In the realm of amusing signage, Cuba’s lack of mastery with the English language (which is totally understandable, by the way), while not in the same category and magnitude as those in China (gotta love those funny Chinese signs), brings us some amusing stuff as well. Here are some funny signs I’ve seen so far (I should be looking for more) in the Cuba Edition of Lost in Translation:
1. “Handcuff until the It collide and without loosing it pull the hatch”: I found this one aboard a converted transport Soviet era plane of Aerocaribbean Airlines plane bound for Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They were instructions on how to open an emergency exit hatch in case of a splash down. What it means is that you are screwed! You have chosen a shitty plane from a shitty airline. [Real Translation: Pull the handle upward until its maximum and, without releasing your grip, pull the hatch door in.]
2. “Please taken care bridge in difference:” Here’s a case were the person who made this translated the phrase too literally. In Spanish, the sign would have read: Tenga cuidado. El puente tiene differencia. Filipinos can easily understand how the misunderstanding came about (differencia is a Tagalog word as well with the same meaning). I nearly crashed the motorbike I was driving for laughing so hard after reading the sign in Cayo Guillermo, Villa Clara province. [Real Translation: Warning. The bridge is under repair.]
3. “Economic” plane ride: We all know Aerocaribbean Airlines wasn’t established by the Cuban Government to make profit (as in all the other government-owned companies in Cuba) from the shitty service it provides. The Airline has a monopoly of that lucrative (wink, wink) Havana-Port au Prince route . To readily admit that your airline is “economic” is a different matter altogether. It takes a lot of balls to admit that your service is shitty and Aerocaribbean proudly admits that in its airport signage.