Our last month’s Lost in (Mis)translation photo contest attracted some hilarious translation mistake photos. Here is a sampling of the best submission.

While circumnavigating the world, Kati came across this do-it-yourself translation gone wrong in the city museum of Cadiz, Spain. Apparently, the dictionary used by the “translator” failed to note that download is a computer-specific term.

Considering the setting, a memorial site at the Jerusalem zoo, this mistake is not funny (except in a black-humor sort of way). Apparently, someone confused “lookout” with “outlook.” Submitted by Raphael Blumberg.

Jonathan Spector sent it this translation blooper, which illustrates that even a simple two-word sign should be translated professionally.

And the winner is… Yehoshua Paul, who provided us with two interesting photos.

This sign in a Jerusalem church would have been much clearer without the writing.

Are people really SO traumatized by school grammar?

Congratulations to Yehoshua on winning a $25 gift certificate to be used at Amazon.com.

Finally, although I was prevented from taking part in the contest, I’d like to share a “gem” of English marketing writing from a Jerusalem furniture store. If you are a Hebrew speaker, you probably recognize the stanza from the popular Yeladim Ze Simkha song. However, the translation just doesn’t work in English. The connection between the sign and the sale of kitchens is as blurry as the picture.

While this year’s contest is over, we always welcome your submissions of interesting translation mistakes.

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