Fanciful Translations

I have a fascination with languages and the process of learning them, how the affect culture and how cultures affect them. I also appreciate very much the humor element of mistakes in it. Years ago a friend of mine was trying to learn to speak Spanish. He was also accountable for safety in our Human Resources group and, in that spirit, he wrote me a note that said, “Have a caja fuerte Christmas.” Caja fuerte means safe but in the sense of a vault or strong box. It took me a minute to figure out what he meant to say and I have not ceased laughing at this for five years. The following offering comes from the Holiday Inn in Santiago. I have kept faithfully duplicated the spelling from the little card:

KEEP IT IN MIND!
HERE ARE SOME FOLLOWING USEFUL ADVICES.

Our city is very safe, however we care of yourself and want you to remind some aspects for your own security.

1. Once you have entered into your room, you may check that the main door has been completely closed and locked up. The same way, everytime you have to go out from your room, be sure main door has been quite closed.
2. If you are carrying worthly objects or jewels, we suggest you to keep them into the safe box provided in your room. For further instructions of use, please ask to front desk.
3. If somebody knocks the door of your room and you have not asked for any room service, we recommend you not to open the door. Instead of it, you may call to front desk, dialing “0”.
4. Our property has given special instructions to Front Desk personnel in order not to allow people non registered as guests in any room in the property. Therefore, guests may receive their visitors in the lobby of the hotel.
5. According to international standards for Holiday Inn hotels chain, every person must be registered at front desk before entering to any guest room.
6. Parking access will stay blocked between 24:00 hrs. PM and 6:00 hrs, AM. ?To enter there, please ask for it to be opened calling to the front desk through one of the housephones placed to one side of the entry door. Doors will be opened only after a previous check through video cameras and the confirmation of registered passengers by front desk personnel.
7. Do not let papers or documents anywhere in which you could have written down your current account, your security key, your safe box key or any other important data.
8. We remind you that our property is not responsible for loosings or thefts. Do not forget your personal belongings in the cafeteria, lobby, business center, swimming pool or another common area.
9. If you wish to have a rest or need to work without any kind of disturb, you may hold “Do not disturb – No molestar” card in the outside of the main door.