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7 Year Old Girl Finds Racist Couch
Weird Asian News via MessNBC ^ | 5/30/2009 | Weird Asian News

Posted on 05/30/2009 7:17:30 AM PDT by TypeZoNegative

The tags, boldly appearing on each piece, told the Moores in no uncertain terms that the color of their comfy new set was actually “(Common rap song subject)-brown.” Enough to shock even the staunchest bigot where they stand…but that wasn’t the worst part – it was their 7 year old daughter who discovered the flagrantly fiendish flub.

Curiously poking around just after the delivery men left, little Olivia asked mommy what the word meant.

Ms. Moore then got on the phone and began a journey find who was responsible for the insulting label.

(Excerpt) Read more at weirdasianews.com ...


TOPICS: Humor
KEYWORDS: blackculture; litigious; mistake; suehappy
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Umm, wouldn't the staunchest of all bigots try to buy these couches en masse instead of being offended?
1 posted on 05/30/2009 7:17:30 AM PDT by TypeZoNegative
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To: TypeZoNegative
A Chinese software company called Kingsoft Corp. acknowledged that the issue was created by a translator program it had written – one that would make the English speaking world understand what they were printing on their furniture’s labels.
As someone who has lived in China, I can vouch for how poor their translations can be. This is probably an innocent error... but go try to tell that to the aggrieved minority in question (and their lawyers looking for a kaching).
2 posted on 05/30/2009 7:21:04 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: TypeZoNegative

At least they didn’t get the baby sh*t yellow one...


3 posted on 05/30/2009 7:21:48 AM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly. Stand fast. God knows what He is doing.)
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To: TypeZoNegative

From one of the comments at the posting:

“When users enter “dark brown” in Chinese in older versions of the Kingsoft program, its spits out the n-bomb. Newer versions don’t, but if you type the slur in English, “dark brown” shows in Chinese.

The supplier, who hasn’t updated the translation software in 10 years, blames the software. The couch store owner, who came to Canada in 1972 from India, says he’s never heard the word before. The lady who bought the couch is considering suing. — BEN POPKEN

Only my arm, Penfold, and that’s no cleverer than the rest of me.”


4 posted on 05/30/2009 7:22:14 AM PDT by combat_boots (The 5 Stages of Collapse: http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47157)
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To: TypeZoNegative
I think I saw a similar thread to this one well over a year ago on FR.

Same label, same couch. Different person.

5 posted on 05/30/2009 7:22:55 AM PDT by The KG9 Kid
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To: TypeZoNegative

Of course counsel has been retained and suits will be filed...


6 posted on 05/30/2009 7:23:00 AM PDT by freedumb2003 (Communism comes to America: 1/20/2009. Keep your powder dry, folks. Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: samtheman

For some of their hilarious and embarrassing attempts at the english language -

http://www.engrish.com/


7 posted on 05/30/2009 7:23:46 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: TypeZoNegative

When I read this I knew immediately that there was a language translation typo here. No bigots lerking in the furniture shipping dept. Just a typical typo with the word “Niger”..


8 posted on 05/30/2009 7:23:58 AM PDT by classified
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To: TypeZoNegative
$$$$$$$$$$$$

This is the new version of corporate welfare, zer0 style.

9 posted on 05/30/2009 7:25:14 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (zer0 is doing to capitalism what Kennedy did to health care)
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To: Smokin' Joe
"At least they didn’t get the baby sh*t yellow one..."

I first I thought they meant Sh*t brown. But it wouldn't be racist. I think it must have been N*gg*r brown to be racist. "Common Rap song subject" is a horrible clue.

They should have gone for the Presidential Carmel one.

10 posted on 05/30/2009 7:26:41 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: classified

Except Niger was spelled wrong.


11 posted on 05/30/2009 7:27:25 AM PDT by classified
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To: samtheman
This is probably an innocent error... but go try to tell that to the aggrieved minority in question (and their lawyers looking for a kaching).

And there-in lies the truth to most "racism" claims anymore.

It's not about truly being offended to the point where you can't sleep or eat for days.....

.....It's about finding the pot-o-gold.

I have NEVER heard of anyone being sued for being calling someone a "red neck", "whitey", "pale face", "cracker", or using the term "Irish Green".

Racism cries have become nothing more than minorities getting booty at other's expense with the help of the legal system.

12 posted on 05/30/2009 7:29:17 AM PDT by SteamShovel (When hope trumps reality, there is no hope at all.)
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To: TypeZoNegative

“A Chinese software company called Kingsoft Corp. acknowledged that the issue was created by a translator program it had written – one that would make the English speaking world understand what they were printing on their furniture’s labels.

Kingsoft apologized and indicated the “N” word was simply misspelled. It was supposed to be “Niger” coined after the river of the same name – which is dark brown in color.”

