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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Please Don't Cross Any Railings Lest Suddeness Happens!
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2008/09/08 - 9:09pm

This might be one of my favorite examples of “Engrish”:

http://engrishfunny.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/suddenness-happens.jpg?w=553&h=415

Engrishfunny.com has several other examples of fractured English from around the globe that may amuse you (be advised that some examples include some “NSFW” language, particularly signs related to fruit for some bizarre reason).

I can't help but wonder if anyone finds the term "Engrish" offensive, so it's a word that I'm a little uncomfortable using (the person who runs Engrishfunny.com claims to be "a licensed Asian-American who has spend 14-years lived all over Asia"). Can anyone think of a good substitute word? Also, it seems a little bit odd to describe wacky English from Europe and other places as "Engrish" when the word is derived from stereotypical Japanese pronunciation.

Martha Barnette
San Diego, CA
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2008/09/09 - 2:56pm

Love that, EF! Suddenness Happens.

I share your queasiness about "Engrish," although this stuff is always so tricky to navigate. And are there analogous sites for people making fun of bad translations from English?

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