Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: We ... WHAT!?

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  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Phil Lyth,

    No, not to a New Zild ear. But what if the transcription was being done back in the States by a person who has to contend with hearing English spoken in its many glorious forms from around the world?

    Oddly enough, I expect the US State Department to hire from the other end of the gene poll to the "If American was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for those gud-darned wetbacks!" crowd. Just as I expect MFAT and the staff of our embassy and consulates in the US to be able to turn out accurate minutes/transcripts of non-trivial meetings with rebel colonists who don't speak proper English. :)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Clarke,

    Perhaps a case of people hearing what they want/expect to hear.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondegreen#Psychology

    -36.76, 174.61 or thereab… • Since Nov 2006 • 164 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Jolisa,

    Two nations divided by a common language…

    Remember the first time you ordered water in a restaurant over there? And the second time? And the third? And every other time until you just put on an American accent to save yourself some trouble? :)

    (Obviously a State Department transcriber should have a bit more experience in deciphering New Zealanders. But perhaps not New Zealanders who are incapable of enunciating because they are too “relaxed”.)

    ETA I just listened to it with my best American ears, but I must admit it's pretty clear, even if he sounds like the usual dog's breakfast. That State Dept transcriber lost the plot, didn't they?

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Scott A,

    Curious... Does anyone actually know how the State Department do their transcriptions? Would they be using speech-recognition software, perhaps?

    The wilds of Kingston, We… • Since May 2009 • 133 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Danielle,

    Remember the first time you ordered water in a restaurant over there? And the second time? And the third? And every other time until you just put on an American accent to save yourself some trouble? :)

    Weird thing is I had not problems making myself understood in continental Europe where it was faintly embarrasing coming across people who spoke English like live-action Abba records, but England? Let's just say there's a pub in Greenwich where a barman and I were reduced to a state of excruciating mutual incomprehension. And no - speaking really really slowly and incredibly LOUD doesn't help. Not at all.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    In breaking news, with roadworks and a show-stopping motorway smash up in front of me, I just missed my fucking flight. I'm blaming Hillary Clinton.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Clarke, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I hope you're not using a mobile device while driving...although I'm not sure sitting in a traffic jam counts.

    -36.76, 174.61 or thereab… • Since Nov 2006 • 164 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Now that I have a moment, can I just say that I am very glad the PM didn't say what he was officially alleged to have said? Phew.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Toby,

    I'm trying to think how it would go down the other way round, ie if a NZ transcription of secretary of state put (bellicose) words in her mouth.

    pt chev • Since Mar 2011 • 27 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Jolisa,

    Two nations divided by a common language…

    Key’s diction can be muddy and galloped at the best of times, but that bit was crystal clear. WTF. Auto-complete??

    3 News has the inside skinny. As for the other outlets? To borrow from military speak, MIA. Yet the media was all over Helen Clark's Al Gore quip during the Iraq War roughly 10 years ago. In fairness, that was more calling a spade a fscking shovel, than transcript error.

    It raises another issue: is the English language in danger of splintering like Latin did centuries ago?

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher, in reply to Michael J. Parry,

    ...and we welcome the opportunities to cooperate further. In that context ...

    I can understand 'correcting' "opportunities" to "opportunity" but what did the American transcriber think "further" was and why did they leave it out? It's very clear!

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Now that I have a moment, can I just say that I am very glad the PM didn't say what he was officially alleged to have said? Phew.

    Back in 1999 John Howard pretty much said it, and more. While the rapid flip from regional deputy sheriff to Mamma take this badge offa me was amusing at the time, it didn't appear to do him any lasting political damage.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • James Butler, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    It raises another issue: is the English language in danger of splintering like Latin did centuries ago?

    My (limited) understanding is that Latin splintered with the disintegration of the Roman empire and the closing of the lines of communications that had kept far-flung provinces in touch with each other. I have no doubt that after the west falls, satellites re-enter and undersea cables rot, English will splinter like Latin.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Withers,

    I'm very happy to hear it wasn't what he said. I'm not so happy about what enabling software patents means for the outcome of the TPPA. It also doesn't change the general presumption of willingness to use Kiwi soldiers' lives as bargaining chip in trade relations. Actions there by labour and National are clear enough.....though at least Labour stood by the UN and the law instead of joining the Coalition of the Lied To.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    England? Let’s just say there’s a pub in Greenwich where a barman and I were reduced to a state of excruciating mutual incomprehension.

    Surprising, very few barmen in Greenwich are English, in fact last time I was there most of them were Kiwis apart from the ones where the "Management" and staff all lived in the same caravan.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Now that I have a moment, can I just say that I am very glad the PM didn't say what he was officially alleged to have said? Phew.

    Supporting American run conflicts is a longstanding strategic interest for NZ. Doesn't matter if the politicians say it or not, we can look forward to being supportive next time.

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

  • Scott Chris, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I just missed my fucking flight.

    Crikey, the things you journos get up to... I'm not a member of the mile high club either but really, I don't give a flying fuck.

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report Reply

  • Tamara, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    Many years ago I worked at a Georgie Pie franchise. One day a man came to the counter asking for "a cup for his coop". Many repetitions later I realised he wanted a "cap for his cup". When English is not English.

    New Zealand • Since Oct 2010 • 115 posts Report Reply

  • Kim Robinson Robinson,

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10657861

    How a Google mix-up on YouTube left PM's real message

    Auckland • Since Sep 2012 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood,

    OMG, it is the newsbiscuit article come to life
    urthquike article

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

  • Jolisa, in reply to David Hood,

    "US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered State Department translators to work round-the-clock on deciphering the garbled message."

    Yup!

    Auckland, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 1472 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Toby,

    I’m trying to think how it would go down the other way round, ie if a NZ transcription of secretary of state put (bellicose) words in her mouth.

    I suspect by now the Mandarins of Foggy Bottom would have extracted grovelling corrections and apologies from both McCully and Grosser with a blunt butter knife and a pair of eyebrow tweezers.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • James Butler, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    I suspect by now the Mandarins of Foggy Bottom would have extracted grovelling corrections and apologies from both McCully and Grosser with a blunt butter knife and a pair of eyebrow tweezers.

    You kidding? It took nary more than a raised eyebrow to get rid of Judge Harvey.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2009 • 856 posts Report Reply

  • Pete Sime, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Now that I have a moment, can I just say that I am very glad the PM didn’t say what he was officially alleged to have said? Phew.

    Saying nothing while talking a lot is a key part of any political toolbox. Perhaps the PM’s garbled diction is his technique of obfuscation.

    Dunedin • Since Apr 2008 • 171 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Aston,

    I was going to say how embarrassing our PM is so inaudible but listening to the recording not so . How bloody shocking it is that the US state dept basically spun this conversation out to suit their own agenda.
    I mean ....WTF

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report Reply

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