| Twisted tongues |
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Why did Suzuki call its new car something which no native Japanese speaker can pronounce? If we’d not had a written invitation to the press launch earlier this year, I’d have been convinced that the new mini-MPV was called a Sprash. It’s cruel. A bit like a manufacturer employing an MD with a name like Bernd Pischetsrieder, a let’s-put-British-motoring-journalists-in-their-place-so-they-daren’t-ask-for-an-interview sort of name. At least he’s now firmly out of the pichsture.
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Unfortunately the English language does not always translate in an accurate linear fashion either in print or verbally when converting to and from various foreign languages.
For example in some Asian languages the letters L and R, tend to be transposed in everyday speech. For example in Aviation terms, an Aircraft is colloquially referred to as an Airclaft… and a routine Pre-Flight inspection prior to take-off is commonly referred to as a Ple-Fright inspection. (Great news for the passengers).
Similarly, in the bar, a Bloody Mary is called up verbally as a “Bruddy Marely”
Bernd Pischetsrieder?…. Ermm.. No comment!!
AlfaMartini | 21 Jul 08 - 16:24Do you remember the Stallion that became a Starrion? Or the Pony that lived up to its name?
Graham Whyte | 30 Jul 08 - 17:14Was that the same Pony that was not even worth a ‘monkey’ once it was driven off the forecourt?
Massimo Pini | 31 Jul 08 - 11:02