We have all seen the funny ways in which Konglish words adapt various English meanings. But sometimes real attempts to translate leave me speechless, and unable to grasp how exactly their dictionaries gave such a meaning:
A= Teacher
B= Me
A: "Michael...when I make mistake, spill water, or food, or fall down, how to say in English?"
B: "Oh, well, you could say you are a little 'clumsy'."
A: "Oh really? Let me check clumsy in my dictionary.........whaaaaaaat? Hey...thats not my meaning.."
B: "What did your dictionary say? Can you translate for me?"
A: "[Blushing] It says "when a couple is on a bus or public place and kisses or touching too much....."
B: "Ummm....that's not the meaning of 'clumsy'."
A: "Sorry, I can't use this word..."
B: "But that's not the meaning, your dictionary is wrong..."
A: "Give me different word, ok?"
B: "Sure...."
Later I went and looked "clumsy" up myself in the dictionary. Apparently someone who wrote that Korean dictionary based it on the archaic 3rd meaning of "clumsy", from Middle English:
"3. said or done without thought or tact: I took the clumsy hint and left [Middle English [1066-1470]; clumse, to benumb"
It makes me wonder sometimes if Koreans would have an easier time picking up English etymology than we would!
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2 comments:
hahaha ur kids r so funny!! btw ive enjoyed all ur posts so far ~ ^^ they make me laugh
Thanks! Everyone has posted some great stuff, its fun to share stories and insights on living and teaching in Korea!
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