Direct translation, Kenya style

By Allan Olingo

In the past week Kenyans have been having a field day on Twitter trying to outsmart each other on the +254 code on translations from English to Kiswahili and vice versa. Here are some of the translations.

Walikuwa wanavuta sigara — They were pulling cigarettes.

Nani alifunga bao? — Who closed the goal?

Wacha mchezo — Abandon the sports.

Ni saa ngapi? — How many watches?

Nilikuwa nakupigia lakini haukuwa unashika simu — I was beating for you but you were not catching the telephone.

I sent you an electronic mail — Nimekutumia barua ya stima.

Wacha kuniingilia — Stop entering me.

Hio nguo imekutoa — That cloth has removed you.

Nidunge mbao hapo nitakuwahi baadaye — Pierce me up wood there I will beat you later.

Simu yangu inalia — My phone is crying.

Tafadhali mwalimu naomba ruhusa niende njee — Excuse me teacher, may I borrow permission to go out?

Nani ameandikwa kazi hapa —Who has been written work here?

Wacha kunionea — Stop seeing on me.

Wachilia clutch ukanyage mafuta — Release the clutch and step on the fat.

Nilijitolea — I removed myself.

Hauniwezi — You can’t me.

Unanishika aje — You touch me how?

Wacha nikunywe mafuta — Let me drink fat.

Dawa ya meno — Medicine of teeth.

Unawashwa na nini? — What is turning you on?

Umetupa mbao — You have thrown wood.

Amefunga bao — He has closed the goal.

Wewe nitakutandika! — You, I will spread you!

Hio gari ilipiga kona na mbio halafu ikaanguka na miguu juu. — That car beat the corner in speed and then fell over and its legs faced up.

Big time — Wakati mkubwa.

Ananiwekelea — He is putting things on me.

Picha gani unajaribu kunionyesha? — What photograph are you trying to show me?

Mbona unanipiga picha? — Why are you beating me pictures?

Nifungie chips moja na sausage — Tie for me one chips and a sausage.