language mistake #7,562
In language school they told us we were going to make a million mistakes so we might as well just talk it up, make mistakes, and learn to laugh at them. Well besides the common mis-conjugation, plurality agreement problems, and feminine or masculine object agreement mistakes, I haven't made a big laughable mistake in a while (at least not to my knowledge..it is highly likely that they are all laughing behind my back). But this week I had a good one, so I thought I would share! It went like this...
Staff member - So you are cleaning!
Kelly - Yes! We had a mouse in our house but Scott killed it!
Real translation - Yes! We had a mouse in our house but Scott killed himself!
SM - (smiling) WHAT? Scott killed himself?
What I thought he said - What he killed it?
Kelly - YES! He is so brave!
SM - (smiling) He killed himself?!
What I thought he said - He killed it?
Internal thought - Why is he so surprised that Scott killed a little mouse? People in this country do it all the time.
SM - So where is he? (meaning Scott)
What I thought - So where is he? (meaning the mouse)
Kelly - He is in the garbage can!
SM - LAUGHTER! LAUGHTER! LAUGHTER!
SM - He is in the garbage can?
Kelly - YES! He's gone! (said very excitedly)
Other staff member who speaks English - Kelly what you are saying is that Scott killed himself not the mouse.
Kelly - oh no no no no!
SM - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Kelly - NOOO!!! Scott is still alive!
SM - HAHAHAHAHAH
Scott get's in the car
SM - SO Scott...I heard you killed yourself!
As car drives away - SM - HAHAHAAHAH
Kelly - left speechless
Ahhh...it's the memorable moments that really count! Right?!
Love
K&M
2 comments:
This is a great story! I love it. I'm impressed that you waited this long to make an embarrassing mistake, though. Well done.
I love the story about the pie, too. What a great real-life illustration. The most important question - is that picture one that was searched for on Google or was it the actual pie you made? Regardless, well done.
And, I learned something new about the Dominican flag. Now I know.
I hope I get to see guys you in March!
Fun to hear....Dwight would love that story :) Sounds like you're really using the language, so you're definitely doing it right! Wish we could see you guys....sigh. Hug that husband of yours!
k&d
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