TomKrajci 🇺🇦 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ on Nostr: When I worked overseas at an embassy, a local translator told me a joke: (the country ...
When I worked overseas at an embassy, a local translator told me a joke: (the country was rather conservative by many Mastodon/Fediverse standards. Please don't shoot the joke teller/messenger.)
If a diplomat says yes, it means maybe.
If a diplomat says maybe, it means no.
If a diplomat says no...they aren't a diplomat.
If a lady says no, it means maybe.
If a lady says maybe, it means yes.
If a lady says yes...they aren't a lady.
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(Translation can be challenging when large cultural differences are added to the mix.)
An anecdote from a wise translator:
Sometimes Americans speak at overseas conferences. Americans love to start talks with a joke.
Sometimes the joke the American tells is insensitive to the local culture.
A wise translator, when hearing such an off-color joke, will not translate it. Instead, they will say to the audience in the local language: "Our esteemed American colleague has just told a joke. Please laugh!"
If a diplomat says yes, it means maybe.
If a diplomat says maybe, it means no.
If a diplomat says no...they aren't a diplomat.
If a lady says no, it means maybe.
If a lady says maybe, it means yes.
If a lady says yes...they aren't a lady.
===================
(Translation can be challenging when large cultural differences are added to the mix.)
An anecdote from a wise translator:
Sometimes Americans speak at overseas conferences. Americans love to start talks with a joke.
Sometimes the joke the American tells is insensitive to the local culture.
A wise translator, when hearing such an off-color joke, will not translate it. Instead, they will say to the audience in the local language: "Our esteemed American colleague has just told a joke. Please laugh!"