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Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: :-D I need help translating these signs into Spanish!! (6/19/2008 11:42:57 AM)
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Thank you, everyone! One way or another, we will come up with the right words!
Just to explain the dynamics of my problem, I work for the English-speaking church. The English-speaking church allows two other congregations to use the facility, both of which are not native to the U.S. On a Sunday, for example, the English-speaking congregation has their services. At a set time afterward, another congregation has theirs, and at a set time after their services are over, the Spanish-speaking congregation has theirs. Then throughout the week, the congregations have their specific times for evening activities.
The congregations each do their own services and only come together for one service, all at once, once a year. Each congregation is a completely separate entity, and congregations rarely really even see one another. I see them the most, being an employee of the English-speaking congregation. The pastor of the English-speaking congregation, however, has monthly meetings with the pastors of the other congregations.
Understanding a little of the dynamics of this Spanish-speaking people, it is difficult for their male pastor to take care of this problem. Further complicating things, when I try to communicate, I never know that we have an understanding. In fact, indications are that verbally-given ideas are not understood. Even when I have used a human translator, I learned that the young lady, because of the dynamics of this group, was telling me what i wanted to hear and telling them what they wanted to hear: a total break-down in communication.
Therefore, all such communication from my office is done in short notes or by signs that are all written in both English and Spanish. The other congregation reads and understands English and complies very well.
Thus, I appreciate all your notes, helping me. Very much!
Regarding Babelfish, I have tried them but more recently have used another online translator. Even it, in this circumstance is impossible!!
To overcome my translation problems (as much as can be done using an online translator), I first input my English words and retrieve the Spanish translation. Then I input the Spanish translation, to see what I get back in Engish.
"Please place all toilet paper in the toilet and flush" comes back as "Place please every role of washroom in the washroom and clean." [:D] And when I tried various versions of the above, I got even more ridiculous translations. I finally gave up and came here!
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