Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Another New Language Suggestion yappr.com?


Hmm, I wonder how many people would select this as their native language in yappr? Anyone? Okay, I suddenly became hungry...

One Room You Don't Want to Enter

The "Injection room" does not sound too inviting. Tell me what I need to count to avoid it!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Something Different

Upside down and turned around.

If it wasn't for that letter "T'...this would've worked.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Caution...

You'll lose more than your footing if you go any further! Can you believe the vertical drop in this photo. Beautiful views, yet dangerous.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Newly Suggested Language for yappr.com?


Not sure exactly what town this sign is in, but it appears people are now speaking the "CELLPHONE" language here (just not during a thunderstorm).

Is anyone fluent in Cellphone? We may need a translator!

Monday, March 9, 2009

I have a better idea....

...how about we simply watch out for the wet floor instead! Always try and avoid tripping or falling!!! Chiropractors can be expensive and that's no laughing matter (but the sign...the sign we can still laugh about).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Mom Was Right....


They should sell these as posters here in the states. I know my folks would've purchased this sign when I was growing up.

Funny Sign

Funny sign and absolutely no translation necessary!

"X" Marks the Spot

"X" Marks the Spot. Actually, "EX" marks "IT". Ohhh..."EX" + "IT" = "EXIT"!!! Way too funny.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Take Care!

I hope this sign is no where near a bridge. Actually, I think all they're looking to communicate here is "No Diving Allowed!"

End of Season Sale?

Nope, this is better. It's the anti-seasonal promotional sale. Marketing at it's best!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Three Men and a Shoe Store?


Ok, if this is a shoe store...a front window display might help their business. Instead, we're left to figure out what they mean by "wealking". Let me know if you can figure it out!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tea or Wine?

Yet another translation that makes one scratch their head in confusion. Moments later a smile comes to your face with the thought...What were they thinking?

So, what are your thoughts on the business sign posted here? Are they selling wine or tea? Or both?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Student ID Required

This is a wordy translation that keeps the reader wondering. Also, if the student needs to purchase the ticket, then they should "buy" the ticket and not "by" the ticket.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Please Don't TOUCH the Merchandise!

"You break, you own it!" is a similar concept or message. If you open it, I guess you own it too. As long as store owners do not start saying "You look at it, you own it!"...we should be just fine.

Don't Smack on Your Food.

Parents here in the states will often say to their children, "Don't smack on your food...it's not polite!" "Smacking" refers to eating with your mouth open and making an irritating sound, so it's easy to see why parents will tell their children this.

With this translation, the menu list is titled "Smack Food" which almost invites the smacking behavior!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Stating the Obvious

A "civilized airport". As opposed to what? An uncivilized airport??? This seems a little a little obvious to me.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Excuse Me?!

Excuse me...you want to do what to my organs? Chain them?

It's one thing when a translation just doesn't make sense. It's completely different though (and a little comical) when it sounds a business is trying to harm their customers. I don't know about you, but if I were brave enough to visit this place...I would specify absolutely no chaining any of my organs!!!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Can You Tell Me Where The _________ Is?

Here's another Funny English sign for you yapprs! Toiler!

Did you know there are many different words used to describe a bathroom? Some examples include "can", "commode", "latrine", "lavatory", "powder room", "toilet", "head", "loo", "little boy's room", "little girl's room", "little wrangler's room", or even "throne". This list is funny in itself!!! The things people come up with.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Ok, ummm, hmmm...

Can anyone guess what they're trying to say here? Anyone?

Monday, February 2, 2009

Quicksand in a Jar

Okay, I'm not sure why any one would keep quicksand in a vase! I'm guessing it's just colorful sand in a vase along with yet another funny English translation. One thing is for sure, there seems to be no shortage of these types of signs!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Warmly Washes Sounds Inviting

Warmly Washes Sends The Room sounds like a nice place. But what do they do here? What type of business do you think it is?

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Yappr Submitted Translation

An Anonymous Yappr Wrote:

"
Hey! I found this notice in a museum in Texas. By the way, could it be possible that the funny translations have the real context's name and the sender, so we can get points because of this. For instance, I found mine in Ripley's museum in San Antonio Texas.

Yappr is a really great site!! Thanks. Greetings from Mexico! Bye!"

While this isn't the traditional "One Way" sign you see in the states - the message is still pretty clear. We appreciate you sharing your photo and thanks for your submission!

Oh yes, please be sure to sign your name whenever you submit a photo. We want to know who you are!




See all the ways you can stay connected to friends and family

If you're going to use a public phone...

If you're going to use a public phone...it might as well be an intelligent one. I mean you never see anyone on the unintelligent public telephone down the street do you?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sensitivity 101



How about a little sensitivity here please!? In the states, words describing people as "old", "weak", "sick" or "cripple" are often viewed as inappropriate way to describe someone. One alternative message might be "Seats reserved for people with disabilities".

Monday, January 26, 2009

Vegetarian or Not So Much???

At first glance, the Vergetadle Noodle may seem like a vegetarian option, but only until you get to the second line...nothing like a good pork stick carb stick just like mom use to make!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

All Your Laundry Needs

How might you re-write this sign to increase your English-speaking customers?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Mr Grass Says...

Wait a minute...grass can't say a thing. But if it could, I'm sure it would simply say "Keep Off Grass".

Monday, January 19, 2009

Hey...Watch It Buddy!


You're taking the metro train and you see this gem of a sign. Although you very well may get a breeze through this gap, I don't think this translation is correct! Remember to WATCH the gap!

Do you have funny English picture you'd like to share? Do you have a funny English story to share? Send it to us at funny-english@yappr.com.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Be Green


This message is completely confusing at first! "CircumStance" appears to refer to the circumstance of pollution and they're asking for your help in preventing the pollution from ever happening. How? By doing your part and placing garbage where it belongs...in the trash can!

I'm not sure about you, but I like "Keep it clean" as the message here. Even better...forget the message, as the image says it all.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Third Time's a Charm

Okay, if you look closely you can see the words previously posted on this blue surface. It reads "banqueting hail". Someone clearly knew this was the wrong message and decided to make a correction. However, the corrected message is confusing in itself. Does "large small" simply mean average sized? Or are they still making up their minds on the size of the room? Most importantly, I wonder how long it will be before someone decides to fix it for a third time. As they say...third time's a charm!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Caution: Low Overhang

From this angle in the picture, it looks like the only thing low hanging is the sign itself. So be careful not to bump your head! Or, as the sign puts it, be carefulness not to bump head!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Alternate Route Wanted

Not sure about you, but I would avoid this road at all costs. I'll keep an eye out for a road with a "Accident-Free" sign!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

One Without the Other? Probably Not.

It would be hard to come in and not visit! I wouldn't be surprised if when you leave this place you see a sign that reads "Don't Leave Without Going!"

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Closed Business Sign

No more Open or Closed signs for businesses. Nope! This sign simply tells customers whether they're on or off for the day. This message would be confusing to many of us in the states!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Write Properly....

...and Absolutely No Scribbling! Where do you think you would find a sign like this?

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Hi :

 

I enjoyed your website very much especially Yappr’s Funny English. Here attached one picture we took in Shanghai in 2004, which we think that the sign has funny English. My husband explained to me that in both British & American English, ‘getting off’ means something to do with having sex. The proper English on that sign should be “Taxi drop off”.

 

Happy new year!

 

joanna

Friday, January 2, 2009

Do Not Disturb

In the U.S. here, we use the phrase "Do Not Disturb" when we want privacy from hotel room service. In many cases, people may find the phrase "Don't Bother" as politically incorrect or just simply rude. Others, on the other hand, may find it right to the point!!!