the English of the very funny public notices on the Italian Riviera side as well.

Anonymous said...

LOL - that is hilarious!