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Mistranslations Around the World

One of the fun things about working in the translation business is you get to know what other industries are up to (since you translate into Spanish their legal documents for instance), but you also get to see lots of funny mistranslations. If you travel a lot you have probably seen some yourself. There are plenty out there so I’m going to start to share a few on a regular basis, here are this week’s funnies:

In a Nairobi restaurant: CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE, OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER.

On the main road to Mombasa, leaving Nairobi: TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE.

On a poster at Kencom: ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP.