In the window of a Swedish furrier: Fur coats made for ladies from their own skin.
注释:"所指"(reference)在语言学的语片分析中(discourse analysis)是一个很重要的概念。瑞典一家裘皮衣店橱窗告示中的"their own skin"原指"裘皮商的自产皮革"。可是该告示中的人称代词"their",由于句子结构上的错误,所指就成了"ladies"。全句的意思就是:本店的女装裘皮大衣,是用太太们自己的皮所制成的。
On the box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: Guarantee to work throughout its useful life.
注释:如果钟表有"有用的一生"(useful life),那么可能也会有"无用的一生"。
Detour sign in a Kyushi, Japan stop: Drive sideways.
注释:"Detour":"绕道而行"是公路修建场地常见的告示。该句用了"drive sideways"去表达"detour"的意思。然而,"drive sideways"对说英语的人来说,有"向一边开(车)"的意思。车只能向前或向后开,怎么能"向一边开"?
In a Swiss mountain inn: Special today - no ice cream.
注释:"本店今日的特别事项是:没有冰激凌供应。""坏事"听起来像是件"好事"。
In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We take your bags and send them in all directions.
注释:哥本哈根一家机票票房的告示原意是想告诉乘客,他们去到哪里,行李就会运到哪里。但书写文字给人们的意思却是:我们拿走你的行李,然后送到四面八方去。
In a Norwegian cocktail lounge: Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.
注释:"to have children"是"生孩子"的意思。挪威一鸡尾酒廊的告示文字看起来是要求"太太们不要在酒吧里生孩子"(not to have children in the bar),令人感到十分荒唐。"不要带孩子上酒吧"应该是"not to bring children to the bar"或者"not to leave children in the bar"。
At a Budapest Zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty.
注释:布达佩斯一家动物园的告示给人的印象是:适合喂动物的食物,请喂给值班人员。