Sunday, May 14, 2006

Translating Idioms

Actually he is a good interpreter. We have a challenge though, I have to
speak slow enough that the Koreans that attend can understand the English.
(many of them are just learning) I have to speak fast enough that I keep
them awake. The interpreter has to transfer the idioms I use to something
similar in Tagalog. I was warning recently about the dangers of basing
your life on just the outward appearances and joked that some may have an
hour glass figure, but as time passes the sand runs to the bottom! I
heard him interpret “Hour glass figure” to “Coca Cola bottle” a common
term used here to describe a shapely woman and I wondered how this phrase
was going to turn out! I guess you could say that the fizz may go out or
cola gets flat….

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