Ah, we linguistically-gifted Americans!
Mar 12th, 2008, 02:02 AM
#1
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Ah, we linguistically-gifted Americans!
I recently drove by a modestly-upscale restaurant near us, whose outside sign was advertising a "Special $40 Prefix Dinner." Well, I have to admit that it was not phonetically unreasonable, but someone inside should certainly have known better!
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:06 AM
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IMO, what is "pathetic" about this is the feeling by the restaurant that they simply HAVE to use a foreiign language term in order to remain competitive/attract so-called "upscale" diners.
Using the term "fixed price" might have been a better idea.
Using the term "fixed price" might have been a better idea.
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:20 AM
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What is "pathetic" is , as Dukey said, to use a foreign term because it is "cool" not being able to write it correctly !!!! If they are not able to look up for the word and write it ..you cannot think very much about the restaurant quality !!!
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:35 AM
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You will see similar faux-pas througout Europe where English is used instead of the local language because it is "cool" to do so.
It drives me nuts when I see how the Dutch, who on the whole are linguistically gifted, mis-use English (or to a lesser extent French or German) and ruin their own language in the process with so many English words when they have good Dutch words they could use instead.
It drives me nuts when I see how the Dutch, who on the whole are linguistically gifted, mis-use English (or to a lesser extent French or German) and ruin their own language in the process with so many English words when they have good Dutch words they could use instead.
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:45 AM
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In sicily i found several businesses using english to "be cool". examples:
Café called "Anyway"
young clothing shop called "Teenager's"
Garage supplies place called "Eurohard"
There are plenty of examples here in europe of european languages using english for things (in very very bad grammar or context).
That said, I'll agree that I never saw as much poor English spelling and grammar for a natively English speaking country as in the U.S.
Café called "Anyway"
young clothing shop called "Teenager's"
Garage supplies place called "Eurohard"
There are plenty of examples here in europe of european languages using english for things (in very very bad grammar or context).
That said, I'll agree that I never saw as much poor English spelling and grammar for a natively English speaking country as in the U.S.
Mar 12th, 2008, 04:07 AM
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When I read menus here in Germany, it always comes into my mind that spelling and grammar are not the stronghold of chefs.
Here, you read quite often "Spaghetti Bolognaise".
But introducing foreign phrases into one's own language is a sign of open-mindedness and that people do not condemn globalization totally.
Here, you read quite often "Spaghetti Bolognaise".
But introducing foreign phrases into one's own language is a sign of open-mindedness and that people do not condemn globalization totally.
Mar 12th, 2008, 04:09 AM
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I was in a pretty upscale restaurant in NY and there was a "Prefix" Dinner.
On the menu there was "soupe du jour" - so I asked the water what the soupe du jour was. He said he wasn't sure but he would ask the chef. He returned a few minutes later and explained to me that the soupe du jour was "the soup of the day Ma'am!".
On the menu there was "soupe du jour" - so I asked the water what the soupe du jour was. He said he wasn't sure but he would ask the chef. He returned a few minutes later and explained to me that the soupe du jour was "the soup of the day Ma'am!".
Mar 12th, 2008, 04:52 AM
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That reminds me of a hair salon that was in my neighborhood for years called Beaux Cheuvaux (beautiful horse) with a huge marquee out on the street with the name. I know they meant Beaux Cheuveux (beautiful hair) and that it was not a play on words. They probably thught it was cute that it rhymed. I never had the heart to tell them but it always annoyed me. Thankfully they are no longer there.
Mar 12th, 2008, 05:37 AM
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<i>SemiMike, this type of foreign language mangling is global, why would you think it's just American?</i>
I read an article about how China has initiated a campaign to improve the English used on things like menus. One of the menu items they found at a restaurant in Beijing had been translated into 'crispy skin infections'. Some of it was pretty darn amusing.
What bothers me about this isn't the fact that the restaurant messed this up, but that the restaurant thought using a foreign language term was somehow preferable to using the English phrase. Of course, once they had settled down that path, they should have made sure they got it right.
I read an article about how China has initiated a campaign to improve the English used on things like menus. One of the menu items they found at a restaurant in Beijing had been translated into 'crispy skin infections'. Some of it was pretty darn amusing.
What bothers me about this isn't the fact that the restaurant messed this up, but that the restaurant thought using a foreign language term was somehow preferable to using the English phrase. Of course, once they had settled down that path, they should have made sure they got it right.
Mar 12th, 2008, 05:45 AM
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