The translator interpreted the command “at ease” with which President Vladimir Putin used Friday, June 2, instead of a greeting at a plenary session of St. Petersburg international economic forum (SPIEF), as the word “welcome”. In English it means “welcome”. This drew the attention of several media outlets, including the news Agency.
Earlier it was reported that combatant command, the head of state gave when entering into the hall, saw that the participants welcomed his standing. Correct translation of the word “freely” sounds like “at ease”.
One of the most striking cases of distorted diplomatic translation occurred during the conversation Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Nikita Khrushchev with U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon. In the course of conversation, Soviet politician promised to “show gruel”. This expression was translated as “We’ll show you what’s what”, which literally means “We will show you what is what”.
XXI St. Petersburg international economic forum (SPIEF-2017) started work on 1 June. The main theme of the forum this year will be the search for a new balance in the global economy. The main activities of the forum will be held from 1 to 3 June. During the main session will discuss the main global economic trends, key issues on the international agenda.