Jock Talk

Eckstein 4 Prez · 01-24-2003, 05:49 AM

This is what Yao Ming said (presumably, through a translator) when he found out he would be the West's starter in the All-Star game:

"I am honored. I hope to play well in the game. I think I might have to take a sleeping pill before I can go to sleep tonight," Yao said. "To have this rare opportunity is a rare opportunity."

Ah..... I've often thought that a rare opportunity is indeed a rare opportunity. Either he has the world's dumbest translator or dumb jock non-sequitors really are an international language.

Bee · 01-24-2003, 07:41 AM

Although the translation came out funny, I'm sure in the original language it made sense. Yao Ming is reportedly an intelligent person. Doing translation on the spot is extremely difficult. Sometimes there's not an exact translation of a word and you just have to use what's closest. If the translator had a lot of time to make the translation, he would probably have slightly reworded it to make more sense, but on the spot when someone is speaking and you have to translate instantly you don't have that luxury.

Although, it is a funny quote.

twins15 · 01-24-2003, 08:58 PM

Tell Yao Ming Xing Xang Pao Wow.

jmaness84 · 01-25-2003, 12:56 AM

Hell, im American and i say dumber stuff than that all of the time as you can tell by some of my posts!!

magicmike · 01-25-2003, 08:38 PM

If that was an accurate translation I think that would have qualified Yao to run for President, except he's not an American.

CMH · 01-25-2003, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by magicmike
If that was an accurate translation I think that would have qualified Yao to run for President, except he's not an American.

you mean the president is American?

bigphesta · 01-26-2003, 03:24 PM

yes, he's not a communist - those are people named Clinton, Gore, or Daschle.

01-24-2003, 05:49 AM	#1
Eckstein 4 Prez Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The OC Posts: 6,358	Jock Talk This is what Yao Ming said (presumably, through a translator) when he found out he would be the West's starter in the All-Star game: "I am honored. I hope to play well in the game. I think I might have to take a sleeping pill before I can go to sleep tonight," Yao said. "To have this rare opportunity is a rare opportunity." Ah..... I've often thought that a rare opportunity is indeed a rare opportunity. Either he has the world's dumbest translator or dumb jock non-sequitors really are an international language.

01-24-2003, 08:58 PM	#3
twins15 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Area 51 Posts: 4,792	Tell Yao Ming Xing Xang Pao Wow. __________________ "Ah man we're just hungry man" - Dovonte Edwards Bismarck Boy Scouts of the OTBL - league yes-man Ross Gload at baseball-reference.com Book Quotes and Book Lists

01-25-2003, 08:38 PM	#5
magicmike Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 365	If that was an accurate translation I think that would have qualified Yao to run for President, except he's not an American. __________________ aloha and mahalo HCBL Kansas City Royals 2003 AL Central Champs SMLB Houston Astros VLB Anaheim Angels UBL Pittsburgh Pirates "Barry Bonds? I'll tell you what, if he hit a home run off (Bob) Gibson or (Don) Drysdale and stood and admired it, they'd knock that earring out of his ear the next time up." - National League Umpire Doug Harvey

01-24-2003, 07:41 AM	#2
Bee Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 147	Although the translation came out funny, I'm sure in the original language it made sense. Yao Ming is reportedly an intelligent person. Doing translation on the spot is extremely difficult. Sometimes there's not an exact translation of a word and you just have to use what's closest. If the translator had a lot of time to make the translation, he would probably have slightly reworded it to make more sense, but on the spot when someone is speaking and you have to translate instantly you don't have that luxury. Although, it is a funny quote.

01-25-2003, 12:56 AM	#4
jmaness84 All Star Starter Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,685	Hell, im American and i say dumber stuff than that all of the time as you can tell by some of my posts!!

01-26-2003, 03:24 PM	#7
bigphesta Banned Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 1,366	yes, he's not a communist - those are people named Clinton, Gore, or Daschle.