Meta: Facebook’s new name ridiculed by Hebrew speakers

Facebook’s announcement that it is changing its name to Meta has caused quite the stir in Israel where the word sounds like that for “dead”.

To be precise, Meta is pronounced like the feminine form of the Hebrew word.

A number of people have taken to Twitter to share their take on the name under the hashtag #FacebookDead.

The emergency rescue volunteers Zaka even got involved, telling their followers on Twitter: “Don’t worry, we’re on it”.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

Another Twitter user said: “Thank you for providing all Hebrew speakers a good reason to laugh.”

Facebook isn’t the only company to be ridiculed over translations of its branding.

Here are a few examples of when things got lost in translation.

‘Eat your fingers off’

When KFC arrived in China during the 80s, its motto “finger lickin’ good” didn’t exactly go down well with the locals.

The motto’s translation in Mandarin was “eat your fingers off”.

But it didn’t harm the company too much. KFC is one of the largest fast food chains in the country.

Image caption,The phrase ‘finger lickin’ good’ did not translate well in Mandarin

‘Manure’

Rolls-Royce changed the name of its Silver Mist car as mist translates as “excrement” in German.

The car was named Silver Shadow instead.

Meanwhile when Nokia released its Lumia phone in 2011, it didn’t exactly get the reaction it was expecting.

In Spanish, Lumia is a synonym for a prostitute, although it apparently only appears in dialects with a heavy gypsy influence.

Honda however had a lucky escape. It almost named its new car the Fitta, which is a vulgar description for vagina in Swedish. It apparently did not translate well in a number of other languages.

Apparently the issue was detected early on and a decision was made to name the vehicle Jazz in most countries.

……………………………………………………

President’s ‘clean-up call’ worries Tunisians

Tunisians on social media have expressed concern at President Kaïs Saïed’s call for “the true Tunisian nationalists to clean up the country” from the those who “have embezzled the country’s funds”.

Speaking in a ministerial meeting, the president did not specify who were the “true nationalists” nor did he identify those who had “embezzled the country’s funds”.

It is seen by many as a divisive move and a dangerous call for the president’s supporters to harass his opponents.

“This statement means setting up militias from ‘the true nationalist’ to clean up the country with violence and abduction. It is a call for civil war,” wrote Mohamed Dhifallah on Twitter, in just one example.

Mr Saïed has been under pressure from opposition parties and organisations in the country as well the international community to restore the democratic institutions in the country.

Since suspending parliament last July lawyers, MPs, politicians and journalists have been arrested for taking a stand against the president’s decisions. TV channels and radio stations critical of Mr Saïed have also been shut down.

……………………………………………………

Puneeth Rajkumar: Indian film star dies age 46

Puneeth Rajkumar, a prominent film actor from southern India, has died at the age of 46.

The star of Kannada cinema worked on more than 29 films and won the national award for “the best child artist” earlier in his career.

Rajkumar died of a heart attack in Bengaluru on Friday, his manager confirmed.

Offices and shops in Bengaluru have closed fearing violence following his sudden death.

There has been a sudden outpouring of grief among his fans who have gathered outside his residence in the city.

Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters that Rajkumar was taken to the doctor, complaining of intense fatigue after visiting the gym.

He was then rushed to hospital, where he later died.

His body will be placed at the Kanteerava Stadium for fans to pay their respects.

Rajkumar was known for his dancing skills and was a playback singer like this father Rajkumar. His first appearance was in the film “Bettadu Hoovu”, alongside his father, when he was just 10 years old.

A decade later, he appeared in “Appu” and continued starring in films, with his last movie appearance in 2017.

Rajkumar’s elder brother Raghavendra Rajkumar said his family were “in a state of shock” and urged everyone to remain peaceful.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Rajkumar on Twitter.

“A cruel twist of fate has snatched away from us a prolific and talented actor, Puneeth Rajkumar. This was no age to go,” Mr Modi said.

………………………………………………

Belgium hands over Rwanda’s colonial-era songs

Belgium’s ambassador to Rwanda has handed over a digital copy of traditional songs, music and stories recorded during colonial rule to officials in the capital, Kigali.

It includes more than 4,000 recordings made since 1954, mostly by former Belgian officials which have been kept at the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Belgium’s capital, Brussels.

