Ian Sutton
1000+ Posts
Have you had any unfortunate mistakes when attempting to speak a foreign language on holiday (or at home)?
I had a new one last week, when attempting to say my partner works in conservation. I said ".... lavora in natura", which doesn't translate as working in nature, but rather without clothes
it turns out that "lavora nell'ambito dell'ambiente" is more appropriate (and no doubt warmer)
Other mistakes include getting peach and fish mixed up (pesche and pesce) when ordering a main course, confusing celery (sedano) with sofa, and countless other small / not so small mistakes. I think it's important to laugh at myself (and it allows me to join in with everyone else!)
I'll add another from a friend, who when on student exchange in France, announced "I'm full" at the end of a family meal, but she used a slightly incorrect verb, instead saying "I'm full (with child)". She said there was a rather uncomfortable silence.
I had a new one last week, when attempting to say my partner works in conservation. I said ".... lavora in natura", which doesn't translate as working in nature, but rather without clothes
it turns out that "lavora nell'ambito dell'ambiente" is more appropriate (and no doubt warmer)
Other mistakes include getting peach and fish mixed up (pesche and pesce) when ordering a main course, confusing celery (sedano) with sofa, and countless other small / not so small mistakes. I think it's important to laugh at myself (and it allows me to join in with everyone else!)
I'll add another from a friend, who when on student exchange in France, announced "I'm full" at the end of a family meal, but she used a slightly incorrect verb, instead saying "I'm full (with child)". She said there was a rather uncomfortable silence.