Flopdag.

This week was a hectic one. Too much work, too little time. Yesterday I was asked to translate the word flopdag. Easy peasy: off-day, I was having one, so I knew exactly what it meant… Both ears hurting, headache and 3,000 words to translate. Joy oh joy!

If you’re a translator, you know you can’t move your deadline simply because you’re feeling under the weather. You have to suck it up and finish what you’ve started. And to me, that’s one of the most underestimated aspects of my job. What do you mean, you can’t ask clients whether you can deliver your texts later? It’s not like their life depends on it. Well, apparently the launch of the latest curl-shaping shampoo can’t wait a few minutes. Just like that press release about the € 1,500 bracelet. Customers are already lining up on 5th Avenue!

I shouldn’t be saying this, but sometimes I really wonder why companies write two-page stories (yes, literally stories, starting with Once upon a time) to promote their latest line of luxury ready-to-wear women’s clothing. Excuse me, prêt-à-porter. I’m not a marketing guru, but when you can afford to buy a dress that costs as much as a car, I doubt whether you’re going to take the time to read the press release. Why would you? Most of those purchases are impulse buys.

Or worse even… there are so many brands that invest serious money in high-tech applications (think interactive websites, viral videos reminiscent of Hollywood blockbuster trailers and weirder-than-weird smartphone apps), but don’t care about content. Can you believe some companies actually translate their texts with Google Translate? One word at a time. And I’m left picking up the pieces.

My programme for the day: bury my head in the sand. The beach is just a few minutes away… shouldn’t be too hard.

Words I love

Today’s post is a little different. Since I work with languages all day, every day, I thought I’d share my favourite words with you – and explain why I love them so much. I’m not going to include the translations, because that would turn you into a lazy reader. I like a challenge, and therefore I challenge you to find out the meaning of the words you don’t know. Not by using Google Translate, but by finding a native speaker who can help you out. I said this in an earlier post: I like personal contact more than I like computers, so make this your task of the day. Communicate. Discover. And look at language from a totally different perspective. Pronounce these words, try to give them your very own meaning. Use them in a sentence. Find synonyms and antonyms. Have fun!

By the way, the languages are in no particular order.

Dutch

Sowieso: a tricky one – many native speakers can’t even spell this word. I think it’s trendy. It makes me feel young and dynamic.

Genieten: it doesn’t sound as peaceful and relaxing as it should, yet it conveys a certain calmness.

English

Gizmo: the name of my adorable dog and such a unique word. A tad aggressive and buzzing.

Odd: I use this one a lot (you’ve probably noticed). It’s short and powerful. And a little quirky.

Italian

Affascinante: passion, beauty, Italy at its best. Sexy, but not vulgar. Blissful. Reminds me of romantic restaurants in the Trastevere district of Rome.

Cucciolo: cuteness overload. Perfectly rounded pronunciation, I always say this with a baby voice. It reminds me of years gone by, green fields, blue skies and daisies.

Maltese

Ejja: when I moved here, I vowed never to include this in my repertoire. Alas, I have failed. It’s so typically Maltese. It perfectly reflects the local lifestyle, a little laissez-faire and a little rushed, but always cheerful.

Hanini: another word I thought (and hoped) I would never use. Adorable.

French

Bonjour: this word makes me smile. In fact, my first e-mail of the day always starts with “bonjour” regardless of the recipient. It’s French but international. It’s elegant and sweet.

Bonbon: how cute is this? Playful, delicious and a teeny-weeny bit childish, but in a good way.

Why not make a list of your favourite words? If you had to define a language using only two words, which ones would you opt for and why? What do you associate your favourite words with?