I came across an absolute gem today: An instruction manual for a video camera.
Sounds thrilling.
I know, right? It’s amazing what technology can do!
Anyways, what’s particularly interesting about this one, is how it’s written. Here’s the first sentence: “It is able to use the camera for a digital photo of maximum 3.1 mega pixels picture, and is able to shoot AVI short film.”
Also, “zoom” isn’t “zoom”. No. It’s “focusing function.”
Actually, here’s a list of some of my favorite bad-translation/grammar moments from this book: (All emphasis added)
- “…The water, sand drop, dust, or salty component may damage the camera…”
- To install the battery: “…put 3 pieces of AAA (7#) batteries in…”
- For adjusting the (velcro) wrist belt length: “1) Pull the magic sticker on the wrist belt. 2) Pull the nylon strap stuck on the magic sticker. 3) Adjust the bending length of the wrist belt. 4) Fasten the nylon strap on the magic sticker. 5) Fold and nip tightly the magic sticker.”
- And: “The camera LCD will display ‘Memory full’ if the memorizer is full.”
There was, of course, an abundance of generic “bad-grammar” throughout the entire instruction manual. But those were the highlights.
You really do idolize people who use bad grammar or write poorly, don’t you?
…I don’t think I can answer that one.
Anyways, do you want to know the sad part?
…Those weren’t the sad parts?
No. Heavens no.
The sad part is that the instruction manual was actually better designed than the camera itself.
…
Please. Tell me you’re joking.
Not even slightly. Fortunately, the camera itself was a freebie. But even so, the joke goes that we still paid too much for it. The instruction manual was totally worth it, though! I love “magic stickers”, don’t you?
…
Anyways, happy Thursday, everyone!