Story in Trouw about a German teacher who can’t speak German. This wouldn’t be so freaky in jobs-for-the-boys Spain, where the most important requirement of a foreign language teacher in the public sector is that they have a bagful of certificates in the local languages. The result is that most foreign language teachers aren’t very…
On this Amazigh Dutch site, it’s argued that the Moroccan government made a crucial error in the dispute with Spain by using a spurious Arabic name, Laila, instead of the older Berber word, Tura, being prepared to weaken their claim rather than acknowledge Berber language rights. However, there are further views to be considered.
News that pornstar Dolly Buster used to work as a translator for the Bundesgrenzschutz, the old German federal border guards, reminds me vaguely of translation and interpreting’s original Mata Hari, Malinche, who got naked with, and told all her people’s secrets to stout Cortez. Or, as Mexican national mythology has it, parented the first Mexican…
A few from Jonathan Faydi, who lives in one of my favourite towns. Dunkerk is Dutch for Dunechurch; Jesuit traitor Henry Garnet and other Gunpowder Plot conspirators awaited news of Guy Fawkes in an English one (usually spelled Dunchurch), evidently unaware of the danger of shifting sands.
This autumn’s public walks feature barnyard comestibles as well as the customary tarantulas and bagpipes. Private requests are becoming increasingly obscure and bizarre, but I’m just fine, mum.
Dear City of Vic, I’m sure you’re serious about Europorc–I certainly am–but no one would guess so from the English translation of the convention site. (Vic has more problems of this type.)