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Topic: Translator required

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 2, 2005 04:51PM)

[i]This puzzle was first heard on Radio 4's Puzzle Panel back in October 1999. The author of the puzzle? Me.[/i] My Russian friend sent me a script of the Russian sitcom 'Why is no one being served?' Unfortunately the translation leaves a lot to be desired, so I need some help in interpreting it. Can anyone here help translate this short extract? A: Hello, tin end of needle Hades bench. B: Yes, sight organ forest similar to addition spoon partners. A: Make tapestry succeeded solidify. B: Have sheep chicken leg joint heath. A: Be cognisant that onion.

Message: Posted by: Lambertmoon (Aug 2, 2005 06:18PM)

I have to go but ...This looks good,Stephen I'll be back tomorrow. I only see the obvious B. Yes I would like to ? B. Have ewe(you) any (hen knee)??

Message: Posted by: Sapient (Aug 2, 2005 09:32PM)

"B: Yes, sight organ forest similar to addition spoon partners. " Yes,I would like some forks or sliverware or knives. "A: Make tapestry succeeded solidify. " We've done harden? "A: Be cognisant that onion. " No, the root?

Message: Posted by: stanalger (Aug 2, 2005 10:24PM)

Hello, tin end of needle Hades bench. = Hi, can I hell pew = Hi, can I help you?

Message: Posted by: stanalger (Aug 2, 2005 10:56PM)

Hi, can I help you? Yes, I would like some silverware. We've one set. Have you any more? (heath=moor) No, it's all out. (onion=shallot)

Message: Posted by: Jonathan Townsend (Aug 3, 2005 07:27AM)

I will not buy this tobacconist, it is broken.

Message: Posted by: stanalger (Aug 3, 2005 08:00AM)

[quote] On 2005-08-03 08:27, Jonathan Townsend wrote: I will not buy this tobacconist, it is broken. [/quote] Well, [b]that's[/b] something that's completely different! (If not broken, at least scratched.)

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 3, 2005 05:59PM)

There are some right answers! A: Hello, tin end of needle Hades bench. [b]Hello, Can eye hell pew (Hello, Can I help you?)[/b] B: Yes, sight organ forest similar to addition spoon partners. [b] Yes, eye wood like sum[/b] spoon partners [b](Yes, I would like some...)[/b] A: Make tapestry succeeded solidify. [b]Weave won set (We've one set)[/b] B: Have sheep chicken leg joint heath. [b]Have ewe hen knee moor (Have you any more?)[/b] A: Be cognisant that onion [b] know[/b] that[b] shallot (No...)[/b] Almost there with the last line - just try saying it out loud. As for the "spoon partners", try thinking back to your time at playschool

Message: Posted by: Sapient (Aug 3, 2005 06:05PM)

Yes, I would like some knives? No, that's a lot?

Message: Posted by: Vandy Grift (Aug 3, 2005 06:08PM)

Yes, I would like some dishes? (the dish ran away with the spoon)

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 3, 2005 06:08PM)

Dishes is right (and for the right reason). How about the last line now?

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 3, 2005 06:09PM)

Not "That's a lot" - replace the middle word

Message: Posted by: Vandy Grift (Aug 3, 2005 06:13PM)

That the lot?

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 3, 2005 06:14PM)

No, not "the" - make it more possessive

Message: Posted by: Vandy Grift (Aug 3, 2005 06:16PM)

I think my American accent is preventing me from sounding it out correctly. LOL

Message: Posted by: pxs (Aug 4, 2005 09:31AM)

No, that's your lot

Message: Posted by: Jonathan Townsend (Aug 4, 2005 10:05AM)

Where did you get the "y" sound?

Message: Posted by: stanalger (Aug 4, 2005 11:47AM)

No "y" sound in the "sh" of "shallot"? "That shore opinion." Okay, if it's not a "y" sound, it's awful darn close to a "y" sound, isn't it? "Let shell louder!" If we're going to nitpick, how about the "r" sound? I think pxs has finished this one off.

Message: Posted by: Stephen Buxton (Aug 4, 2005 02:24PM)

I think pxs did too ;)

Message: Posted by: Sapient (Aug 4, 2005 09:14PM)

"No, that's your lot" Dang that British phrasology. It gets me every time.

Message: Posted by: Jonathan Townsend (Aug 5, 2005 09:39AM)

[quote] On 2005-08-04 12:47, stanalger wrote:...If we're going to nitpick, how about the "r" sound?...[/quote] Far be it for me to nitpick, the idea of a phonetic translator has got me thinking.