This was precisely my first thought.
These people are just looking for a payout.

This kind of “translation glitch” happens all the time.

Here’s a fun site for weird examples of “translated phrases gone horribly wrong”.

http://www.engrish.com/

In a related vein, you can’t go to the feed store and buy “Niger Seed” for bird feeders any more.
It’s now “Nyjer Seed”.
[Hooked on Phonics worked for me!]

This is getting ridiculous.


13 posted on 05/30/2009 7:31:27 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: classified
Except Niger was spelled wrong.

Wasn't it CNN who spelled "Niger Ellis" wrong on a screen cap?

Bet they didn't get sued

14 posted on 05/30/2009 7:32:10 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (zer0 is doing to capitalism what Kennedy did to health care)
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To: The KG9 Kid
"I think I saw a similar thread to this one well over a year ago on FR. Same label, same couch. Different person."

You think correct, so did I.

Wonder if there really is a "little Olivia" that could be confirmed, or, if this isn't just one more damnable lie for the sewer a.ka NBC.

15 posted on 05/30/2009 7:32:41 AM PDT by Landru (Arghh, Liberals are trapped in my colon like spackle or paste.)
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To: bgill
Three that I saw that stick in my mind in my travels through China:

1. On a sign over an office in Xian (the "ancient capital" of China):

The Xian Risky Investment Company

2. On a sign over a pharmacy in ShenZhen (a town just over the "border" from HongKong):

Drugs and Tools of the Venereal

3. On a sign posted on the wall over a water fountain in the Shanghai airport:

This water has been passed by Shanghai Airport Authorities.

16 posted on 05/30/2009 7:33:05 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: freedumb2003
In lieu of cash, the couch manufacturer should send her a lifetime supply of
17 posted on 05/30/2009 7:34:13 AM PDT by Krankor
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To: samtheman

LOL!


18 posted on 05/30/2009 7:34:16 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: SteamShovel

You are so right.


19 posted on 05/30/2009 7:34:17 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: classified
An MSNBC closed captioner did it.


20 posted on 05/30/2009 7:35:09 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: SteamShovel

I’m suing you for typing “Irish Green”.

[~now~ there’s a precedent]....;-D


21 posted on 05/30/2009 7:36:45 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Las Vegas Ron

Look below.


22 posted on 05/30/2009 7:37:27 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Salamander

Thanks....looks like I had the wrong station and the wrong spelling too!


23 posted on 05/30/2009 7:42:27 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (zer0 is doing to capitalism what Kennedy did to health care)
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To: samtheman

Trust that certain minority (who are eternally looking for a fight) to be the only ones to get hysterical about it.


24 posted on 05/30/2009 7:43:53 AM PDT by Niuhuru
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To: Las Vegas Ron

He probably laughed it off...even though with MSNBC, I wouldn’t bet money on a “mistake” being made, considering he’s Republican....:)


25 posted on 05/30/2009 7:45:31 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Niuhuru

There’s a very simple solution for her:

ALWAYS BUY AMERICAN!

:)


26 posted on 05/30/2009 7:46:32 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Salamander

*snicker*


27 posted on 05/30/2009 7:49:00 AM PDT by Niuhuru
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To: Salamander

Yup, my thoughts too


28 posted on 05/30/2009 7:53:23 AM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (zer0 is doing to capitalism what Kennedy did to health care)
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To: classified

Etymology: Ultimately from the adjective niger, meaning “black”. Most of the Romance languages (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, etc) have the word “negro” meaning “black” (in colour) derived from the Latin “niger”. During the period in America’s history when black workers were shipped to America to work as slaves, this word came to be adopted from the Hispanic South American languages to describe a person of dark skin. Essentially, a “negro” person simply means a “black” person. Through constant repetition of the Spanish word in the American accent, it seems likely that the word was corrupted from “negro” to “niggero” to simply “nigger”.


29 posted on 05/30/2009 7:58:11 AM PDT by classified
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To: TypeZoNegative

I think the sofa is nice. It was called ni**er? referring to a nice sofa? I’d take it as a compliment, but she won’t. they want to not only receive this sofa for free, but they want to be paid more for their uncomfortable situation....


30 posted on 05/30/2009 7:59:46 AM PDT by television is just wrong (one bad ass mistake America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: Salamander

I think Niger is racist (like niggardly is racist). The racist bastards should change the name of their country. Maybe name it “Diversitopia” or something.


31 posted on 05/30/2009 8:00:04 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Las Vegas Ron

Where was Jesse Jackson’s righteous indignation and public outcry over that?

{{{{crickets}}}}


32 posted on 05/30/2009 8:02:36 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: classified

The other theory is that the peculiarities of southern pronunciation turned “negro” into “nigra” and the rest is hysteria.


