strange wording of disclaimer on burford capital website April 18, 2013
Posted by Bradley in : language , add a commentThe beginning of the disclaimer (a pop-up on the investor relations section of the website) reads:
Viewing the information contained on this site may not be lawful in certain jurisdictions. In certain jurisdictions only certain categories of person may be permitted to view this information. The information published or made available via this site is not intended to be published or made available in any jurisdiction where to do so would result in the breach of any applicable law or regulation in that jurisdiction or would subject the manager, adviser, distribution adviser, placing agent or broker to any registration or licensing requirement in that jurisdiction.
Surely what they mean to say is that making the information available may not be lawful. But this is written to suggest that reading it may not be lawful.
Meanwhile the annual report, which notes they had a “splendid year” is generally available.
declaration to mark 10th anniversary of european day of languages September 26, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : language , 1 comment so farThe declaration is here. Here is the final paragaraph:
In the future, the Council of Europe and the European Commission will continue to work in close co-operation to bring the benefits of Europe’s linguistic diversity closer to the European citizens. The collaboration between the two Organisations will serve to promote the development of competences in the widest possible range of languages in order to enhance mutual respect, improve employability and mobility and to facilitate integration and active democratic citizenship in Europe’s increasingly multilingual and diverse societies.
weird report title… April 12, 2011
Posted by Bradley in : language , add a commentProposed Legislative Competence Orders relating to Organ Donation and Cycle Paths. The document in fact relates to two separate instruments, not to a link between organ donation and cycle paths.
bbc catches the grauniad disease August 15, 2010
Posted by Bradley in : language , comments closedAccording to the BBC, Clegg is in charge while Cameron vacations:
Mr Cameron remains in overall control, but during his time holding the reigns, the deputy prime minister will argue for key elements of the Lib Dem agenda.
eurospeak July 1, 2009
Posted by Bradley in : language , comments closedMost of the media response to the EU Commission’s announcement of a removal of some restrictions on shapes and sizes of various types of produce which can be sold in the EU focuses on how long it took for the Commission to see sense and how consumers will benefit from access to cheaper (though uglier) produce. But the words used to describe what can now be sold are interesting.
The Commission’s press release had the title: The return of the bendy cucumber: ‘wonky’ fruit and vegetables back on sale from 1st July. The French equivalent for “wonky” in the press release is “hors normes”.
EUobserver picks up the terminology of the Commission in its headline on the story: Wonky fruit to return to EU shops. The BBC reports the story briefly using wonky in single quotation marks, but other UK media and the Australian media leave them out.
We don’t know which version was the translation – the French term fits pretty well with the whole idea of non-conformity to standards whereas the English, slangier, term suggests not just non-conformity, but oddness or weirdness or even, according to urban dictionary, not working. So, was the use of the English slang expression tactical, designed to resonate with media which are often critical of the EU and gain publicity for eliminating red tape? Perhaps there was a bit more play for the story in English language media than in francophone media where there were some stories but perhaps not as many. But the reactions in English language media were perhaps more mixed than the Commission might have hoped. The Times Online says:
Brussels has for years complained of “Euro myths”over bans on climbing ladders, playing pub darts or drinking shandy. But even the barmiest of bureaucrats was forced to accept that its Byzantine rulebook for fruit and veg required revision.