Bad Language in the Owner's Manual

At first I thought you meant there were cuss words in the manual!

I don't have mine yet, so I can't say. Been looking all over for one online, but I haven't found one yet. I'm nitpicky about grammar though, so if I notice something when I get my car, I will chime in.

 

No question about it -- I re-read the manual about a week ago (going over sections I'd skimmed before), and one wonders how much of this was done using BabelFish.

 

This post is generated[strike:1f44dac611] by[/strike:1f44dac611] due to)

[strike:1f44dac611]Now to the real part of this topic.[/strike:1f44dac611][Not a complete sentence.]

I'll site some specific examples later, as I don't have the manual with me in the office.

When I say "OFF" I mean [strike:1f44dac611]that[/strike:1f44dac611] there appears to be very poor sentence structure and syntax in the manual, as if they translated it directly from [strike:1f44dac611]the[/strike:1f44dac611] Japanese.[strike:1f44dac611].[/strike:1f44dac611] Anyone else [strike:1f44dac611]found[/strike:1f44dac611] find)

The manual does appear to have been poorly translated from Japanese.
I’m just not sure how the poor sentence structure and syntax errors could be a problem for YOU.

Just imagine what the Japanese think about manuals translated from English by Americans who had studied Japanese. :silly: :crazyeyes: :lol:

 

Patrick, you gotta be an English teacher, right? The only thing missing was the grade across the top LOL

 

No, I’m not a teacher, and I bet I made some glaring mistakes or oversights which would be readily apparent to an honest to goodness English teacher.

Just a friendly ribbing . . . All done in good humor here in FHOP. :lol:

I ain't be worthy to be givin' out none of thems grades. :wink:

 

Not that looks like my old english papers cause I aint got no good grammer LOL

 

I teach sixth grade...

and these are the corrrections I would steer my students toward for clarity of message.

"The generation of this post is the result of a comment in the "Back Seat Vent" string. The comment was that there is a great deal of information in the Prius manual. Many questions would be answered by a "careful" reading of the manual. (This is interesting because the Japanese refuse to ship some of the most high tech gear to the U.S. because they claim Americans refuse to read the manuals and then complain when they can't get the products to work correctly.)

Now I’ll start speaking of the real reason I posted this topic. Is it me or is the English translation in the manual a little, how should I put it, “off�

I'll site some specific examples later, as I don't have the manual with me in the office.

When I say "off" I mean there appears to be very poor sentence structure and syntax in the manual. It is as if they translated it directly from the Japanese version. Has anyone else found this to be true, or do I need retake 12th grade (or grade twelve) English? (I will admit a case could be made for that anyway, but I maintain the manual still isn’t correct.)"

BTW I haven't found the Prius manual to be that worse than other manuals I have read. In general I find many manuals poorly written, not necessarily because of grammar, although that can be an issue. The main reason I find manuals difficult to read is that the person writing them simply does not know how to give clear, step-by-step directions. I have yet to figure out how to set my sprinkler system timer and I have read the manual three times. My Father read it and set the timer, however he set it wrong so I still had to turn it off.

To tell the truth, I didn't find anything "wrong" with your original post because verbal English is much more informal and forgiving than written English. I consider a forum such as this to be a verbal exchange and read the spelling, syntax and content as such. Besides....you can always claim the spelling errors as typos.

 

The manuals are written in Jinglish. If you think the NCF and the owner's manuals are bad try the Fork Lift Repair manuals. Even a grade 2 English teacher would fail it. If they would just hire an English speaking translator instead of a Japanese with English as a second language, it would be an immense help.

 

From the postings, such as, "Design Flaws in the 2004-2005 Prius" it would appear that few read the manual, either before, during, or after a crisis.

Bob

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy\";p=\"82365)</div>

Well, you got that part right.

In general, however, please understand that it is ill-mannered to criticize minor grammatical errors, misspellings, and typos. Some of the most valuable contributors to this board have really horrible spelling, yet the spelling in no way detracts from the value of their contributions. I would hate to chase such people away by carping about their spelling and grammar.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nwprius\";p=\"82402)</div>

you notice too!

 

Severall years ago (late 70's), I sold Casio digital watches (at Neiman Marcus in Dallas). Casio had a display stand that we were given, along with assembly instructions, which were:

"Turn base over, then screw up".

We managed to get it put together.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanP\";p=\"82414)</div>

Huh?

I believe you have confused Fred’s with that touchy-feely, politically correct joint around the corner. But let me warn you. As much as that other place claims to be inclusive and inviting, it’s actually quite stuffy, narrow minded, and just not that interesting or popular.

You must have failed to read the notice on the door before you entered FHOP, because some of the items on the menu at Fred’s, which can’t be had at that other place, are:

Any topic tacos.
Pointless potato(e) chips.
Belittle burgers.
Irony ice cream.
Cynicism salad.
Silly shakes.
Ill-mannered marmalade.
Surly syrup.
Hate hotdogs.
Political pancakes.
Wisdom water.
Caustic cream.
Rant Rolaids.
Boastful brownies.
Tidbit truffles.
Congratulatory cake.

And the most popular item on the menu at Fred’s . . .
First Amendment Freedom Fries. :clap:

If this turns your delicate stomach, I suggest you find your way over to that other joint where you can savor your tepid cup of righteousness flavored tea without having to question the correctness of the ongoing conversations in the neighboring booths. Besides, it looks as though Devil's Advocate is enjoying his full course meal . . . and imagine that . . . without asking for your help in censoring the menu!

The only thing not on the menu here in Fred’s is anything Prius favored. :wink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy\";p=\"82756)</div>

You took a lot of time trying to develop a metaphor just to defend a cheap shot. BTW, at one point you said the OP seemed to take the criticism well; however, the fact that the recipient showed more class in taking the cheap shot than you did in giving the cheap shot is beside the point. What would your mother say if she knew you behaved so in a public place?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanP\";p=\"82778)</div>

The fact that you buttinski’d in is the point . . . especially here in FHOP . . . AND without the OP having proclaimed a grave injustice having been perpetrated on, what you believe to to be, his delicate ego.

Also on the menu at Fred’s:

Cheap shot cheesecake.

Maybe it’s time for Fred to hang another sign at the door.

No backbone,
No sense of humor,
NO SERVICE.

What will you do next? Walk into a biker bar and chastize the guys for not wearing enough fuchsia - because it’s really the “in†color this season?

F.H.O.P!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sufferin' Prius Envy\";p=\"82882)</div>

I'm simply interested in discouraging people from posting pointless criticisms of spelling and grammar. If even a small minority of PC members stooped to this kind of tactic, the board would be a far less interesting place. This goes for "Fred's" no less than for the other forums. It's possible that you are a lost cause and will forever consider spelling criticism the penultimate peak of wit (just below making up menu items for Fred's). I only hope others will not follow your poor example.