[OSList] The five principles in Welsh?

[Jon Harvey]

HI Lisa and all

 

Just came across this in a book of funnies I have had for a while:

 

A chicken company's slogan "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken"
was translated into Spanish as "It takes a sexually stimulated man to make a
chicken affectionate". Billboards throughout Mexico were emblazoned with the
slogan along with a picture of the company's owner next to a chicken.

 

And this was before Google translate!

 

In another example:

 

The Dairy Association's slogan "Got milk?" was translated into Spanish as
"Are you lactating?"

 

And finally - it is not just Spanish of course:

 

Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an
American campaign "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux"

 

Have fun!

 

Atb

 

Jon 

 

 

 

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Heft
Sent: 10 July 2012 06:40
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] The five principles in Welsh?

 

Hi, Jon, Kirsty and others - 

 

My experience with the online translation software - for example in Spanish
- is that I have to go in there (if I am using something like Google
Translate) to select / correct / substitute words that may in fact be
choices for literal translations of words but are not correct or fluid for
communication.

 

For example I had a hilarious translation that translated something I was
saying about the fact that I was going to fly into an airport (in an
airplane) with the word 'fly' (the insect).

 

I have also have the experience of - even with someone who is fluent in a
language - if they do not have the depth and breadth of an expansive
vocabulary, they do not have the words to capture the nuance and meaning of
everything they are translating. They translate something literally. Which
does not translate something culturally or regionally.

 

So when I have looked for translations - I have sought out someone who is
very expressive and nuanced in their own home language - and we sit together
and talk about what these principles and law phrases really truly mean, in
the context of Open Space. And in the course of the conversation not only
are they asking and offering things that we can explore and clarify together
for the best choice of words - but they also become a passionate ambassador
for the Open Space event itself. And together we learn so much about
culture, context and communication.

 

I always say this - and in fact I have had this experience: If you cannot
find a professional translator or a person with an extensive vocabulary in
their home language (and ability to understand yours for that conversation)
- find.... a poet. Because their job is to swim around in language and
select words - not always the obvious words - for rich and complex
meaning-making.

 

Friends - what are your other experiences, especially if different than
mine?

 

Lisa

 

 

On Jul 9, 2012, at 5:35 AM, Jon Harvey wrote:





Hi Kisty

 

Google translate says:

 

Pwy bynnag ddaw yn y bobl iawn

Beth bynnag fydd yn digwydd yw'r unig beth a allai gael

Lle bynnag y mae'n digwydd yn y lle iawn

Pryd bynnag y bydd yn dechrau yn yr adeg iawn

Pan mae'n dros mae'n dros

 

Mae cyfraith dwy droedfedd / gyfraith symudedd

Byddwch yn barod i gael ei synnu

 

Given that Welsh is a pretty formulaic language (unlike English) - there is
a good chance this translation is reasonable.

 

Hope this helps

 

atb

 

Jon

 

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Kirsty Lothian
Sent: 05 July 2012 16:38
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: [OSList] The five principles in Welsh?

 

Hello OS List,

 

I think this is actually my first post, although I have been reading for few
years now! I am working with Improbable and Phelim McDermott on the Devoted
and Disgruntled open space Roadshow which we are on this summer. On Saturday
we will be doing our very first OS bilingual in Welsh and English. So...
Does anyone know the principles and laws in Welsh?

 

We are after the full complement:

 

Whoever comes are the right people

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have

Wherever it happens is the right place

Whenever it starts is the right time

When it's over it's over

 

The law of two feet/ law of mobility

Be prepared to be surprised

 

Many thanks for any help you can offer,

Thanks,

 

Kirsty

 

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