Not really translation or error, but connected with English and another language (in this case BSL). Yesterday (Sunday) I went on a Deaf Ramble with my friend Jo, who is deaf (but not a BSL native). Needless to say, three lessons of BSL are about as good a preparation for real conversation as a Berlitz guidebook. But before that, on the way to the start of the Ramble (which was Tintern) in Jo's friend's Hattie's car, for some reason the sign for Netherlands came up; a blonde girl with plaits. I said that would have made me think Sweden – Agnetha, for instance. Imagine, dear reader, how flabbered were my ghasts to discover that said Jo's friend had no idea who Agnetha from Abba was!
Telling jokes in foreign language is famously difficult, but later I caused much amusement by simply stating a fact. Hattie was wearing a cycling cap. Said she'd found it on a wall, it must be a child's cap cos it was so small. So I demonstrated how it expanded with the elastic at the back. Oh, that's great, would I like it? offered Hattie. No thanks, said I, I already have <wave three fingers> 13 cycling caps. Cue collapse of Jo and Harriet in gales of laughter. Well, I think I can rely on you, proper forumites, to understand that 13 cycling caps, relating to various clubs, times, places, events, is perfectly normal. Isn't it?
Two of the Deaf Ramblers had come all the way from Swindon. Because, apparently, "Swindon people are horrid. Nasty, back-stabbing people." This was stated as categorically true of all Swindonians though I suppose it was really meant to apply to just the Swindon Deaf Rambling community.
And lastly, I was told today that I've been invited to the Deaf Ramblers' Christmas dinner. By one of the Andrews. There were two and I've no idea which one was which. Don't think I could understand anything either of them said.
