Lost in translation – answers to the synonym exercise
a something is always incomplete when expressed in another language – lost in translation
b hoping / expecting to – looking to
c stop – halt
d large shop – store
e within an organisation – adj & adv – in-house
Note: If you have some in-house training at work this means you stay at your place of work (in house) to receive the training. The in-house training may also be carried out by members of the organisation’s staff.
f equivalent – version
g answer – reply / response
h as expected – duly
i began the process – set the wheels in motion
j big – large
k the sign was erected – the notice went up
l mentioning – pointing out
m mistake – error
n a stupid or careless mistake – blunder
Note: an HGV is an abbreviation for a Heavy Goods Vehicle such as a lorry. A PSV is an abbreviation for a Public Service Vehicle such as a bus
Swansea Council became lost in translation when it was looking to halt HGVs using a road near an Asda store. All official road signs in Wales are bilingual, so the local authority emailed its in-house translation service for the Welsh version of: "No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only".
The reply duly came back and officials set the wheels in motion to create the large sign in both languages. The notice went up and all seemed well – until Welsh-speakers began pointing out the embarrassing error.
Unfortunately, the email response to Swansea council said in Welsh: "I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated".
The blunder is not the only time Welsh has been translated incorrectly. In 2006 a sign for pedestrians in Cardiff reading ‘Look Right’ in English read ‘Look Left’ in Welsh.
Reading bank
Listening
Grammar bank
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