A few years ago, I had the idea to create a site that would provide users with the translation of a particular useful phrase in a number of different languages. (I'm not going to tell you what it is, because I may still do it, if the Internet boom ever comes back and I can get vulture capitalists to fund it.) There's a site that does something similar to what I was going to do. It's been around for quite a while, and I have no idea how I could have possibly missed it:
The Project is based on the idea that people in a foreign country have an irresistable urge to try to say something in the indigenous tongue. In most cases, however, the best a person can do is "Where is the bathroom?" a phrase that marks them as a tourist. But, if one says "I can eat glass, it doesn't hurt me," you will be viewed as an insane native, and treated with dignity and respect.
(Found this on WebWord.)
Posted at 12:17 PM
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