Tag Archives: language

I think; therefore, I am a waffle

The following are winners in a New York Magazine contest in which contestants were asked to take a well-known expression in a foreign language, change a single letter, and provide a definition for the new expression. HARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? – Can you drive a French motorcycle? EX POST FUCTO – Lost in the mail IDIOS AMIGOS… Read More »

US$600 billion “Ben-anza”?

I hate it when newspapers try to be witty and play a pun on names that fall flat on their face. This headline appeared in today’s edition of The Standard (screen capture from the online version). Why can’t they write something like “Fed commits US$600 billion”, which is straightforward and doesn’t make one cringe. Related… Read More »

I’m fine…

话说某中国留学生出了车祸 奄奄一息躺在草地上 然后来了个警察 问道:“how are you?” 然后留学生说了句:“I’m fine thx。。。” 然后警察叔叔走了 留学生就挂了。。。。

Accidental English

如果一個中國學生在美國目睹了一起交通事故,警察來了以後問你知不知道事情的經過,應該怎麼說? 答: One car come, one car go, two car pengpeng, one car die. Related stuff: Learn English in five minutes

I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice

这篇文章应该是照着英文原稿直译的,第一段读起来有点不顺。因此,从事翻译工作的(无论是中译英或英译忠),不能只是根据字面的意思去做翻译,更要考虑整体句子的结构和读起来是否通顺。我猜测英文原稿可能是这样的句子: “For many year, Americans have been advised to reduce their salt consumption, but many do not take this seriously.” 如果要翻译,我觉得应该这样处理: “多年来,很多美国人对于减少摄入钠的建议根本不以为然。”