January 2009
Officials in
Wales mistakenly erected a road sign that read “I am not in the office at the
moment” in Welsh after a translation mix-up. The sign originally said in
English, “No entry for heavy goods vehicles. Residential site only,” but when
Swansea Council officials sent it to be translated, they received an automated
e-mail written in Welsh that read: “I am not in the office at the moment.
Please send any work to be translated.” Unaware of the actual meaning of the
e-mail, officials had the sign printed and put up near a supermarket, only
realizing their mistake when Welsh speakers pointed it out. All road signs in
Wales are required to be written in English and Welsh. “Our attention was drawn
to the mistranslation of a sign at the junction of Clase Road and Pant-y-Blawd
Road,” a Swansea Council spokesman said. “We took it down as soon as we were
made aware of it and a correct sign will be installed as soon as possible.”
Agence France-Presse National Post, November 3, 2008.
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