Rachel Reviews: Lost in Translation - Misadventures in English Abroad by Charlie Croker
Charlie Croker's book gathers together a strangely curious collection of translated snippets from people's travels abroad
Communication is key, they say, and never has this been more plainly shown than in Charlie Croker's collection of weird translations, gathered together by him, having been corralled in his direction by the intrepid explorers who made these linguistic discoveries on their individual travels. Here, it is clear that translating correctly is a tricky business indeed.
There are a variety of different sources for the mistranslations contained in this book from signage at tourist spots to menu items, to airport directions and airplane brochures and I have to say that at times, it makes for amusing reading. It's also a little uncomfortable too, or at least it was for me, as I felt like I was making fun of my neighbours behind their back, even when they've proved to be good-natured and well meaning. However, that being said, I did manage to get over that and chuckled my way heartily through most of the book, even occasionally laughing out loud.
This is a dipper, designed to tickle. Split into different sections, with witty titles to give you an idea of what is contained therein, like Plane Speaking or Eating your Words or Driven to Distraction (I'm sure that you don't need me to explain these), we are treated to such delights of misinterpretation as:
On a hotel television set, Belgrade, Serbia:
If set breaks, inform manager. Do not interfere with yourself.
A strange prospect indeed and I'm not sure how the two are linked.
And:
Leipzig, Germany:
Ladies, please rinse out your teapots standing upside down in sink. In no event should hot bottoms be placed on counter.
I mean, we all stand upside down in the sink to rinse teapots, don't we? I don't know another way. And that line about hot bottoms? Heaven forbid! My hot bottom will definitely not stray to a countertop!
And so, the book progresses, taking examples, innocently translated and hilariously interpreted.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book but if I'm honest, some of it was less funny and more baffling in its content and towards the end, I was starting to feel a little tired of the whole thing but it did provide me with amusement and for that, it deserves praise. I'm not sure I'd read another although I am sure that the world is brimming over with more of the same but for a light-hearted read with wit, it was good.
It was certainly a lesson in how you may know a different language but the question it asks is can you actually say you are fluent?
Rachel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Rachel Deeming and writers in BookClub and other communities.
Rachel Reviews: Of Lions and Unicorns by Michael Morpurgo
I do like Michael Morpurgo or what I've read of him. His books are what I would call good stories: they're accessible to all; they deal very much with people, mainly children but not always, and what they find important; they have a rural feel, a love of the country which is almost romantic in parts that appeals to me; the link between man and animal features a lot and I like the connection that he makes between us and the things with which we share this earth.
By Rachel Deeming9 months ago in BookClub
Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I flipped the book over in my hands in the centre of the small airport book shop. Although I had heard promising reviews of Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I hesitated. The synopsis didn’t compel me - I wasn’t much of a space girly. In high school it made me cringe when my peers would talk about the stars.
By sleepy drafts16 days ago in BookClub
Out Of The Doll's House
This is such an interesting book! I’m fascinated by history but when it’s connected with women’s progress in history — I literally couldn’t put the book down. It isn’t just about the Suffragettes but goes from the Victorian Era right up to the 1980s, when the book was first published.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff4 days ago in BookClub
The Cave Part 6
If you have ever heard a tale about yourself that you cannot remember and doubtless think is made up, you will know how I felt when Tharkin related all that the eagle had seen of me before my memories were scattered. Of far distances and traveling companions that I did not recall, camping out under the stars and making our way to the mountains with deliberate purpose. The great bird had lost contact with my party once we entered the forests, and the seven other members were not seen again by him or his brethren since.
By Jamye Sharp4 days ago in Chapters
Comments (8)
I've never had a hot bottom--or a cool one for that matter. I've always been a nerd.
Yeah, I tend to have mixed feelings about these kind of collections. Often they come with a bit too much smug giggling at Johnny Foreigner, which isn't a good look. Plus, since I do a fair bit of translation, I get frustrated by people who think Google is good enough and don't bother to check with someone who speaks the target language. That said, I'm not so big and mature that I didn't snigger when I saw "Ice cream in the ass" on a desert menu. It might have saved your teapot from its hot bottom, if nothing else.
Thanks for the Book review… sounds like too much of a ‘good’ thing! You probably would have enjoyed it twice as much if it was half as long. When my South Sudanese ‘sister’ apologises for her ‘poor’ English, I remind her that while she speaks 5 languages, I only speak one.🥹
🤣 Love stuff that gets lost in translation. A quagmire, a mine field, and a gold mine all at once. In Poland I once saw a sign that said Slave Beater in Polish above the Food Processors. Parallel dimension stuff.
I’m not sure standing in a sink is ever a good idea, upside down or otherwise! Sometimes translation is not the issue at all. Somewhere we have a collection of howlers taken from US church bulletins and small businesses: diners, hotels , laundry-mats etc. great review, Rachel!
I come across these funny translations all the time in my travels but never thought of putting them into a book. Glad someone did and you reviewed it, Rachel, although I can to tally see how it can be tiring toward the end.
Metaphors sounding upside down crazy...now i want to check it out. Still, you gave it a four despite the iffy-ness. So it can't be all bad.
Hahahahahahahaha upside down! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I would definitely enjoy this book but I also know that I'd get bored of it after sometime. Maybe I gotta only read one section per week/month to ensure I don't get bored, lol