Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Lost in translation

While doing an online research survey this morning, I encountered this question, which bizarrely switches between Portuguese and English in the same sentence:

(click to enlarge)

14 comments:

Jen M said...

I feel like this is some sort of complex test...did you have to consent to participate in a psychology study at the end or the beginning of the survey? :)

Anonymous said...

That sounds like something you'd hear at any DMV office in California.

Julie said...

proof-read fail!

Packer said...

Answer: Google of course, both as a reason and an answer to the question.

PA Honeybee said...

I love it, you get tested on your Portuguese comprehension and asked your opinion!

CC said...

"Considering all the sources from which Mr/Mrs obtained information on Parkinson's Disease..."

:) Really enjoy reading your blog Dr. Grumpy!!!

Betty said...

You think thats bad? Try living with someone who *IS* Portugeuse, who can start a conversation in English and end it in Portugeuse. This is my life. But at least when he goes to the liquor store, he brings back the best Port wine. Win.

Frantic Pharmacist said...

Looks like some of our prescription labels. The system has an auto-translate as long as you enter with certain sig codes, otherwise it just sticks in the free-text as English. As if the patients aren't confused enough.....

A Doc 2 Be said...

Readability is a lost, artisanal art form.

Li'l Azathoth said...

It happened about halfway through the flight from Sao Paulo to Belize City.

pAula said...

A co-worker of mine is Portuguese with a thick accent who spent many years living in Japan. She's been trying to teach this white woman how to pronounce Japanese food items...I might have a seizure soon and be in need of Dr Grumpy.

Just Me said...

Hmm maybe that was written by the nurse lecturers at my university, They seem to refer to the same patient as both male and female in the same exam question!

Unknown said...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_As_She_Is_Spoke

A must read!

Anonymous said...

I teach ESL. These kinds of things usually only happen with my 5 year old students.

 
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