Foreign Language Museum Product Version

Sometime ago–less than a year, but it feels like a lifetime–I completed a book I’m rather pleased with: 25 Great Sentences and How They Got That Way, an in-depth look at, well, great sentences and how they’re fashioned. WW Norton will publish it in August, assuming there is an August. In 2020, you never know.

Here’s the cover:

In moments of self-obsession–if I’m honest, every day–I google the title to read the prepublication reviews (happy about those) and to see where the book is being sold. I found some sites in various languages I don’t speak and google-translated the text. That’s how I discovered that 25 Great Sentences has a “foreign language museum product version.” Good to know, I think. I’m not entirely sure what that phrase means.

Important point: Far be it for me to criticize someone’s translation. How could I, when I once told a Spanish friend, in Spanish, the equivalent of “Pitifully, I have a former commitment and can’t meet you tonight”? Artificial intelligence software, on the other hand, is fair game.

Here’s another interesting sentence about my book, courtesy of the same translation program: “All the products purchased by members enjoy a ten-day hesitation period (including holidays).” Hesitation about what? To buy, read, evaluate, tear into little pieces, line the birdcage with? I’m not sure, but I love the idea of a “hesitation period.” Perhaps I’ll take one to decide what to hesitate about. And I’ll enjoy it, including holidays. 

6 thoughts on “Foreign Language Museum Product Version

  1. Ellie Presner

    Sometimes I have a pitiful hesitation period after I buy something: “Should I return this? It doesn’t fit… But it’s so cute…”

    So funny!

    Hey, I’m sooo envious: “prepublication reviews (happy about those) and to see where the book is being sold” – so *that’s* what’s in store when one GETS published as opposed to SELF-publishes. Ay yi!

    So happy for you, couldn’t happen to a nicer writer! xoxo

    Reply
  2. Junior Santos

    Yes, there will be an August (how hopeful I am), and will 25 Great Sentences be a big success (for sure).
    Unfortunately, sadly, to my despair, books are quite expensive here in Brazil, but sooner or later the title will be on my shelf.

    Reply

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