Three Language Instruction

[A-37]

Thanks to globalization, it seems that instructions for everything you buy have the instructions in three languages; English, Spanish, and French.

I'm okay if the instruction book is divided into three sections, one for each language. I just staple the offending languages together or just cut those pages out.

The frustration arises when the instructions come in a big two-sided sheet where each illustration has three paragraphs under it, each in the different language.

If the instructions are complicated and I keep bumping into the wrong paragraph, I let loose a long stream of obscenities.

I'd rather spend an extra buck so the manufacture can afford to provide three separate 1-language fold-out instruction sheets. I'll keep the English one and rip the others to shreds.

 

[snubbyfan]

 

[Chuck24]

The folks at the local Home Depot stock the shelves with the Spanish side of the box out

 

[Rule3]

You read instructions?

Products are sold all over the World. I agree that if they are printed in different languages they should all be in 3 separate sections, not one after another, that does get annoying.

Pull the language you want and ditch the rest.

 

[SouthernGirl]

Since WHEN do Men read the instructions????

 

[Absalom]

You must buy complicated stuff that it still contains written instructions.

Mostly, these days all one gets is a fold-out with a sequence of pictures, and as long as you can read the numbers up to 10 or so, you're fine (or not).

The last computer I got came with nothing else. If you wanted a manual, you had to get it set up and hooked up to the internet with the picture flyer, then you could download a manual as a pdf.

 

[Alpo]

If your whatever has instructions set up like this.

These are the English instructions.

Pretend these are in French.

Now pretend these are in Spanish.

Then you have another picture, and three more sets of instructions.

Get yourself a black magic marker and redact all the Spanish and French instructions. Just - mark 'em out.

Now you see English instructions, and two big black blotches.

Problem solved.

 

[RobertJ.]

Occasionally, my wife buys something that needs assembly. Usually these come from Ikea. I have found the perfect way to assemble the item without even looking at the instructions.

There's a guy named Sergio who works at the same restaurant that my wife works at. I pay him 20 bucks, and it gets assembled correctly in under an hour. There's never any parts left over, never any loud cursing, and nothing ever gets thrown like it would if I attempted it.

 

[quneur]

Companies are going to want to add another language. Akmed Abul Mohamed is going to want to read instructions.

 

[NYlakesider]

In the last couple weeks I bought a couple items that had instruction books in two languages. (conventional American English and Spanish.)

To me the set up was OK, what they did was print all in one language, to get to the other language you had to flip the 12 page booklet over. (6 pages in English 6 in Spanish.)


With that said I have bought stuff in the past that had if I remember correctly about 9 different languages printed in its owner's manual/pamphlet.

 

[islamoradamark]

i hate instructions i always end up with extra parts

 

[blujax01]

You mention 3 languages. Add Chinese, German, Arabic, etc., and now manufacturers are faced with a whole new problem - that of adequate translation. I used to get quite a kick from reading 60's era Honda manuals and can only imagine what Mandarin looks like when written by Billy Bob.
Someone already touched on this but more and more manufacturers are going to pictograms for their instructions. So now, men can be equally frustrated globally with a manual that makes no sense.

 

[Arik]

If you don't like it and have a tablet or smartphone (something either Internet and portable) you can always go on the manufacturer's website and either print out instructions or just use the website.

I had to do this a few years ago. My sister and I ordered my mom a huge cabinet thing cause she was saying she needed more storage room in the kitchen. The thing came and it was pretty big and heavy, 7 - 8 ft tall and about 80lbs....all disassembled and of course lacking the instruction manual! I was not about to play tag with UPS to send this one back and get another. So I went on I pad, found their website and found online manual.

 

[Comrad]

 

[chaparrito]

English only speakers can take it from me, the spanish instructions are often WAY WORSE than the english. They're often machine translations and don't make a lot of sense. Like those funny chinese to english signs and labels you see on the internets.

 

[snubbyfan]

Since WHEN do Men read the instructions????

I don't remember what it was but I was sitting on the floor assembling something. I think it was our basement pool table. My wife comes by to "help" and starts diggin' through the box, packing material and stuff.
This annoyed me a bit because I already had stuff laid out.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm looking for the assembly instructuions."
"I'm sitting on them, that's all they're good for."

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Anytime there are three languages for instructions, none of them are written so anyone can understand them.