18 January 2014

chorizo in cioler! - bad translations and unnecessary signs for the stupid




We all love a humorous bit of signage, but really Spain takes the proverbial biscuit. Just thought I'd share to brighten up your weekend.

On leaving the terminal building at Almeria, as you enter the conveniently located car park directly opposite (wonderful!), you are confronted by choices. Thankfully someone has thought to help out non-natives by providing a lovely translation for the English and for our German friends. The signs, hung one above another read, "Caja" "Kasse" und "Cash". On closer investigation, there is no welcome payment for English speaking visitors, but rather a machine to charge you the earth for having parked your car in the conveniently located car park.

But how about this? Has Spain turned all American and now everyone is paranoid about being sued? The wording "riesgo de corte" is to help the less aware among us know that the glass you've just shattered might cut you.




If you've ever been to Spain you may have noticed that quite often words for shops like butcher's, baker's, candlestick maker's end in an -ía - carnicería, panadería, candelería. In honour of the gin craze sweeping the nation, this "new word" was spotted in Garrucha. Brilliant.



On a jetty out into the Mar Menor lagoon I spotted this not so inviting sign aimed at deterring anyone who might be considering swimming out with beach towel and sun cream, avoiding the huge scary gate and making use of the oh-so-private pier-like construction rather than staying on the lovely sandy beach. Odd.



In Spanish, the typical way to say "No dogs allowed" is the eloquent "¡ Perros, no !" So it was a welcome surprise to see this sign in Valencia. At last, dogs are allowed. ¡ Perros, sí !



And finally, in a bible-bashing, Obama-style....