33 posted on 05/30/2009 8:06:12 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Larry Lucido

LOL!

Just you wait...some Hollyweird liberal producer will read your post and we’ll be watching Disney’s “Diversitopia!” in IMAX theaters next year...:))


34 posted on 05/30/2009 8:08:10 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Niuhuru

I’m making a list of all the companies that make crackers, right now.

Wanna join a class action suit?


35 posted on 05/30/2009 8:09:52 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: TypeZoNegative

Arnold Schwarzenegger was unavailable for comment.


36 posted on 05/30/2009 8:12:03 AM PDT by Delta 21 (If you cant tell if I'm being sarcastic...maybe I'm not.)
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To: Salamander

No, I am currently building my life right now.


37 posted on 05/30/2009 8:15:25 AM PDT by Niuhuru
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To: samtheman; bgill; Salamander; All

Thanks for the reminder of how bad the English translations throughout Asia have been during my visits there. I especially found the bathroom or WC-related ones hilarious.

By the way, did anyone see “The Dam Busters” on TCM during the Memorial Day weekend? The reason I ask is because I swear the group captain’s dog was named “N*gg*r.” Was I hearing things? The British movie was made in the Forties or Fifties so PC was not yet in vogue.


38 posted on 05/30/2009 8:25:13 AM PDT by 12Gauge687 (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice)
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To: TypeZoNegative
Kingsoft apologized and indicated the “N” word was simply misspelled. It was supposed to be “Niger” coined after the river of the same name – which is dark brown in color.

So, they really wanted the Niger-Brown couch?

39 posted on 05/30/2009 8:36:40 AM PDT by libertarian27 (Ingsoc: Life, Liberty and the Department of Happiness)
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To: 12Gauge687

From IMDB.com:

Is Removing The “N” Word Censorship?

11 June 2001 | From Studio Briefing | See recent Studio Briefing news

Britain’s ITV commercial network has been accused of censorship after deciding to remove all references to a dog named “Nigger” from a classic British World War II film, Dam Busters, which starred Michael Redgrave. The group Index on Censorship noted that the film was based on a true incident, that the movie was made in 1954 and that the dog’s name is also used later in the film as a codeword for a military operation. “Taking [the offending word] out is unnecessary and ridiculous,” a spokeswoman for Index on Censorship told Britain’s Guardian newspaper. “It is a ‘50s film, and it should be kept in context.” But Ian McBride, managing editor of compliance at Granada, the ITV company that broadcast the film, responded, “What we are sensitive to is viewers being offended by [the word].”


40 posted on 05/30/2009 8:39:07 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: TypeZoNegative

This is funny. They’d find it funny too after receiving the information as to how it came to be if we were such the victim society.


41 posted on 05/30/2009 8:44:50 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Putin warned Obama not to pursue Marxism. Obama has ignored him.)
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To: TypeZoNegative

Another family trying to make money from their skin color.


42 posted on 05/30/2009 8:45:02 AM PDT by Pilated
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To: TypeZoNegative

43 posted on 05/30/2009 8:52:20 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: TypeZoNegative

44 posted on 05/30/2009 8:56:49 AM PDT by Daffynition ("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
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To: bgill

LMAO - great site!


45 posted on 05/30/2009 9:04:40 AM PDT by libertarian27 (Ingsoc: Life, Liberty and the Department of Happiness)
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To: Las Vegas Ron

OooohWow! I never saw this one. Shame on MSNBC! Thanks, I will save this for future reference.


46 posted on 05/30/2009 9:07:31 AM PDT by classified
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To: Salamander

Thanks very much for your research. I thought I was hearing things due to poor hearing (years of hunting w/o ear protection).


47 posted on 05/30/2009 9:07:35 AM PDT by 12Gauge687 (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice)
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To: 12Gauge687

Eh?!?
What?!?

[years of cars & bars with blasting speakers *and* shooting with no ear protection]....:))

But you’re welcome...;]


48 posted on 05/30/2009 10:40:11 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: Daffynition

Did somebody forget a “P” or an “R”?.....:)


49 posted on 05/30/2009 10:44:16 AM PDT by Salamander (Cursed with Second Sight.)
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To: 12Gauge687
The reason I ask is because I swear the group captain’s dog was named “N*gg*r.” Was I hearing things?

No, you weren't...also, later in the picture, one of the code words they used during the dam bombing raid was the same word.
On the subject of the "n****r brown" sofa, that description was in common use in England as a name for a dark brown color. This "Englishism" probably traveled to India during the Raj and made its way into that translation program.

50 posted on 05/30/2009 11:52:57 AM PDT by SR71A
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