Funny/Embarrassing Language Mix-Ups

[duraaraa 203]

Although this is more of a 'share your story' thread than a game thread, it's certainly intended to pass the time. The idea is, many of us have been to countries where we needed to use another language. Many of us have butchered these languages, and had very funny results. I would love to know what kinds of sticky situations language mix-ups have gotten you into.

I have a couple that I would like to share.

Story 1:

In Mongolia, mutton is generally breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When I first arrived in Mongolia, I had no trouble eating it, but after eating it day after day, it started to wear out its welcome in my stomach.

In the Mongolian language, mutton is "honinii makh," or "sheep's meat." The problem is, the word for sheep, "hon' " sounds very similar to the word for person, "hun."

I ended up accidentally saying something like, "I was surprised to see how often Mongolians eat human flesh. In America, we don't eat human flesh very often... etc" to my fiancee. At first, their faces looked shocked... they started to say that what I was eating wasn't human flesh, but was actually mutton. Then, after a second, they realized that my pronunciation was off, and everyone burst into laughter.

Story 2:

In Mexico, my Japanese friend got herself into some kind of embarrassing situation, and said, "Estoy muy embarazada." She figured this phrase meant, "I am very embarrassed," and didn't know that it actually meant "I am very pregnant." Everyone had a big laugh.

Story 3:

With a Japanese friend at Baskin Robbins. He wanted to order vanilla ice cream. He went to the register, and asked for "banira," the Japanese pronunciation of vanilla. The worker said, "really?" and he said, "yes... normal banira." The worker shrugged, and gave him a banana. He was too embarrassed to correct her, so he paid what they asked and ate the banana. Of course, he immediately asked me what the correct pronunciation was.

Anyone else have any stories like this?

[Shiobhan 235]

I was just starting Deutsch classes, done a little studying myself, I walked in and announced "guten Montag", my tutor was like "gutentag" goodday...Montag is actually Monday

I was a little embarrassed.