But I would like to share with you some of the funny translation misscommunication moments I have had with this beautiful langauge:
PS I'll throw in some pictures I have taken so that this isn't a super boring post
- Faktiskt: (Translation: Actually / As a matter of fact) This was one of the first words that really threw me off when I got here. It is used quite a bit in Sweden and to my very english ears it sounded like everyone waas saying "f**k this". I didn't ask what it meant for a little over a week because I was determined to figure out what they were really saying on my own. Finally I came to the conclusion that Swedes were/are just very laid back, chill people and actually are swearing a lot! Hahaha luckily I did find out what it meant and how to say it correctly before I said it my own way and made a fool out of myself!
- Gift: This word actually has two deffinitons that are quite opposite. (Translation 1: Married - Translation 2: Poison) hmmmm... Coincidence or not? Maybe those first Swedes way back when had a reason for putting these two english words with the same Swedish word. What do you all who are married think??
- This next group of words gave me some laughs at the beginning of the year. Farthinder, Infart, and Utfart: (Translations: (direct: speed barrior) speed bump, enterance, and exit) Do I need more words? I think this picutre will be sufficient. And yes that is my host dad :)
- Hiss: Has nothing to do with a cat. At all! (Translation: Elevator). Maybe Swedes think that an elevator hisses when it moves...
- Jordgubben: (Translation: Strawberry) BUT! if you want the direct translation: Jord means earth and Gubben is an old man. So a strawberry is an Old Earth Man. Hahaha
- While we are on the topic of food we can look at Valnötter! (Translation: Walnuts) But once again if we break it down and look at the direkt translation: Val means election. People in Sweden must eat walnuts while attending elections thus calling them Election Nuts!
- Hmm ok here is another double meaning word: Grym: (Translation 1: Cruel - Translation 2: Awesome) Is it possible to be both at the same time? hmmmm...
- Ok this one isn't exactly a wierd translation but it has me stumped. I assume many/most of you have heard or seen the new Disney movie called Frozen. Well they translated the entire movie to Swedish and the Swedish word for frozen is frusen. But! they translated the movie title to Frost, which might I add is NOT the same thing a Frozen!! Um What?? haha
- The last one isn't one word but it is kind of a funny rule that Swedes have when talking. In English we say that things are "really good" or "really warm/extremely hot" and "really fun" (like "that was really fun"). Well in Sweden they say "Fett bra" or "Skit warmt" and "skit kul". And if I directly translate those we get: "Fat good" or "Shit warm" and "Shit fun/cool". I guess that's just the Swedish way of expressing very strong feelings :)
I'm sure there are many more words that I am forgetting that have fun translations, but these are all I can think of now! Hope I was able to make some people chuckle a little :)
I did not take this last picture, but Happy Spring!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment