Hatrack River Forum: Translation issues at work

This is topic Translation issues at work in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :

Okay, I was at work yesterday when something uncommonly amusing happened that I have to get off my chest here. Background: I work at a pharmacy.

An elderly man approached the counter at a time when we weren't especially busy and tried to ask me some questions about recommended over the counter medications. It soon became evident that he didn't speak a single word of English. I believe he was trying to speak Bosnian, which is in no way similar to Albanian, German or Spanish (which I know smatterings of), so we were having some trouble communicating. He was trying to read to me off a piece of paper, which I could not understand and he could not understand my replies, making it an ineffective tactic. Finally I took the paper from him so that I could figure out directly what he was trying to say. Upon reflection, it is clear that he had someone with a rudimentary understanding of English tell him what to say, and he wrote it out in phonetic Bosnian so that he could recite it to us. The first line was an attempt to communicate that his wife had something on her back (herpes?), and the second line stated that he was in a lot of pain. But when I initially glanced at it, this is what I saw.

The first thing I did, aside from trying to hold a straight face and not wet my pants, was to go in the back for a minute so that I could copy the paper. Is that wrong? I kind of feel bad for the guy. But what could I do? It was funny. Thought some people here might appreciate a bit of lowbrow humor. Bon appetit.

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

Oh, dear Lord that is funny! No wonder his wife has herpes on her back! [ROFL]

Did you ever figure out what he was trying to say?

Posted by Strider (Member # 1807) on :

Kayla, that was awesome.

Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :

It's funny, but I also feel really bad for them. How frustrating that must be. I hope they have a little kid who works really hard at school and comes back and buys your pharmacy some day. [Cry]

Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :

Well, as they were an elderly couple, I wonder if that is still possible. Then again, with his condition, you never know. [Wink]

Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :

Maybe his wife contracting herpes was the straw that pushed him over to the other side.

Did he wink at you when he said it?