I’ve been working on writing an article for this blog about the policy conference on Saturday and the Lib Dem approach to public services, neglecting various half-written posts on party organisation as I do so, but I keep changing my mind about it. In large part I’m wrestling with differences between what people say and what they mean.

So in the meantime, and on a similar theme, here is a piece of bad translation. It comes from the packaging of a small novelty pen that I was given during the Christmas break. Well it amused me.

Explain
1. The Product is used in the material approbated by international and according with the standard enviroanmental conservation safety.
2. The product can not be eaten and it can’t be pressed and plucked emphatically

The phrase “can’t be pressed and plucked emphatically” is wonderfully full of meaning and I intend to look for ways to use it in everyday conversation.