This is article 2 in a series of articles for interpreters, and people who speak different languages. You’ll need to read the previous article to be able to understand this. Please click here.
Now we begin to take the original language, Adamic, from one or two words into sentences.
As you know, the most common sign of Adamic is that words merge in and out of each other at the beginning and end of each word, and this includes abbreviations. The end of words can sometimes result in a slight, but relevant rewording. You need to keep in mind that we are going by the sounds in verbal communication.
An example of slight rewording at the end of a word
Sweeteners are used to make food and drink taste sweet, without using natural things like honey or sugar. Speaking softly, “sweeteners” is very similar to “sweetness” in English, and using sweetners results in sweetness. In this particular instance, there’s a slight change in pronunciation at the end of the word, but if you speak softy, which helps a lot in finding alternative meanings, it’s not a very big change at all.
Again, going by the sounds made as we speak, words can change their meaning. And again, remembering that “informal” also says “inform all” and you need to speak casually so that the words flow in and out of each other, we can easily find more.
Examples of a slight rephrasing
“Strength ‘n’ integrity” (the abbreviated form of strength and integrity) also says “Strength then integrity,” “strength in integrity” and “strengthen integrity.”
Sometimes the timing, tone and inflection change.
“Good day”: “Good eh?”
Small sentences
A person working at the check in desk at a hotel might say to a new guest, “Have a nice day,” without realising that they are also saying “have a nice stay”. Obviously, the latter doesn’t apply if they’re checking out of the hotel.
The barman in the hotel might say to an English speaking man, “What’s your poison?” An English expression meaning, What alcoholic drink would you like? “What’s your poison” also says “Watch your poise son,” meaning both don’t fall over, and also, don’t loose your dignity. So in that particular instance, the barman would have said something with three different meanings, all of them relevant to the situation, and that’s just in English.
“All’s well”: “All’s swell”
“I love you”: “I love view”
“Love you”: “Love view”
The alternative meanings in Adamic quite often allude to more than one thing at the same time. By misspelling a Homophone, a slightly different, but relevant meaning can sometimes be revealed. For instance, if I write, ‘Hear you can see how words work in another way,’ instead of ‘Here you can see …’, you can immediately see that it has relevant meaning, because you now know that you need to hear words, in order to find the other possible meanings.
At this point, it’s important to remember that something in one language could mean something rude in another language, and it’s very important to make it clear to anyone you explain the original language to, that occurrences like that are inevitable and are totally unintentional. If you speak another language, or you’re an interpreter, you’ll have seen this happen before, but it’s something that should always be pointed out, without fail, to avoid any possible offence.
Anything that sounds like an insult is accidental, and should be laughed off later. The potential for innuendos is inevitably increased, and should be taken as a point of amusement and something to share a laugh about.
(Those who suspect intelligent design in these coincidences appreciate the notion that there is a sense of humour involved.)
Information for interpreters 3
