links of the last week

– Jiri Stejskal took a picture of bizzare signs („Translation prohibited“) that you can find near some Czech tourist attractions and kindly ignored the fact that their author doesn't even realize that „tlumočení“ should be translated as „interpretation“. And what do these signs tell the tourists about the Czech character?

– The Independent tried to translate the name of Franz Kafka into English – not only they got it wrong (via @Transblawg) but the question is what the supposed Czech meaning of the name „Kafka“ has to do with Kafka's literary work-) Perhaps we could start translating all the names, if and whenever possible („shake the spear“, „oh my dickens, "how many Ezra pounds?“).

– America has a Shakespeare, too – learn more in the Telegraph article about Sarah Palin and her new word „refudiate“.

– Finally, something inspiring and motivating: a TEDex talk about translation by Caroline Disler:

– And more TED: get stimulated by ten interesting talks for startups, freelancers and enterpreneurs.

– Máte-li mindrák ze svého pravopisu, nezoufejte, i tak můžete pracovat ve státní správě – jako bonus vám možná zdarma nabídnou i kurz češtiny. Snad by se na ně měl vypravit i autor jídelního lístku U Septima – nevím totiž jak vy, ale já jsem ještě pstrucha neviděla. (via @slamak).

Last, but not least:

Inspired by the Guardian article about slow reading, I have decided to take a short reading holiday abroad. Hope to write more about it next week.

In the meantime, enjoy this cute trailer for a children's book by Lane Smith (via @Corabas):