Language is a wonderful thing but it relies on a context for it to be interpreted correctly. I was reminded of this recently when our electrician was installing a light fitting in the showroom and asked me to pass the ‘lamp’ to test the installation. He went on to say that all electricians used the word lamp because, as he said, ‘bulbs were the things that are planted in the ground’. Of course I can understand that explanation but the context was that I was standing over him in the showroom, he was fiddling with wires and a light fitting and it certainly wasn’t the right time of the year for planting tulips!
Introduce a foreign language into the equation and stand back and watch with amazement as confusion reigns. Whilst we were running our business in France we employed a professional, native, translator to help us with the language and phrasing for our bi-lingual website and product descriptions. Phraseology, correct grammar and appropriate colloquialisms were very important to us as of course many of our clients were French.
One of the items we sold were some beautiful wall lamps with the design incorporating a large, polished animal horn. Fortunately we checked the translation when it came back and the translator used the word “klaxon” rather than “corne”. I reckon we would have got a typical Gallic shrug from our customers when they saw the wall lamps didn’t feature an old fashioned car hooter!
Now that we are fully open again hopefully there will be less confusion when you visit us in Cirencester and don’t forget to have a look at our website to get an idea of some of the projects we have worked on and to sign up for news and to hear first of our new collections, promotions and exclusive products.
fairfax thomson interiors, www.fairfaxthomsoninteriors.com, is a family owned, independent Interior Design and Interiors showroom and studio based in Cirencester.
In addition to a full Interior Design and Project Management service we offer wallpapers, fabrics and trimmings from well known brands, bespoke curtains, blinds and soft furnishings, lighting and lamps, interior furnishings, tailored furniture, bespoke rugs and giftware.
We also represent Paul Day the renowned British sculptor who started his career at Cheltenham School of Fine Art and went on to gain the support of The Prince’s Trust. He has executed fabulous commissions such as “The Meeting Place” which is sited in the concourse of St Pancras International Station and also the Battle of Britain Memorial, amongst many others.
fairfax thomson interiors
7 Gosditch Street, Cirencester, GL7 2AG
www.fairfaxthomsoninteriors.com – tel: 0751 277 3241
Another fabulous illustration by Jess Stockham – www.jessstockham.com
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