Auckland, New Zealand and Kakogawa, Japan

What do they have in common? Well they're sister cities! Isn't that interesting? On Friday at the end of my class I was asked to come downstairs to meet with one of the top city guys. (This is bad. I can't remember his exact title. Or his name, though I never did get an introduction... He could be the mayor.. or a chairman... or a councillor...) His English is great, I was surprised! There was a slight New Zealand accent when he spoke but it was as if I had been speaking with an English speaker (Like an American or Canadian who had spent many years in New Zealand and developed a New Zealand accent) so my brain went automatically into relax mode. However when he spoke some sentences and the grammar was a bit off, my brain got confused. Poor brain. So easily confused.

He asked me if I could correct the English on a letter before he sent it off to the Mayor of Auckland, New Zealand. That's when my brain went into high power freak out mode.

Brain: You want me to correct your English on an important document between sister cities? An important document? Me? Really? Are you really sure about this? Well what if I can't think of the right wording? What if I mess up? What if something terrible happens because I forgot to punctuate properly? This is too much stress, I'm going to turn off now.

So for five minutes I just sat there with this red pen in my hand, looking over at the letter.... and blanking. I could point out what needed fixing but my brain refused to turn back on and help me figure out how to word everything nice and politely (The man had asked me to do my best to make it as polite as possible). It didn't help that the man didn't sit down and instead was hovering over my shoulder like I was a student at an important exam.

I'm pretty sure that because of the freak out my brain made a few mistakes. Looking back on it now, I do know of one that I made. "So and so will accompany." was the original sentence, with the "so and so" actually being a group of people and the name of the group having been forgotten at the moment. I had changed it to "so and so will accompany me." But later on I thought about it and decided that this would have been a better wording "so and so will be accompanying me." And then I realised that he is probably not even going as this important document was just a thank you for having the people there and so it should have been like this: "So and so will be accompanying them on this and that"

I had asked if I could take it home and bring it back or email it back to him with the proper wording as with more time I'd surely be able to think out some better phrasing. But that was just double speak for Hi. Yes, I speak English, but I don't do well under pressure. Unfortunately... he had to send it out today (I'm assuming that it's an email).

But I try not to think about the fails too badly as I'm sure the Mayor of Auckland will understand that there is a language barrier and will make allowances for it.

... Right? I'm right, right guys? Back me up here.

Facebook Translations

So I, like many other people, have a Facebook account. I also happen to have friends who do not speak English as their first language. So often times these people will post messages that I cannot understand. Recently I've noticed a "See Translation" below these messages, and just because I find them amusing I want to share a few with everyone who reads my blog. Of course I won't post the names of the people or anything. Here we go:

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Come enjoy the happy time in Mamas ㅎ ㅎ watch ♥ points two wiggle love ♥ (Translated by Bing)

Even the word ' religious life, such as the gem to turn around and ♥ and the good times go good with the song seems to be an exciting and more!! Blah blah blah blah blah (Translated by Bing)

Happy new year! Cavort Dragon happiness! (Translated by Bing)

Spouse must meet the ability of the brother superior and the recovery..ㅎ ㅎ (Translated by Bing)

Lulu took what Lou Christian new eyes in this cupboard seems to be the pastor saw the book it's only just unfold the tramway @@ (Translated by Bing)

Blah blah blah I feel my bangs-style viewing before cropping (Translated by Bing)

Chun Ho-Dong added a restaurant come packed to Sammy sister!
This delicious product I've been eating salt roasted cusp Al window is really good if it's a niche next to the ground per ^ ^ ~!!!! (Translated by Bing)

I need to set aside the time to write the kinds of Gong, ~ ~ ~ ㅎ ㅎ body!!ㅋ ㅋ (Translated by Bing)

In my life than within the chapel worship characters boldly move forward ...
For me, a new day ...A closer look at the new power ...♥ (Translated by Bing)

I was surprised that the two hot-Pack glue for arm squealing blotched guess who that Tobias coffee ssob dya ~ ~ ~ ~ ♥ (Translated by Bing)

Lindor so much delicious. Gel-like chocolate!!
It also reminds me of the old ...To evil to evil. (Translated by Bing)

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Bing is a trustworthy translator, don't you think?