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Lost in Translation: Welsh sign welcomes Isle of Wight Shoppers to ‘Hunan Checkouts’

A sign at a branch of Aldi in Cowes on the Isle of Wight has caused amusement among shoppers after it was mistakenly installed in Welsh. The sign was designed to direct shoppers to the newly-installed self-checkouts, but instead of reading “self checkouts,” it read “hunan checkouts,” complete with the Welsh words for cash and card. The mistake led to confusion among some shoppers, while others saw the funny side. The supermarket chain said it was an “honest mistake” and has since removed the sign.

The sign’s placement may seem like an odd choice, as the Isle of Wight is not known for its Welsh-speaking population. Nevertheless, the sign has become something of a talking point on the island, with some praising Aldi for its inclusivity and others poking fun at the error. One Facebook user, Kay Ounsworth, commented that the mistake did not matter, as the English translation was clear, while another, Aaron Knight, questioned how the sign could have been put up without anyone noticing the error.

This is not the first time that Welsh-English signs have caused amusement in the UK. Last month, Tesco shoppers in Swansea were left scratching their heads after a list of soft drinks included the Welsh word ‘sboncen,’ which refers to the game of squash, not the drink. The supermarket chain apologized for the mistake and removed the sign.

It is not clear how the Aldi sign ended up in Welsh, but it is possible that the mistake was made by the sign’s designer or installer. The error may also have been caused by confusion between Newport on the Isle of Wight and Newport in Wales, although this seems unlikely as there is no Aldi store in the Welsh Newport.

While the Aldi sign may have caused some confusion, it has also highlighted the importance of ensuring that signs are accurate and appropriate for their intended audience. As the UK becomes increasingly diverse, it is important for businesses to consider the needs of all their customers, including those who speak languages other than English. By doing so, they can avoid embarrassing mistakes and ensure that all customers feel welcome and valued.

Aldi on Isle of Wight

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