Off topic: English to one's business associate or dog? Thread poster: Nobuo Kameyama
|
|---|
Please take a look at the following two phrases and I'm stuck for just the right phrase. Please let me know which is the correct one and does anyone know who said the (right) phrase?
"I talk English to your business associate, German to your dog, French to your lover and Spanish to God..."
or
"I talk Spanish to God, French to human, German to horse, English to dog, Italian to young girl..."
Thanks in advance.
| | | | Anthony Baldwin 
United States
Local time: 22:52
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Nobuo Kameyama wrote:
Please take a look at the following two phrases and I'm stuck for just the right phrase. Please let me know which is the correct one and does anyone know who said the (right) phrase?
"I talk English to your business associate, German to your dog, French to your lover and Spanish to God..."
or
"I talk Spanish to God, French to human, German to horse, English to dog, Italian to young girl..."
Thanks in advance.
I speak English to my clients, French to Canadians, Spanish to my students, and Brazilian Portuguese to my lover.
There. That´s better.
I said it.
Okay, honestly, one should at least use the verb ¨to speak¨ in this context.
Otherwise, I´ve never heard or seen this particular phrase.
[Edited at 2007-05-07 11:41]
[Edited at 2007-05-07 11:41]
| | | | Attila Piróth
France
Local time: 04:52
Member
English to Hungarian
+ ...
| Usually attributed to Charles V (Holy Roman emperor) | May 7, 2007 |
"I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men and German to my horse."
http://www.answers.com/Charles%20V?ff=1
HTH
Attila
| | | |
As Attila says, often quoted as having been said (in which language, one wonders?) by Carlos V of Austria/Holy Roman Empire, Carlos I of Spain, a contemporary of England's Henry VIII and France's François 1er, and father of Felipe II of Spain (of Spanish Armada fame).
Regards,
Jenny.
| | |
|
|
|
| And English to my computer. | May 8, 2007 |
My own addition...
Jane
| | | | Nobuo Kameyama
Japan
Local time: 11:52
English to Japanese
TOPIC STARTER | I speak Japanese to.... | May 8, 2007 |
AnthoAnthony, Attila, Jenny and Jane, thank you for you pieces of advice. Now I wonder to what I am supposed to speak in Japanese...
Regards
| | | | Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)
Netherlands
Local time: 04:52
English to Dutch
+ ...
...speak Japanese to your cook, in line with the following joke:
Happiness is a French wife, an American car, an English servant and a Japanese cook
Misery is an American wife, a Japanese car, a French servant and an English cook.
Very old-fashioned and sexist too, I admit.
| | | | Heidi C
Local time: 22:52
English to Spanish
+ ...
| Not only old fashioned, but OLD!!! Definitely my car... | May 8, 2007 |
Jan Willem van Dormolen wrote:
...speak Japanese to your cook, in line with the following joke:
Happiness is a French wife, an American car, an English servant and a Japanese cook
Misery is an American wife, a Japanese car, a French servant and an English cook.
Very old-fashioned and sexist too, I admit.
Well, as long as we are being "politically incorrect" (as it is towards everyone, I suppose it does not count?)
The modern version would change the cars: definitely now Japanese cars are happiness while American ones aren't!!
I would also speak in japanese to my stereo and vcr?
| | |
|
|
|
Nobuo Kameyama
Japan
Local time: 11:52
English to Japanese
TOPIC STARTER | How about my PC? | May 8, 2007 |
Jan, yes, I can speak to my Japanese car because I have one, and I wish I can speak to my Japanese cook... only problem is that I am not rich enough to hire the cook...
Heidi, I almost agree with you but what language am I supposed to speak to my personal computer because my Japanese Vaio (Sony's personal computer) consits of American display (Dell), Taiwan PBC, Korean cables and what have you. I guess I have to speak to my computer in Esperanto or another world language....;)
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » English to one's business associate or dog? | Anycount & Translation Office 3000 | Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.
More info » |
| | TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
