English as She Is Spoke
José da Fonseca; Pedro Carolino
McSweeney's (2004)
In Collection
#1318
0*
Humor
Errors And Blunders, Literary, Humor / Form / Essays, Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication, Language Arts & Disciplines / Grammar
Trade Paperback 9781932416114
English
In 1855, when Jose da Fonseca and Pedro Carolino wrote an English phrasebook for Portuguese students, they faced just one problem: they didn't know any English. Even worse, they didn't own an English-to-Portuguese dictionary. What they did have, though, was a Portuguese-to-French dictionary, and a French-to-English dictionary. The linguistic train wreck that ensued is a classic of unintentional humor, now revived in the first newly selected edition in a century. Armed with Fonseca and Carolino's guide, a Portuguese traveler can insult a barber ("What news tell me? All hairs dresser are newsmonger"), complain about the orchestra ("It is a noise which to cleve the head"), go hunting ("let aim it! let make fire him"), and consult a handy selection of truly mystifying "Idiotisms and Proverbs."
Product Details
Cover Price $4.50
No. of Pages 151
Height x Width 8.1 x 5.5  inch
Personal Details
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