Comments on: Pack-saddles to listen

By: mike

mike — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:08:08 +0000

I wonder if writers ever use computer translation software to generate intentionally "off" text or dialogue?

I've always been tempted to try it out to create song lyrics - start with something pedestrian and turn it into something that is warped but could be mistaken for poetic and metaphorical.

By: LHOOQtius ov Borg

LHOOQtius ov Borg — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:56:29 +0000

Scott: The directions on your watch were actually translated by professional Japanese psyops agents who are trying to slowly drive all English speakers insane by thwarting any and all attempts to get our various imported devices to properly function. Once this goal is achieved, then we will be easily rounded up and reprogrammed to work in the giant robot factories. Hopefully this will occur in time to build enough giant robots that they can thwart the alien armada bent on destroying earth.

Babelfish is but a pale imitation of the fine craftsmanship that goes into the instructions for imported electronics and appliances.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:19:54 +0000

I recently bought a watch that came with directions that were apparently translated to English by Babelfish. I still don’t know how the watch works, but have gotten much enjoyment from reading the instructions out loud at parties.

By: Hugo Fuchs

Hugo Fuchs — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:31:47 +0000

It is a direct word translator. It unfortunately doesn't grasp synonyms nor slang. On top of that, it does not adjust for grammatical structure differences. Some languages are better than others, some are so vastly different, that your brain starts trying to beat it's way out of your skull in an attempt to escape. Asian languages in relation to european languages.

Occasionally, I can tell when there is a mistranslation, then have to search for the various meanings a certain line of context can have. Then again, you get the same academically. Beowulf, for instance or Perhaps the Interlinear translation of the Gallic Wars from Cambridge Press. Either way, you can usually look and say, but not only is word X a synonym for the word they used in the translation, it also is close to the word that is on the page. I often wonder why there aren't MORE wars just due to bad translations.

By: Sidney/SydrycalWorks

Sidney/SydrycalWorks — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:33:23 +0000

Stelios, Thanks for the luca. link. That was great. We Americans are much too quick to criticize when we need to spend more of our effort trying to realize. Sidney/SydrycalWorks

By: JaneyRuth

JaneyRuth — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:50:10 +0000

It’s almost like a Boris & Natasha deal….is looking for moose and squirrel in tree…

By: acomplia

acomplia — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:51:16 +0000

Translator of yahoo-pipes can automate this

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:36:16 +0000

John – I’m a big fan and I respect your work, so I say the following with love. I watched The Nines the other day and sad to say, I didn’t get it, man. I thought it was semi entertaining/quirky, but when a friend asked me what it was about – I couldn’t tell him! I got as far as… “Well… it’s about this guy…. yeah…” Anyway, maybe it’s just me ’cause it looks like everyone else “gets it.” Glad you guys are back to work – God knows you need the practice… just kidding.

By: Michael Bell

Michael Bell — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:14:42 +0000

Is much bursting on heart. I am exit a theater with sorrows. A cat to pet.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:34:33 +0000

So, that’s what the “Nines” is really about. I was rather confused after watching the movie and now I know.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:17:40 +0000

He seemed worried about his own translation, but I think the blogger did a much better job…