Tag: Google Translate

Luo Jianbo: China’s Savior mentality is unacceptable, Essay

Infrequently there comes an essay from a high level Chinese government official that somewhat departs from the Chinese Communist Party line of thought. Authors of these essays must be very careful as such articles could, now or in the future, be used to investigate and or incarcerate. A fine balance is always required. This 2017.07.21 article by Luo Jianbo, the head of the China policy centre at the Central Party School, walks this fine line, and with eloquent writing. I hope that this essay will not be taken in the wrong way and result in his removal, or worse.

Google Translate Faux Pas error: My niece is not a prostitute

Google Translate error: My nephew and the prostitute came, should really be My nephew and niece came. GT substituted 侄女, zhinu or niece, for 妓女, jinu or prostitute.

Google Translate error: My nephew and the prostitute came, should really be My nephew and niece came. GT substituted 侄女, zhinu or niece, for 妓女, jinu or prostitute.

I love Google translate, as it helps me translate new words. I do not rely on it for most words or comprehension. Usually it is pretty good, but at times it really misses even the rough meaning. In this rare case, Google Translate changed the meaning to something completely bizarre. My niece is not a prostitute, Mr Google. She would smack you hard if she could find you.

Fresh Butter Free Running Chicken: Chinese Lost in Translation

With our very large Chinese community here in Toronto, Canada, we have some pretty large Chinese grocery stores. Frankly I am surprised that there are so few Chinese to English translation mistakes. Here is one, from a local Chinese store flyer for Hong Tai Supermarket.

Fresh Butter Free Running Chicken 新鲜U-级黄油走地鸡 from our local Chinese grocery store Hong Tai.

Fresh Butter Free Running Chicken 新鲜U-级黄油走地鸡 from our local Chinese grocery store Hong Tai.