Wednesday 15 September 2010

Lost in Translation

Several estate agents in this area of France now claim to speak English – but this is more a matter of opinion than fact. Some of them even have their websites translated into English. My favourite used to be one who frequently advertised properties as having ‘A toilet not to be missed’, but I have just discovered a new one whose descriptions are as baffling as a flat-pack furniture instruction booket. Here are just 4 examples:

15 min of Perpignan Ouest~Dans the heart of city, near the trade and schools, house of stone village, renovated in 2006, high quality services. with rez of roadway: Arranged part, porche.~au 1st: opened kitchen, living room/stay, room and room water. Reversible Clim.

Large house of town of F5 type of 134 M ² livable, in calm environment and without opposite, made up 3 rooms, living room, dining room, arranged kitchen equipped, dependences, garage possibility. Beaucoupe of seal with released sight.

Dans district calms villa 2 faces including/understanding entered giving on stay, opened kitchen, dining room 3 rooms a bathroom 2 wc garage and dependence the whole on 252 m ² and portions out ground.

Village at two minutes of Prades~Sur heights of the village with released sight, without opposite, House of village renovated, Beams and Stones apparent with terrace of 55M ²
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I think I can confidently say that my services as a bi-lingual property finder will continue to be necessary for many years to come!