A Blog detailing the insanity of my medical practice and the stupidity of everyday life.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lost in translation
While doing an online research survey this morning, I encountered this question, which bizarrely switches between Portuguese and English in the same sentence:
I feel like this is some sort of complex test...did you have to consent to participate in a psychology study at the end or the beginning of the survey? :)
You think thats bad? Try living with someone who *IS* Portugeuse, who can start a conversation in English and end it in Portugeuse. This is my life. But at least when he goes to the liquor store, he brings back the best Port wine. Win.
Looks like some of our prescription labels. The system has an auto-translate as long as you enter with certain sig codes, otherwise it just sticks in the free-text as English. As if the patients aren't confused enough.....
A co-worker of mine is Portuguese with a thick accent who spent many years living in Japan. She's been trying to teach this white woman how to pronounce Japanese food items...I might have a seizure soon and be in need of Dr Grumpy.
Hmm maybe that was written by the nurse lecturers at my university, They seem to refer to the same patient as both male and female in the same exam question!
I feel like this is some sort of complex test...did you have to consent to participate in a psychology study at the end or the beginning of the survey? :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like something you'd hear at any DMV office in California.
ReplyDeleteproof-read fail!
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Google of course, both as a reason and an answer to the question.
ReplyDeleteI love it, you get tested on your Portuguese comprehension and asked your opinion!
ReplyDelete"Considering all the sources from which Mr/Mrs obtained information on Parkinson's Disease..."
ReplyDelete:) Really enjoy reading your blog Dr. Grumpy!!!
You think thats bad? Try living with someone who *IS* Portugeuse, who can start a conversation in English and end it in Portugeuse. This is my life. But at least when he goes to the liquor store, he brings back the best Port wine. Win.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some of our prescription labels. The system has an auto-translate as long as you enter with certain sig codes, otherwise it just sticks in the free-text as English. As if the patients aren't confused enough.....
ReplyDeleteReadability is a lost, artisanal art form.
ReplyDeleteIt happened about halfway through the flight from Sao Paulo to Belize City.
ReplyDeleteA co-worker of mine is Portuguese with a thick accent who spent many years living in Japan. She's been trying to teach this white woman how to pronounce Japanese food items...I might have a seizure soon and be in need of Dr Grumpy.
ReplyDeleteHmm maybe that was written by the nurse lecturers at my university, They seem to refer to the same patient as both male and female in the same exam question!
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_As_She_Is_Spoke
ReplyDeleteA must read!
I teach ESL. These kinds of things usually only happen with my 5 year old students.
ReplyDelete