This document discusses the challenges of translation between languages using examples. It notes that English contains many contradictory idioms and expressions. Two case studies are presented on translating the title and first line of works by Oscar Wilde and J.K. Rowling into other languages. The translation of Rowling's line subtly changes the meaning in a way demonstrated using a shoe analogy. The document concludes that while translation mistakes can seem silly, the task of translating between languages is very difficult.

1. Languages are funny things Ingrid Tsang

2. English is a very weird language. We drive on the parkway, and park on the driveway.

3. We have noses which run and feet which smell.

4. We recite in plays and play at recitals.

5. A fat chance and a slim chance means the same thing.

6. Sweetmeats are candy and sweetbread is meat.

7. When I wind up my watch, I start it. But when I wind up my essay, I end it.

8. English is a very weird language. Having shown you how weird one language is, you can imagine how other languages are. I am sure that you have complained about translations before. Whether it is an error in a film's subtitle, or a weird translation in a book if you are bilingual, or in a textbook. The mistakes may seem silly. But translating is very HARD. Imagine trying to translate from one weird language to another....

9. Case Study 1 - Titles 'The Importance of Being Earnest' is a book by Oscar Wilde. It is a comedy play. The title is a pun itself because a strong symbol in the place are people in 'disguise' using the same name - Ernest. This poses a problem for translators. Should they keep the words or the meaning? Should they just keep the title? Or should they find a name in the language they are translating to which can be used in this situation as a substitute? In Italy alone, Their are 13 different versions of this play with 8 differet titles.

10. Case Study 2 – Chinse and English Harry Potter

11. Case Study 2 – Chinse and English Harry Potter I am only going to compare one line of Harry Potter in English and Chinese as it's all I can fit in without killing you through boredom - the first line of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. English : “Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy in many ways.” Chinese: “ 就许多方面来说，哈利 波特是个不同寻常的男孩。” Chinese, translated: “ In many ways to speak, Harry Potter is an uncommon boy.”

12. Case Study 2 – Chinse and English Harry Potter The translation is already as close as a chinese translation can be. But you can still see the difference. The original version calls Harry Potter an “unsuual boy” whilst the Chinese version calls Harry Potter “uncommon”. To explain to you the difference, I will use a shoe analogy where shoes reflect on the 'commonness' of the students.. In a Year 10 PE class, Nike shoes are common. 8 out of 10 students wear them. Here comes Harry Potter. According to the Chinese translation, he is wearing Adidas. According to the English translation, he is wearing flip-flops.