language exercises

There are often people from other offices visiting and come meal time, I always find myself translating various types of pork and potatoes.  The other day, someone pointed out how at least with German food, you always know exactly what you’re getting.  Not just beef, but the shoulder cut of a “baby cow”.  And lest you think there’s just risotto on the side, let me assure you that it is clearly labeled spinach risotto with basil with pepper.

I would say this is actually true of most Western food.  As opposed to China and other Eastern nations, where the names of food are generally things like “spring flower soup” or “ants climbing a tree”.  This has led to a flurry of preparation for the Olympics, as restaurants learn that translating menus is not a word-for-word exercise.  Which any group of ABCs who have tried visiting restaurants without their parents could tell you.

Speaking of the Olympics, I feel that the Germans (or maybe Europe in general?) is far less excited about it than NBC America.  While the German chalks that up to doping scandal and focus on soccer championships, I prefer to sit in the corner and mumble “ten medals?  hah!  that’s less than the US swimming team alone.”  Although now that gymnastics is ending this week, I’m sure my enthusiasm for watching EuroSports at 6am will as well.  Thank goodness we have a three-day weekend so I can fully enjoy the remaining festivities.  Plus, tomorrow I will be celebrating the ascension of the Virgin Mary with a trip to the Metzingen outlets.  That’s right, while you suckers in Baden-Württemberg (and the rest of Germany) are hard at work, the Bavarians will be storming your shores and scooping up discounted Hugo Boss suits and Puma jackets.  Enjoy your Protestantism¹.

¹The German was reading one of my books recently and learned what a WASP is.  He came to me to say, “I’m a WASP!  I’m a WASP!”  Who says you need kids to be entertained?