Lost in translation

When I was younger, I spent a couple of months travelling around Japan, and I remember a bowling alley in Kyoto had a sign which read, "Let's knock down all the pins and get hot communication!" I'm not sure what it meant, but I'm pretty sure the original meaning was lost in translation.

This week the Charles Fudgemuffin blog takes a look at more signs from around the world where the 'Engrish' version has been lost in translation.

1) Height discrimination

It seems a bit harsh to blame short people as their excuse for closing.

"Bah! Those pesky short people!"

"Sorry we are closed today due to short people."

2) Evil saloon

With some poorly translated signs you can kind of work out how the original language reads, but here's an example where I'm completely baffled as to what they were actually trying to say...

Any men who are looking for a wholesome saloon, I'm afraid you're going to have to look elsewhere.

3) Leave! Get out!

I understand what the message on this sign is saying, but they could certainly have worded it more politely.

"Get out of here!"
Also, referred to as an exit by more polite people.

Perhaps whoever made the sign was having a bad day.

4) Strange logic

Whoever translated this sign has apparently got the logic skills of pretty much every government scientist and official for the last few years.

"Please help us save water. Flush twice."

War is peace.
Freedom is slavery.
Save water by using more water!

5) Postal problems

Send witches? Where do you want me to send them?

Send witches.

If your sandwich floats, it's harmful to eat. If it sinks, it's healthy!

6) Exercise instructions

Finally, this sign found on a gym machine has to be one of the best examples of 'Engrish' ever...

"If you have good condition, there is accept tutor of professional coach."
Surely I would have thought that went without saying!

My favourites have to be:

* "Don't use machine to do some cannot achieve function."

And...

* "When exercise, appear swirl queasiness, bosom ache or discomfort feel, there is should stop practise, see a doctor to consultation at once."

Er, what!?

You can find movie related 'lost in translation' examples in my previous blog posts:
Lost in translation: Chinese movie titles
Lost in translation: Foreign movie titles