Japan’s seemingly indefatigable desire to decorate almost everything with English while at the same time showing an utter disregard for dictionaries, offers up an enormous, and at the same time strangely endearing, loot of language lapses.
A collection that appeals to both the pedant and the person looking for a pathetically easy post, providing a ready supply of the largely readable,
to the rather more riddle-like.
But that’s not to say Japan has a monopoly on such mistakes, as a recent trip to China proved that Japan’s near neighbour can comfortably compete on more than merely the economy, with some train travellers apparently urged to suppress any desire to discard the staff,
regardless of how incensed they may be by the service.
WaveSurfer says
I liked the ‘Do not throw staffs out of the window’ the most, especially the object resembles a person. ^^|
Gordon says
Lee,
I trust you’ve seen this?
http://boingboing.net/2008/07/15/chinese-restaurant-c.html
BTW, where does one get those “weird English” t-shirts in Tokyo. I’ve been looking around but haven’t found anything.
Thanks!
Kesenaitsumi says
I had seen lots of this kind of mistakes especially on china. ^.^
But seem like Japan also have lot’s of it.
Lee says
Supermarkets with dodgy and very dated clothing sections are usually a good spot Gordon.
MisterPopo says
These things for real ? they were joking, right?
S in Shanghai says
MisterPopo: Book your ticket and find out yourself…….
Gordon: Never seen that, but it’s awesome. My collegues are giving me weird looks……
/S
Hao says
I don’t know what you think, but I wouldn’t feel at ease eating Japanise tradicional fugu there @__@
Hades says
Dude, that staff one is brilliantly funny.
Meanwhile, do check this out while we are at it: http://api.photoshop.com/home_005fa7ef4a464ef4bcb912c90e739720/adobe-px-thumbnails/3e4f4d0feaa04178b6cd721945ea4c48/256.jpg
Incidentally most of these weird ones arise due to literal translations from the native tongue. Maybe translating ‘cold shoulder’ and other such idioms into Japanese would elicit some mirth too. 😛
Lara says
I’d love to eat some high conscious garlic bread. Wonder what that tastes like… ^^