English as She is Spoke.

[MC-Force]

In 1855 there were no English-Portuguese Portuguese-English Dictionaries in print. Responding to this problem, two Portuguese translators, José da Fonseca and Pedro Carolino, set out to produce an English phrasebook. There was only one problem though, neither spoke any English.

Fortunately for Jose and Pedro, somebody else had already taken the time to publish a French-Portuguese Portuguese-French dictionary. The solution was obvious, right? All they had to do was translate English phrases from a English-French dictionary into french. Then convert the French phrases to Portuguese using the French-Portuguese dictionary.

The result was the memorable little phrasebook "English as She is Spoke" printed in 1869.
___________________________________

Excerpts:

HUNTING AND FISHING

Dâ cáça.
The hunting.

There is it some game in this wood?

Another time there was plenty some black beasts and thin game, but the poachers have killed almost all.

Load ours guns.

Look a hare who run! let do him to pursue for the hounds! it go one's self in the plonghed land.

Here that it rouse. Let aim it! let make fire him!

Let renounce to the high venison, we have some mean already.

Here certainly a very good hunting.

- - - -

Dâ Pésca.
The fishing.

That pond it seems me many multiplied of fishes. Let us amuse rather to the fishing.

Here, there is a wand and some hooks.

Silence! there is a superb perch! Give me quick the rod, Ah! there is, it is a lamprey.

You mistake you, it is a frog! dip again it in the water.

Perhaps I will do best to fish with the leap.

Try it! I desire that you may be more happy and more skilful who acertain fisher, what have fished all day without to can take nothing.
___________________________________

English as She is Spoke VS. Babelfish Click here!

[Olivier]

That kind of English is perfectably acceptable between scientists discussing their last results at international conferences, everybody understands it without any problem
-- Olivier

[ANTHOS]

that's a gem

here's a link for anyone interested in knowing more

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... ct-details

[Guest]

typical Portuguese dementia