'English as She is Spoke' Summary

Published in 1855, 'English as She is Spoke' is a peculiar phrasebook that aims to teach Portuguese speakers English. However, the author, Pedro Carolino, seems to have had no actual knowledge of the English language. His approach to creating the book involved translating Portuguese words into French using a dictionary, then using another dictionary to convert the French into English. This multi-step process resulted in a collection of nonsensical phrases and misinterpretations. For example, the book suggests the phrase 'You are a great rascal' to express 'You are a great man.' Another amusing example is the translation of 'To put the feet upon the table,' which translates to 'To put the foot in the bed,' in English. These absurdities make the book a classic example of unintended humor, highlighting the potential pitfalls of relying solely on dictionaries for translation, especially when dealing with languages with vastly different structures and nuances. The book's charm lies in its unintended humor and the cultural differences that it reveals through its misinterpretations. It is a testament to the power of language and the complexities involved in its acquisition and translation.