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20th out of 56 books
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English as She Is Spoke: Being a Comprehensive Phrasebook of the English Language, Written by Men to Whom English was Entirely Unknown
In 1855, Pedro Carolino set about writing an English phrasebook for Portuguese students. But there was just one problem: he didn't know any English. The linguistic train wreck that ensued is a classic of unintentional humor, now revived in the first newly selected edition in a century.
Paperback, 151 pages
Published
June 20th 2004
by McSweeney's
(first published 1883)
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If your favorite Monty Python sketch is "Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook" ("My hovercraft is full of eels"), you'll enjoy this English phrase book, written by a non-English-speaking fellow who used a Portuguese-French phrasebook and French-English dictionary to render what appear to be well-formed Portuguese sentences into inexplicable sentiments such as "He burns one's self the brains." Some of the errors make sense--they are literal translations of reflexive constructi...more
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I have to admit to really loving Engrish.com and all the various other varieties of English that are twisted out of recognition. It is the closest I come to doing cryptic crossword puzzles, well, other than talking with my intellectually disabled older sister.
I once bought an Asian Santa toy thing that laughed when you knocked it. Not so much for the laugh (which was more spooky than seasonal or joyous) but for what was written on the box it came in. The toy was called, ‘Can’t In...more
I once bought an Asian Santa toy thing that laughed when you knocked it. Not so much for the laugh (which was more spooky than seasonal or joyous) but for what was written on the box it came in. The toy was called, ‘Can’t In...more
"A little master frizzled, perfumed and covered of gold, had leaded to the church, for to marry, a coquethish to the dye glistening the parson, having considered a minute that disfigured couple, told him: 'Now before to pronounce the conjungo, let avow me for fear of quiproquo, which from both is the bride?'"
This is the first book in the Collins Library series.
First, a little history for those of you who might not be familiar with this book: English as She Is Spoke is a 19th century phrasebook purporting to translate common phrases from Portuguese into English. At first glance it sounds all fine and dandy, right? Almost. Turns out that there was a slight problem: neither of the authors of this little tome actually spoke English. How did this happen, you might ask? Well, supposedly, the ...more
First, a little history for those of you who might not be familiar with this book: English as She Is Spoke is a 19th century phrasebook purporting to translate common phrases from Portuguese into English. At first glance it sounds all fine and dandy, right? Almost. Turns out that there was a slight problem: neither of the authors of this little tome actually spoke English. How did this happen, you might ask? Well, supposedly, the ...more
I stubbled upon this book through a comment writer and professor Paul Collins made in one of his books. It is a English phrase book from Portuguese. It is not a book to read front to back, but to be skimmed through looking for the hysterical direct translations. This specific edition is part of the Collins Library, and Paul Collins' introduction to the book includes the history of it's popularity in Victorian society. A interesting change of pace for book lovers.
I purchased this book for my husband on sale through the McSweeney's website about a year ago. On a whim, seeing it on the bookshelf I decided to pick it up and read it. I really enjoyed many portions of the book, but there were also many parts that were too incomprehensible to even find funny. I took French in college as an elective course, so I did enjoy this book from the perspective of knowing what happens when you translate French to English word for word (which Carolino did). Overall, ...more
A wonderful toilet book in a handsome binding (McSweeney's Edition). Mark Twain wrote one of the all-time best blurbs for this book. "Nobody can add to the absurdity of this book, nobody can imitate it successfully, nobody can hope to produce its fellow; it is perfect".
Wildly hilarious. Really. One of the funniest thing to read for anyone who understands English. The sheer absurdity of this book is quite remarkable. If Engrish.com makes you laugh, you will love this one.
The kind of material to peruse when you need a giggle in your life - language errors are always pee-your-pants hilarious. Remind me to never attempt to write a phrasebook, by the way, lest this be my legacy!
It's nice to know the history of this book, but it is not particularly funny to me. I have worked through too many essays by non-native speakers to find their "bloopers" amusing.
Sally
added it
I read this a while ago but remember damn near wetting myself laughing in a couple of places it was so funny.
One of Portugal's greatest gifts to Western Civilisation. A treasure!
Helen
is currently reading it
Mark Twain loved it and so did Abraham Lincoln get a kick out of it
To craunch a marmoset???? This book is made good to read as a wink
Joseph Schlesinger
marked it as to-read
Shouldn't Pedro Carolino receive top billing (& the lion's share of the blame) for this offbeat opus?
English as She is Spoke is fascinating as an artifact of a misguided foray into teaching a foreign language, but the humor begins to wear on you after the first chapter. This books is probably best read while multi-tasking biological functions.
English as she is spoke was a Christmas present to me from Taylor in 2001.
I think it should be required reading for any student beginning Latin or Greek as a negative exemplum for style of translation.
The book is hilarious!
I think it should be required reading for any student beginning Latin or Greek as a negative exemplum for style of translation.
The book is hilarious!
I reluctantly list this as nonfiction though it reads like a parody. A very odd book about "manglish" brought back from olden times by the fine folks at Collins Library.
Very interesting, not what I expected at all, and not exactly something you can read cover to cover, but overall a good read.
An English phrasebook for Portuguese students, translated from French. You do the math and necessary maps.
This book makes me tear up from laughing each time I open it.
I learn much concerning the portugese language.
Mark Twain said it is hilarious. And it is.
Brilliant, mistakenly.
I love this book!
very funny.
Derritas
marked it as to-read
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