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English to English translations [PRO] Marketing - Advertising / Public Relations / - title of a cartoon series
English term or phrase:Talk about misunderstanding!
"Talk about misunderstanding!"
This is for a cartoon series title. Do you like it? The cartoons portray people who get into trouble because they are in a foreign country and can't understand what is going on sometimes. (It's a promotional move, if that's important to you :)
Also, how does it compare with the alternative "Talking about misunderstanding"?
Explanation: How about that as an alternative? I think it grabs you.
Your source term just falls on the floor for me. Maybe it's just me, but there's this je ne sais quoi that bothers me about it. So I'll do my 5 mea culpas for that. And since you asked, I like your second alternative even less. Please forgive me.
Just more confirmation that your understanding of how "talk about...." is used is spot on, and as such is vastly superior to "talking about...", you think.
Fully agree with your understanding of the alternatives. Can's suggestion has a nice touch of humour, even if it's only one-way. Other options: 'How's that again?'(I don't understand); 'Say again?' (What do you mean?); 'It's Greek to me' (English clich).
Am I at least correct in thinking that "Talk about blah-blah!" is a common colloquial expression used for extra exclamation? (While "talking about blah-blah" is not?)
For instance, I've had a lot of bad luck in a short period of time, and as I'm telling my friend about the events, I sum it all up with "Talk about having a bad day!" Isn't that natural?
I'd think about my suggestion anyway. I don't think you have to think so literally about whether the person in trouble said something or missed the meaning of a sign. "Je ne sais quoi" - "I don't know what".
Ok, a very nice suggestion Can, however let me clarify two points :)
1. In some of the cartoons the unfortunate person doesn't even say anything. I.e. he does something stupid just because he can't read signs, etc.
2. The second alternative is not mine, and I don't like it, but I need to know how it compares :)
Oh, and what does 'je ne sais quoi' mean?
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Answers
9 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +11
talk about misunderstanding!
Was it something I said?
Explanation: How about that as an alternative? I think it grabs you.
Your source term just falls on the floor for me. Maybe it's just me, but there's this je ne sais quoi that bothers me about it. So I'll do my 5 mea culpas for that. And since you asked, I like your second alternative even less. Please forgive me.
Can Altinbay Local time: 15:44 Native speaker of: English, Japanese PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks Can, even though I couldn't use your version, it is really nice!
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +11