Mistranslation and the perils of using daft jargon

[Paul B. Gallagher]

John Dunn wrote:

> There is a nice story about a mistranslation perpetrated by a Russian
> television station at:
> 
> <http://www.newsru.com/russia/25jan2008/vanilla.html>
> 
> Given that the term that was misunderstood is a particularly obscure
> piece of financial jargon, one has to feel a certain sympathy for the
> journalists concerned.

"Plain vanilla" is not limited to financial jargon, nor is it obscure or 
arcane, as any native speaker of American English will tell you. It's a 
widely used metaphor in hundreds of different fields, but it's 
especially common in sales & marketing and technology fields where 
gimmickry and bells & whistles are commonly used to drive sales.

<http://www.thefreedictionary.com/plain+vanilla>
plain vanilla (adj. Informal) -- Lacking adornments or special features; 
basic or ordinary: plain vanilla stock options; a plain vanilla wardrobe.

For those who don't mind a little obscenity in a vernacular context:
<http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=plain+vanilla>
[see for yourself -- pbg]

This is consistent with the definition in the Reuters financial glossary:
<http://glossary.reuters.com/index.php/Plain_Vanilla>
Standard financial or derivative instruments without special features. 
See also: Exotic.

And this long article on the history of the term is fascinating:
<http://www.slate.com/id/2124302/>
The White Stuff:
How vanilla became shorthand for bland.
By Amanda Fortini
Posted Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, at 3:33 PM ET
    Vanilla has a PR problem. As a noun, vanilla refers to our most 
fragrant and complex flavor, the one we use to improve everything from 
cheesecake to chocolate. But as an adjective, it is a pejorative, 
employed to describe anything common, generic, or bland. We say "plain 
vanilla music" to indicate the mind-numbing elevator variety and "plain 
vanilla sex" when speaking of humdrum missionary style. When Prince 
Charles married his much-maligned sweetheart, a British newspaper 
branded her "Plain Vanilla Camilla." Somehow, "vanilla" has become 
shorthand for bland. ...

More examples:

<http://ckunte.com/>
    Memories of painful access from my first VSNL account [have] taught 
me to be humble on bandwidth; now you know why this site is a plain vanilla.

<http://boredgamegeeks.blogspot.com/2007/12/plain-vanilla-gamer.html>
    So I guess that is my strength and my weakness as a boardgame 
blogger as well as game collector; I am a plain vanilla kind of guy. 
Don't expect too many quirky insights from me, or too much exploration 
of the odd corners of gaming. I tend to keep my boat in the center of 
the current.

<http://www.plainvanillagraphics.com/>
Alfie's Plain Vanilla Graphics and Web Design
...
    The name of my website should speak for itself. I do very basic web 
designs for one very important reason. I don't want to do all the fancy 
stuff. If you need animation, blinking lights and music in your web 
pages, you have come to the wrong place! You will need to find an 
expensive web-designer for that.
    If, on the other hand, you need a Plain Vanilla web design with 
basic navigation capabilities and with simple, yet striking layout 
graphics, I could be your man!

<http://www.knitpicks.com/Plain+Vanilla+Pullover_PD50559220.html>
Plain Vanilla Pullover
by Knit Picks
    Simple and timeless, this unisex garment is a wonderful beginner 
sweater. The easy v-neck features a relaxed fit, short row shoulders and 
a reverse stockinette fabric. The slightly loosened gauge and soft Pima 
cotton keep you comfortable no matter what the weather. Sizes range from 
36"-51½". Shown in Crayon Buttermilk.

<http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2006/12/04/turn-your-plain-vanilla-nokia-n73-into-a-music-edition/>
Turn your plain-vanilla Nokia N73 into a Music Edition

<http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949694,00.html>
... Compared with the Thomas Watsons, father and son, Opel appears 
almost bland. "Plain vanilla," says one member of the IBM board, "but 
good plain vanilla." Says a middle-level executive: "With Tom Watson, 
you knew stories about him. With Opel, there are no vibes. You just 
know, in a business sense, exactly what his goals and objectives are."

<http://www.llrx.com/columns/guide1.htm>
Guide on the Side - Tips on Delivering Plain Vanilla Presentations--With 
an Eye to Future Use of Presentation Software
...
    Presentation software (PS) has become the business standard for many 
types of presentations: proposals, technical briefings, status reports, 
and introduction of new product lines. Although presenters should become 
proficient in at least one PS package, don't panic if you are not. You 
may actually learn PS easier if you undertake to reinforce your "plain 
vanilla" presentation skills before you tackle the software. From my 
point of view, PS is as an enrichment to presentation capability, not a 
substitute for phantom skills.
    ...
    Here are 14 tips for plain vanilla (low tech) presentations that can 
be used with or without PS. The tips break down just like a 
presentation: preparation, organization, and delivery.

<http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1077441>
Beyond Plain Vanilla:
Modeling Joint Product Assortment and Pricing Decisions

<http://archive.healthmgttech.com/archives/h0403cover.htm>
No More Plain Vanilla
Choosing an HIS is a decision of epic proportion.
...
    Healthcare information systems of 2003 are no longer the plain 
vanilla versions of a decade ago or more. Considered the workhorse of 
many hospitals and integrated delivery networks, the HIS nevertheless 
has been viewed as a tad boring -- the necessary underpinning of an 
industrious healthcare organization, but rarely colorful enough in 
itself to warrant an in-depth examination.

<http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/15-14.shtml>
Raspberry Fudge Swirl In A Plain Vanilla World
...
    Success in interviewing involves being fully prepared. But it's more 
than that -- you must stand out in a world of "plain vanilla" job 
candidates. What particular strengths make you uncommon? What makes you 
unique? Be ready to differentiate yourself. Be ready to show your 
"competitive advantage." And be ready to load on the nut topping, 
whipped cream and cherry if they ask for it. You have to be ready to 
take on the competition. Remember, your competition is sitting there in 
the classrooms with you. You need to know and understand your greatest 
strengths in relation to them.

<http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_172_28/ai_n6204129>
...
    As for me, my purchase of a railed pistol is waiting on the 
attachment that allows a small refrigerator and generator so in the 
event of an emergency, I can have a cool drink while I ponder the 
politically-correct decision to pull the trigger or not. In the 
meantime, I'll strap on my plain vanilla 1911 and know I can find the 
sights and see the target because I've practiced doing so.

<http://www.amazon.com/Plain-Vanilla/dp/B000QZYZPA>
Amazon.com: Plain Vanilla: MP3 Downloads: The Beige Channel by The Beige 
Channel

<http://www.aliciapatterson.org/APF0503/Reid/Reid.html>
Plain Vanilla to Talking Machines
...
    In 1971, the first electronic calculators built around a single 
semiconductor chip were introduced. The price of a simple four-function 
calculator -- a device known in the industry as "plain vanilla" -- 
dropped to $200; it has been dropping further ever since. And 
manufacturers have not restricted themselves to vanilla. There are 
nearly 200 different models of hand-held calculators on the market right 
now, and much of the competition today consists of dreaming up a more 
exotic gimmick than anyone else.

<http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/vanillaclm.htm>
...
    "She's easy to be around," commented her boss, "but she has a kind 
of 'vanilla' quality. She sometimes fades into the woodwork, though she 
wears pretty well over time."
    A fairly laissez-faire manager, Dale had hired people to work for 
her over the years who were independent and competent. She had risen in 
the organization as it grew in its industry, with almost all her 
decisions made by consensus. She was kind and considerate, genuinely 
concerned with the common good, but in a position now where she was 
required to demonstrate more personal decisiveness, particularly if she 
was to be considered as a back-up to the Vice President.
    Her vanilla quality was hard for others to clearly articulate. "I 
don't know how to describe it," said a fellow team member, "She's a 
great manager and a competent executive, but she's not feisty enough."

<http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/v4/n7/full/ni0703-649.html>
...
    The central problem addressed is how T cells can recognize 
relatively featureless 'plain vanilla' peptides that lack prominent side 
chains pointing towards ...

<http://www.glgroup.com/News/KOHLS-CUSTOMERS-LOVE-THEIR-PLAIN-VANILLA-9248.html>
Kohl's Customers Love Their Plain Vanilla
...
    Customers appreciate the simple amenities such as: parking spaces 
that are always close to the front door; wide, shiny aisles; generally 
straightforward promotions; a predictable marketing calendar; colorful 
cuts with laconic copy; appropriate seasonality; assortments that are 
fresh and infused with some jive, and a few desired moderate brands that 
KSS does better than competitors (e.g., Briggs, Sag Harbor, Notations).

<http://citybeat.com/2006-07-05/onstage3.shtml>
Godspell kicks off Jersey Productions' first season in Covington
Review By Rick Pender
    The Tristate's newest theater group, Jersey Productions, has 
launched its inaugural season with a plain vanilla production of 
Godspell. Set in an urban garden (what might be some of Cincinnati's 
skyline appears in silhouette on the backdrop) designed by Betsy Cutler, 
the cast of 11 sings and acts its way through parables drawn from the 
New Testament (specifically from the Book of Matthew).
    It's very familiar ground -- the songs from 1971 are well known, and 
the stories are ingrained. John-Michael Tebelak's script invites 
improvisation, and the production uses Stephen Schwartz's razamatazz 
score for an inspiration that's a blend of vaudeville and slapstick. 
Jersey Productions has assembled a solid cast with nice voices and 
enough dancing skills to handle Kirt Lee's simple if repetitive 
choreography. ..

1.2 million more if you google
	"plain vanilla"
and most of them have nothing to do with finance, high or otherwise.


-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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