Bad Syntax, ha, ha

YouTube - A Wicked Deception

The Oxford Mini Dictionary defines syntax as: "The arrangement of words to form phrases and sentences." When poorly arranged, syntax distracts and harms communication. After all, when writing or speaking, we usually mean to persuade or inform. It's good, therefore, to get your "ducks in a row." (idiom).

Because other languages are characterized by different ways of arranging syntax as well as different choices in diction, for various linguistic reasons, the result of a bad translation can be quite humorous, purposeful or not. Anyone who has been to a dubbed or subtitled foreign language film that's been poorly translated will appreciate this parody, done by some very clever people who purposely mismanage both diction and syntax. Have fun with this video called: "A Wicked Deception" in which the dialogue has supposedly been translated from English into French, then into German, then back into French, then back again into English using a "popular" internet translator. (click link above)