Comments on: Lost In Translation Middle East Style

By: Karin Kloosterman

Karin Kloosterman — Fri, 31 May 2013 03:21:03 +0000

In reply to Colleen. I wonder what's in it? A good gift for enemies maybe?

By: Colleen

Colleen — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:23:55 +0000

I found some of that toothpaste once and it made a great gift too!

By: YourSister

YourSister — Sat, 04 May 2013 00:59:28 +0000

Let me contribute to your excellent findings with a couple of my own gems from my trip to China last year:
Airport sign: Exit to Flight Cancellations (= Departures)
Public bathroom sign: Toilet for the Weak (this was the only stall that had a bowl, the rest were squat toilets)

By: laurie

laurie — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:44:17 +0000

Maurice – makes perfect sense for the bigger knock-offs (like CRUST) – and some of the fast food joints spotted in smaller villages (like “Ken Tuckee’s Fried Chicken – still kicking myself for not having a camera handy!).

The designer undies though are a puzzle, and have prompted a sort of shopping Olympics among my friends who’ve so far found Calen Klvin, Cavan Klean, Calvan Keiln, and Clevin Klaan!

By: Brian Nitz

Brian Nitz — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:38:36 +0000

Excellent article Laurie! I love the idea that humor is the lubricant necessary to get us beyond these communication differences. I was chatting with an Irish fellow the other day about the fact that the US gov Mortgage bank is named Fannie Mae. And it turns out that a work history highlighting experience as an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) Specialist doesn’t help when applying to work at Irish banks. Multinationals have to consider everything from thumbs up and OK logos to what a Arabic phrase a Coca-Cola logo resembles when someone’s eyesight is #&*@ed and they squint at the backwards text. Chevy found out that their “Chevy Nova” didn’t sell well in Mexico because “Chevy No va” means Chevy doesn’t go.

I’d give this article the Facebook thumbs up, but in Iran and Iraq that gesture is considered beyond rude.

By: Maurice

Maurice — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:38:18 +0000

I don’t think some of these “typos” were accidental. Their use prevents being sued later on for copying brand names. Makes sense.

By: Catherine LJ

Catherine LJ — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:45:27 +0000

It usually bothers me to see typos, but, I think, now that I’m no longer there, I just miss them. I guess I just miss the Middle East that much…. 🙂