2008 Woodie Awards
College's message to students got lost in translation
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: State
- Page 1 of 1
COLUMBUS - A college's attempt at a warm welcome got a little lost in translation.
Signs posted around Columbus State Community College Monday said "Welcome!" in English and three other languages. Unfortunately, the French and Spanish versions were wrong.
The French welcome was spelled "bienvenu," but it should have included an "e" at the end. The Spanish greeting was "bienvenida," but that word is used to welcome one girl. "Bienvenidos" is the word used to welcome all students.
The Somali term "soo dhawow" was spelled correctly.
The sign company put up the lettering before the school approved it, said Suzanne May, spokeswoman for the two-year college.
Although most students found the mistake funny, some faculty members called the signs an embarrassment.
French professor Julie Molnar said the college should have asked the foreign-language department for help with their spelling.
The English welcome signs will remain up while the other signs are taken down and fixed, the college said.
The new sign will use five languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Somali.
Signs posted around Columbus State Community College Monday said "Welcome!" in English and three other languages. Unfortunately, the French and Spanish versions were wrong.
The French welcome was spelled "bienvenu," but it should have included an "e" at the end. The Spanish greeting was "bienvenida," but that word is used to welcome one girl. "Bienvenidos" is the word used to welcome all students.
The Somali term "soo dhawow" was spelled correctly.
The sign company put up the lettering before the school approved it, said Suzanne May, spokeswoman for the two-year college.
Although most students found the mistake funny, some faculty members called the signs an embarrassment.
French professor Julie Molnar said the college should have asked the foreign-language department for help with their spelling.
The English welcome signs will remain up while the other signs are taken down and fixed, the college said.
The new sign will use five languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Somali.
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