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Did I just buy myself some CRAP? Google Translate to the rescue!

by Norman Darlo July 5, 2020, 11:36 pm 321 Views 11 Votes 24 Comments

Until recently we were only allowed travel within our own county, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but this week travel restrictions have been lifted. So I drove to the next county (Carlow) where my favourite east European shop, Moldava, is situated. I bought lots of things I had missed for months there. Here is one of them. Looks like I bought some crap, right? (Scroll down)

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But... Google Translate to the rescue! Have you used the 'Instant translate' function on your Android phone? Holding the phone camera to the image in question translates the words in real time. It's so cool, I really love it. I have used it many times when travelling, to translate a menu!

In this case, it is translating from Romanian, and you can see below that 'crap' is in fact 'carp' (remarkably similar words, but what a difference in meaning 😀 ) So, with the aid of technology, we can see that what I bought (Salata cu icre de crap și ceapă) is in fact a carp caviar and onion salad! Gotta love Google Translate. And I love carp roe salad too 🙂

Carol DM says:

July 5, 2020 at 11:39 pm

Oh my gosh, you need to return that Norman! 🙂

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 5, 2020 at 11:43 pm
  
  That’s what you’d be thinking 😀
  
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hannihar says:

July 6, 2020 at 5:03 am

I only use my phone for certain things. I never knew there was something when you hold something to it it translates for you. That is great.

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 4:03 pm
  
  It is very useful when travelling, as you can imagine.
  
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#2

What do you think?

11 Points

Written by Norman Darlo

24 Comments

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vidocka says:

July 6, 2020 at 10:50 pm

I also use Google Translate. Sometimes it really translates a little weirdly. I didn’t know Android has that option.

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 11:00 pm
  
  Yes it really does, translate weirdly sometimes, depending on the language in question. I would not rely on it, but it can still be very useful.
  
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Benny says:

July 6, 2020 at 6:28 pm

Frankly, Norman, I have no idea what that is that bought. The only thing that caught my eye is onions. I need to travel outside Africa coz some packed food get my brows raised up:) I don’t know what they’re.

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 11:05 pm
  
  Haha, it’s just a freshwater fish, Intro. A bit like tilapia (aka Nile perch, which you probably know – I have eaten it in Egypt and Mali). In any case, what I bought was a salad made of the eggs of the fish with lemons juice and onions. Very tasty! Have you ever seen or eaten fish eggs (roe)?
  
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  - Benny says:
    
    July 7, 2020 at 3:34 pm
    
    Yah, I know the tilapia. It’s the most preferred fish in Africa. I have seen fish eggs on television though I’m not sure if I have seen it. When I was little I had caught a golden small fish during Elnino.
    So, the fish eggs are tasty?
    
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    - Norman Darlo says:
      
      July 7, 2020 at 4:39 pm
      
      Not everyone likes them, but the roe of some fish regularly sells for $4000 per kilo 😀
      You can see some photos here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar
      
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      - Benny says:
        
        July 7, 2020 at 4:51 pm
        
        Wow😮 that’s about Kshs. 400,000. Thanks for the link. Will check it now.
        
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    - Norman Darlo says:
      
      July 7, 2020 at 4:53 pm
      
      That’s a whole lot of money in any currency!
      
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DocAndersen says:

July 6, 2020 at 11:21 am

ok so the question was did you just buy crap. The translation of the word doesn’t remove the fact that you bought carp.

Carp is considered a crap fish. So, sadly pal translation to reality you did buy crap 🙂

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 2:04 pm
  
  Carp are considered good to eat here! From Wikipedia: “Carp have long suffered from a poor reputation in the United States as undesirable for angling or for the table, especially since they are typically an invasive species out-competing more desirable local game fish.” And carp roe (as in the salad I got) is well prized 🙂
  
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  - DocAndersen says:
    
    July 6, 2020 at 3:53 pm
    
    Carp are bottom feeders, all bottom feeders taste more like what they eat then game fish. sorry stand by what I said.
    
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    - Norman Darlo says:
      
      July 6, 2020 at 4:06 pm
      
      Nor was I expecting to change your mind 🙂 Just letting you know the fish is quite highly regarded in Europe and Asia.
      
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      - DocAndersen says:
        
        July 6, 2020 at 4:07 pm
        
        🙂 to bad google translate doesn’t do well with sarcasm!
        
        and yes carp roe is quite delightful
        
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      - Norman Darlo says:
        
        July 6, 2020 at 5:26 pm
        
        Don’t worry about it, Doc – I’ve been interpreting, reinterpreting and misinterpreting people’s words for decades 😉
    - Norman Darlo says:
      
      July 6, 2020 at 4:11 pm
      
      Nor does plain text, unfortunately 😀
      
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      - DocAndersen says:
        
        July 6, 2020 at 4:31 pm
        
        oh well another victim of an non-emoji post
        🙂
        😉
        
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Ileana Calotescu says:

July 6, 2020 at 9:43 am

I had no idea that there is such a function on android phones. Do you know something? Salata cu icre de crap și ceapă, is my husband’s favorite! I prefer to prepare it at home.😀

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 2:05 pm
  
  Your husband has good taste, Ileana! I would make it at home, too, but I cannot find the roe (eggs).
  
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  - Ileana Calotescu says:
    
    July 6, 2020 at 3:29 pm
    
    We find them at the fish market!🙂
    
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    - Norman Darlo says:
      
      July 6, 2020 at 4:04 pm
      
      Lucky you if you live near a fish market. Although maybe I would not like to live right beside one!
      
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grace says:

July 6, 2020 at 4:37 am

Good advertisement for the Android Apps. Send this post to them Who knows they may reward you. 😀

Enjoy your crap I mean carp😀

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 6, 2020 at 1:59 pm
  
  Thanks for the idea! And yes, I am enjoying it right now for lunch 🙂
  
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Carol DM says:

July 5, 2020 at 11:40 pm

Amazing what a difference one letter can make. 🙂 Good to hear some restrictions were lifted. Stay safe out there.

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- Norman Darlo says:
  
  July 5, 2020 at 11:41 pm
  
  You too, Carol. I don’t know what the situation is in your state, but we all need to take real good care of ourselves and our loved ones.
  
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