Are you planning to start your next international business presentation with a little joke to break the ice? Well, you might want to reconsider or, at least, share a joke that will not fall flat in the other culture. The story is told of a businessman who gave a speech in a foreign country through an interpreter. Without warning the interpreter beforehand, he inserted a joke into the presentation. The interpreter knew the joke would not translate and knew of no equivalent to substitute in its place, so she said, "This man just told a joke that he thinks is funny, but it does not translate well, and you will not find it funny at all. So, when I stop talking, everyone please just laugh." The audience did indeed roar with laughter, but not for the reason the speaker supposed. Unaware of what really invoked such a positive reaction, the businessman was so pleased with the first result that he proceeded to tell another joke....
Read the rest at "I don't get it: Humor lost in translation" by Adam Wooten in his International Business column on DeseretNews.com
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