Off topic: Translation goof, but a cute one Thread poster: Taylor Kirk
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Taylor Kirk 
United States
Local time: 13:26
Portuguese to English
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Clinton's European debut is full of smiles
.By ROBERT BURNS, Associated Press Writer Robert Burns, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 45 mins ago
In Geneva, Clinton's diplomatic skills were tested by an encounter with Lavrov, her Russian counterpart, who had a frosty relationship with Clinton's predecessor, Condoleezza Rice. The meeting produced no announced breakthrough, in arms control or other issues, but it seemed to set the stage for a new begin... See more ***************
Clinton's European debut is full of smiles
.By ROBERT BURNS, Associated Press Writer Robert Burns, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 45 mins ago
In Geneva, Clinton's diplomatic skills were tested by an encounter with Lavrov, her Russian counterpart, who had a frosty relationship with Clinton's predecessor, Condoleezza Rice. The meeting produced no announced breakthrough, in arms control or other issues, but it seemed to set the stage for a new beginning in U.S.-Russian relations. Clinton aides cautioned that while the atmospherics were encouraging, it's too early to know whether the good feelings will translate to better relations.
Asked how they got along, Lavrov responded: "I venture to say we have a wonderful personal relationship."
It may have turned out well, but the Geneva meeting got off to an odd and awkward start.
With reporters looking on, Clinton met Lavrov and handed him a gift — a green box tied in green ribbon. He unwrapped it to reveal a "reset button," a lighthearted reminder of Biden's recent remark that the Obama administration is hitting the reset button with Russia after years of friction during the Bush administration.
Trouble was, the Russian-language label the Americans put atop the button had the wrong word. Before she realized the mistake, Clinton assured Lavrov her staff "worked hard" to get it right. Was it right? she inquired with a smile.
"You got it wrong," Lavrov responded, also smiling. He said the word the Americans chose — "peregruzka" — meant "overloaded" or "overcharged" rather than "reset."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090307/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/eu_clinton_on_stage ▲ Collapse
| | | | Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 15:26
Portuguese to English
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...the White House staff should consult ProZ!
| | | | Alp Berker
United States
Local time: 14:26
Turkish to English
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In memoriam | Personally I don't see it as being cute | Mar 7, 2009 |
I see it more indictive as the sad state of affairs with regard to languages at the State Department and the view of languages overall in this country. It makes the US look bad over something over a gesture that was meant to show we "get it".
There is no excuse for getting this wrong.
| | | | | In my opinion it is a serious mistake | Mar 7, 2009 |
This mistake is very serious. If the staff responsible for translating a word in Russian got it wrong, imagine what could happen if they translate whole documents in the same manner, in the hope of getting it right.
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Melanie Nassar
United States
Local time: 21:26
German to English
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| Terry Gilman
Germany
Local time: 20:26
Member (2003)
German to English
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| | Bungling amateurs! | Mar 10, 2009 |
The message intended may have been good (opinions vary, of course) but the
message conveyed was: "We are bungling amateurs. You shouldn't take us
seriously, because we don't know what we are doing! And additionally,
we don't have the common courtesy of using your alphabet for your
language. We are both disrespectful and stupid at the same time!"
Does anybody have a traceback on who is responsible (other than
Hillary Clinton, who is ultimately respon... See more The message intended may have been good (opinions vary, of course) but the
message conveyed was: "We are bungling amateurs. You shouldn't take us
seriously, because we don't know what we are doing! And additionally,
we don't have the common courtesy of using your alphabet for your
language. We are both disrespectful and stupid at the same time!"
Does anybody have a traceback on who is responsible (other than
Hillary Clinton, who is ultimately responsible regardless)?
New bunglers brought in by the new administration? Or old bunglers,
holdovers from the previous administration? Both?
Nils Andersson
[Edited at 2009-03-10 00:46 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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