US gesture lost in Russian translation

[PapaG]

Amateur hour.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/in...Russian_translation/srvc=home&position=recent

By Associated Press
Friday, March 6, 2009 - Added 1h ago


With smiles all around, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gathered with aides Friday for talks on a range of issues, including the fight against terrorism, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile defense and other topics.

With a media gaggle looking on, Clinton handed Lavrov a green box tied with a green bow. He opened it to reveal a "reset button," a reminder of Vice President Joe Biden’s recent remark that the Obama administration hopes to reset U.S. relations with Moscow.

Trouble was, the Russian-language label the Americans put on the button had the wrong word. Before she realized the mistake, Clinton assured Lavrov, "We worked hard to get it right."

"You got it wrong," Lavrov responded with a smile. He said the word the Americans chose — "peregruzka" — meant "overloaded" or "overcharged" rather than "reset."
Clinton laughed heartily and Lavrov went on to thank her for her good intention. "It’s very kind of you."

In front of the camera, the two pushed the button together in a symbolic effort to show they share a desire for improved relations.

© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

[PapaG]

So uncomfortable, but I did notice which finger is pushing the button. That isn't "lost in translation".

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

That will cost a few low level translators to lose their jobs.

 

[hasoos]

They should just offer to send them a bunch of Vodka. That would warm relations right up.

 

[STOMP]

So uncomfortable, but I did notice which finger is pushing the button. That isn't "lost in translation".

but dude is pushing the button with two fingers isn't he?

STOMP

 

[MARIS61]

Dude doesn't know what he's talking about either:

http://www.freedict.com/onldict/onldict.php

Nice to see them getting along so well, considering the near cold-war level our relationship with Russia had eroded to under the Bush/Cheney regime.

 

[Anima]

Dude doesn't know what he's talking about either:

http://www.freedict.com/onldict/onldict.php

Are you saying that a Russian, from Russia, and who speaks Russian doesn't know the Russian word for reset?

 

[MARIS61]

Are you saying that a Russian, from Russia, and who speaks Russian doesn't know the Russian word for reset?

No, I am saying he is wrong when he says "peregruzka" means "overloaded" or "overcharged" in English.

 

[Anima]

No, I am saying he is wrong when he says "peregruzka" means "overloaded" or "overcharged" in English.

Going by BableFish and FreeDict (granted, automated translators are less then accurate) перегрузка does look to mean overload, so the guy isn't exactly wrong.

 

[Master Shake]

Ussr!

 

[PapaG]

Dude doesn't know what he's talking about either:

http://www.freedict.com/onldict/onldict.php

Nice to see them getting along so well, considering the near cold-war level our relationship with Russia had eroded to under the Bush/Cheney regime.

Putin/Bush had a fairly decent relationship. The laughing you see by the Russian PM is the realization that he has pushovers in the US to deal with since the election.

"Haha, the idiot thinks this stupid stunt means "reset". Haha. She didn't even bring up Georgia."

Embarassing.

 

[barfo]

Putin/Bush had a fairly decent relationship. The laughing you see by the Russian PM is the realization that he has pushovers in the US to deal with since the election.

"Haha, the idiot thinks this stupid stunt means "reset". Haha. She didn't even bring up Georgia."

Embarassing.

Georgia, huh. Didn't that happen before the election?

barfo

 

[PapaG]

Georgia, huh. Didn't that happen before the election?

barfo

It happened in the lame duck late summer with the Democrats controlling both halves of Congress. I can't wait to see their next move, since our defense seems to be a cheesy (and incorrect) modification of the Staples' Easy Button.

Hillary - Gimmicks "R" U.S.?

 

[barfo]

It happened in the lame duck late summer with the Democrats controlling both halves of Congress. I can't wait to see their next move, since our defense seems to be a cheesy (and incorrect) modification of the Staples' Easy Button.

Sadly for your argument, the branch of government that controls foreign policy is not the legislative, but the executive.

But hey, nice try.

barfo

 

[PapaG]

Sadly for your argument, the branch of government that controls foreign policy is not the legislative, but the executive.

But hey, nice try.

barfo

Only Congress can authorize military action. I'm not sure what that has to do with Hillary's State Department, however, or Condi's in the late summer of '08.

Anyhow, this is a pretty funny gaffe, huh? Oops!!! I'd have thought this turd of a performance would be funny to someone like you.

 

[PapaG]

While we're at it, barfo, what is Obama's official statement regarding the areas of Georgia that Russia still occupies?

 

[barfo]

Only Congress can authorize military action. I'm not sure what that has to do with Hillary's State Department, however, or Condi's in the late summer of '08.

Who is talking about authorizing military action? Did you think we should have invaded Georgia? If so, you should blame Bush, since he didn't make any attempt to do so.

If not, why are you bringing it up?

Anyhow, this is a pretty funny gaffe, huh? Oops!!!

Not really. If the button had said "Russians suck" or "Eat my shorts" or "Kiss me, I'm Polish", it might have been funny. "Overcharged" is not particularly funny.

barfo

 

[barfo]

While we're at it, barfo, what is Obama's official statement regarding the areas of Georgia that Russia still occupies?

Beats me. Didn't know he had an official statement about that. What is it?

barfo