Lost in translation

Cypriot is a very difficult language to learn. Tony and I are going back to school in January to try to master what has so far, been totally illusive.

We’re lazy because the Cypriots speak great English – though their spelling and translation leave a little to be desired. Three of my favourite translation mistakes are:

1 Main clothes shop trying to promote value , had the line, “Clothes for women at a price!”

2 One of our favourite restaurants in Coral Bay, proudly states on its Christmas menu, “Fresh Staffing with Roast Turkey Xmas dinners”

but the best is a beautiful house, just along the coast towards Paphos which bears a sign which should read, “Alexander the Great” but “Great” is spelt, “Grate”, so the house is known as “Alexander the Fireplace”……

I’m no better: I went to our local taverna and tried to book a bank for 4 people at 8o’clock! “Trapeza” is bank and “trapeze” is table – got a bit mixed up!!

C’est le vie or “Hokey Cokey”, as one of our Cypriot friends loves to say, thinking he’s cracked great english and is now one of the lads!!