“This is the first step, we expect more materials and objects of our heritage from Belgium,” an official from Rwanda’s cultural heritage academy told BBC Great Lakes.

Belgian forces occupied Rwanda, which had been part of German East Africa, during World War One.

The repatriated recordings will be placed in a museum where members of the public will be able to access them.

These materials will help to “educate and inspire Rwandan youth in our traditional music and arts”, the official said.

………………………………………………………

Generation Google EMEA Scholarships 2022/2023 for women in computer science & gaming (7,000 EURO award)

Application Deadline: December 10, 2021 

The Generation Google Scholarship: for women in computer science was established to help aspiring computer scientists excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive a 7,000 EUR award (or local equivalent) for the 2022-2023 academic year. Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate's impact on diversity, demonstrated leadership, and academic background. The program is open to qualified students who meet all the minimum qualifications. Women interested in computer science are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a university for the 2021-2022 academic year

Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student in a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD program at an accredited university in Europe, Middle East or Africa for the 2022-2023 academic year

Be studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field

Demonstrate a strong academic record

Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a passion for improving representation of underrepresented groups in computer science and technology

Click here to apply:https://bit.ly/3pPFbuy

Deloitte One Young World Education Scholarship 2022 (Fully Funded to attend the One Young World Summit in Tokyo, Japan)

Application Deadline: December 8th, 2021 

As a longstanding partner of One Young World, we are proud to support the Deloitte One Young World Scholarship 2022 which will enable 5 outstanding young leaders to attend the One Young World Summit in Tokyo, Japan on 16 – 19 May 2022.

This scholarship is intended for young leaders focussed on improving the education, skills, and access to opportunity for people in their communities, countries, or world at large. The scholarship is seeking candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to:

Improve access to education, skills, or employment opportunities for those that may be left behind by the rapidly changing global economy. For example, women and girls, disadvantaged youth.

Create skills development or lifelong learning opportunities for people to prepare for the future workforce, including in areas where there are talent shortages.

Accelerate entrepreneurship, new types of employment, or provide opportunities for people to overcome traditional barriers to employment.

Eligibility

Aged 18 – 30*
Nationals of all countries will be eligible to apply for this scholarship
Evidenced commitment to delivering positive change
Demonstrated capacity for leadership

Understanding of key local and/or global issues

Track record of generating impactful and innovative solutions to address education and skills challenges

Benefits

Access to the One Young World Summit 2022 in TokyoTravel restrictions permitting

Hotel accommodation in a private room between 16 and 19 (inclusive) May, 2022

The cost of travel to and from Tokyo (economy class)
Catering which includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner (provided by the hotel and during the Summit)
Ground transportation between Summit venues

Click here to apply:

https://bit.ly/3Eq6XCd

Claudette Colvin: US civil rights pioneer wants record cleared

US civil rights activist Claudette Colvin, who in 1955 at the age of 15 refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white person, is seeking to have her criminal record expunged.

Ms Colvin, who is now 82, was convicted of assaulting a police officer while being arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, and put on probation.

She is challenging in court the fact the probation never officially ended.

Her case happened nine months before Rosa Parks famously did the same.

“I am an old woman now,” Ms Colvin said in a sworn statement. “Having my records expunged will mean something to my grandchildren and great grandchildren. And it will mean something for other black children.”

Speaking to a crowd of relatives and activists in Montgomery, she said: “I guess you can say that now I am no longer a juvenile delinquent.”

• CONTEXT: Before Rosa Parks, there was a 15-year-old girl
• LONG READ: The black migrant who fought US segregation

In an interview with the BBC in 2018, Ms Colvin said she “was not frightened but disappointed and angry” because she knew she “was sitting in the right seat”.

She was the first person to be arrested for challenging Montgomery’s bus segregation policies, but her story remains relatively unknown. It was Rosa Parks who became one of the main figures of the civil rights movement after her case led to the boycott of the bus system.

Ms Colvin said she had been inspired by the great anti-slavery campaigners Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. She would end up testifying in the landmark case that effectively ended segregation on buses, in 1956.

Her lawyer said the probation had cast a shadow over her life. Ms Colvin left Alabama at the age of 20 and spent decades in New York, but her family always worried what might happen when she went back for visits, according to the Associated Press.

Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said he supported Ms Colvin’s request.

………………………………………………………