Just had to share this with you all. Was told there was a review of Pets in Prospect on the French Amazon site. So logged on and, my French being non-existent, clicked on the translation. I fell about laughing when I read the translation of the title.
'FARTS IN PROSPECTIVE'
What a gas. I could picture all those Frenchies coming up with my book when looking for flatulence cures after stuffing themselves with too much Cassoulet.
Has anyone had similar experiences? I mean about bad translations not wind.

Heh, heh. I have a degree in French, and before i gained it, i aupaired on a farm in the south of France.

One day i held a very interesting discussion with the farmer's wife about homemade jam, and how good it is because it doesn't use 'preservatives' ( i assumed it was the same word in french.

Ahem, preservatif is the french word for condom! The lady looked a little bit puzzled

Casey

Language is so much fun.

I have an austrian friend who is a friend teacher and went to nanny england for a summer and told the lady of the house she was 'raping a carrot' --translating from the french, raper, to grate.

I have a few gaffs of my own as well, but I'll slink off now...

A

<Added>

er, french teacher not friend teacher (long day...)

Raping a carrot eh?
That's something you couldn't ignaw.

I've had emails saying stuff like, "I'm so glad to be translate your book for you". Have to say, it doesn't fill you with tremendous confidence.

That would be amusing to read a translated copy understanding the language and being able to see how accurate it was.

Amusing, or perhaps deeply distressing.

Laughed 'til I cried, Thanks MWman.