Couch Slur May Have Been A Case Of ‘Lost In Translation’
Posted April 13, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A racial slur that appeared on the label of a leather couch may be a case of ‘lost in translation.’
That’s the possible explanation being put forth by the sofa’s supplier. The offensive label was discovered last week by Doris Moore’s young daughter Olivia after the furniture was delivered to their home.
“I didn’t even know what it was. I had never heard of the word,” the youngster admitted, upon seeing the colour label, which read “N—– Brown.”
The slur hit close to home for the family, and an outraged Moore admits she hasn’t been able to look at the furniture the same way since.
“When people come to my house I don’t like them to sit on these couches anymore,” she said.
The furniture store where Moore bought the couch claimed no knowledge of the label and suggested the supplier should be contacted.
The supplier didn’t want to speak on camera, nor did he disclose the name of the sofa’s Chinese manufacturer. However, he emailed CityNews with a picture of the Chinese translation that the company may have used to get the colour name.
A Chinese translator conceded that the Chinese characters referred to “a little bit between brown and grey colour”, but added that the English translation was wrong.
“No. That’s totally a misunderstanding to use the wrong term,” he said.
Misunderstanding or not, Moore says she’s determined to get to the bottom of it.
“If it’s ‘lost in translation’ or whatever, how did they get this word? I’m not giving up,” she promised.
Moore said previously that she intends to file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
