It was some time ago when I received an
invitation that is written in two languages: German and English. English translation puzzled me. Why?
The German part of the
invitation – “einladen zu einem Imbiss” - invites you to a kind of aperitif
with small bites.
The English part of the
same invitation – “invite to a drink” – invites you … hmm… just for a drink....
In English “a drink” would
be just a drink without any food. Additionally, you should also write “invite
for a drink” as it’s a bit more usual.
It’s amazing how guests
could interpret this invitation.
Guests who understand
German would expect drinks and food. Poor guests who don’t understand German
would think they are invited for a drink!
How to avoid
misunderstanding?
Well, let’s correct the
English text of the invitation.
My suggestion: “einladen zu
einem Imbiss” = “invite to drinks and nibbles“.
Would does “invite for a
drink” mean to you?
How would you translate
“einladen zu einem Imbiss”?
"In a Word at Olga Henggi" is focused on the English Language (vocabulary/grammar).
Copyright © 2015 Olga Henggi, All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2015 Olga Henggi, All Rights Reserved
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